Nazir hesitated, then nodded. “Then I will be there for you,” he said. “For you and no one else.”
She smiled at that. “Good,” she said. She pushed back her chair. “If you’ll excuse me, then, I must prepare.”
**********
The temple was full to bursting with all of the nobility of Saemar. The aisles were decorated with as festive of decorations as the servants could manage in the depths of Manyu’s Time. Everyone was waiting anxiously, ready for the main event. The wedding of Lady Pellalindra to Lord Auriel.
The buzz of conversation was overwhelming. Despite Pellalindra’s best efforts, everyone had their own speculation as to why the Lady of the Council was marrying in such a hasty fashion. Vinet stood next to the altar, trying to ignore Ellil’s stern gaze. His solemn expression had darkened when it became apparent that the witness for Lord Auriel was an elf, Kinaevan.
She waited, trying to conceal her anxiety. She was not used to being the focus for hundreds of eyes, and until Lord Auriel and Pellalindra made their appearances, she and Kinaevan most certainly were. At least she was dressed for the occasion. Her long red-brown hair was braided into a crown and decorated with a string of ivy, one of the few plants still green in the depths of Manyu’s Time. Her dress was chosen to reflect her Ninaevan heritage. It was a dark forest green decorated with fine golden trim that glinted in the candlelight. Along the bottom of the dress, small cat patterns chased each other, representations of the mountain lions that were Ninaeva’s emblem.
The crowd stilled as a door near the altar opened. Three guards, a woman and two men, stepped through, all dressed in elaborate burgundy. Not Duskryn house colors, they must be Lord Auriel’s, concluded Vinet. That supposition was confirmed in the next moment as Lord Auriel himself stepped through the door, dressed in the same burgundy. His clothes were embroidered with hundreds of delicate silver designs. Displayed on his brow was a circlet of inlaid silver and gold, inset with a single red gemstone.
He glanced around, seeming to look at everyone in the room individually. She knew that he looked at her, as he smiled briefly before transferring his gaze to Kinaevan. Then he mounted the steps to the altar and stood next to Kinaevan, waiting.
Vinet blinked as she caught sight of the emblem on his shoulder cape: A sleeping dragon, intricate in silvery detail. A trick of the light made it seem to shift as he moved.
The musicians struck up a quiet chord, and the room fell silent. Vinet turned with everyone else as the front door to the temple opened, and Pellalindra appeared. The bride was radiant, and she knew it. Some of the younger nobles even dared to stand for a better view.
Pellalindra’s long black hair was done up in an elaborate hairstyle, inset with silver beads and decorations. Her deep blue dress was low-cut, baring the top of her chest. The silver embroidery, a substitution for the black that was her house color, flashed in the light. Her bouquet was of snowdrops and violets, the only flowers that were still blooming, but their simplicity made her appearance even more stunning.
Vinet saw the determination in Pellalindra’s eyes as she approached the altar. It faded for a moment as she gave Vinet a wide smile. Vinet returned the smile as best she could, then took her place next to Pellalindra.
High Priest Ellil began the traditional words for a wedding. Vinet barely heard as he transferred to song, then concluded with the blessing. She couldn’t believe this was happening.
Pellalindra spoke her words next, then sang her song. Her voice was clear and firm and carried through the silent Temple like a bell. Lord Auriel’s voice, when it came to his turn, was full of suppressed and controlled strength and power.
“Mazda’s light guide and protect you,” Ellil concluded. He presented the writ to them. The king had allegedly prepared it but had not deigned to attend the wedding himself, a fact that Vinet had spent much time pondering before the wedding, before giving up trying to determine its meaning.
Vinet watched as Pellalindra signed her name with no sign of nervousness or fear. Lord Auriel did the same, and then she and Kinaevan stepped forward to sign as witnesses.
The Marriage of Lady Pellalindra Duskryn to Lord Usumgal Auriel…
She hadn’t known Usumgal was his first name. Had Pellalindra known that? She hadn’t ever called him anything but Lord Auriel. She signed her name with a flourish and turned to the crowd.
