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Chapter 13 - Bonfire
Luella
My wedding day had arrived. When I was younger, I imagined what it would look like. Several times. Some details would change, but I would always be happy. Instead of the prim and proper princess that everyone thought me to be, I would be grinning foolishly but gleefully. I would walk the aisle with my head high, smelling the roses and lilies in my hands.
I repeatedly created variations of how it would be. The groom often came with a blank face because I could not grasp a feature and could not fathom a man willing to take me as his bride.
When Metheus finally came to Mogochislenia, I was filled with hope. He seemed like a good man, willing to help us with whatever he could do. He was much more handsome than I expected, solid and well-built. He was the sort of man the young ladies giggled about in secret.
The relief and fascination turned into self-pity. Why would I need a handsome, capable husband if I had to keep him at arm’s length? He did not seem pleased with me. I was sure he would be happier if I was not who I was.
Of course, there were times I was frustrated with how he turned hot and cold in a matter of minutes. If I hated one thing about him the most, it would be that he brought Cora here. My eyes scanned the crowd for her. Sure enough, she was there. She was dressed like an Arrowspear princess in gold lace with her ample bosom on display.
I wore blue. It was made of mostly tulle and lace. The sleeves were long, going past my hands and reaching half its skirt. Despite some people’s suspicion about my purity, I was still a virgin. I would have lost it with Thomas if I had not burned him to a crisp. Certainly, I was not pure of intention. Looking ahead at my groom, it was difficult to have pure intentions.
Metheus surprised me by wearing a long white tunic and an overcoat. Knowing him now, the gold threads had real gold in them. His long braids covered part of his face, but I could see a hint of a smile.
We could at least be good friends, I inwardly sighed.
I walked the procession slowly, holding the roses and lilies I had always imagined I would hold. They were surrounded by cloth flowers Metheus brought for me. I was pleasantly surprised with his gifts, including the necklace I wore. It came from his mother, he said. I paired it with a gift from my own mother.
The sweets he gave me made me wonder if they were a commentary on my slenderness. I was tall and slim. I used to think my breasts were just the right size until I met Cora. Suddenly, I felt lacking, not that it would even matter.
The wedding proceeded as expected. The bishop went with the usual pledges from Metheus and me. When the ritual was over, there was a hushed expectation. I realized that they were waiting for a kiss.
I had only been kissed once, and it resulted in a fire. Would we have to go through it? The chill that I felt at having to do it in front of everyone else should balance things out. Thomas had to touch me all over to set me on fire. Right now, looking into Metheus’s eyes, suddenly kind, I felt warm all over.
I parted my lips and tilted my head toward him, but he was simply looking at me. Did I look ridiculous to him? Was he afraid? After two beats, he leaned down on me to kiss my mouth. His lips felt warm on mine, and my arms automatically wrapped around his neck. There were cheers from the crowd. Hoots of delighted laughter came from the Arrowspear men. Oh, if they only knew.
Metheus surprised me with his boldness as he kept the kiss going. His tongue licked at my lower lip and found itself inside my mouth. Oh, he was even bolder than I thought he would be. He either wanted to give everyone a good show, or he had a death wish.
When we parted, he looked a little dazed. He probably realized what folly he had made. I did not expect his following words.
“Are you alright?”
“I should be. I was afraid for you,” I teased.
Anyone observing us then would think we were a young couple in love. If only they knew.
The next ritual was the witch’s wedding. The first one to have been blessed with one in the family was my brother Samuel and his wife. He was there, alone. He said his twins would not make the dusty, hot trip.
We received blessings from air, earth, fire, and water witches. It was not the same. Most of them had been depleted of their powers. Only Martha’s herbs would have worked well. Still, their thoughts were with us, and their blessings were genuine.
After the ceremony, they led us to our room. Inside, I immediately sat on the bed, tired from the proceedings. Metheus had taken off his tunic, but I knew he did not mean anything much by it. He was used to walking around with his bare chest out. I tried not to stare at his chiseled chest and well-defined stomach. I could barely remember what Thomas looked like and had not seen him without a shirt on, but I knew his body looked nothing like Metheus’ own. It must be all the work in the fields.
“Do they still display the linens after the consummation here?” Metheus asked, sitting on an ottoman. There was no sense of malice in his question. He just wanted to know. He probably wanted to see if he could find a way to protect my honor.
I decided I should start taking off my gown. I had a thin white chemise over my undergarments. Metheus’ eyes darted up to me, but I could not be sure. His deep-set eyes always seemed ready to keep a secret.
“No. After my mother went into power, it was no longer required, although some smaller kingdoms still practiced it,” I said.
“It is convenient for you,” he muttered, probably not meaning to be heard.
“Excuse me? What do you mean by that?”
“I-I m-meant since you had a lover before…” he stammered. He sounded less confident than the arrogant man I knew for one tiny moment. However, it was also like a punch in the stomach. So, was that what he thought of me all along?
I narrowed my eyes at him. Let him think about that, then. Let him believe it. Maybe it would make him pity me less, especially when he started bringing Cora to the castle.
