"What if I say no?" Jovan asked. Maleta kicked him. Cianan glared.
"He shall ask me, 'Who accepts this woman on behalf of his son?' and I reply, 'I do, as his father,'" Elio continued. "Then we join your hands together and go sit back down."
"We wrote our own vows, to be recited in two places," Dara added. "Why we chose each other over anyone else, then we had to declare our intent." She looked at Maleta. "What do your people do?"
Maleta thought hard. "It's been a long time, but... Oh, I remember. The women accompany the bride to the groom's home, with flowers and singing. She wears her mother's wedding dress and a wreath of flowers on her head and brings with her all her household goods, and he wears his finest and presents her with the chatelaine keys." She frowned. "Of course, it's freezing cold out, and I take it it's an awfully long walk to your home, and there're no flowers... "
Cianan cupped his hand beneath her chin. "There shall be flowers, elingrena. This I swear to you."
Maleta blinked away unexpected tears. "Everyone else tells the groom why the bride is perfect for him, and the bride why the groom is perfect for her, and there's a lot of laughter and it tends to get very boisterous and loud, but eventually the groom agrees he has the perfect bride, asks her to be his wife, and she agrees. They drink from the same cup, kiss, and he carries her inside to the feast. They eat from the same plate and drink from the same cup."
"That sounds like fun, like the whole community gets involved," Dara said.
"There's lots of toasting, and every time someone raps on the table, the newly wed have to kiss," Jovan added.
Loren laughed. "I can see the bride and groom not getting much to eat."
"They tend to get a bit... blurry," Jovan admitted.
"The bride gathers all the unmarried maidens after the feast, and tosses her head wreath," Maleta said. "Whoever catches it is supposed to dream of their betrothed that night. There's lots of dancing."
"The groom tosses coins to the guests when he and the bride leave the party," Jovan said. "Everyone else just keeps partying until the food and drink runs out or there's no one left standing."
"I think we're looking at another blended wedding, people," Dara said.
"I like the idea of the community," Cianan said. "After all these people and this place have been through, what better way to ring in the new year than with a big celebration?"
"We can have the ceremony in the chapel and the feast in the great hall," Jovan said. "Maleta can walk from her room with the women out into the courtyard, and meet Cianan there. After we talk them into actually getting married – "
Loren snickered. Dara frowned and poked him.
" – Elio and Cianan follow Xavier into the chapel, followed by me and Maleta," Jovan continued. "We do our part, you two say your vows."
"We could drink from the same cup and kiss at the altar," Cianan continued. "I carry you from the chapel into the hall."
Maleta choked. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm as big as you are. That tradition's only for little brides."
Cianan handed Loren his cup. Afore she even knew what he was about, he swept her up into his arms. She nearly spilled her wine. "You were saying, little bride?" His eyes twinkled, mere inches from hers.
Maleta's cheeks blazed and she laughed helplessly. "Put me down!"
"Not until you admit you were wrong," he argued.
"Prepare to stand there all night, then," Jovan said. "She's never wrong. Just ask her."
"He's right," she told Cianan. "I'm never wrong." Maleta laid her free hand against his cheek. "I'm certainly not wrong about you. I love you." She watched his eyes darken, and leaned forward that last little bit to kiss him.
"I can tell it shall take a great deal of convincing on our part," Elio observed.
"Thank goodness," Dara retorted. "It's cold outside!"
Cianan smiled against Maleta's lips. "Kiss me again, and I shall let you go," he whispered.
"What if I don't want you to let me go?" she whispered back. "You'll just have to keep holding me, then, won't you? All I have to do is... not... kiss... you." She squeaked as his mouth captured hers, and his tongue slid across her lower lip. She quivered and opened to him, stroking his tongue with her own.
"Technically," Loren broke in, "he kissed her, so it should not count."
Cianan pulled back with a rueful laugh, and set her down. She slid down his body, and her own reacted with a tingling restlessness. His gaze heated. "You can, and you will," he murmured for her ears only. "I guarantee that promise, elingrena."
