Cailan’s sleep was deep after his private
ceremony with his father. He’d expected
to be restless during the night, but the emotional draining he’d felt and the
activity of the last week kept him asleep all through the night.
He awoke in the morning just before a team
of servants were brought into his rooms, his mother leading them in. The servants dispersed to pre-ordered duties
as soon as they entered, but his mother sat by him on the bed without saying a
word, her arms wrapped around him tightly.
He hugged her back, not entirely sure of
the emotion behind his mother’s embrace.
It was several minutes before she released him, and her eyes were moist. She clearly struggled to speak, but Cailan
could read her eyes now and he recognized a lot of the expression held in
them. Trying to make it easier for both
of them, he simply said, “I love you, Mother.”
She sucked in a breath and kissed his
cheek. “I love you too,” she managed,
and then took a deep breath and seemed to gather herself together. “It’s time to get you ready. The servants know what I expect of them. Let them help you bathe and dress. There will be a morning meal brought in for
you shortly. If you need anything, send
me word. I’ll see to it myself that you
have it.”
“I can’t imagine you’ve left me in need of
anything, Mother. I’ll be fine.”
She patted his cheek. “I know you will. I need to go get myself ready now as well.”
She bussed his forehead with one more
kiss, and then left him in the hands of the servants.
He thought he was prepared for what the
servants had been ordered to do for him that day, having had their services for
other significant events in the palace, but that morning was above and beyond
anything he’d experienced in the past.
In the bathing room, his tub had been
filled and the water scented with pine oil.
He could have bathed himself, but following his mother’s wishes, he
allowed the servant hovering in the room to scrub him down, using a coarse
sponge first over all his body, and then following that with a soft cloth fully
soaped up. Every inch of him was
scrubbed and his hair washed twice, first with the typical hair soap, but then
with a thick cream that he was told would soften the strands.
Cailan rolled his eyes a little, but
didn’t fuss. That is, he didn’t fuss
until the servant produced a thin tube-like device and started making requests
of Cailan that the prince blushed red over.
Demanding to know what the servant was
attempting to clean, the staff member, who had been attending to the prince’s
bathing in a kind but impersonal way, now looked surprised and uncomfortable.
“It will be your wedding night, sire. There is…preparation involved,” she explained.
Cailan hadn’t thought about that aspect of
things at all, and while it made sense, he was not pleased to have such an
intimate thing brought up by a servant.
He had no intention of being touched in such a way by anyone other than
Jarek; and now that the details of what that would include were there in his
face, he was a little uncertain as to how far he really wanted Jarek to go.
Knowing the mechanics of what the servant
had planned to do, he dismissed her from the room, and then uncomfortably took
care of things himself.
It wasn’t the most pleasant part of his
day, and the entire experience made him feel more nervous instead of prepared
for the night ahead, but he called himself a coward and worked to push it out
of his mind.
When the bath was done, a different
servant brought a long, wraparound, bath tunic for him to wear, telling him
they’d help him dress in his wedding attire after he ate.
The morning meal had been delivered while
he’d washed, and now sat appealingly on a large tray at the foot of his
bed. Fruit, hot and sweetened grain
cereal, and meat rolls had been provided. Cailan ate hungrily, but wished he was sharing
the meal with Jarek, or at least someone.
He didn’t care to eat by himself.
As if in answer to his wish, the servants
answered a knock on the door and the royal healer entered. Clearly he was there to re-bandage Cailan’s
leg, but the prince urged him to sit and share the meal with him first.
“Please, there is plenty here and I prefer
to eat with someone.”
It was an unusual thing for a royal to
unexpectedly do, but the healer joined him and they managed to make small
talk—mostly about care for Cailan’s leg once he left Arten—while they ate.
Afterwards the healer took special care
wrapping the wound. “Continue to bandage
it in this way for at least another week and use the cream,” he advised. “After that, let the Cylandrean healer deem
what treatment it needs. When he says
the wrappings are no longer needed, start doing gentle stretches to help the
skin move about the muscle as it should, and you can work on strengthening it
more then as well.”
That all sounded good to Cailan, and he
thanked the healer before the man left the room.
