Jala cleared her throat and the three of them looked to her. “You want me to rebuild my lands, fine, I will. You want me to restore my house, I will. You want me to support a monarchy. I’m sure I would do that as well. From what I’ve seen and read of Arjuna, he is certainly no fool and if he supports it, I will most likely as well.” she paused making sure she had the full attention of Lutheron and Symphony. “But if you expect to govern who I marry, I have some very disappointing news for you. The only Fionaveir whose opinion mattered on who I married is dead, and has been for ten years. So unless either one of you has written word in my father’s hand regarding the matter, I don’t give a damn what you think about it.” She raised an eyebrow at them in challenge, daring them to object. Marrow rose up from where he had been laying behind her chair and locked his yellow eyes on the Fionaveir. He made no sound but it was clear to the visitors that the Bendazzi felt as strongly on the subject as his mistress did.
A smirk formed on Lutheron’s face and he nodded slightly. He held a hand up to Symphony and locked his gaze on Finn. His eyes narrowed a bit and Jala saw Finn tense in his chair. She noticed Lutheron’s hand shift slightly, the palm turned upwards and the fingers flicked in Finn’s direction. “And what would you say if I told you that we weren’t here to ask her to not marry? That we are here to ensure she doesn’t?” he asked, his voice cold.
Finn’s muscles clenched further and she could see sweat beading his brow. Eyes burning with emotion he locked his hand around the hilt of his sword and glared defiantly at Lutheron. “I’d tell you to try it and I’ll make you a head shorter,” he snarled.
“Whatever you are doing to him stop it now,” Jala warned, already drawing on her magics.
Lutheron dropped his hand and Finn visibly relaxed. He held both hands to her in a sign of peace. “I was merely testing him. He passed.” He turned to Symphony and nodded approvingly. “He is the right one for her without a doubt, Symphony. That much fear had Charm huddling on the ground like a child. This one was ready to fight. Give this match your blessing.”
Symphony regarded Finn with respect and then smiled to Jala. “It was never our intent to upset you, Milady. We simply wish you to have the best chances of success. If this is truly what both of you wish, then we give you our fondest blessings.” she bowed her head slightly to both of them in both apology and respect. “Arjuna, we would be most honored if you would allow us to intrude on your hospitality for the night. I would very much like to witness the ceremony tomorrow,” she said turning to the High Lord.
Arjuna nodded his head and smiled proudly at his nephew. “I trust you can see to the first part of the ritual without my assistance?” he asked.
“Of course, Uncle,” Finn agreed.
“I’ll have Sovann help me with the other details then,” Arjuna said and nodded to them. “The night is late,” he added in obvious dismissal.
Standing, Finn carefully picked up the bowl and Jala rose to follow him with Marrow close on her heels. He walked in silence for a bit as he led her back into the room with the fountain and then up the stairs. Shifting the bowl to where it rested easily under one arm he wrapped the other around her waist and smiled down at her. “Impressive,” he said quietly as they turned to make their way up another flight of stairs.
“What?” she asked.
“How you handled the Fionaveir,” he explained, and let go of her waist to open a door for her.
She stepped through the door and out onto a roof top garden. The scents of hundreds of flowers rose on the night wind. Looking up to gaze at the stars she waited for Finn to close the door and join her. “Marrow explained it to me,” she said quietly dropping her gaze from the stars to look at him. “He says it’s a Soul Bond that we have. Have you ever heard of that before?”
“In stories, but that does make sense,” Finn replied and smiled down at Marrow. “I’m glad he recognized it. It explains a lot.”
“I think I know why you feel my emotions so much clearer, too,” Jala began and wandered over to one of the closer flowers leaning over to sniff it daintily. “I like this one’s scent very much, what is it?”
“Vadasian Lilly,” he answered and joined her beside the plant carefully plucking a bloom and tucking it behind her ear. Taking her hand, he led her through the garden to a circular patch of grass near its center. He let go of her hand and sat down placing the bowl in front of him. “So, why do I sense you easier than you do me?” he asked finally, apparently deciding she didn’t plan to answer unless he asked.
