Free Firewalk by Anne Logston Page B

Lord Calder tied a cord around their joined hands.
    “Before Earth, Wind, Water, and Flame, and before the witnesses gathered here, I say that Kayli and Randon have joined as one in blood,” he said. “With the blade on which their blood joins, I sever all other ties that bind them, leaving only the bond of their blood and their vows.” He cut the cord binding their hands together. “Kayli and Randon, as High Lord to High Lady, as husband to wife, as lover to lover, as man to woman, now and for all time you are one.”
    Lord Calder paused.
    “What do I do now?” he asked hesitantly.
    Kayli exhaled slowly. Done. There is no turning back.
    “Now we let Brother Stevann bind Randon’s hand before he bleeds to death,” she said quietly. “I am sorry, my lord, that I failed to warn you of the sharpness of my thari.” She took her kerchief from her pocket and wiped her own hand, then Randon’s; by custom they would keep the kerchief, stained with their mingled blood, as long as both lived. She used the same kerchief to wipe clean her thari before she sheathed it.
    “It’s all right,” Randon said stoutly as Stevann bandaged his hand. “I’ll survive.” He turned to Kayli.
    “It’s our tradition to celebrate with a wedding feast,” he said. “Are you permitted to eat now?”
    Kayli flushed; how could she explain the details of Awakening before strangers—and especially before Terralt?
    “With respect, lord, our custom is to have the feast three days later.” Endra’s voice startled Kayli; she’d never noticed when the midwife had joined them. Nonetheless, she was grateful for Endra’s timely interruption, although the midwife was unabashedly lying; there was no such custom in Bregond.
    “It’s tradition to let the new marrieds have three days alone to—to become accustomed to each other’s society,” Endra continued blithely, giving Kayli a sidewise glance. “It’s meant for matches like this where husband and wife have had no chance to know each other before the wedding.”
    “A sensible custom,” Randon agreed, although from the way his eyes twinkled, Kayli wondered if he’d guessed Endra’s ruse. “I’ll honor it gladly; for three days we’re not to be disturbed. Nevertheless, there’s one local custom I’ll not forgo.” He leaned forward slowly, giving Kayli time to signal her displeasure if she chose, and pressed his lips softly to hers.
    His kiss was gentle, almost chaste, but Kayli was acutely embarrassed to be kissed in the sight of all these others, and she was hard put to keep from pulling away. When Randon straightened again, Kayli forced a small smile, fancying that she saw disappointment in his eyes. Perhaps Agrondish women gave no thought to venting their passions in public.
    “My turn now,” Terralt said, but before Kayli could even draw back, Randon raised a hand, halting him.
    “Not every country lets other men kiss the bride,” Randon said firmly. “A little respect for the lady, please.”
    “Yes, I’ll take Lady Kayli upstairs now,” Endra agreed.
    “That’s a good idea.” Randon relinquished Kayli’s hand as if reluctantly. “There are a few documents I must sign. I’ll be up shortly.”
    Kayli was utterly grateful to escape; between her fast, her illness, and the tension of her wedding, her head was spinning. Endra took her arm as the midwife led her back up the stairs, this time to another set of rooms. Despite her unsettled state, Kayli was impressed by Randon’s chambers; besides the bedroom, he had a dressing room, a sitting room, and a small room in which he had placed his weapons and armor. Only the sitting-room door opened to the corridor, so the bedroom was quiet and private. A balcony on the south wall looked out over the huge city of Tarkesh. Beyond the wall of Tarkesh, Kayli could see the lush green fields for which Agrond was famous.
    A small fire had been laid in the bedroom fireplace, more for light than to warm the room. Randon’s bed