As soon as he was gone, the servants still
lingering in the room immediately restarted their duties. Absorbent oil was rubbed over his body,
leaving it moisturized and with a gleam to the skin even after the oil
dried.
They then brought out his wedding
attire. Red, silver and black were the
dominant colors of the garb. Silver
leggings, the same color as his hair, were the first to be put on. They fit perfectly and the material was so
soft that there was no irritation at all when it rubbed against the bandage on
his leg.
A beautiful red tunic with detailed edging
of black and silver around the hem, wrist cuffs, and neckline was delicately
placed around his torso, and a servant carefully fastened the silver buttons
down the front. The style of the tunic
broadened his shoulders while flattering his slim waist.
A gleaming black cape, longer than the one
he’d worn the previous night to meet his father, would be put on just before
the ceremony, with matching knee height boots making his outfit complete.
Cailan knew the time was getting
close. The ceremony was set for
mid-morning and his parents would come to his quarters to escort him to the
ballroom.
In the meantime, the servants urged him to
sit and one of them began styling his hair.
Cailan never liked this part of formal ceremonies, hating the fuss and
hands in his hair, and always wondering if he was being judged.
He put up with it though, and was thankful
that the servant did no more than brush it straight and pin back a few strands
from his face. He was surprised nothing
more elaborate was planned, but he discovered why the simplicity was done when
his parents arrived a short while later.
The servants immediately left the family
in privacy when the king and queen arrived in his quarters. His mother looked elegant and sophisticated
in a red dress draped just right over her body.
Gold jewelry adorned her neck, ears, and wrists.
His father was wearing his royal robes as
was right for a prince’s wedding. Both
wore the most ornate crowns made for them as the high royals of the
kingdom.
Cailan’s father carried with him a black
velvet box, and opened it toward Cailan as the three of them faced each
other. Inside was a newly made crown
that made Cailan gasp to see it. It was
ten times more elegant and expensive than his past princely crowns had
been. He looked to his parents in
surprise.
“It’s for you,” his father confirmed. “You will always be a prince of Arten, and
you deserve a crown marking this day for you.”
The king carefully lifted the crown from
its velvet cushioning and took a step nearer his son. With pride, he lowered the golden diadem until
it rested perfectly around Cailan’s brow.
“Now you are ready,” he said proudly, if
not a little sadly. “Come, my son. Your intended waits for you.”
Cailan walked between his parents to the
ceremony room, while every servant and soldier not assigned to the ballroom
lined the halls and bowed in respect and well-wishes as the trio passed.
*****
*****
When Cailan and his parents reached the
doors to the ballroom, he felt a tremble of excitement and nerves running
through him. He hadn’t been given this
option before. Previously he’d been a
concubine, forced into servitude; and after that he believed he would never be
bonded to anyone. Now he was a groom,
about to form a union with someone he had come to love and who had shown him
love and respect in return.
Now in position for the ceremony about to
start, Cailan’s parents each held an arm out so he could place his hand in their
crooks and be escorted inside. This part
of the ceremony was a bit different than normal. Had he been marrying a young woman, he would
have already been waiting inside, but his and Jarek’s situation was
different. To show the equality of the
union so neither kingdom nor groom felt slighted, both men would be escorted
inside from opposite ends, meeting in the middle under the wedding arch.
Cailan heard music start, the soft and
romantic sound of a harp and pan flute floating on the air. There was the softest click at the doors he
stood in front of, the hint that they were about to open—and then they did.
Cailan froze for just a moment as he saw
the doors across the room opening as well, and there was Jarek standing between
his parents, all three of them looking stunning from the hem of their clothes
to the silver shimmer of their hair and the elegant crowns that adorned them.
He would have just kept staring, but the
feel of his parents starting the march inside set his feet into motion. The three of them walked as one, slow steps
that matched the approach of the other trio closing the gap between them.
Cailan was subtly aware of the presence of
the guests in the room, but his focus was entirely on Jarek. It seemed to take
an inordinately long time to meet in the center, but finally they stood in
front of the beautifully decorated arch, the smell of the roses and sweet incense
in the room adding to the surreal feeling enveloping Cailan’s senses. This was a beautiful ceremony, and a serious
one when you committed your life to another, but Jarek’s face was alight and
one blue eye winked at Cailan, making the younger prince break into a grin he
couldn’t hold back.
