Mature: Desert Moon

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad gulped his wine wrong and choked. "This coming week?" he coughed.

That soon? No wonder everyone was rushing about. He'd always just assumed that was how people behaved around weddings generally.

[Emora Deen]

Atul stiffened. "We can postpone it," he added quickly. "There's no need to rush it. That was merely the suggestion I was given. You're right. That's far too soon. What's a good date..." The King immediately grew very quiet and thoughtful as he sipped his wine and pondered what to say that might be approving for them. "What about next month?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad narrowed his eyes on the king. "You...." he murmured, "You're kind of adorable when you're indecisive."

[Emora Deen]

Atul glanced up at Vlad, smirking. "Ugh... Thanks... I guess. Adorable is good." He smiled confidently. "At least I'll always be adorable, even with a bum eye." He tapped the faint scarred right eye.

Tenele smiled at them both, quietly sipping her wine. She finished it and poured a glass, then proceeded to refill everyone else's. "Its a nice night for a dinner outside," she sighed, feeling the warm breeze brush across her exposed skin.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad paused, protective red eyes focusing on Atul's one more clouded pupil. It was impossible to think about it without remembering the man's suffering. "You may have lost one eye, but the first of next week, you will gain four. If your staff thinks they can be ready by then, we'll be way ahead of them." He glanced to his wife.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded. "I already have my dress," she smiled. "I'm as ready as I can be. Just a little matter of learning the marriage rituals and customs. Espha has agreed to prepare me for that."

Atul smiled. "That is kind of her."

They spent the next hour drinking wine in excess and devouring the delicious meal that Vlad had prepared for them. By the end of it Tenele settled back in her chair with a heavy sigh and a tipsy giggle. "You gave me a horse for wedding gift. I don't need goats."

"Every woman needs a goat," Atul replied with a laugh.

"Tenara would love it, there is no question, but what on earth would I do with a goat?" Tenele asked.

"Tradition. Can't argue it." Atul laughed.

"Bullshit."

The King laughed harder.

[Soran Nightblade]

"What about my goat?" Vlad demanded playfully. For that matter, is there any precedent for a man taking a husband here?"

[Emora Deen]

Atul smiled at Vlad. "You can have a goat too," Atul told him, reaching out to brush a hand down the vampire's arm. "But, I have a different gift for you. You'll get it on our wedding night. As for a precedent, it is very rare but not completely unheard of. I'm sure the gifts are given by the man that did the asking. That's how it usually goes. It is a gesture of thanks for the future spouse acceptance of the proposal. If it is an arranged marriage, and the spouse is given, then the family receives payment or gifts for the honor."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad paused. The man that did the asking... Had that been Atul? He felt a warmth glow in his chest as he realized it had. Even though Tenele and he had planned to ask far sooner, things had gone south. In the end, Atul had made the first move.

"Atul, have you given any thought to the role you'd like us to play in your kingdom?" he asked inconspicuously.

[Emora Deen]

Atul nodded. "I have thought of many options, but I was wanting you to decide on something that would make you happy. Something that you enjoy, and then to tell me what that is and I will make it happen. You both know what the details of a rulers life are, so pick the part of the job that you are least likely to hate and I will grant you that."

Atul took a long sip of wine. "I'll let you think on that for a while and you can tell me closer to the date of the wedding. This segways into an interesting subject. We know that once married Tenele will be Queen of Hajara, and that I will be king. Well, there has never been a second King of Hajara and while we both can't be King, and you can't be a Queen, my advisers have come up with a title for you. After the wedding you will be crowned a King Soul. In essence, Vlad, they are saying are announcing to the people that Tenele is my Queen, my heart, and that you are my King, my soul. Do you approve of this title?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad stared at him. For long seconds, he appeared speechless. His throat wouldn't loosen. For some reason, it was hitting him now, and he wasn't sure why it hadn't before. "Shit, Atul," he whispered tightly. It took work to keep his eyes clear as his throat welled up. "With a title like that, I might not need the goat."

[Emora Deen]

Atul smiled happily, feeling so pleased that the title had given Vlad such happiness. "Well, you are getting a gift regardless." He gave Vlad's arm a squeeze and drew away to take up his wine glass. His gaze fell on Tenele, who was quietly and sneakily trying to wipe away the tear that had escaped.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," Tenele laughed. "Its just... I'm so happy. I'm so happy we can all be together, and that Tenara can officially call you her father without people wondering or whispering. This is just a wonderful thing."

"It is," he agreed with a smile.

Tenele stood up, stepping to her husband's side. She pressed a kiss to his head, gave his shoulder a squeeze, and then went to the veranda's edge to look out over the city.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad watched his wife stand in the starlight with the desert breeze in her silver hair. "If I may truly choose my place, make me Captain of the Guard," he said quietly. "I want to protect her." Red eyes flickered to meet Atul's. "And you."

[Emora Deen]

Atul nodded. "If that is the position that would please you the most," he replied. "Then, you are head of my military affairs. That works out nicely. Given your background, you are perfect for that job." Atul finished his glass. "She'll be safe. We both will. Don't worry."

Tenele stretched her arms above her head. The stars were so bright and beautiful she thought she could reach out and touch them. They seemed so close.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Yes," Vlad said, touching the side of his lover's neck affectionately. "I'll see that you are."

He looked over at his wife and stood up to go to her. The vampire came up behind Tenele, his body pressing against her back as his arms slipped round her waist. "I love you," he said beside her ear. "I suspect we may be marrying a romantic."