“When Marrow explained it, he said it was rare in our kind, but Bendazzi and wolves often have bonds of this nature. It was your explanation to your uncle when you spoke of living by the fires of the heart that made me make the connection. You live by instincts and your passions, so the bond is more natural to you, I’ve been governed by Temple rules and a very nasty tempered housekeeper that believed in strictly abiding by rules,” she explained and took a seat across from him shrugging. “At least that’s my theory. You have reminded me of a predator since I first saw you in the arena fighting Lex. The way you move when you fight and the look you get in your eyes at times,” she added with a faint smile.
Placing his hands on one side of the Brazier he motioned for her to do the same and grinned at her as she did so. “What kind of predator?” he asked sounding a bit amused.
“I thought cat the first time. It wasn’t until after we found Marrow that I realized Bendazzi was much more appropriate.” she answered with a returning smile. “What do I do now? Do I just hold this side of it?” She asked looking down at the Brazier.
“Well not that I’m an expert here, having never been married before, but from what I understand, we keep our hands upon it and focus on one another.” He gave a faint chuckle and cleared his throat. “The nobles’ have a fine way of explaining this ritual. The commoners’ explanation is the one I prefer. They say if it’s lust rather than love your hands won’t stay on the bowl long enough to make a chain, and if you can’t stand sitting and staring at each other long enough to form a chain it isn’t worth cooking a wedding feast.”
She laughed lightly and nodded. “So I just focus on you, on what I think of you and how I feel about you, then. Simple enough.” she closed her eyes inhaling the night air and felt the grin on her face widen to a smile.
“Seeing that smile alone is enough for any man to form a chain,” Finn spoke quietly.
She opened her eyes at his voice and shook her head slowly. “This isn’t a smile for any man, Finn. I’m focusing on you right now. That smile is for you alone.”
Chapter 31
Firym
They sat watching the sky lighten in silence. Faint birdsong echoed from the jungles, filling the early morning with sound. They had talked for a time. Both taking turns trading questions and answers, but most of the hours had been filled with silence. Jala looked down into the Brazier at the thick coils of chain resting at the bottom. The faint hint of a pattern was visible but the full detail couldn’t be seen from the angle it lay in. She resisted the urge to pick it up again though she desperately wanted to examine it closer. Her mother and father had worn simple rings to symbolize their marriage. The Firym custom made the rings seem paltry in comparison.
“It’s okay if you look at it, it won’t break,” Finn said with a light chuckle. She hadn’t realized he had been watching her, his eye had been closed the last time she had looked at him.
Nodding, she took a hand from the side of the Brazier flexing the fingers as she did. They had gone stiff from holding the bowl but she had been afraid to move her hand. “I didn’t know if I could let go yet. I didn’t want it to vanish or something,” she explained.
Chuckling lightly, Finn took the Brazier carefully from her other hand and set it down in between the two of them. Stretching his own hands he reached into the bottom of the bowl and lifted the chain out carefully handing it over to her. “Once the chain is formed you can move your hands, but it’s customary to wai
t for the sun before you do so,” he said watching her turn the chain over in her hands.
“It’s thicker than your uncle’s,” she said in amazement her eyes roving over the intricate patterns of the metal. It was close to half an inch thick with delicate knot work linking the two halves together. With just a glance at the beauty of it one could tell that it had not been worked by human hands. No jeweler, no matter how skilled, could match the detail.
Finn grinned at her and glanced toward the door. “Pray it isn’t my aunt that comes to attend you then, my uncle will get a beating if it is. She would be angry enough to see the metal it is made of.”
“I don’t even know what it is,” she confessed and then frowned. “Why would that make her angry?”
“The more precious the metal, the truer the emotion that forged it. That is Eternium, by Firym economy that is more precious than most gems. My uncle’s links were made of silver,” he explained glancing over his shoulder as the door opened.