On the other side of the arch, the cleric
who would lawfully unite them spoke. “On
this day a moment of history and camaraderie is being forever bound. Who gives these two men to one another?”
Across the space between them, the two
kings and two queens reached out and connected hands, creating a circle of the
six of them. “We do,” the four spoke in
unison.
“Has a blessing been prepared?” the cleric
asked.
“It has,” King Saxon and King Jonerick
spoke again as one.
Cailan’s father moved until he stood
between the two grooms and placed a hand on each shoulder. He looked to Jarek first, his eyes serious,
almost fierce, but also benevolent. “Prince
Jarek of Cylandrea, I willingly give my son to you. He has blessed his family with courage, love
and devotion, and I pass those attributes to you through him. May your lives together be filled with joy,
respect, and growth.”
King Saxon then turned to Cailan and his
eyes softened from their intensity. “My
son, I see a good man in Prince Jarek and I offer my blessing to your
union. May you always find joy in one
another. You have the approval and acceptance of your family, and we offer our
services to both of you if you ever have any need.”
Cailan blinked rapidly to clear his eyes
as his father stepped back to his side and King Jonerick took position. The older king put a hand on each younger
man’s shoulder as Cailan’s father had done, and then addressed his words to
Cailan first.
“Prince Cailan of Arten, I willingly give
my son to you,” he said sincerely, his voice showing the huskiness of age
although his body stood proud and strong.
“He has spent his life in service to his family and country, a man never
wavering from his commitments, promises, or those he loves. He has blessed us all from the moment of his
birth, and I pass those qualities to you through him. May the two of you be one another’s
companions, friends, and lovers for all your days together.”
The king offered the briefest but kindest
of smiles to Cailan, and then turned to his son. “My son, Jarek, my second born who has been
faithful to all that has been asked of him his whole life. You have found an honorable, brave, and
beautiful gift in your betrothed, and I offer my blessing to your union. May your lives intertwine with each other
until two become one, and know that your family will support and aid you all
your days.”
King Jonerick returned to his place then,
and the cleric spoke in the silence.
“May the two families give their sons to each other?”
Cailan received a kiss on his cheeks from
both parents, and Jarek’s mother and father did the same. The two mothers then each took a son’s hand
and brought them together.
Cailan instinctively interwove his fingers
with Jarek’s and smiled when the older man tightened his grip. The two royal couples then stepped away and
took their seats as Cailan and Jarek turned to face the cleric, centering
themselves under the arch.
For the next several minutes, the cleric
spoke to those gathered about the eternity of marriage and gave examples of
some famous Artenian couples, both good and bad, and how those in attendance
could learn from those examples.
Cailan tried to pay attention, but his
mind was more on the feel of Jarek’s fingers interlaced with his, and on controlling
his desire to lean into the taller man.
Finally, the cleric moved on to the words
of union that would make their marriage official. He directed the two of them to face each
other, and without being told Cailan and Jarek reached out and clasped their
hands together.
“A bonded marriage, particularly between
two royals, is a sacred union that cannot be broken except through death,” the
cleric said sagely. “There are promises
to be made at this time. If you both are
willing to agree to each promise, say ‘We will’ after each one.”
The man seemed to pause for effect, and
then spoke loud enough for everyone present to hear. “Will the two of you promise to be bound from
this day hence until your last breath?”
“We will,” Jarek and Cailan said in
matching voices of strength and assurance.
“Will you be selfless so the other will
always come first?”
“We will.”
“Will you stand firm through hard times,
be they sickness or tragedy?”
“We will.”
“Will you fulfill your royal duties
together, supporting one another?”
“We will.”
“Will you be an example to all of faithful
love?”
“We will.”
“And will you make these promises aloud
and with these witnesses in this room?”
“We will.”
“Then do so and complete your vows,” the
cleric told them.
Cailan, knowing he was to go first since
his was the host country, spoke looking directly into Jarek’s eyes. “Prince Jarek of Cylandrea, I promise to be
selfless, to stand firm at your side, to fulfill my responsibilities to you and
our people, and to be an example of faithful love to all who see us.”