Lord Auriel took Pellalindra’s hand and raised it in his to address the assembled mass. “Away with you! To the ballroom. Let there be dancing! Let there be eating! Let there be drinking! Let there, most of all, be joy for this day a bond was forged.”
A cheer rang out through the hall, and everyone began pouring out in confusion. Vinet waited for a moment until she spotted Nazir standing quietly at the side of the Temple and made her way over to him.
He bowed and offered her his arm. “May I escort you, Lady Vinet? Since I am your guest?”
She laughed and took his arm. She noticed Conn and Maeve walking through the crowd, as well as General Alexander and Kamian. She thought she caught a glimpse of Dannan, but he vanished before she could be certain.
Conn and Maeve were the first ones to approach them. She saw Maeve looking speculatively at Nazir and heard Nazir’s quick, bracing breath.
“Lady Vinet!” Conn nodded in greeting. “And who is your guest?”
Vinet smiled politely. “Lord Conn, Lady Maeve, may I introduce Nazir et-Alim. Nazir, Lord Conn MacTir of Dunbarrow, one of my fellow councilors, and his wife, Lady Maeve.”
“Where do you hail from, Nazir?” Conn asked.
Nazir bowed slightly. “Originally from the southeast border, Lord Conn. Though I have traveled far and wide.”
“The southeast border? Of Saemar?” The incredulity was evident in Conn’s voice.
Vinet decided it was best to step in. “Yes,” she said. “He is now my guest at Ninaeva, at least for Manyu’s Time.”
She caught the briefest glimpse of gratitude on Nazir’s face.
Maeve smiled pleasantly. “And how is the north treating you?”
Nazir smiled. “Very well,” he said.
“You shall have to bring him to visit Dunbarrow sometime, Lady Vinet,” Conn said.
Vinet smiled slightly. “Perhaps he could entertain your children with his tales,” she said. “He certainly entertains Niara.”
She smiled at Nazir’s sideways glance.
They were interrupted by the approach of Pellalindra and Lord Auriel. Vinet did not think she could ever bring herself to think of him as Usumgal.
Pellalindra looked like one of the happiest women alive. “I trust everyone is enjoying the festivities?”
Vinet nodded, and Nazir bowed.
“Oh yes, indeed! My congratulations, Lady Pellalindra, Lord Auriel, on an excellent event.” Conn said.
Lord Auriel smiled politely at Conn’s flattery. “It is mostly the work of my dearest Pellalindra, here,” he said.
Vinet could barely stand the pleasantries. Somewhere inside of her, a voice was screaming that all of this was wrong. Pellalindra shouldn’t be marrying Lord Auriel, not just to conceal who the true father of her child was. And where was Saihid? Gwyn had said she was going to look for him.
“Will you be staying at the Duskryn estate, or your own, Lord Auriel?” she asked, trying to appear normal.
Lord Auriel shook his head. “I am afraid that my duty binds me to the capital. I shall not be able to leave often, much as I appreciate the Duskryn lands.”
Pellalindra laughed lightly. “Regardless! I am in the capital often enough for my own duties.”
“Duty is burdensome, but without it there can be no purpose.” Another voice, young but old in wisdom, broke into the conversation.
Vinet glanced up as Kinaevan joined the group. She smiled a welcome, and he nodded his acknowledgement to her.
Lord Auriel chuckled. “Always the sage words, Kinaevan, my friend.”
Pellalindra gave Kinaevan a shallow curtsy, as befitting an amba
ssador. “Thank you for your role in the ceremony. And you as well, Lady Vinet.”
Vinet nodded, her hand tightening on Nazir’s arm. Mazda, let her escape these inanities! As she thought that, she saw her father go white. He clutched Lord Auriel’s arm briefly, then excused himself and left the ballroom.
Vinet blinked. He’d had a vision. She knew it.
“Excuse me,” she said to the gathering. Pellalindra glanced at her in concern as she left, but Vinet gave her a reassuring look. Nazir pressed her arm comfortingly as they hurried to catch up with Kinaevan.
The elf ambassador had walked quickly, but in the hall he had collapsed. Vinet hurried forward as another elf, an older woman with streaks of gray in her hair, was steadying him. He was shaking.
