by Tim Morrison
Chapter 10.4
The Wedding, Tara -2 BA
Flutterbies, flutterbies, fly far away
don't bother me on this glorious day
flutterbies, flutterbies, please let me be free
I need to be happy, just let me be
Aya kept repeating the mantra that young children repeated when they were nervous, but it wasn't really much help. She was being dressed in that brilliant wedding gown they had made for her, and she was as nervous as she could ever remember, if not worse, almost to the point of wanting to be sick.
Once the final layers had been draped, then four Lari'Sota went to work on her hair, making sure it was brushed and inlaid with so many glowing gemstones that it was almost too heavy on her head, but, for the sake of the wedding, she must endure this. Aya's hip length auburn hair had been cleaned, trimmed, brushed to a brilliant glow, then almost every strand had been beaded with tiny glowing gems that reacted when they struck each other, so that any movement would cause a ripple of light through her hair. She was light itself for this day, to cleanse the darkness of the Emperor's emptiness.
She was natural, with just a hint of face powder to add to the reflectivity of the outfit, her face would not glow, but she would match the brightness of the gown and the light that was going to be coming off her.
Aya had to be sure not to breathe too deep, because the ribbing on the bodice pushed up her breasts and slightly compressed her chest under them as a corset, so she had been practising with shallow breathing for a week to be able to handle the outfit. Too deep of a breath might just cause the bodice to tear along the side, or slip down and then her nipples would spill over the top. Definitely not the done thing at a royal wedding.
Kya was all around her as much as she could be, but her skill was not in this manner, so she felt superfluous, and excited, but useless, until Mistress Tya set her to do a task that kept her occupied as well. Kya had also been trying to get Aya to drink water, however with Aya's queasiness and tremendous nerves, she had been refusing.
Finally, as they heard the drum roll begin outside, the bride was pronounced ready, and flanked by her Lari'Sota, and her surrogate Mother, Lady Aya Camelin stepped into the light of the Great Hall.
As the mighty drums beat a steady patten, Aya walked down the aisle and then up the stairs to stand by the Lord Emperor, also dressed in very regal clothing that was almost black, but covered in gems which were catching the light and gleaming in it. He looked magnificent to Aya, and she felt a swell of pride that he still wanted to do this for and with her.
Her Father was standing off to the side, and as both her escorts split off, Mistress Tya to stand by the Commander, and Kya to stand with other members of the palace staff, Aya felt quite small and alone, only for a second, before Tyo stepped beside her and gently took her hand.
“Stand tall with me, my Lady of light.” He said quietly as she looked up at him, then they both turned and looked at the crowd. Aya gasped, she had no idea so many people could be in the hall. It was so full there were thousands just standing, and that was not even the beginning of it.
Tyo gently had her turn again so she faced the Elders. Three of them, one from the palace, and one each from Clan Camelin and Clan Maselic.
“From ages past, there has been union. A coupling that surpasses the day and becomes better than just a simple joining of two bodies, and two minds. Something greater than the physical. So it is for this day. Clan Camelin, you present to us this day, the bride. Who is releasing her from her heritage?”
Aya heard movement behind her, and a firm hand on her shoulder. “I grant permission, and release the Lady Aya from her heritage as daughter of the Clan.” she heard her father say.
“Very good, very good.” Another elder said as he was shushed by the third.
“Clan Masilec, for more than five hundred cycles there has been no direct issue. Do you stand for yourself on this day?”
Tyo spoke. ”No, my Elders. I have requested that Clan Camelin stand in my stead.”
“Even better.” Came from one of the Elders, and Aya smiled thinly at the humour that she realized was directed towards her in an attempt to ease her anxiety.
“As Leader of Clan Camelin, and Cousin to Tyo Masilec, I grant permission and absolve him of Clan duties.” Ryo said, then stepped back to rejoin Tya and the others.
“The words of the Ancients come to us. From the beginning, when we came to the Center Worlds, until now, while we continue to live and prosper in this place. The Clans shall survive, the Clans shall thrive, and the Clans shall prosper.”
The Elders unrolled a silver scroll that flashed with light. “Tyo Masilec, repeat the words of the Ancient travellers. Until it ends, it shall begin. A life once twined shall not unravel. Protection I give, and love I enjoy. I receive your love, and accept your life.”
Tyo carefully repeated the very traditional phrasing that had been in place for more than two thousand cycles.