Jarek, his eyes surprisingly wet, released
one of Cailan’s hands so he could cup the younger man’s face. He repeated the promises back. “Prince Cailan of Arten, I promise to be
selfless, to stand firm at your side, to fulfill my responsibilities to you and
our people, and to be an example of faithful love to all who see us.” And then he added, “And to take care of you
always.”
The cleric made a subtle noise that said
he didn’t approve of the deviation from the norm, but moved ahead with the
ceremony. “With these promises I now
pronounce you bonded for all your years.
You may seal your union.”
Cailan tipped his face up and Jarek dipped
his down and they met in a kiss that sent sparks all the way down to Cailan’s
feet. He didn’t want to stop when Jarek
broke the connection, but knew he had too.
Music began to play around them and their parents rose from their seats
and came to their sides, this time escorting them as a couple into their group
of witnesses.
One by one, everyone present kissed and
hugged the two of them. Cailan was
pleased to see that Sorcerer Ristoph had attended the ceremony with his
partner, and welcomed the introduction to the sorcerer’s husband, Avel.
Everyone in the room began mingling
happily then while the servants in attendance prepared for the meal.
The pleasant aromas of pheasant, ham,
cooked vegetables, and hot bread began to fill the room, and the musicians
added to the atmosphere with the lovely sounds of stringed instruments, subtle
drums, and muted horns.
Cailan and Jarek’s parents started to
guide everyone to their seats for the meal, but Jarek kept the younger prince
from following. Instead, as everyone
else took their seats, he guided Cailan into the open space of the room, pulled
him close with an arm around his waist, interlaced their fingers and began to
sway.
“I said I wanted to dance with you,” he
murmured just for Cailan’s ears.
Cailan, feeling both awkward in knowing
everyone was watching them, but pleased to be held as he was, smiled
shyly. “Dancing is usually saved for
after the meal.”
“Do you wish me to let you go?”
Cailan pressed a little closer to
him. “Please don’t.”
Jarek smiled and leaned down to kiss him
as they continued to sway. He briefly
nuzzled Cailan’s neck after the kiss, and then the two of them silently moved
together until the song the musicians played faded away.
Reluctantly they stopped dancing and took
their seats at the table between their parents, let the cleric say a blessing,
and began to enjoy the food that was served.
Everyone filled themselves up on succulent
meat, roasted potatoes, garden fresh vegetables, and a half dozen other
dishes. Wine from the royal collection
flowed freely, making everyone joyous and cheerful, although Jarek limited both
himself and Cailan to two goblets only.
When Cailan frowned at that directive, Jarek leaned close and whispered
in his ear.
“I want us both fully aware and able to
enjoy our wedding night, petling. Drown
yourself in me instead of wine.”
That was a very convincing argument and
Cailan quite happily switched to flavored water for the remainder of his meal.
After the main course was cleared away,
Queen Adesina welcomed the group gathered to talk, dance, or rest in the divans
that had been set up before a special dessert was brought out.
Jarek immediately began leading Cailan
back to the dance floor, but they were intercepted by their mothers. The women commented that they had the rest of
their lives to dance together, but they could wait a few minutes and have a
dance with their mothers.
Graciously, both men bowed to the queens,
and Cailan stepped expertly into a slow waltz with Queen Adesina while Jarek
twirled Queen Dyanna on the floor. They
switched partners a few minutes later, the men now dancing with their mothers-in-law
until King Saxon and King Jonerick politely stepped in to dance with their
wives and let Jarek and Cailan find one another’s arms again.
Ristoph and Avel joined the dancing a
short while later, and a few of Cailan’s brothers cheerfully claimed some of
the female servants away from their duties to dance with them as well.
At one point Cailan’s oldest brother,
Abed, brought little Doron’s nanny out onto the floor, so Cailan picked up his
little brother and began carefully spinning and dancing him around the room
with him and Jarek.
Everyone laughed and enjoyed themselves,
burning off the heavy meal to make room for more.