Sovann stepped into the garden and approached quietly. He paused at the sight of the chain in her hands and seemed amazed. “I’m sorry, Finn, apparently I was wrong to doubt you on this,” he said and from the expression on his face Jala guessed he had expected there to be no chain.
“Should have known better, Sovann. If I hadn’t been sincere I would have bought a ring,” Finn replied dryly. He rose slowly to his feet and offered her a hand up. “Who is going to attend, Jala?” he asked as he bent and picked the Brazier up carefully.
“Grandmother,” Sovann replied quietly.
Finn froze and looked at his brother with an expression of disbelief. “She left the Tower of the Sun for this?” he asked in disbelief.
Nodding, Sovann grinned at Jala’s confusion. “Grandmother is the High Mage of Firym. She rarely leaves her tower for anything. To have her here is a great honor,” he explained.
I have been so very patient with you most of yesterday and all night long, but I’m about to eat Sovann if I don’t get breakfast soon. It will be my wedding gift to you that I eat the brother and not your soon to be husband, Marrow’s voice broke in before she could respond to Sovann.
“You will get fed soon and you will not eat anything with a name,” Jala warned him pointing a finger at him reproachfully.
Grinning, Finn gave her a kiss on the cheek and ruffled the Bendazzi’s fur lightly. “I’ll take him down with me and stop by the kitchens and see if they have a spare cow handy if that’s alright with you.”
Marrow moved past her and pushed his full weight against the back of Finn’s legs nudging him roughly toward the door. Jala frowned at him and shook her head rolling her eyes. “It doesn’t appear as though it matters what I think on the matter. Thank you, Finn.”
“Grandmother will be here soon,” Sovann assured her before following Finn back down the stairs.
Jala watched the door close and stood silently for a long moment. Moving back to sit where she had been for most of the night she raised the chain up holding it balanced between two hands looking it over once again in the faint light. It was still difficult for her to believe this was happening, yet she held the proof in her hands.
“It’s not often they are that even,” a woman’s voice came from just over her shoulder.
Turning her head Jala looked at the red-haired woman in wonder. She hadn’t heard a sound of approach or felt the telltale hum of magic. She was near Jala in height and stood with a proud bearing. Her robes were in the house colors of red, black, and gold and her long hair hung heavy down her back with gems braided into a few strands. “You must be Finn’s Grandmother. I’m sorry he didn’t tell me your name,” Jala said and rose bowing her head respectfully. Even had Sovann not told her this woman’s title, by manners and dress alone, Jala would have known her to be someone important.
The woman smiled at her as she leaned forward and placed a delicate bejeweled hand under Jala’s chin gently raising her face again to meet her eyes. “Adana, and you are the young lady who has stolen the heart of my Finn.” She lowered her hand and nodded with approval. “And by the look of that chain, it’s more than your beauty that has stolen his heart. My Finn is not the sort to fall for simple beauty.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Adana,” Jala replied in her most respectful tones. She looked back down at the chain and smiled again. “The Firym ceremony is truly a wonder, Lady Adana. I am lost in a sense of wonder over it all.”
“Hmph. I think we must dispense with your formality. Let us gather the flowers and chat a bit. We will be family by nightfall and family should never be formal.” Adana gave her a gentle nudge toward the flower beds. “Which ones do you prefer child?” she asked, taking her arm and guiding her along the garden path.
Jala motioned toward the large white blooms she had noticed when they first entered the gardens. “Their scent is wonderful,” she said leaning forward to smell the flowers once again.
“Ahh. The lilies an excellent choice, dear,” Adana agreed amiably and carefully began gathering the best of the blooms. “Arjuna tells me you are a good match for my Finn.”
“I certainly believe I am, but isn’t that what the crafting of the chain is for? To prove that I am?”