Vinet dropped to her knees at his side. “What can I do?” she asked, reaching out to help support her father.
As her fingers touched his shoulder, she flinched. Fire. All the world was covered in smoke. A great form in the sky. Fear, such terrible fear! She gasped. It was gone. She was in the hall. Kinaevan was sitting up, staring at her, and Nazir was holding her.
The old elf-woman shook her head. “A burden shared, a pain relieved.”
Vinet stared at her father, still shocked by the vision. “Where was that?”
“When.” His voice was short. His eyes went passed her to perform a cursory sweep of Nazir. “The Lady is warning me that the old enemy is near, supposedly at this very wedding. I am skeptical. The Lady has been…” he paused. “Troubled, since the onslaught of Mount Halon.”
“Should we tell anyone?” Vinet whispered.
Kinaevan shook his head. “There are a great many things I have both to teach you and tell you, but this is neither the time nor the place.” He frowned, then forced a smile and straightened his garments. “I see you have brought your companion from Ninaeva.” There was a faint chide to his words, more teasing than reprimanding.
Vinet nodded. “I have told him much about you.” She looked uncertainly at the older elf next to Kinaevan. How much do the other elves know? Can I speak freely in front of them?
“Then he knows you are my daughter,” Kinaevan looked directly at Nazir. “Tell me, Nazir. Have you collected any stories from the Faithful?”
Nazir answered the question calmly. “Bits and pieces only. No full tales, I am afraid, though that has changed since I made the acquaintance of your daughter.”
Kinaevan nodded absently. He seemed distracted. “Shall we return to the festivities?”
Vinet nodded but held her father’s gaze a moment longer. “Will you be alright?”
“Yes,” his voice was hard. “Until the Sight takes me.”
Vinet swallowed. This was a side to her father she hadn’t yet seen. She didn’t protest as Nazir helped her to her feet and led her back into the ballroom.
As they entered together, Kinaevan cast a brief glance at the three guards in burgundy. Vinet gazed at them curiously, wondering what had gained her father’s attention. The woman raised an eyebrow at her and winked.
She flushed and started wandering through the ballroom again, sighing in relief as she saw her father leave for the gardens. Maybe he would find some peace there.
“Lady Vinet? I trust everything is well?”
How had she missed Pellalindra and Lord Auriel’s approach? She forced a smile. “Yes, of course. Kinaevan just needed a breath of fresh air.”
Pellalindra laughed lightly. “It is quite hot in here,” she said, fanning herself with her hand.
Vinet twitched as she saw the burgundy trio approach Lord Auriel. They whispered together briefly, then he waved them away.
She watched them as they left. Had that been about Kinaevan’s vision? She felt certain it was, but how could it have been? How could they have known?
“Enough of this,” the command in Lord Auriel’s voice was plain. He turned and bowed to Pellalindra, taking her hand. “Let us dance.”
Vinet let out a breath of relief. Something to distract the nobles.
The musicians struck up the first dance for the wedded couple, and they swept across the ballroom, drawing everyone’s eyes. They looked perfect together.
As the music concluded, Vinet applauded lightly with the rest of the room. The musicians struck up the chord for the next dance.
To her surprise, Nazir turned to her and bowed. He took her hand, a clear mirror of Lord Auriel’s posture earlier. “May I have this dance, my lady?” he asked.
She nodded mutely. He swept her out onto the floor, and they effortlessly joined the dancers.
It was a couple’s dance, designed for semi-private conversations. Conn and Maeve were dancing, as were Kamian and a young noblewoman. Lord Auriel and Pellalindra were also dancing again.
“I didn’t know you knew how to dance,” she managed to Nazir.
Nazir smiled. “It is one of the things that is good to know when you travel,” he said. “People like it when you join in their celebrations. Of course, that is more often country dances…”
She laughed. “None of those at Pellalindra’s wedding.”
“Indeed,” Nazir chuckled. “But this one is simple enough.”
It was a simple dance. It allowed Nazir to twirl her around, looking like he was being fancy, but in truth just letting her flow to the music. She laughed as the dance came to an end. His arms were strong and sure, and his smile warm as he looked down at her.