After an hour of activity, many of them
retired to the scattered settees around the room. Jarek and Cailan claimed one for themselves,
but they didn’t get much time to talk alone as Cailan’s family and the few
other guests sporadically came to chat with them, both to congratulate and to
get to know Jarek a little more before he took Cailan back to Cylandrea.
After a time, Queen Adesina once more
graciously requested everyone’s attention as dessert was about to be brought
out. She motioned to two servants who
opened one of the ballroom doors, making the way for another two servants to
carefully carry in the extravagant dessert.
Cailan’s mouth dropped open at the
chocolate fountain that appeared. The
servants set it down on a specially decorated table, and then efficiently and
quickly surrounded it with bite size pieces of fruit, sweet bites, sugared
bread, and honey cheese.
The room buzzed with excitement and awe at
the elaborate display, and Cailan rose to approach his mother and kiss her
cheek. “Thank you, Mother!”
He then turned and addressed the room as
Jarek came to his side. “Thank you
everyone. I can’t tell you how special
you’ve made today for me…for both of us.”
Jarek added his appreciate as well. “My thanks to Cailan’s parents, his brothers,
my family, and the staff who have served us so well today too. Thank you for blessing and witnessing our
bonding with such love.”
The small group clapped their approval,
and then urged Jarek and Cailan to lead the way to the chocolate fountain. The men would have argued that they couldn’t
eat another bite after the large meal, but the dessert was too tempting. Cailan filled a dipping bowl with the warm
chocolate while Jarek piled a small plate with the assortment of sweets
provided. They both then returned to
their chaise, sharing the bites while Jarek, with a knowing look, occasionally
offered a piece of fruit or bread for Cailan to eat from his hand. They weren’t worried what the guests would
think. Lovers feeding each other would
be accepted in this situation, but the two men knew the simple act meant much
more between them.
The day progressed in the celebration, but
eventually it was time to be saying good-byes.
Cailan appreciated the supportive hugs and
encouraging—if sometimes teasing—words from his older brothers as they offered
farewells and promises to visit.
However, he choked up when he came to Doron and held the little boy in
his arms, hating now just as much as the first time that he wouldn’t be around
to daily watch his little brother grow.
“Cay-in,” the child sing-songed and patted
his face. “Dance, Cay-in!”
Cailan let out a mixed laugh and cry, and
then spun the little boy a few times before gripping him in a hug. “You be a good lad, ok? I’ll see you soon.”
He passed the boy to his mother’s arms and
the queen kissed the child’s cheek and gave him to his nanny. She then turned back to her second youngest
and drew him into a hug. “I’ll be in
Cylandrea in two weeks to start preparations for the celebration there. I’ll bring Doron with me, alright?”
He nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”
They embraced one more time, and then King
Saxon took his wife’s place. He gave Cailan
a strong embrace and kissed his cheek.
“Take care, my son.”
Jarek stood with Cailan through all the
good-byes, understanding but clearly not facing the same emotions Cailan
was. Eventually they made some final
waves and then procured Sorcerer Ristoph and the man’s companion. Ristoph had prepared a portal to transport
them to Cylandrea, so the four of them left the guests and servants to the end
of the party and headed to Cailan’s quarters.
His belongings had been taken ahead of
time so he and Jarek had nothing to carry through with them. Just before opening the transport, the
sorcerer turned a fond look to the young prince.
“I am proud to call you my friend as well
as my prince, your highness,” he said sincerely. “Thank you for inviting me to your union and
for the lessons you’ve taught me.”
Cailan bowed to him. “Thank you, Ristoph. You saved my life in Cylandrea, and you paved
the way for hope for me here in Arten.
Please, you and Avel,” he said, including Ristoph’s husband, “are
welcome to visit in Cylandrea any time.”
Ristoph looked pleased at that, especially
since Jarek agreed with the invite.
“Thank you, my lords. Avel and I
look forward to that time. Are you ready
to travel?”
The new husbands looked to each other and
nodded. Ristoph smiled and then moved
his hands in graceful gestures, whispering words unknown to Cailan, and opened
a transport gateway.
“Well wishes, sires,” he and Avel said in
unison.
They thanked the man and then Jarek took
Cailan by surprise by lifting him up, his arm around Cailan’s back and the
other under his legs, and carried him through to start their joined life.
The End
