“Comfy? Good,” Sean exhaled.
“It’s okay?” Hallie asked.
“Yeah, put it…” Sean started to tell her, but he looked at the sword. “Is that your weapon?”
“Yes.”
Sean gave her a smirk. “It was. Ven?”
“Yes, sir? You wish mithril brought up?”
“You know me well, Ven,” Sean chuckled. “Please.”
“I’ll have the message passed, sir.”
“Thanks, Ven.”
“What?” Hallie asked.
“Have a seat and put that away for now, please,” Sean said. “I’m going to make you the armor and weapons that my wives get.”
Hallie was halfway seated when her breath caught and she froze. “Really?”
Sean gave her a soft smile. “Your father approved?”
“Yes, and he will back you during the party,” Hallie nodded. “We’re sure that Lord Sharpeyes will try to harm you during it.”
“Which is why this started,” Sean said. “Well, after listening to you, I understand you better. Your family agrees, mine agrees. We’ll announce the wedding feast tonight and have it tomorrow.”
Hallie’s eyes glittered and she swallowed hard a few times. Her hands began to shake and her lips trembled as she stared at him. “Sean… I…”
He gave her a soft smile and touched her cheek gently. “Tomorrow, but we can work on my gifts for you tonight. Would you like to help?”
A tear slipped free and she sniffled. “How?”
“I offer Hallie Bloodheart this Bond— a single day of full energy and Talent exchange. In return, she will help me Shape the weapons and armor that will be my gift to her when we marry.”
“I accept,” Hallie sniffled again. Her eyes opened wide as the knowledge of what he could do filled her mind. “Oh…”
“Are you okay?” Sean asked, suddenly worried.
“You’re a god...” Hallie whispered. “So much power and Talents…”
Sean chuckled awkwardly. “Well, maybe a minor god.”
A knock came on the door a minute later. Fiona entered with a knowing smile. “Husband, I brought the mithril for you.”
“Thank you, dear.”
Hallie looked at her questioningly, as Fiona didn’t have anything in hand.
Fiona gave her a smile, “More secrets, Hallie.” With that, she began to pull mithril bars from her belt pouch.
Eyes going wide, Hallie stared in amazement. “What? How?”
“The same way the armor and weapons become jewelry,” Sean said. “You’ll learn after we wed.”
“Agreed already?” Fiona asked Sean.
“Tomorrow, we’ll have the feast,” Sean nodded. “I’m going to ask her during dinner. I Bonded her for the day so she can help me make her weapon and armor.”
“Hallie,” Fiona said softly, getting the other woman to look at her, “welcome to the family. I’ll send the invitation to your parents and brothers after dinner.”
“T-thank you,” Hallie stammered. “I heard the stories, but feeling the sheer power and having the knowledge of the Talents… it’s a bit overwhelming.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Fiona smiled. “Now, have fun crafting with him. It’s the thing he loves the most, outside of his wives.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“How’s the car coming?” Sean asked Fiona.
“We’re done with the first, and we’re working on the first bus now. I called off sparring for the night,” Fiona told him, “and tomorrow, too.”
“Okay.”
“Will you come down in a bit and check on it for us?” Fiona asked.
“We will.”
~*~*~
Sean gave everyone a smile as he stood up. “Everyone, it’s time for us to welcome a new wife. We’ll be having her feast tomorrow, but we welcome her tonight. Hallie Bloodheart, are you sure?”
“I am, with all my heart and soul,” Hallie replied firmly, wearing a bright smile on her lips.
“I, Sean Aragorn MacDougal, offer this Soul Bond to Hallie Bloodheart— you shall be equal to our other wives, given access to all Talents and as much energy as you can hold. All of us will love you and welcome you into our family. Your previous Bonds will be replaced by this one.”
“I, Hallie Bloodheart, accept this Soul Bond. Thank you for giving me this chance. I will treasure our wives and do my best to live up to being accepted into this family. Everything I have is yours. You are my husband, but also my god as of tonight. Ladies,” Hallie said, now looking toward the staff, “I will endeavor to make this up to you. I will never forget your graciousness to allow me to help Sean. If I can do anything to show you my appreciation, please ask.”
Glorina cleared her throat and locked eyes with Hallie. “We did have a single request, and we feel it is equal to balance things… wait to have your first child until we are all accepted.”
Everyone was a little surprised at the request, but Hallie recovered quickly. “Agreed.”
Sean felt the weight of the Agreement settle, then saw Glorina smile and bow her head. “Well, that wasn’t what I expected, but it is agreed to. Let’s have dinner. Hallie, will you accompany me to the Oaken Glen tonight? We’ll be taking you home after that so you can inform your family and prepare for tomorrow night.”
