Mature: Desert Moon

[Emora Deen]

By the end of the procession the royal vault was full of gold, trinkets, incense, and all sorts of things. There were also other concubines offered to them. Atul had at least three, Vlad had two, and Tenele had her one. Though, it was more likely that no one would be using them and those that had volunteered would find their life very easy in the palace.

After the breakfast Tenele was led away with Tenara to rest before lunch. Lunch would be served in the small chamber prepared for them, and then after lunch they would begin readying for the wedding.

Tenele fidgeted nervously as the servants worked to weave her long silver hair into braids and then pin the braids up elaborately behind her head. They fastened the tikka, an intricately designed gold and jewelled piece that dangled over her forehead, into her hair. Next she dawned the lehenga, a heavily embroidered red dress, and they draped an equally heavily embroidered Sador over her head and curled it over her right arm.

* * *

Atul dressed much more quickly than Tenele. He didn't need all the intricacies, and he was much more used to the fashions. He stood at the head of his throne room, listening to the crackle of the massive fire. He stared at the faces before him and waited impatiently for Vlad or Tenele. Either one of them, or both. He just needed to see them to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

The king wore a creamy-gold and a rust-gold turban woven up with a mass of fabric falling over his shoulder. His outfit was embroidered in gold and jewel studded. It was one of his finest attires to date, but then again it had to be, didn't it? This was an important day.

His legs shook, though for the pants you'd never be able to tell.

He was used to being King, he was used to the respect, fear, and hatred that came with it. He worried that the people he was pulling into the light, into the fray with him, would not be able to tolerate it. He was worried that they would regret this. Maybe it was wedding jitters or cold feet.

He saw Tenara next to her grandmother and he smiled and waved at the little girl. His daughter. His princess.

This was going to work out fine.

[Soran Nightblade]

"It's fine. Let it be done," Vlad was grumbling at the maids who were fussing in unison with the long silk cloth draped over the shoulder of his deep-red pawani robes. The silver and black of the cloth cut a smooth line across his chest and was fastidiously draped over his left hand in a way they assured him was customary.

He made an impatient try for the door, and was lassoed back by four sets of hands. "Lord Dracul, you haven't your shoes," one scolded.

"Don't disturb the drape," another warned quickly as he began dropping his silk-laden wrist to inspect his bare ankles. He jerked back into the pose they'd shown him at least five times now, brimming with frustration.

"I can't very well put them on without moving my hand," he groused.

The women seemed to agree. The next minute and a half was spent with the maids down on the floor around him, fussing over his shoes of all things as they wrapped the silk clasps around his feet. It occurred to him that it would be an ideal time to bolt for the exit, while they were all slithering like eels. The ceremony couldn't possibly be more torture than this, and he keenly needed to sense Atul and Tenele's pulses again.

"On," the lead maid announced.

"Good. Thanks ladies, I'm off," he announced, stepping over them for the door.

"Don't mess up your drape!"

Vlad ignored the warning and nearly threw aside the long silk. Then he briefly wondered if Atul would be disappointed by that, and held his arm dead-still as he went down the hallway. He was wearing more silk and jewelry than he'd ever owned in his life, and the fine garment pulled handsomely taut across his hips and chest beneath the silk. The vampire was as presentable as he'd likely ever be.

That is, until he collided soundly with a female form just stepping out from her room. Damn, he had completely stopped paying attention to what was in front of him, a feat almost impossible with his senses. He glanced off of her and stumbled ungracefully in the odd silk shoes, dropping the carefully folded fabric draped over his forearm.

"Fuck," he muttered as he glanced back to see who he'd plowed into.

[Emora Deen]

Lelana stumbled on her feet, almost slipping over her own silk garb. She righted herself and turned a deadly glare on the person that had bumped into her. Had she been less far along in her journey to a better person, she might have ripped their heart out.

But, her dark eyes met red, and she froze, slowly righting herself. A low laugh bubbled up, and she curled a hand around her middle. "Oh, dear... you look the part don't you!"

She approached him, readjusting the drape that had fallen, moving his arms rather like a puppeteer. "I thought I was running late, but it seems I'm just in time. I avoided the breakfast. My gift to you and my brother was my attitude this evening. I intend to be a good girl, I promise."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad stared at the familiar face as he registered who he was with. Questions bubbled through his thoughts and broke without forming. Of all the emotional responses he could experience in reaction to her, the only one that mattered at the moment was the relief he felt as the silk was draped easily back into place over his arm. He posed it as he'd been instructed, a reflex to avoid disturbing it again.

"I'm a bit out of practice with all this," he muttered by way of apology for almost bowling her over. His ruby eyes met hers, made brighter by the crimson of his embroidered robes. "You came." His tone fully recognized the effort he knew had been needed to make an appearance. It would not be an easy day for her. But she had come.

"You're late," he chided with an ironic smirk.

[Emora Deen]

"So are you," she pointed out, scowling. "For your own wedding, I might add. If you don't hurry up, I'll kidnap the groom from you and force you into some impossible mission to save him, like the villain I am." She patted his cheek and stepped past him, looking both ways down the next hall. "Hopefully I don't bump into your wife. How is that by the way? Your... eh, impotence where she's concerned."

Lelana wasn't trying to be cruel. She was genuinely wanted to know how the vampire was doing since she destroyed his mind. Her back straightened and she turned her warm brown eyes, her father's eyes, on him.

In truth she'd avoided the breakfast that morning out of fear, and she was running late for her brother's wedding for the very same reason. She was afraid to face any of them after what she'd done. She was also unsure how her heart would react to seeing him being bound to them, when she herself was so very alone.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad felt a twitch in his gut at that casual reminder of the most difficult experience of his life. He tilted his head at her thoughtfully. How to respond. Brotherly denial?

