by Unknown
However, true to my word I left as soon as it came time to prepare for the wedding. It was still hard to comprehend that at twenty years old I was getting married, and to a woman who had witnessed almost every major event of the last millennium.
With that, and many similar thoughts, running through my mind, I returned to the base that I called home, and prepared for another of the events that changed my life.
Although done for different reasons, it was a practice even in vampiric marriages for the bride and groom to be apart the night before the wedding. However, rather than the superstition behind the mortal wedding tradition, here it was far more constructive - the two Vithenai would spend a day and a night with their respective charges, talking with them and preparing them for the upcoming ceremony, while at the same time gauging the person’s worthiness. This was not in the sense of just generally being ‘good enough’ for their intended spouse - it was to establish if there were any factors that might jeopardise the union, such as infidelity or a “character of dubious or questionable honour”, which I assumed meant just being a shit.
To that end, Kalin met me as I returned to the base and escorted me to my quarters. I got changed, and he took me to his bar just outside of Oxford city centre. It served reasonable enough drinks, and being out of the centre it was quiet enough to be able to talk at a vaguely normal volume.
We talked about everything we could - my upcoming wedding, my relationship with Corvi, his own wedding. Apparently he was married to another vampire, an Irish woman named Winter. He told me how her name was completely unsuitable for her, since she was a warm, bubbly and caring woman. They had served The Order together during the Napoleonic Wars of the 19th century, fallen in love frighteningly fast and married soon after that, and they’d been together ever since. Although she served in Ireland now, they were still married and still happy together, but I think the main reason he told me his story was to put me at ease - it was a reminder that such fast romances were not uncommon in vampire society, and they could last as well as any other relationship. In fact, due to the rituals involved, relations between or with vampires often tended to be stronger and more enduring than mortal ones. A lot of effort went into ensuring there were no barriers to a working relationship, because not even immortals want to waste time on a doomed union.
After we spent some time talking and drinking, we returned to the base and headed to my quarters, where Kalin made sure I understood exactly what was going to happen.
“I need to be sure, it’s my duty,” he stressed, and I nodded to reassure him.
“Seriously Kal, I’ve been reading about the various rituals and ceremonies vampires use for as long as I’ve been studying Vampiric. I know what’s happening, and I know what’s expected of me.”
“Just checking,” he assured, and checked his watch. “We have an early start, my friend, I think it would be advisable to get some rest.”
I checked the time myself, surprised to see exactly how late it was.
“Shit, ten already? Fine, fine. Just make sure you wake me in time for breakfast, I don’t want to get married on an empty stomach.”
Kalin chuckled, and allowed me to get ready for bed in private. He had been right though, we did indeed have an early start - traditionally, vampiric wedding ceremonies took place at around 3am, before sunrise - a tradition from the days when vampires were still vulnerable to sunlight.
I was nervous. Although Kalin was a good friend, as Vithenai he was honour-bound to be honest in his appraisal of me. If he felt there was any legitimate reason for me not to marry Corvi, he could only make it known during the ceremony - now that the betrothal had been completed, the rest of the ritual had to be followed through to its completion, regardless of the outcome.
I prayed I would be worthy, for the wedding and every day afterwards. Corvi deserved no less.
At 2am, Kalin woke me by basically pushing me out of bed. I swore at him in Vampiric, and continued mumbling while I showered and dressed. He had actually very kindly acquired a brand new shirt and smart trousers for me, since my best smart clothes had been ruined. He’d found me a loose, crimson silk shirt, and some plain black trousers and black shoes, polished to an almost reflective finish. He passed me my sword, because it would be needed, and I tied it to my belt before we headed to the mess hall.
Despite my complaint the previous night, I found I had almost no appetite - I was too nervous to eat anything significant, opting instead for a slice of toast and a glass of milk. I reasoned I could have a more substantial breakfast later, after the ceremony itself.
Finally, it was time. We approached the doors to the base chapel, Kalin slightly behind me as was expected. I stood before them for a moment, staring at the plain wooden doors in silent contemplation, waiting. This was where the ritual itself began.
“Brother,” Kalin intoned, resting a hand on my shoulder, “you know you need not do this. You are of mortal blood, and not bound by our laws. If you have any doubts, voice them now and go in peace, and none shall think less of you.”
I took a deep breath, choked my nerves down, and gave my response.
“Brother, I am indeed of mortal blood. But my love, like my betrothed, is not mortal. It shall not die, but burn in me ‘til my death. This is my course; I will not falter.”
“You will not stray from your path?”
“My path is hers; I walk where she walks. I will not stray.”
“You will ease her pain?”
“Her pain is my pain; I feel it as my own. I will ease it as I can.”