Later that evening, Maleta sat on her bed brushing her hair when Ana knocked on the door. She entered carrying a pale blue dress. "I wanted t' bring ye yer mother's wedding dress t' try on, so we can make alterations if we have t'. Blue for new beginnings. A good omen." She smiled.
Maleta stared at the dress, reached out with a shaking hand. "I've never seen this dress."
"Well, ye wouldn't have, would ye?" Ana sighed. "I wish she could have been here t' see this day. She'd be so proud of ye. He's a handsome one, and so good t' ye. I wish ye both great joy. Now let's try this on."
Maleta slithered out of her nightgown, shivering as Ana slid the gown over her head. "Don't I wear anything underneath it?"
"Of course not." Ana laced the back tight. "Well, stockings."
"Oh, good," Maleta retorted. "At least I won't be naked." She gasped as Ana yanked the strings tighter. "Is breathing optional?"
"Raise your arms," Ana told her.
Maleta started to, only to hear "Stop!" She froze.
"We have t' let the sleeves and shoulders out a bit."
"Sorry. Too much sword work."
"And lengthen the skirt about three fingers' worth – ye're taller than yer mother," Ana decided. "Myst can do that tomorrow easily enough. We'll try it on again tomorrow night." She released the strings and helped Maleta take the dress off again.
Maleta hurried to don her nightgown again, and Ana whisked out with the dress again. The housekeeper nearly ran into Dara.
"They told me your room was down here," Dara said. "Can we talk?"
"Please." Maleta indicated the rocking chairs afore the fire.
Dara sat in one, waiting until Maleta settled into the other. "Cianan sent me to interrogate you on what flowers you wanted for the wedding, and the wreath."
"I have a little bottle of perfume on my dressing table that I like." Maleta felt her cheeks flush. "I don't know the name of the flowers, and I'm too ashamed to ask Ana – then she'd know I forgot."
"I have a pretty good nose. Let me try." Dara strode over to the dressing table and picked up the crystal vial, lifting the stopper to sniff the oil inside. "Light and fresh... springtime... new beginnings. It's freesia, how perfect is that?"
"I'd like orange cerias in the chapel and banquet hall," Maleta said wistfully. "They were Mama's favorite flowers. If she can't be there, I'd like the flowers there in her memory."
"Absolutely." Dara smiled gently. "My mother wasn't at my wedding, either. She died when I was little. Loren's grandmother gave me the wedding night speech."
Maleta grimaced at the thought of the wedding night.
"Cianan told Loren you have concerns about the bonding. They thought if you could talk to one who took the plunge and lived to tell the tale, maybe it wouldn't be so scary. You know you already share his heart and soul."
Maleta nodded and drew her legs up to wrap her arms around her knees. "Are dragons immortal?"
Dara shook her head and retook her seat. Her eyes shimmered in the firelight. "Nay. Elves are immortal if they aren't killed, and you're immortal now because Cianan gave you half his soul when you lay dying." She took a deep, shuddering breath. "I'm only immortal because Loren's father gave me his own immortality and died – he went to be with his wife, for whom he'd grieved for years. Gracing a mortal with immortality and Light can only come from great sacrifice, to ensure so precious a gift is not squandered."
"Can you really hear each other's thoughts, all the time
? No secrets? No privacy? How do you not go mad?" Maleta bit her lip. "There are things about me that Cianan knows about, but he doesn't really know. I don't know that I want to put him through that."
"Life-mates take the bad with the good," Dara said. "Cianan told me about Hedda's possession, and I've seen your friend Raven. I can see why you're concerned. But it's not like that. Aye, you can hear each other's thoughts, feel each other's emotions. But with love and Light, it's a constant warmth, an affirmation, a reassurance. Private discussions, little private humor that only the two of you comprehend. Total love and acceptance." She grinned. "And the sex is unbelievable!"
Maleta bit her lip and tried not to cringe.
Dara immediately sobered. "Asides being your sister, I'm also your healer. I know it's hard to believe after what happened to you. But the man who violated your body is dead. He did not take away who you are. The woman I saw today laughed in my brother's arms, teased him, kissed him back with passion."
"But yesterday when we kissed I completely snapped out on him."
"What did he do differently? Specifically?'
