“I, Sir Marl of the House of Muran, Knight of Isiben, seek to enter the bond of marriage on this day, at this hour,” Marl said clearly.
“Do you know this man?” Zakiel asked of the circle.
“We do,” all answered in unison.
“Is he of the Age of Manhood, able to understand and fulfill his obligations as a husband and protector of wife and home, of house and family?”
“He is,” they replied.
“Is he sober and clear of mind on this day?”
“He is.”
“By the words of those present who know this man, I declare that Sir Marl is ready to be wed.” Zakiel shifted his attention to Garundel. “Who will give the bride in marriage here today?”
“I, Sir Garundel, Second Knight of Isiben, born of the House of Enspri, give the bride, my Daughter, in marriage on this day, at this hour,” answered Garundel, his normally gruff, battlefield voice gentled by the strong emotion of the moment.
“And is her mother of the same mind?” Zakiel asked, his voice softening. He’d hesitated over this portion of the ceremony, worried that it would cause unnecessary pain to Garundel. But Garundel had insisted it be included. Though Rosea was long gone from the plane of the living, he would not omit her from this ceremony because of his grief. Now, he watched as Garundel, the most steadfast warrior he’d ever known, struggled to speak his lines.
“Roesa’s spirit has traveled to the Beyond, so no longer lives among us,” Garundel said. Just as he opened his mouth to finish the ritual phrase, Karma gasped, attracting the attention of all. Without a word she sent her energy into the Ti-Ank, then to the misty figure before her.
Everyone had seen Karma manifest spirits too many times to be surprised by it now. But there were a few gasps when they saw that the woman who appeared looked so much like Ren it was uncanny.
“I, Roesa, wife of Garundel and Mother of Renata bless this union between our daughter and Sir Marl, a man whose soul matches Ren’s in every way.” As she spoke Roesa moved to stand before Garundel, her eyes fixed on his. Garundel’s cheeks were wet with tears, as were the eyes of everyone present. After a long moment, Roesa moved to stand beside Garundel, though their eyes never left each other. Zakiel cleared his throat, wiped his own eyes, and picked up where he’d left off.
“Renata, Daughter of Garundel and Roesa is well given,” he said. He turned his gaze to the two other Orb Maidens. “Do you know the bride?”
“We do,” they said with one voice.
“Is she of the Age of Womanhood, able to understand and fulfill her obligations as wife and maker of home and family, and as companion and helper of her husband?
“She is,” they replied
“Then let her be brought before this company.” Garundel hesitated. He knew his role, but was loathe to waste even a moment of Roesa’s presence. “Any time Roesa wishes to speak with you, I shall make it so, Garundel,” Karma promised softly. Roesa smiled, and the grizzled warrior bowed to Karma in thanks. Then he strode to the end of the path. “Doorkeepers,” he said, “open the way so that I may fetch my daughter to be wed.”
Tomas and Bredon bowed, then stepped back, clearing the path. Garundel stepped beyond the perimeter and took Ren’s arm. Like everyone else, she wore her riding clothes, but such happiness shone in her eyes that it was clear she was the bride. She took her father’s arm and entered the circle at his side, then stopped suddenly.
“Mother?” she whispered.
Roesa smiled gently. “Yes, Ren, it’s me. I could not pass up the opportunity to see you wed. We will have a chance to talk later, Lady Techu has promised. Right now you have a man awaiting you.”
“Thank you, Karma,” Ren said, then looked up at her Father and nodded. Garundel led her the rest of the way up the aisle until she stood beside Marl. He kissed her gently on the forehead and resumed his place.
“Do you come before us to be wed to this man?” asked Zakiel.
“Yes, I, Renata, daughter of Garundel and Roesa, do desire to be wed at this time, in this place, before this company.” Zakiel smiled, then turned to the groom.
“Sir Marl, now is the time for you to state the vows you have fashioned for your future Wife.”
