Arranged (55 page)

Alison nodded. Qwinn did not know if she believed him, but she smiled up at him, trying to ease his mind, no doubt. Despite their situation, Adalia was right; they had much to prepare and little time to do it in.

He hated to leave her uncertain and swore to himself that he would take care of this as soon as the festivities were over.

As if reading his mind, Adalia stepped forward and gently guided Alison away. As soon as the women were gone, Qwinn stood before Vin. He studied the man, wondering how he could so misjudge him. "There is not enough that I can say to thank you for protecting Alison."

Vin bowed his head. "Your thanks will suffice."

Qwinn raised a brow. "Is there not something you would like as a reward?"

Vin fought a smile then cleared his throat and met Qwinn's eye. "Your sisters hand in marriage."

Qwinn knew this request would be a possibility, however, now that it faced him, he hesitated. Vin had proven himself, however a union between him and Adalia would mean a union between the families. "My father is better fit to answer this request," he said.

"Yes, however, you have the ear of your father," Vin smiled confidently. "Let's talk about this later. You have your marriage to prepare for."

Qwinn was thankful to be taken off the hook, if even just for a moment. He would need to discuss this matter with his father.

Vin and Larius bowed and left the room. After a moment, Qwinn realized he was still in Alison's room. Adalia must have taken her to the dancer's tents to prepare.

Qwinn looked down at himself and found that he was still in half of his clothes he wore to war. Blood splattered his shredded pants. The healer had his shirt and torn armor removed so she could get to his wounds. The first thing he needed to do was bath.

He gently brushed a hand across his new scars; they rose almost pink against his dark chest. They would forever serve as a reminder.

Servants put musk herbs in the water so that he would smell fresh. He bathed quickly. Another servant braided some new feathers into his hair and brought him newly pressed linen; his sash was tied with gold and his slippers felt crisp and new.

He rushed around the palace, almost as much as the servants did, to make sure everything was in order. Jabr kept insisting that he return to bed and rest, however, an less than an hour later the wedding was underway.

Every member of Vidar was in attendance and the dancers performed while the crowd waited. Merchants opened booths where traditional foods were sold and treats. Some sold scarves of new colors or small tambourines to join in the music.

Horns blared as Qwinn walked through the main streets to the center of his Kingdom. His people bowed before him. A servant led Qwinn's father after him, though his father did not need a guide to move. The council members followed them, creating a long procession of people.

Adalia and her troupe were just finishing a traditional dance. She motioned for Qwinn to join her on the stage. He climbed the steps and came to stand beside Morinell, the seer and healer that he nearly owed his life to. Bartus joined at her side and smiled encouragingly at Qwinn, who felt that if he gave up an ounce of his controlled composure, he might throw up.

After all the battles with gore beyond his imagination that he'd fought and won, it was a wedding to a human that made a great King such as he so nervous that he quivered. His stomach rolled with butterflies.

Mentally, he kept reminding himself that Alison had agreed to the wedding, but he couldn't help but be anxious to see her. He needed to reassure himself that she had not run again.

His eyes lifted to the Limbra orb; it was almost noon. She had to hurry if they were going to do this the right way.

Suddenly, a silence came over the crowd as Alison walked into the square, surrounded by dancers playing tambourines and bells and singing a lovely melody. Naliya and Larius followed closely behind.

The crowd parted, allowing the troupe through and Qwinn felt his jaw go slack. Alison stunned him; she was dressed in a rich purple skirt that seemed to change to blue, green, yellow, and then back to purple. It flowed almost as smoothly as water as she walked. The top she was wearing crossed in the back and front, creating a unique design; showing enough skin to tease him. Her hair was braided with beads and feathers that brought out the green of her eyes.

Adalia danced down the aisle before Alison, throwing flowers as her ankle bracelets jingled. Alison smiled shyly as every eye turned to watch her enter and Qwinn swallowed hard as she walked slowly toward the platform. The music played happily and triumphantly, telling a story of love and life.

His heart swelled, almost painfully; he never imagined feeling this full, this right. Every doubt was cast out as his bride sauntered toward him.

His eyes flitted to the Limbra and could almost see the planets aligning. A half shadow covered the sun; they were pushing it for time, this had to be done just right.

ALISON BREATHED IN SLOWLY, trying desperately to control her nervousness. She felt so many emotions that it was making her lightheaded. However, as her eyes met Qwinn's she knew she was making the right choice; her life would never be the same without him.

As she drew closer, Adalia motioned for her to climb the steps to the platform. Now Alison's mouth went dry; this was what she feared the most, the dance.

Adalia had informed her of how the procession would go and the dance came before the union, to display the agility and skill of the bride…to prove her worthy of the King. When everyone was in accord, the union was more powerful.

Every eye in Vidar was on her, as it had been since she set foot in Vidar. The only thing that had changed was that now she wanted their acceptance. She needed to impress them, but most of all; she wanted to be sure that Qwinn knew she was a worthy wife.

She climbed the steps to the platform and could hardly bring her eyes to meet his. She stopped herself from wiping her sweaty hands nervously on her outfit. Then the familiar drumbeat began and Qwinn shifted to watch her closely.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Adalia smiling encouragingly from the side of the platform where she joined the drum players in playing a tambourine.

Alison took a deep breath, feeling its calming effect travel through to her entire body. She held firm to the fact that she had practiced enough to know this by heart.

Licking her lips, she took her position and on the correct beat, began to move her arms to join over her head. She guided her foot to slide behind her and bent back, as if trying to lay. A big drumbeat and she sprang up, spinning lightly on her toes. Her dress flowed out beautifully around her. It was then that she realized that the design of the dress was made specifically for this dance. Following her steps, she curled in on herself only to bloom into a beautiful array of limbs and colors of her dress.