The Elders then turned to Aya and had her intone the same phrasing, which she dutifully repeated back to them.
“The Bride and Emperor will face each other.” Tyo turned as Aya carefully adjusted the dress so she didn't trip on any of the layers and faced him, her face upturned towards his proud visage looking down at hers.
“Lord Tyo Jalatreos Masilec, Leader of Clan Masilec, do you accept this gift given to you freely and with consent. To respect and protect it, to cherish this freely gifted life, and love this person as is your nature. To heal and defend her. To give to her your attention and affection. Do You Consent?”
“I do.” Tyo said as he looked into Aya's azure eyes, brimming with tears.
Aya Nandreclevac Camelin, Daughter of Clan Camelin, do you accept this gift freely given to you with consent. To respect and protect it. To cherish this freely gifted life, and love the Emperor as is your nature. To heal and defend him. To give to him your attention and affection. Do You Consent?”
“I do.” Aya said as she began to cry, tears trickling down her face as she bonded her life to Tyo's and he smiled down at her with real feeling.
They each extended a hand which was placed in each others', then their hands were wrapped in a length of silken fabric that was interwoven with Clan Camelin and Masilec colours.
The Elders stepped forward and the new couple turned to face the crowd, their joined hands raised so the colours were clearly visible.
“We present to the assembled peoples of the Confederacy, Lady Aya Camelin and Lord Tyo Masilec, The Lord Emperor and his new bride. May peace reign and freedom rejoice!”
Aya gasped as Tyo's entire costume rippled with light and changed colour to a brilliant white to match her own. He laughed down at her, then lifted her off her feet and kissed her with a passion that felt so good to her. She never wanted him to put her down.
Aya's head was spinning, the noise was intense as the mighty drums rolled and thundered, she was having some trouble breathing, as she felt more and more light-headed, she faintly heard somebody say “She's going to drop.” And a strong set of hands swept her off her feet and then it was quiet and cool.
Aya opened her eyes as a cool cloth was pressed against her forehead. She was lying on her back, no longer dressed, much cooler, which was nice, and didn't feel overwhelmed any more. Kya was sitting on the edge of the lounge, carefully wiping her face and upper chest with a cool cloth and she could see, off to the side, other people, but didn't want to even turn her head to recognize who they were.
“I wrecked it.” She groaned and rolled to her side, before Kya firmly rolled her onto her back again and then helped her to sit, wrapping a thin sheet around her to cover her up.
She heard a soft laugh that could only come from one person, and looked up to see Tyo standing with her Father and Mistress Tya. He came over and knelt down. “My Lady, they don't even know you're gone. The celebration has begun, and it will not end for another half cycle. You wrecked nothing, just reminded me that you don't have my stamina.” He
finished with a thump of his chest and a smile that made her also give a weak smile in return.
“I am married to you now, aren't I?” She asked him. “This wasn't just all a fevered dream was it?”
Tyo sat on the bed as Kya slipped away to go stand with Tya, who put a comforting arm around her other surrogate daughter.
“Yes, you are my bride, and I am your Lord and mate now, my Aya.” Tyo said softly, kissing her hands, and then leaning forward to tenderly kiss her forehead and then cheek.
“Nothing has to change, however, until and unless you want it to. This marriage is as much for the Confederacy as it is for us, my dear.”
Aya wrapped her arms around him, ignoring the sheet that had now fallen, exposing her breasts, and held him tightly. “I want it to change, at least for the now, I want to experience you. I want to know you, and I want to learn you, my Tyo, my Emperor.”
As she began to kiss him with more passion, Kya took initiative and guided Ryo and her Mistress out, carefully closing the doors and locking them, then she did what she had seen the Emperor do in times past. She went up to a guard and said “No disturbances, no visitors, unless the palace is burning down. Or I'll see to it that you never enjoy a Lari'Sota again. Let those two have some privacy for once.” At the guard's nod, his tag read 'Ashelob', Kya rejoined the couple who were rapidly becoming a part of her own family, and the three of them went back to the massive hall which was just getting started in celebration.
Note From the Author;
I hope you've enjoyed reading the first book in the Center Worlds Saga. Feel free to sign up for my mailing list so you can be the first to know of new developments within the Center Worlds Universe and with my other works. Plus, you'll be the among the first to read the start of Center Worlds 2 – Smoke!
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-Tim Morrison