“Gladly, husband,” Hallie beamed.
All his wives welcomed her to the family as everyone served themselves.
“Can I see your hand?” Fiona asked Hallie.
“Yes,” Hallie said, then she blinked when she saw the band around her finger.
Fiona turned her hand over and examined the knotwork. After a moment, she frowned. “Two hands clasped?”
“Diplomacy,” Sean said softly. “Hallie, I do care for you, but it’s not the depth of love I have for them. Not yet, at least.”
Hallie bowed her head. “I understand, husband. In time?”
“Yes,” Myna said. “He’ll love you as surely as he does us. It’s inevitable.”
“Because of the Bond,” Hallie nodded. “I know. It’s my hope that he doesn’t wish to delay it.”
“I don’t,” Sean told her, “and my Bonds tend to grow faster.”
“Much faster,” Rumia smiled softly.
“Okay,” Hallie exhaled softly. “I can wait.”
“Diplomacy?” Ryann asked.
“Hallie, being a member of a well-respected family, will be the one to help us in those circles,” Fiona explained.
“Yes, gladly,” Hallie nodded.
“Ah, that makes sense,” Ryann smiled.
“We should eat before the food gets cold,” Sean said.
~*~*~
Sean waved at Joseph when the smith boomed out his name. Everyone looked curiously at Hallie walking beside Sean proudly. A few recognized her, and rumors started to fly. Sean ignored them as he walked with her on his arm.
“A story?” Joseph asked with a grin.
“Everyone, please say hello to my newest wife,” Sean said as he sat Hallie. “Hallie MacDougal, formerly Hallie Bloodheart.”
“Caught a winner, sister. Well done,” Bloodheart grinned. “I was a fool to worry about your future.”
Hallie smiled broadly. “It seems that fate had plans for me all along. If I had only known what awaited me.”
“Two wives that quickly?” Knox chuckled.
“The feast is tomorrow night,” Sean said. “You’re all invited to dinner. We expect Hallie’s family to be there, too.”
“Oh, we will be,” Bloodheart grinned. “Now I know what my father was grinning about today. This Lord’s Party is going to be something unique.”
“Yes,” Mageeyes smiled. “I am looking forward to it.”
“Before we get too carried away,” Fredrick said, “I wanted to inform you all that the majority of the crafters in the city have apologized to us. A few are hoping to add on in small ways. Our ability to continue business after…” he trailed off with a look at Sean. “Well, it shou
ld be sound.”
“I also have some good news,” MacLenn smiled. “My son will be taking over for me here. Fredrick, can I bring him over to sign up?”
“Yes.”
“Sean,” MacLenn asked, “can I get you to give him the same Agreement?”
“Tomorrow, after breakfast,” Sean said. “Jefferson, come by tomorrow around then, too. We have a car for you.”
Jefferson laughed. “Gladly. Oh, how that will make heads turn.”
“Yes. I’ll show you how to drive it then,” Sean grinned.
“Now I feel like I should have agreed to go,” Joseph joked, earning laughter.
“We’re working on the bus for Saret now.”
“Thank you, Sean,” Saret smiled. “I shall have one of my daughters ready to learn how to drive it.”
“Sure,” Sean smiled. “Just send one of them over. Arliat can show them tomorrow.”
“Agreed.”
Chapter Thirty-six
“How are you today?” Sean asked, shaking hands with Jefferson when the man entered the workshop.
“Good. I hope I can drive this contraption,” Jefferson said with hesitation, looking at the bus being Shaped by Sean’s wives.
“Oh, this one isn’t yours,” Sean laughed. “Come on.”
Leading Jefferson out of the workshop and over to the carriage house, Sean grinned. “Yours is smaller.”
“Never been told that before,” Jefferson said with a straight face.
Laughing, Sean shook his head and opened up the double doors. “The smaller one is yours.”
Jefferson looked at the difference between the two vehicles and nodded. “Well, maybe it’s true, after all.”
“Okay, let me explain everything to you. After that, I’ll take you for a small drive, and then you can give it a try.”
“That might be for the best,” Jefferson agreed. “I learn surprisingly well if shown how to do it first.”
“Oh, it’s not my time yet,” Arliat said, coming out of her apartment in the back.
“Saret and her daughter haven’t shown up,” Sean told her. “I was about to explain how this works to Jefferson. Do you want the people compartment, or would you rather have an enclosed truck?”
Jefferson considered it for a long moment. “As much as I would like this, a truck might be better. I plan to bring as much of my supplies with me as possible.”
“Okay. They’ll drive the same,” Sean said. “Only the bus is different, due to its size. I’ll fix this up later today and you can take it with you tonight.”
