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“I can’t believe anything wicked of Ben,” Ariadne said. “He is so genuinely devout.”
“So are many of the cutthroat politicians in the Magelands,” Eudias said mournfully. “I hope our suspicions are unfounded, but we’ll remain alert.”
“Thank you,” Cassia said. “Why did you wish to meet with me? Do you have a warning to share as well?”
Ariadne shook her head. “Good news, actually!”
“We wanted to wait until we could tell you and Lio together,” Eudias said, “but there are so many rites leading up to the Autumn Equinox that we aren’t certain we can get away from prayers after dark.”
“No, please tell me now.” Goddess knew they could use some good news.
Ariadne’s eyes were bright with excitement. “We found a loophole.”
Eudias smiled. “It is possible for you and Lio to marry under Tenebran law.”
Cassia put a grateful expression on her face and tried not to betray the tension spreading through her. This was, objectively, excellent news. But she had not expected it. Part of her had hoped this would prove to be impossible, and thus make the decision for her.
She was deeply uncertain how she felt about this notion of marriage. Making more vows to Lio could never be a bad idea, could it? But Tenebran marriage vows. She had fought so hard to escape them, even as the lack of them had plagued her and her mother’s lives.
But one thing was certain—their friends had worked hard to give her and Lio the choice. “Thank you both so much. This is astonishing. How can we manage it?”
Eudias explained, “As you know, per the original Equinox Oath, Hesperines are not permitted to enter temples. Unfortunately, even with the Solstice Oath now taking precedence, this stipulation is deeply embedded in religious law. So we researched marriage rites that can be performed outside a temple.”
Ariadne nodded. “There are certain spells that can be cast to consecrate the ground for a wedding. This essentially turns the site into a temple.”
“Doesn’t that mean Lio would still be forbidden to set foot there?” Cassia asked.
“Yes,” Ariadne answered, “but we found precedents for emergency weddings on battlefields or in sickrooms, which only require one of the partners to be standing on divine ground. For example, if a woman’s betrothed is mortally wounded, as long as she stands in a Kyrian circle beside his deathbed, he can still marry her before he dies.”
“This means I must still be human for the ceremony,” Cassia said.
“Yes,” Ariadne confirmed.
Well, this was to be a hasty wedding, or none at all, for Cassia had no intention of delaying her Gifting for a moment in the name of Tenebran marriage laws.
Ariadne spread her hands. “The greatest obstacle is finding a mage of Anthros and a mage of Kyria in good standing with the Orders who are willing to perform the ceremony. Fortunately for you, that part will be easy. I would be happy to cast the Kyrian circle for you to stand in.”
“Then I can include Lio in the ceremony by casting a glyph over him.” Eudias wrinkled his nose. “He won’t find it a very pleasant experience, but it won’t do him harm.”
However Cassia felt about marriage, their friends’ efforts meant so much to her. “You both have our gratitude. I’ll tell Lio all of this when he wakes.”
“One more suggestion,” Ariadne said. “There are also some interesting precedents for promise dances. A lord once arrived late to the Autumn Greeting on his way home from war. He wasn’t there for the dance by daylight, when most of the other couples made their betrothal promises. But he danced with his lady around the bonfire after nightfall, and the lords and ladies present bore witness, and it was considered by all to hold the same intention and legal weight as if they had danced earlier in the day.”
Cassia smiled slowly. Now this was something she would relish—dancing with Lio around the Autumn Equinox bonfire and seeing the look on Flavian’s face. “I will put this to good use, I assure you.”
“We won’t keep you any longer.” Eudias glanced up through the clerestory windows, which let in the early afternoon light and last warmth of summer. “Lord Flavian will be expecting you and your sister in the courtyard.”
And Cassia would go armed with new schemes.
She thanked the mages again, then led Knight back into the Lustra passageways to return to their chambers. In the weaving room, there was no sign of Genie or anyone else. Solia and Kella’s grim voices drew Cassia to the bedchamber, where they were readying themselves for the day’s next events and discussing politics. Cassia told them what she had overheard.
“Oh, Ben.” Regret crossed Solia’s face as she unbuckled her sword. “His guilt over his father is poison. I fear this is some foolish attempt to prove himself a better man. We’ll have to keep an eye on him.”
Kella, sitting on the bed next to Tilili, squeezed ointment out of a small skin in her hand. “It’s good that you accepted Genie into your retinue. Keep your enemies close.”
“Possible enemies.” Cassia pulled off her slippers.
Kella began rubbing the ointment into one of her residual limbs. “Yes, but with the vote happening any day, we cannot afford to take chances. Every person in the great hall is here not only to vie for their preferred candidate for the throne, but to achieve ends of their own.”