As she swayed her hips, she felt her confidence begin to grow; everything had gone perfectly so far. She shot Qwinn a smile, beginning to allow the beat to consume her so that she didn't have to concentrate on the moves and just let them come naturally, as Adalia had taught her. The look on Qwinn's face spurred her on; there was a light in his eyes. He seemed astounded by her.

Pride swelled in her as she continued to dance. She spun again, the crowd of Vidarian's becoming a blur before her eyes. For that moment, she couldn't see judgment or hate or joy in their eyes, they simply became one people;
her
people. The beat sped up and so did she. She whipped around, making use of most of the platform and allowing herself to flow.

The end of the dance drew near and with it brought her most difficult move.

She licked her dry lips and readied herself. She felt a burst of confidence and knew that Adalia probably had something to do with it. Accepting this jolt, she bounded a few steps then leapt, landing lightly and quickly falling into position for her back flip. In truth, she had not practiced this many times without a guide to hold her as she flipped. Without wasting her momentum, she sprang and arched her back, her hands flowing through space, waiting to touch the ground. For a moment, she held her breath and it seemed that the entire Vidar held theirs, watching.

Alison's heart beat in her ears as she prayed she would land it. It was time to prove to herself that she was capable of doing this.

Her fingers touched down on the platform and she gracefully guided her legs back over, her dress billowing behind her in a rainbow, until she landed on her feet. Her heart skipped nervously until she realized she had landed fully balanced! She stood, her arms curling above her head as she smiled out over the people.

For the span of a few heartbeats, there was only silence, and then a roar went up. The crowd cheered. Alison's eyes scanned the people with awe and surprise. Then she felt a warm hand slide into hers. She turned to meet Qwinn's gaze, who only had eyes for her. His smile was big. "That was perfect," he said, only loud enough for her to hear.

QWINN THOUGHT HE WOULD BURST with pride. No other bride had ever performed more beautifully. He took both of her hands in his and led her to the Elders that waited to bind their union.

Bartus smiled kindly at Qwinn and Alison. He then held up both hands to quiet the crowd. In a voice that was surprisingly large for a man of his size, he spoke. Alison frowned slightly as he spoke Vidarian.

Qwinn squeezed her hand and leaned closer to translate. "Ahanu has brought a woman among us who will lead us into a bright and fruitful future. Before the dawn of time, Qwinn and Alison's destinies were written, their paths intertwined and their union plotted. On this day, the alignment of the planets, it seems Ahanu has chosen the perfect time to bring about such a union. It is not for us to understand the workings of nature or of the heart." Bartus eyed the crowd as he continued.

"Let us join behind these leaders to support, nourish and grow their relationship as long as they shall live," Qwinn translated.

The crowd nodded, each kneeling in their spot and bowing their heads. Alison watched them with wonder and Qwinn smiled reassuringly. Morinell stepped forward and laid her warm hand on Alison's shoulder while her other went to Qwinn's. She spoke in words that sounded as if she were weaving a beautiful tapestry of music. Again, Qwinn translated. "We ask Ahanu to bless your marriage and make you to be fruitful in all you do."

She turned her ancient eyes to Qwinn. "Ahanu bless you with wisdom beyond your years," she said in English, turning to Alison. "May Ahanu bless you with the strength to stand beside your husband and rule."

Finally, she turned her eyes to the Limbra and smiled. "It is time," she announced.

She stepped back and picked up a low chant. Qwinn tugged Alison slightly closer. He knew that what was about to happen would frighten her. As he held her eyes, he smiled. "I love you," he mouthed as blue lights began to glow from the designs etched in the platform. The light grew as the crowd joined the old woman in the chant that would bind Qwinn's and Alison's souls, therefore, transferring some of Qwinn's power to Alison; only enough to protect her, not enough to taint her blood.

Alison's eyes grew wide as she stared at her feet, lifting her leg away from the light.

"No," he said softly. "Stay with me." He knew this must be strange for a human who was seeing this for the first time.

She bit her lip, but kept her eyes on his. The lights grew and swirls of something that looked like blue flames began to lick at their feet. Her nervousness became obvious, but the flames did not burn, instead they gently caressed.

Then the flames grew, nearly consuming them. Qwinn had seen this done before, but had never participated in the ceremony. It felt like a cool breath, gently then gone; he felt light, almost like he was floating.

Alison looked around her with an excited gaze. For a moment, Qwinn wondered whether anyone had explained the happenings of this ceremony. The flames began to dance faster and faster, as if blown by wind. Alison's hair blew back from her face. "Qwinn," she said uncertainly, but her words were sucked into the air; the flames surrounded then in a tunnel of glowing blue. As the movement intensified, they were lifted off the platform and several feet in the air.

ALISON TRIED TO KEEP HER eyes on Qwinn, but fear began to consume her. She was no longer touching the ground, but she didn't feel anything pick her up, she merely felt light, like a cloud. All she could see were swirls of blue, zooming around them. Qwinn looked up through the Limbra and Alison did the same. She blinked her eyes in confusion. She could almost clearly see the planets. It didn't matter that they were millions of miles away, she felt she could almost reach out and grab them.

The planets aligned, casting a shadow over the sun. She had never seen anything quite so beautiful before. Suddenly, she felt an electric surge come over her, causing her to close her eyes and throw her head back. The surge felt like pure power pumping through her veins instead of blood. It made her feel full in a way she never had before.

The surge increased as beams of light shot from her fingertips and toes; it was almost unbearable. She cried out and a beam of light shot out of her mouth. Qwinn gripped her tightly, but she could barely feel him as the tunnel of blue swirled until it was almost blinding.

Alison screamed, but no sound came out. Power surged through her heart, piercing it. Then, as quickly as it had begun, it was over. The couple drifted back to the platform and as soon as her feet touched ground, she fainted.