A loud conversation nearby startled her, and she drew away from him breathlessly. He seemed to be having the same difficulty focusing as she was.
Nevertheless, he managed to bow and escort her off the dance floor. As they reached the edge, Vinet saw Pellalindra detach herself from her new husband and approach them.
“Now… Nazir, was it? May I be so bold to draw Lady Vinet away for a quick chat?”
Vinet blinked, startled.
Nazir did not seem startled. He bowed to Pellalindra, then nodded to Vinet. “I will meet you in the gardens, my lady.”
Vinet took Pellalindra’s arm as they moved towards the refreshment table.
“Is Kinaevan truly alright?” Pellalindra whispered softly. “And you? You seem pale.”
Vinet shook her head. “He is fine,” she insisted. “Or so he assured me. And I… I am fine as well.”
Pellalindra looked at her, and Vinet knew she hadn’t been convincing. “If you cannot confide in me now, then when can you?” she asked softly.
Oh, Mazda’s light. “It’s nothing,” she insisted. “At least, nothing you should be concerned about on your wedding day.”
“Vinet,” she blinked at the lack of title. Pellalindra took her hands. “What troubles you? It has to do with my marriage, does it not?”
She shook her head. “I… a bit,” she admitted. She looked up. “You are a stronger woman than I, Pellalindra.”
Pellalindra seemed pleased with that statement, although Vinet was not certain she’d intended it as a compliment. How could she explain that she didn’t think she’d ever have the strength to marry a near stranger? Much less one as intimidating as Lord Auriel, she thought.
Another noble approached them, and Pellalindra nodded to him politely. Vinet took that as the signal that their private conference had come to an end, and she excused herself, heading for the gardens.
A flash of conversation caught her attention as she walked. “Skin kissed by the new moon…”
“Demons.”
She winced and quickened her step. The rumors had followed Nazir.
Her eyes widened in relief as she saw Nazir waiting for her in the gardens. He led her to one of the benches and they sat down, hidden from sight.
He took her hand. “Are you all right? You’ve been tense the entire day.”
She closed her eyes and allowed her hand to tighten on his. “You are far too observant for your own good, Nazir.”
She opened her eyes in time to see him raise his eyebrows slightly. “Does it have anything to do with Lady Pellalindra’s… cond
ition?”
She gave him a sharp glance, then sighed and relaxed against the bench. Well, she had known that he knew. “You prove my point,” she muttered. “Yes. At least, partly.”
Nazir nodded. “Your father?”
She attempted to glare at him. “Will you stop it?” she asked, but she couldn’t put any heat in her voice. “Yes, I’m worried about him. I probably shouldn’t show my concern though, he doesn’t seem to like it.”
He patted her hand. “He might have simply been on edge. From what I understood, what he saw was not comforting.”
She sighed. “You’re probably right.” She stared across the garden, where the fountain was still dancing despite the cold. Nazir said nothing, just sat beside her, holding her hand.
Finally, she sighed and looked at him again. “I don’t like this wedding.”
He simply nodded. Vinet felt the words drawn out of her. “Saihid’s the father of Pellalindra’s child. He should be the one at her side. He wants to be at her side. Instead, she’s letting the pressures of nobility force her into marrying a man she herself has termed an enigma. She doesn’t love him, I know that. And while I know that’s not unusual for nobility, I…” her voice trailed off. Her chest knotted into a ball of pain.
Nazir nodded. “You want something more for yourself.”
Vinet swallowed. “I suppose I do,” she admitted.
Nazir looked out over the garden, then returned his gaze to Vinet. “Vinet, take this from a man who has lived his entire life outside normal society. The opinions of the majority of people don’t matter. The ones who matter won’t judge you. They will accept who you are and the choices you make.”
She managed a smile. “You would know, I suppose.” Her expression sobered again. “Nazir, the rumors you warned me about…”
“They’ve followed me here. I know. I’ve heard the whispers.” Nazir sighed. “It was going to happen eventually.”
“It’s not your fault!” Vinet hissed. “If they’d just talk to you, they’d realize you could not possibly be demonic in any way.”
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