Maleta's cheeks burned. "He grabbed my backside and rubbed against me. How are we to ever have sex if I can't even handle that?"
"Slowly, with great tenderness." Dara leaned forward. "As you make love, you begin to feel what the other person feels, literally, physically. You lean against his shoulder, and you feel his skin against your cheek. But you also feel your hair against your shoulder. You feel what he feels, what you do to him, how you affect him. It's incredible to know how much he needs you, how much he wants you to feel pleasure at the joining. What you fear isn't Cianan. What you fear is force and restraint."
"But to be under a man again?" Maleta shook at the very thought. Immediately warmth and love flooded her. Cianan didn't know what scared her – he just reacted to her fear with reassurance.
"See what I mean? He loves you. More than life. He would never do anything to hurt you." Dara slouched back in her chair. "You fear being under Cianan in bed? Then don't be under him."
"Pardon?" Maleta thought she'd strangle on the word. "I don't understand."
"Trade places – you be on top. You keep the control. There are many ways to make love, Maleta, and all of them bring nothing but pleasure." She grinned, mischief in her eyes. "Trust me, Cianan won't be complaining. It'll be all right." Dara stood. "Cianan's working on his vows. You should do the same."
* * * *
Maleta stared at her reflection in the mirror. The ice-blue dress formed a V, from the point of her shoulders down betwixt her breasts, outlined with shimmering silver and white embroidery, tiny snowflakes with seed-pearl centers. The long sleeves were still tight, and Maleta cared less about her tiny waist than in her ability to breathe, but the skirt flowed like water over her hips to the ground. Silk stockings and slippers completed the outfit. Maleta thought completed was a purely subjective phrase for someone wearing no especial undergarments. They'd found a use for the hair ribbons after all – a dainty circlet of freesia encircled her hair, the ribbons hanging down her back. She'd bathed in water scented with the same oil, and her skin shimmered in the firelight. She barely recognized herself.
"Ye're beautiful," Ana stated. She flung a blue woolen cloak over Maleta's shoulders and drew the hood up carefully. "Otherwise ye'll be the same color as yer dress in no time. Jovan can take it off ye in the chapel, and then we can all watch yer warrior faint, overcome by the beauty of his bride."
Maleta rolled her eyes. "Did you get a head start on the toasting, perchance?"
Dara knocked on the door. "Time to go."
Maleta took a deep breath and left her room. Accompanied by Dara and Ana, she strode down the stairs and out into the sunny courtyard, where Cianan awaited her with Jovan, Xavier and his family. Cianan, Loren and Elio were garbed in what had to be dress uniforms of hunter green velvet, complete with medals and gold braiding. All the servants and guard cheered as she appeared.
"A brave knight awaits our lady's hand!" Gayle called out. "Pray tell, sirs, why he deems himself worthy of her?"
And so they were off and running. Boasts and offers and counteroffers, jests and laughter, as the bartering see-sawed back and forth from the absurd to the heart-wrenching.
"Enough!" Cianan raised his hands. "Van Marete is indeed the very paragon of womanhood I have sought all my life. Fair lady, would you consent to become my wife, forever and always?"
Maleta's sides ached from laughing. "If I must, I suppose I could do worse than a handsome warrior who worships me," she teased. "Aye, I'll have you as my one and only."
Everyone cheered.
"To the chapel!" Xavier cried, holding up the chalice of honey mead and leading the way. Cianan took his place up front with Loren and Elio. The guests found their seats. Jovan closed the door behind Maleta and him. Her eyes burned as she noticed the orange cerias placed about the chapel and at the altar. Jovan carefully helped her off with the cloak. There were gasps from all around. Cianan's jaw dropped.
Maleta blushed. It suddenly occurred to her he'd never seen her in a dress afore. Jovan led her to the front. Maleta and Cianan had eyes only for each other.
"Who gives this woman to this man?" Xavier asked.
"I do, as her brother," Jovan replied.
"And who accepts her as wife for his son?"
Elio cleared his throat. "I do, as his father – wholeheartedly."
Cianan and Loren grinned.