Marl turned to face Ren and reached for her hands. Holding them gently, he looked into her eyes and spoke, “I, Marl, declare to you, Renata, my eternal love and devotion. I hereby swear to be your husband and protector, your lover and your companion, your friend and your champion, keeping faithful to you in mind and body, for as long as we walk the lands and swim the waters of Rathira and into Beyond. I further swear that my devotion shall not wane in the face of any of the hardships of this world and that you will find me forever at your side.”
“Do you, Renata, hear and accept the vows Marl has made to you before all witnesses?” Zakiel asked.
“I do hear and accept his vows, before all witnesses,” Ren said in a clear voice.
“Renata, now is the time for you to state the vows you have fashioned for your future Husband.”
“I, Renata, declare to you Marl, my eternal love and devotion. I swear to be your wife and helpmate, your lover and companion, your friend and your confidante, keeping faithful to you in mind and body, for as long as we walk the lands and swim the waters of Rathira and into Beyond. I further swear that my devotion shall not wane in the face of any of the hardships of this world and that you will find me forever at your side.”
“Do the parents of the bride, the friends of the bride and groom, and all those assembled here today find these vows sufficient under our ancient laws and customs?”
“We do!” they thundered.
“In accordance with the ancient laws and customs of Isiben, and of Rathira, and with the natural laws that draw men and women together to form lasting unions from which they draw mutual strength and eternal love, I, Prince Zakiel of the House of Feenis, declare before these assembled witnesses that you are now and forevermore, Husband and Wife.”
Chapter Fourteen
After the ceremony Karma stood as far as she could from Roesa while still able to send enough energy to her to make her visible. Ren and Garundel spoke with her for a few minutes, then Ren left so that her parents could speak in private. Spirit had to expend their own energy to appear on the plane of the living, so Roesa was only able to remain for a few more minutes, but there were no complaints. Garundel and Ren were too happy with the gift to harbor regrets.
“I cannot begin to thank you, Lady Techu,” Garundel said. “There are no words.”
“No words are needed, Sir Garundel,” Karma said. “I am glad that I was able to help make this day more special for Ren and Marl, and you as well. But I did not summon Roesa. Her appearance was her own doing.”
Garundel smiled at that, and they spoke for a few moments more until Ren and Marl joined them. Karma excused herself to let the small family have a few moments together before they all had to leave. It seemed strange not to have a big celebration after the wedding ceremony, but no one said anything about it.
“Take care of her for me, Marl,” Garundel said, clapping the younger man on the back.
“You have my word, Sir Garundel,” Marl replied, his eyes on Ren. His wife. A thrill ran through him at the thought. “I’d die to keep her from the smallest harm.”
“I know you would,” Garundel said. He placed one hand on Marl’s shoulder and waited for the younger man’s eyes to meet his own. “I want you both returned to me safely. Roesa and Ren were all the family I had, and I spent fifteen years believing them both dead. I never expected to have a family again, but now I do, and I will not lose either of you.”
“No, Garundel,” Marl promised solemnly. “You will not.”
“Good,” Garundel said with a firm nod, his eyes bright. “I will wait for you at the entrance to the tunnel.”
“We will come as quickly as we can.”
Garundel released Marl’s shoulder as Ren approached for one last hug. After a few more goodbyes, Ren and
Marl stood alone, watching as Zakiel led everyone into the desert on foot. The drovers had already turned back with the diplo to rejoin those they’d left behind. There they would all wait to be summoned to Ka-Teru, their duty to the Orb Quest complete.
Ren and Marl waited until they were completely alone before turning toward the river. They stopped at the water’s edge, and Ren reached up to touch the medallion resting just below her throat.
“Are you nervous?” Ren asked.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Are you?”
“Yes,” he replied. Her eyes widened in surprise. “I’m nervous about seeing you without your clothes, Ren.”
“Then it’s lucky for you that we don’t have to take them off,” she said, trying to ignore the hurt that washed through her.