“You make miracles sound commonplace,” Jefferson snorted. “Truly, Sean, ever since you came into my shop that first time, things have been moving down a far different road than I ever thought they would.”
“For the better, I hope.”
“Yes,” Jefferson said dryly. “I might find a woman who will tolerate me in Accord.”
“Are we interrupting?” Saret asked from behind them.
Sean looked back to see Saret and a stunning blonde standing in the doorway. “Saret and...?”
“Michelle,” the blonde smiled. “It’s good to meet you, Sean.”
Jefferson gave the two women a strained smile. “We’ll be getting out of the way shortly.”
“Jefferson, you might be crude and rude,” Saret said with a smirk, “but you have never been in the way. Honestly, your personality is refreshing considering how everyone else acted before Sean arrived.”
Michelle sniffed the air. “Leather?”
“Jeffery Jefferson is an accomplished leatherworker,” Saret told her daughter. “Interestingly enough, even though we use first names in the association, Jefferson has somehow snuck back to using his family name.”
“Yes. I think people did it unintentionally, but it’s fine,” Jefferson laughed. “With my given name and surname being so alike, it was bound to happen.”
Sean blinked slowly, then laughed. “I’ve been doing it, too.”
“What kind of leather goods do you make?” Michelle asked.
“All kinds, but mostly armor,” Jefferson said, surprised that Michelle was speaking to him.
“He makes excellent armor,” Sean added. “Made some for my family, in fact, though I can’t say I’ve seen anything other than the few display pieces he has up in his shop.”
“It’s a pleasure, sir,” Michelle said, giving a small curtsy. “I do enjoy leather. Might I stop by and see what you can make for me? Maybe later today?”
Jefferson stood there, blinking slowly, before he coughed. “That should be fine.”
“I was about to go over the controls for the car, which we’ll be shifting into a truck for him,” Sean said. “You two might as well join us. A lot of it is the same for the bus. Arliat will be going over the bus with you all once we leave.”
“That’s fine,” Saret said with a small smile.
“Thank you,” Michelle said as she stepped closer to Jefferson. “Shall we?”
“This way,” Sean said, keeping the smile off his face when he saw Jefferson’s blush.
It didn’t take Sean long to explain everything to Jefferson and the two Succubi. Saret asked insightful questions, which was good, as Jefferson kept getting distracted. Sean couldn’t blame him— Michelle was staying close to Jefferson. Her eyes weren’t focused on the vehicle, but on the leatherworker.
“That covers it all. We can take you two for a drive if you’d like to see it in action first,” Sean offered.
“Please,” Michelle said.
“Hmm, yes. I need to send a message home, then.” Saret smiled fondly at her daughter. “Do you mind if we go there?”
“To pick up another daughter?” Sean asked.
Saret blinked, then smirked. “So you are perceptive sometimes.”
Michelle blushed and gave Saret an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.”
“No,” Saret replied fondly. “No, this is wonderful.”
“What?” Jefferson asked, looking confused.
“Get in the front,” Sean said. “I’ll drive. These two will be in the back. Michelle, you should pay attention to the controls. Switching off with the other driver is a good thing at times.”
Michelle nodded. “Yes, of course. I do want to help.”
“Shall we?” Saret grinned.
“Arliat,” Sean called out.
“Yes, sir?” Arliat asked, coming out of the bus. “Are they ready?”
“Change of plans. They’re going to take a small trip with us, and then we’ll be back.”
“Oh, okay, sir. I’ll be standing by.”
“Ven, can you—?”
“I am here, husband,” Helga said, coming into the carriage house.
“Thanks. You’re in the back.”
“Of course. Saret and...?”
“My daughter, Michelle,” Saret said. “Come now, dear. You should sit behind Jefferson to get the best view.”
“Yes, Mother,” Michelle said as she slipped into the back.
~*~*~
Sean chuckled as he pulled back into his yard. “Well, that went differently.”
“Indeed,” Saret smiled. “I knew she liked leather, but goodness. Do you think he’ll be okay?”
“Depends on her,” Sean said. “She didn’t use any energy, but he was entranced. Then again, many men would do anything your daughters want of them.”
“Really?” Rosaline, another of Saret’s daughters, asked with a wide smile.
“I’m not many men,” Sean said bluntly. “I’m not interested.”
Rosaline exhaled. “I had to try.”
“You’ll have a wide variety to pick from in Accord,” Saret told her daughter. “Don’t go after the ones who are taken.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Okay, Arliat will handle your instruction with the bus,” Sean said as he parked the car back in the carriage house. “In the meantime, I have a bit of work to do.”
“Yes. You were doing something to the window to deal with t
he snow,” Saret said.
“Yup. I’m just going to rune the window,” Sean shrugged. “It’ll do what I was doing.”
Noble Solutions Page 32
