Holier Than Thou

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad held her hand firmly as the Priest came to stand beside them.

"We are gathered to witness the holy union of these two, Vladimir Dracul and Tenele Raider, as lovers and friends for their entire lifetime, under the sacrament of marriage and in the sight of Thar." He looked over the crowd. "If any should choose to speak against their intentions, let them say so now."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele turned a near warning glance on the crowd, but it was subtle in its threat. No one said a word. Her eyes met her father, he grinned at her. How strange, she thought, that he would come into her life on this day of all days. She squeezed Vlad's hand when no one said a word, her heart starting to beat faster. They were almost one.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Well then, since none has spoken, let whomever may witness this union forever hold their peace and support toward these children of Thar."

Vlad blinked at the phrase. He was sweating just to stand up...he didn't particularly feel like a child of Thar at the moment. Nonetheless, there was something...satisfying about it, and about the approval of the complete strangers surrounding them.

"In accordance with Thar's will, Tenele and Vladimir will exchange vows and holy bands as proof of their commitment to one another." The priest reached to his pocket and procured two rings. Holding his other hand over the rings, he incanted a scripture that set them aglow with soft white light. Vlad couldn't help but notice that the beautiful light was hard on his eyes. He squinted at the rings, determined not to fail her now. His hands tightened around hers.

"Vladimir," the priest said. "If your intentions are true, please recite the vows of old while placing this ring upon Tenele's finger."

Vlad took the small object from the priest cautiously. It tingled against his feverish skin, but it didn't burn. He looked at her steadily9. "Tenele," he said, gathering his voice, "I, Vladimir Dracul, swear my allegiance to you for as long as live. I vow to protect your honor, shelter your soul, and cherish your love, until the end of time." He slid the ring over her finger, and it flared to life, glowing so bright he almost closed his eyes. He let go of it swiftly as the magic swirled around it, matching her pulse and his, fitting the ring to her finger. Nothing human or inhuman would ever be able to remove it. Vlad forced his eyes clear and wide and admired his work. Seeing the ring on her finger seemed to finally cement the fact that this was really happening. His eyes darted up to hers in awed silence.

"Tenele," the priest said, "Do you accept Vladimir's vow?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele grinned, watching merrily as Vlad slid the ring across her skin. His words brought tears to her eyes "I do," she acknowledged.

The priest smiled. "And Tenele, please recite the vows."

"I, Tenele Raider, swear my allegiance to you for as long as I live. I vow to protect your honor, shelter your soul, and cherish your love, until the end of time." She tried her hardest to fight back happy tears that threatened to gush from her. She reached out a hand slowly and took the larger ring from the priests palm. She smiled at Vlad and cupped his hand gently, taking the ring and sliding it across his finger.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad looked at her instead of the ring as it slid across his skin. He waited to tolerate the flaring burn. He felt only cool metal.

"Vlad?"

He blinked and looked at the priest.

"I said, do you except Tenele's vow?"

He'd spaced out. "Yes!" he said immediately, producing a few giggles from the crowd. He looked Tenele in the eyes, breathless. "Yes."

"Then I pronounce you united in soul and body. What Thar has joined today, let no man separate."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele squeezed his hand. Her heart fluttering like butterflies. The world fell away. "Vladimir," the priest called from the side. "You make kiss your wife." Tenele felt her cheeks ache at all the smiling.

She arched an eyebrow at him, smirking. "Well?" she asked him. "Are you going to kiss me or not?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smirked at her. "I believe I will," he said with a sultry grin. He took her shoulders gently in his hands and leaned down to cover her lips with his. For once, she tasted cooler than him.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele fell into him, and felt the heat through the fabric of his suit. It didn't occur to her to be concerned. She was to lethargic with excitement. Her lips melded with his, and her hands fisted in his shirt. She heard a cheer ring out through the crowd, and several clapped their hands. The roar only made the moment more real. Tenele kept her face close to Vlad's, and rubbed her nose against his. "Husband," she whispered to him.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad touched his forehead to hers. "My wife," he said affectionately. "You look beautiful."

[Emora Deen]

"You are handsome," she complimented him. She frowned after a moment and put her hand to his head. "You're burning up!" She cupped his face with her hands.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smiled at her concern. "I'll be fine. This circle is...somewhat intense."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled at him. "Well, then... let's get out of it." She took his hand and led him from the circle. The members of the congregation and the refugees came to congratulate them. Tenele slinked under Vlad's arm, hugging his side. The crowd parted and Vincent walked up to greet them.

"You made it," Vincent congratulated Vlad. "I expected a firework show for a little while there. You didn't burst into flames, so I suspect you really are right for her."

Tenele narrowed her eyes on Vlad. "I suspect explaining is in order later," Tenele told him, pinching his side.

Vincent turned his eyes on Tenele. "You do look like your mother," he whispered, smiling. "Congratulations."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad followed her from the circle. Every muscle in his body shook with relief as he stepped out of the powerful rune. He leaned on her just slightly as he regained his balance. His attention shifted to Tenele's father, and he smirked. "There was never any doubt. Flames would have been somewhat disruptive."

[Emora Deen]

Vincent nodded. "I'm pleased there were no flames, or interruptions." Vincent opened his mouth to speak, and then froze. His head twitched to look behind him as a presence that only he and Vlad could feel rippled over the air. It felt all too like Verin's presence, but Vincent couldn't make him out in the crowd. He knew the god well enough to know that he wouldn't be shy about his entrance.

Vincent had a moment of fear ripple in him. He turned his worried gaze back to Tenele. He could run, that would be the safest option for her.

But just as quickly as the feeling came, it was gone. Vincent looked to Vlad to see if he had felt it also.

Tenele hugged herself to Vlad, feeling his weight press down on her. She wondered just how much that circle had taken out of him. "You better not be too tired," she warned with a smile. "What do we do now?"

There seemed to be so much to take in, and it all seemed so impossible. Where did they go from here? Would they get a house in the capital or move into a palace apartment? Would there be any time for that at all with war? And how would they be accepted back as husband and wife?

Tenele decided to shut her brain off and enjoy the moment, she had a tendency to over think. This was a moment she refused to annalise.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad felt it all right. His whole body, disoriented as it was, stiffened with adrenaline as the dark god's presence washed past them and then apparently dispersed. The thought of facing his "father" in his current condition took some of the amusement out of it.

He cast Vincent a knowing look, but felt nothing else. The presence was gone. He straightened up slightly as he realized he's lost focus and was practically hanging on Tenele. Her last few sentences played catch-up in his mind as he brought himself back to the moment. "Well, these are men and women of the cloth. They aren't used to drink, and they have a lot of work to do reinforcing the compound. I suppose we will need to make our own entertainment." He turned to face her, standing under his own weight to show her he wasn't too tired. He pushed Verin from his thoughts and looked down at the holy metal harmlessly encircling his finger. "It seems Thar has blessed our union," he mused, squinting at the unnatural brightness of the metal.