“We don’t?” he asked, confused when Ren dropped her eyes and turned her face away from him. He placed a finger beneath her chin and coaxed her to look up at him. “You misunderstand me, Wife. I’m nervous because I want you more than I ever imagined possible. I will not risk your honor, or mine, nor will I risk the fate of Rathira. It’s just that, once I see you, I’m afraid it will be nearly impossible for me to think of anything else. I’m having a difficult enough time knowing that you, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, are now mine forever. If this is a dream, please do not wake me up.”
Ren smiled. “Silly man.”
“Silly woman.” Marl bent down to kiss her, intending it to be soft and gentle. But the moment his lips touched hers the knowledge that they were now married rushed through him, carrying a wave of heat that caused his flesh to pebble and his body to harden. His arms went around her shoulders and pulled her close, reveling in the sensation of her soft, luscious body pressed against his hardness. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, groaning when her tongue met his with equal passion. He stroked her back with one hand, tracing the delicate bones of her spine with his fingertips before sliding around to her ribs. His other hand drifted down to the small of her back and pressed her hips closer against his aching erection. When Ren moaned and arched into him, he nearly lost all sense and reason.
An image of her lying on the sand beneath him as he prepared to thrust into her burst into his mind and he froze, locking his muscles against the urge to make the fantasy real. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers, focusing on the feel of her corona stones against his flesh while he fought to catch his breath. It took more effort than he would have thought possible to return his hands to her shoulders, particularly the one that was so very close to her breast.
“That was close,” he said when he’d calmed enough to form words.
Ren shivered against him, and he tightened his hold without quite daring to kiss her again. “Yes, it was,” Ren said shakily. “I only wish I knew exactly what it is we were so close to.”
Marl pulled away a bit and smiled down at her. “I could not speak of this before because, to be honest, I feared I did not possess enough self-control to do so.”
Ren nodded. After the kiss they’d just shared, she understood his meaning. “And now?”
“Now, I do not have to tell you,” he said. “I can show you. After you claim the Heart Orb.” Ren nodded and stepped back as he released her. “What is this about not having to take our clothes off?”
“I haven’t done this since before Mother died, so I only remember a few things, and that’s one of them. The magic of the transformation will include our clothing, and if we leave the water quickly enough afterward, our clothes will remain dry.”
“I can’t decide if I’m relieved or disappointed,” Marl said.
Ren laughed, not misunderstanding him this time. She held her hand out, and Marl took it. Then, together, they walked into the river. Marl held their wet, clasped hands up and stared at the blue-green scales in wonder. He compared his hand to Ren’s, noting that his scales were larger than hers, and a little darker. Before long they were up to their shoulders and Ren stopped, turning to face him.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t practice this before now,” she said, suddenly nervous.
“Don’t second guess yourself, beloved,” Marl said, raising their still joined hands to kiss the back of hers, just below the healing spines. “Your feelings told you it would be a bad idea to enter the water until we were ready to go after the orb. I trust you, Wife. Trust yourself.”
“I’m trying, Husband,” Ren said, then took a deep, calming breath. “Are you ready?”
“I’m not sure,” Marl said. “Is there anything I should know first? What does it feel like? Will we be able to see clearly? And why did I not ask Garundel about his experience?”
“Because, like me, you didn’t want to bring up any painful memories for him,” Ren said. “And it never occurred to me to ask Mother. I know that our eyes will change, so we won’t have any trouble seeing each other or our surroundings. I remember that.”
“Very good. Anything else?”
“Not that I can think of,” Ren said.
“How do we communicate with each other once we’re under water?” he asked. “There must be a way.”
“I don’t remember that,” Ren said, frowning worriedly. “I’m sorry Marl. I really should have thought about these things ahead of time.”
“Don’t worry,” Marl said. “We’ll figure it out. Me and you. Together.”
Ren took a deep breath and blew it out. “Together,” she agreed. “Ready?”