"On this day, Van Marete Shamari and Cianan ta Daneal have chosen to set aside their childhood and take their adult places as husband and wife," Xavier continued. "As a gesture of this transition, I would receive their tokens of childhood."
Ana and Elio each handed Xavier a box. Xavier removed a penmanship stylus for Maleta and a grass whistle for Cianan. He turned to the altar. "Lady Goddess, receive these tokens of childhood, and with it, Maleta's and Cianan's pledges that they have indeed chosen this first step into their adult union." As the incense-scented flames devoured the offerings, Xavier turned back to the couple. "You stand here today on the brink of adulthood, no longer in the care of your families. Gentlemen, I dismiss thee."
Elio and Jovan joined Cianan's and Maleta's hands, and went to sit in the front row with Ana.
The priest smiled at the couple. "I would receive their tokens of adulthood at this time."
Dara and Loren bowed and presented two more ornate boxes. Xavier accepted a small symbolic sword and a candle for Maleta.
"I bring to this union my skills as warrior and my newfound devotion to the Light," Maleta announced. "I swear to always fight at your side against all foes, and guard your back against the same."
Xavier took a miniature bow and quiver of arrows for Cianan.
"I bring to this union my vow to always provide for you, and keep danger to you at a distance, to strike it down afore any harm reaches you," Cianan stated.
Xavier laid the tokens at the base of the altar. "Lady of Light, mother of all life, accept these symbols of Maleta's and Cianan's eternal vows." He turned to the gathered attendees. "If there be any here today who judge that these two not be fully prepared for this union, let him – or her – come forth."
No one moved, or spoke. Xavier waited for a count of thirty. "So be it. Henceforth, let no one act against this union or seek to unravel these bonds." Taking a braided horsehair cord from around his neck, he wrapped it several times around Maleta's and Cianan's hands. "Two lives shared. Two bodies, two minds, two hearts, two souls – two halves of a whole. No longer apart, no longer separate." He looked at Maleta. "Van Marete, why do you choose this man above all others?"
Maleta had eyes only for Cianan, and she took a breath. "I was lost in the darkness of this world, living a life of survival and vengeance with no hope for the future. And then you came along and showed me a better way. You gave me the courage to reach for the Light and hope for freedom. You accept me for whom and what I am. You gave me belief and strength when mine wavered. You se
t me free, and helped bring my family back together again. You're my conscience, my heart and my soul."
"Cianan ta Daneal, why do you choose this woman above all others?"
His eyes glistened at her. "I traveled to Shamar on the power of a vision. I saw you fight the darkness alone. In a life that would have broken most, you rise above it. You are truly vertenya, and I stand in awe of your strength and courage. You lean on me, you gift me with your trust, and it challenges me to always prove worthy of such a gesture. You are my vision, my love."
Xavier beamed at them. "Van Marete, afore this gathering, declare thy intent."
Maleta's throat tightened around unshed tears. She couldn't believe she was really doing this. Her voice shook. "I come to you today rejoicing. Heart and soul, body and mind, I give myself into your keeping. I'll fight by your side against all foes. I'll counsel you and comfort you. I vow to be an equal partner and helpmate in our home. I'll honor your friends and your family. I'll be a good mother to our children."
"Cianan ta Daneal, afore this gathering declare thy intent."
Cianan raised their hands to his lips, she felt him kiss her fingers. His gaze never left hers. "Today I vow you shall be an equal partner in all things. We shall face all things, together, side-by-side. We have proven we are stronger together than we are apart. I take your heart in my keeping and give you mine in return. I shall honor your friends and your family. I shall be a good father to our children."
"Who bears witness to these vows?" Xavier demanded.
"We do," the entire gathering answered.
Xavier turned to Cianan. "The rings."
Maleta frowned at Cianan, baffled. This was a surprise – he'd said nothing of this.
He smiled and uncurled his free hand. In his palm rested two gold rings. "These rings belonged to my parents. The inscription reads Forever. My mother wanted me to have them, to share them with my chosen bride. I was hoping you would consent to wear these with me, as a symbol of our pledge today."
"I-I would be honored." Honored? More like overwhelmed. She watched him slip the dainty gold ring on her bound hand, and struggled to do the same.
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