“Then walk, brother. I stand with you.”
At that, I took another shuddering breath, and pushed the doors open with both hands.
Only three other people were present in the large chapel. Lev, standing a few feet in front of me in the aisle, wearing a dress of purest black, her long hair tied back in a ponytail; Several feet behind her, in front of the altar, stood Corvi, in a dress of rich blue, a sword and scabbard held in her right hand; and behind the alter, an older vampire in robes of arterial crimson and gold, the ceremonial robes of a Shae’ann Thesai. The translations for that term vary - it seems no-one could find another word for ‘priest’ in a society that has no clearly defined religion, but a priest is basically what he was. No-one else was present because no-one else was needed - the Vithenai were all the witnesses that were required.
I approached Lev, who stopped me with a raised hand when I got within a few feet.
“Who are you, and why do you come here?” she asked sternly.
“My name is Deimos Black, and I have come to wed my betrothed.”
“For what reason?”
It was a question which many people, especially the modern generation, would find strange or ridiculous, but it was actually vital. In many of the older civilisations, say from Corvi’s era, marriages were more for political or social gain - power, wealth, status. With many vampires being born or living through these periods, it was decided that they should show themselves to be creatures of principle, and so it was decreed that no marriages would be conducted where love was not a factor - essentially, if you don’t love them, you don’t get married.
For that reason, this part of the ritual had no pre-set words - it was down to the person in question to announce their own reasons for being there.
I had to swallow twice before I could speak.
“I come here out of love. Corvina Delacore is no ordinary woman, but a woman who is both lover and warrior. In her I have found all I have ever wanted, all I could need, and I love her more than I can put into words. For love, and for love alone, I wish to be wed to her.”
It had taken me the entire week to write that speech, with advice from Kalin and a few others who had
been helping me in Upper Heyford. I hoped it was enough.
“And if you are found unworthy?”
“Then I shall do what I must, until I am.”
“You will not stray from your path?”
“My path is hers; I walk where she walks. I will not stray.”
“That is yet to be seen,” Lev tells me, and stands aside.
I stood before Corvi, and I could tell she was as nervous as I was. Even without our psychic bond, I could tell from the smaller indicators - the slight tremble of her hands, the shudder when she breathed in, the look in her eyes.
And beneath it all, the same burning love for me that filled my mind in quiet moments, and a joy at the prospect of being married.
I felt her push that from her mind, recalling all that she had to do for her part in the ceremony.
I dropped to one knee, waiting for her to speak first.
“Deimos Black,” she says, with the same steel-hard tone she used when giving orders, “you are here because I have chosen you, to stand by my side until death claims either one of us. You have one final chance to deny this, to walk and be free of any burden that may be placed upon you. What say you?”
“Corvina Delacore, I have come here because I have chosen you, to stand by my side until death claims either one of us, as you have chosen me. Your path is mine; I walk where you walk. I shall not stray.”
“These honourable souls here with us demand proof, and proof must be given. Stand, and bare your blade if you are sincere.”
I did as commanded, drawing my blade and taking my own place near the altar. She drew her sword too, a slender, slightly curved blade of red steel, with vampiric glyphs inlaid in gold filigree.
This was the tricky part of the ceremony - a ritual attack that could end in genuine bloodshed. As I faced her, the woman who would be my wife, I turned my sword to hold it backhanded, with the blade running parallel to my arm. I stood with my left side facing her, ready for the attack.
As Corvi lunged towards me, I pivoted on the ball of my left foot, turning into the attack and bringing my blade up to deflect her strike. As her blade was knocked aside, her momentum carried her past me, and I turned to face her again.
“Let all present bear witness,” I announced, dropping my blade to the floor. “I will not take up arms against this woman. I will not strike her, I will not see her harmed. I would raise arms only in her name, and those who wish her harm shall be named my enemy.” I kneeled down once again, looking straight back at Corvi. “If this woman wishes my death, only she may claim it. I am sworn to her by blood, and only blood may separate us.”
At this point, the Shae’ann raised his hands in a gesture of ‘enough.’
“Lady Delacore,” he intoned, using her title as was appropriate, “would this man’s death please you?”
“No, Shae’ann, it would not.”
“And why is that?”
“Because this man is my beloved,” she said, using words that, like me, she would have come up with herself. “I have known many men throughout my life, but none have touched my soul in the way he has. Deimos Black is a man who would sacrifice his own name to be with me, an act for which I hold him in the highest estimation. I love him beyond all things, and always shall.”
“Then please, both of you, sheath your blades and stand before the altar.”
I stood and retrieved my sword, returning it to its scabbard as I took my place at Corvi’s side. We stood facing the Shae’ann, and I felt Corvi’s fingers twitch slightly against mine.