Adana gave her a patient smile and handed her the flowers she had gathered so far. “Hold these while I get a bit of color to add.” She moved to another flower bed and carefully began gathering yellow flowers that Jala had no name for. “The chain proves love, Jala. Just because you love something doesn’t mean that you can live with it,” Adana began, her hands never slowing from the task of gathering. “Finn is a Firym at heart, more than his father ever was. He is passionate and fierce. He will be protective to the point of insanity, jealous when there is no reason for it, and when his temper flares every other emotion he has shown will pale in comparison.” Adana gave a nod at the blooms she held and smiled at Jala. “That should do nicely, if you are still sure about this we should go and get you dressed.” She stepped daintily back onto the path and took Jala’s arm once more, guiding her gently toward the door.
“Is that what you were doing then, testing my resolve?” Jala asked, pausing on the path and forcing Adana to either stop, as well, or release her arm.
“Testing. Warning. It little matters which, dear. This has been a very fast courtship and while that chain is impressive, how much do you truly know about Finn? How much does he truly know about you?” Adana’s voice held no reproach and the words were spoken gently.
Jala toyed with one of the flowers she held. Adana wasn’t trying to start a fight with her or scare her off, she realized. The woman was simply trying to protect her grandson. “He knows everything about me, from where I was born to who I am now. He knows my fears and joys,” Jala said, meeting Adana’s gaze and holding it. “And whatever I have wanted to know of him he has told me. All I have to do is ask and even if the truth is not flattering, Finn will tell me. That alone is more than I’ve seen from most married couples. It’s not what he says that promises I will stand by him through anything though, it’s his eyes.” She paused and smiled at Adana. “I have heard flattery and praise from others before, but Finn’s gaze makes them all no more than pointless words. With one look from him I know how special I am, both to him, and to have him.” She fell silent and her smile faded a bit.
Adana nodded with a faint smile on her own lips. “And his temper?” she asked.
Jala shrugged. “I haven’t seen it directed toward me. I hope I never have to. If I do though, I can give as good as I get, Adana, I love Finn and I respect him, but I do not fear him.”
Tugging on her arm to get her moving again, Adana gave a slight chuckle. “It would seem for once my brother was right and you are a good match for my Finn. Come child, we have little time to get you dressed properly.” She pushed the door open and led Jala back into the brightly lit halls. “Now if you can just convince my Finn to come home to stay, I think you might just be the perfect Granddaughter.”
Jala gave a weak
smile and nodded, unable to tell Adana she had no intention of living in Firym. Her home was a wasteland now, but only for now. Merro would be restored and they would rule there one day. She wondered briefly what Adana would think when she found out her beloved grandson would be a High Lord soon.
The sun had fully risen by the time Adana led her from the palace. Jala followed her, trying to ignore the various places the sun touched her body. The Firym wedding dress she had been provided with barely seemed worthy of the name dress. The top part of the outfit was held by two straps tied around the back of her neck and back and came to just above her belly button. The bottom was a long skirt that wrapped around her and held at the waist and hip by delicate gold catches in the shape of hummingbirds. The effect left one leg bare nearly to the hip when she walked. Though in truth, she felt far more naked than just that, the silk was of such a quality that it seemed almost weightless. It was only where embroidery or jewels had been set into the delicate gold cloth that she could feel any true weight at all.
“Quit looking down at yourself so often, dear, the flowers will fall from your hair. You look beautiful, I promise,” Adana assured her yet again. “Chin up, walk proudly, and stop trying to cross your arms over your stomach,” she added, rolling her eyes.
Jala nodded slightly, careful to not dislodge any of the lilies placed so carefully in her upswept hair, and took a long slow breath. Adana had assured her this was traditional clothing for a wedding. Looking around at the Firym watching them pass, she wondered if the bronzed people had ever seen a bride as ghostly pale as she was. “I look like I’ve been raised in a cave compared to your people,” Jala said quietly.
“You are a beautiful ivory, though certain parts of your body do look as though they have never seen the sun,” Adana grinned at her.
Jala pursed her lips at the remark. “I was raised at a Temple, Lady Adana. If those parts had seen the sun the priests would have had fits.”
The Elder Blood Chronicles Bk 1 In Shades of Grey Page 45