“Not quite,” Marl said. “I just want you to know that once we leave the river with the Heart Orb, I intend to make you my wife, fully, as soon as possible. Do you understand?”
“Not really, no,” she replied. “But I very much look forward to finding out.”
“So do I,” Marl said with feeling. He closed his eyes and forced himself to change the subject. “What do I do next?”
“Just submerge yourself in the water,” Ren said. “You’ll feel a tingling sensation, and you’ll have to make a conscious choice to allow it to grow stronger, or stop it.” Marl frowned, and Ren shrugged. “I can’t explain it any better than that.”
Marl squeezed her hand gently one last time, then released her as they both submerged themselves into the icy water, side by side. Ren felt the tingling sensation she’d tried to describe to Marl, the one thing she never had forgotten about this. She opened herself to it and felt the change come over her. It took only a few moments to complete, and the icy cold of the water faded to a refreshing coolness. Her eyes saw as clearly beneath the water as they did in the afternoon sunlight, and she was breathing through gills without any more thought or effort than when she breathed through her nose. She flexed her legs, which were now merged into a strong and powerful tail, then turned around, looking for Marl.
When she spotted him, she was surprised to discover that she found him just as attractive in Mareon form as in human form. She’d spent so many years hating her scales that she hadn’t been sure how she’d react to seeing them on Marl. She smiled as she studied him. His eyes were almost completely black, matching his hair. His scales were a darker blue-green than hers, and his tail was much thicker and more muscular. The biggest difference that she could see was that he lacked the spines she had on the back of her wrists.
Instead of black riding leathers, he now wore a black breastplate that covered his stomach and chest, as well as wide bracers on both forearms. When she glanced down at herself, she saw that she too had a breastplate and bracers, also black. She rubbed her fingers over the breastplate, surprised to find that it was made of metal of some sort.
Marl opened his mouth, clearly intending to say something, but instead of his familiar warm voice she heard a high pitched screech that was uncomfortable to her ears. He closed his mouth, the expression on his face one of surprise and confusion. He pointed at her, so she opened her mouth, intending to say something, not completely surprised to hear a similar sound come from her own lips.
Marl pointed at his head and frowned in concentration.
&nb
sp; “Ren!!” she heard his voice in her mind so loudly that she jerked backward.
“I don’t think you have to shout,” she thought, imagining herself saying each word. It was a little more difficult than she’d expected but she thought with a bit of practice, it would be as easy as talking.
“Sorry about that,” Marl said, lowering his mental voice.
“How do you feel?” she asked.
“Good,” he said, looking down at his body, noting the changes. “I don’t have your spines on my hands, but otherwise I seem to look like you.”
“Bigger and more powerful, but yes, the same,” Ren said.
“You’re so beautiful, Ren,” Marl said, surprising her. “Now I see why you wear those silver beads in your hair.”
She glanced down to see that her long braids, weighed down by her mother’s silver beads, hung close to her body. Unlike Marl’s hair which spread out in a cloud around his head. “I wear my hair this way because Mother did. I never realized there was a purpose for it, but now that I know, I see that we’ll have to put some weights in your hair as well.”
“Or cut it short. “
“No, it’s supposed to be braided, like mine, only with black beads, not silver,” she said with a frown.
“Supposed to be?” Marl asked in mild surprise.
Ren’s eyes widened, but her cheeks didn’t heat. Evidently Mareons didn’t blush, which was a definite plus. “I’ve no idea where that came from. Shall we go?”
“Yes,” Marl said, hiding a smile. “Lead the way.”
“All right, but stay close, please,” she said.
“I’ve no intention of doing otherwise,” Marl replied.
Ren turned upstream and began swimming, instinctively staying half way between the surface and the riverbed so that she could see both equally as well. Marl swam slightly above her to guard her back, keeping his head even with her shoulder. It hadn’t occurred to him that he’d be able to use weapons underwater, so he hadn’t brought any. Well, it was too late now.
The Quest for the Heart Orb (The Orbs of Rathira) Page 26