“Will the Vithenai please come forward as well?”
Kalin and Lev approached and stood beside us, their expressions neutral.
“Vithenai Kalin Bryant,” the Shae’ann announced, turning to my friend. “How do you judge your charge?”
“Honoured Shae’ann, Deimos Black is a man of honour, utterly devoted to Lady Delacore. I find him worthy, and give this union my blessing.”
The older man turned to Levaertes then, and asked the same of her.
“Honoured Shae’ann,” she said, in a formal tone I’d never thought her capable of until recently, “Lady Delacore is a woman of honour, whose love for Deimos is unquestionable. I find her worthy, and give this union my blessing.”
“And would you both fight to defend the honour of this couple?”
Both of them answered as one.
“We would.”
“Would you both lead the celebration of their union?”
“We would.”
“And would you swear your oaths to them, and treat them as your own family?”
“We would.”
“Then let their joining be delayed no longer,” he announced with a small smile, and Corvi and I smiled with him.
“Mister Black, I understand you were already given a ring. Have you a ring to bestow?”
“I do, yes,” I said, with some nerves, and Kalin pulled the box from his pocket. I’d had him buy it for me while I was away, having found the perfect place to have one commissioned. It had cost me a small fortune, but being a Sentinel now I could afford it...and she was worth it a thousand times over.
I pulled the ring from the box, which Kalin took from me again. It was a slender band of platinum, and I’d had two inscriptions inlaid into it in fine gold etching. On the outside of the band it read ‘Regina Corvi’ - Queen of Crows, the witty nickname Lev used to call her. When she saw that, Corvi just laughed, seeing in it the combination of humour and affection. However, her brow knotted in confusion when she read the inscription on the inside of the ring.
“Valahdis syth danem...I’m sorry, my love, I’m still rather new to the language,” she said sheepishly, looking as if she had hurt my feelings. I smiled at her, caressing her mind with comforting thoughts, and translated it for her.
“’Queen of my heart,’” I told her, as I slid the band on her ring finger.
“Then let it now be known, that from now until the end of your days, you are now man and wife,” he told us. “You may now kiss-”
He had barely said the words before Corvi placed a hand on each of my cheeks and pulled me close, claiming my lips in a hungry, passionate kiss that would have no place in any mortal wedding.
But then, no mortal wedding these days ever involved a bride who could remember when blue was still the symbolic colour for purity.
I wrapped an arm about her shoulders and ran a hand through her hair, pulling her deeper into the kiss when my hand got to the back of her head.
“Jeez, you two, get a room already!” Lev called to us, and Corvi broke the kiss with a shy laugh.
“Sorry, my dearest,” she told me in a breathless whisper, her smile never fading. “I got a little carried away again.”
“I’m sure I’ll live, Mrs Black,” I told her, and she giggled at me before kissing me again, albeit with a little more restraint.
“Hey, hey, there are children present, you know,” Lev said with mock displeasure, and Kalin swore at her.
“T’thedech sahn, Levaertes.” His rueful grin showed he took the jibe in good spirit, but Lev did have a point.
“We should get some rest, my love,” I told my wife, taking her hand and leading her towards the door. “We have a long day ahead, and I’m shattered.”
“Not too shattered, I hope,” she replied cheekily. “The marriage still needs to be consummated, after all.”
“Won’t somebody think of the children?!” Lev cried, which was shortly followed by Kalin tackling her to the floor.
With those two around, Corvi and I didn’t need kids of our own.
After the wedding, I’d had to spend a few days back at my place in Upper Heyfor
d, helping the team there finalise design elements and detailing what I needed. Corvi, unwilling to spend any significant time away from her first husband in a thousand years, came over to see me after the first day. She’d left the base in the capable hands of Valden and the other command staff, certain that they could handle any issues that arose. I’d even acquired my first true mission as a Sentinel - it was a routine mission to meet a potential recruit, a vampire who said he wanted to join The Order. The reason I was being sent, and not a Welcome Team, was that he had specifically requested a mortal contact, which Ops had deemed suspicious - so, they reasoned, the best option was to send a mortal who had been trained in fighting vampires. I was available, and I fit the description, so the mission details had been emailed to me. It was scheduled to take a place the following week, so I had some time to waste until then.
“Irri’s back,” she told me idly, as we watched a tech crew installing a monitor wall.
“Oh?”
“Mhm,” was her only response for a moment. It was obvious the topic of her sister still made Corvi uncomfortable. “Hope you don’t mind, but I haven’t told her about the wedding yet. No doubt one of the others already has, but I just...”
She broke off, and I could feel a wave of heartache flow through our link. I put a comforting arm around her and pulled her close, sending her gentle thoughts to calm her.