Yup. Denial. It was best way to keep his pride from making him kill her.

"Impotence? You must have underestimated my sex drive, sis. I'm perfectly fine." He shot her a crude wink.

I wanted to stop living, he thought bitterly, to himself. He reached out and touched her shoulder with the hand he could afford to move without upsetting the damned drape again. "It's good that you're here. I won't let anything happen. Go in and watch me be awesome.

[Emora Deen]

Lelana looked at him, at his hand on her arm, and then she looked down the hall at the heavy bronze doors leading into the throne room. His words offered her little comfort. There was too much history here for her.

"Its not only your wife that might be upset that I'm here..." she said to him. There were scores of people who probably would love her dead. Did he forget that Verin made her fuck his vampire sire and poison him with tainted blood just so he'd attack his own sister? Just to cause them pain? Yes, running into Talon wasn't going to be awkward at all.

She shook her head, real fear in her eyes. "I shouldn't be here. I should go. I'm sorry. I thought I could. I can't."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad grinned at her. "If you think we're squeamish about some ruffled feathers at our wedding, I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's unorthodox as it is. A few fights are bound to break out somewhere."

[Emora Deen]

Lelana swallowed, nodding her head. She took a deep calming breath. "I don't know why you treat me with kindness when I am so undeserving of it..." she turned her gaze on him. "Thank you, Vlad... brother."

She bowed her head to him and headed quickly across the hall to the open doors where she ducked inside and found place to watch that was also rather isolated.

Atul spotted his sister, and then he peered further down the hall and saw Vlad. His heart swelled and big goofy grin spread across his handsome face. He worked his hands nervously, impatiently waiting for him to be at his side.

* * *

Tenele's nose wrinkled. God, whatever that was she smelled was awful. Her eyes blinked up and she was staring up at the mosaic ceiling and five blurry faces looking down on her.

"My Queen..." someone said.

"She's not queen yet," another maid scolded. "If she doesn't get down that aisle she won't be."

"What... why am I on the floor?" Tenele muttered, shaking her head. The ladies hauled her to her feet.

"You fainted my lady," one said. "Oh, you'll get blood on the dress." She rushed for a rag, but it was too late. Several drops of blood fell from Tenele's nose and dripped to blend in with the red of her garb. The servant shoved the cloth up under her nose and they forced her to sit in a chair.

"I fainted?" she asked, holding the cloth. She recalled Sinead's scolding about overdoing it, and then remembered that she'd pushed herself even further by healing Espha. "I'll be fine. I'm just tired."

"I doubt you'll be resting tonight, my lady," one of the maids snickered.

"True," Tenele laughed. "Tomorrow then. I'll rest tomorrow."

They adjusted all of her hair and veils and when she was ready, and the blood had stopped flowing, they hoisted her to her feet and led her down the hall.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad nearly ran to meet his lover. It wasn't so much that Lelana made him uncomfortable, but more that the memories shook him a little. The reinforcements Sinead had placed inside him held firm, but he needed more than ever to be with the people he trusted. "Sorry I'm late," he kissed Atul's lips with cool heat. "Am I holding this stupid thing right?"

[Emora Deen]

"Yes," Atul said, nodding. He appraised his lover. "You look perfect. Definitely the part of a royal...." Atul's gaze drifted over Vlad's shoulder to the back of the room where Tenele stood in red. He swallowed hard and poked Vlad's shoulder to get him to turn around and look. The traditional clothing suited her well, though it mostly hid her silver hair.

The room calmed as the last of the wedding party arrived. Unlike Ighten there wasn't music to accompany the bride down the aisle. She was trailed by one servant.

Tenele stepped up to the opposite side of Atul. He held out his hand for her, and she placed hers in his. "Sorry I'm late," she whispered to them. "I took a nap. Bad idea."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad stopped breathing as he spotted his wife. "Thanks to you, I get to marry her twice." He looked at Atul, eyes aglow. "Thanks to you, I feel I can do anything. I am whole." He framed Atul's jaw lightly with his hand. It frustrated him that he couldn't free his other one; he'd very much like to examine the fit of the king's pawani.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele curled her fingers around Atul's hand, and Atul took Vlad's hand from his face and wrapped his fingers about it tightly.

The officiant took his place before them and they were made to kneel at the short table before them. The entire room knelt down, or sat in chairs, depending on where and who they were.

Much like the first ceremony, Tenele was so caught up in what was happening she barely paid attention to the words. Not that it would have made much difference. The man spoke in a language that was completely foreign to her, no matter how well she knew Hajaran tongue.

Atul's hand held their's tightly. They were made to drink from the chalices, and light incense, and eventually had their hands bound with silk. At the end of a very long ceremony the King was given two large gold rings, one for each hand. A smaller gold ring was slipped onto Tenele's right hand, and a gold band was placed on Vlad's right hand.

"King Atul Hajaris... it is time for you to crown your Queen, and dedicate your husband to the Honored place."

Atul kissed Vlad's hand, and Tenele's hand and he rose. He stepped around the table and took the spot of the officiant before Tenele and Vlad.

"I am bound to you, my husband, and my wife. As I am bound to you, so are the blood of my people. My people are your people. My home, your home. All that I am is yours. All that I will be is yours. Rise, wife, Embodiment of Attara, Queen of Hajara."

Tenele rose slowly. She'd knelt for so long that she wasn't sure she could. Her legs shook, but, she stood still. Atul dipped his thumb into a brass bowl that the officiant held out for him and he pressed his thumb to her forehead, smearing a blue circle of pigment.

"Rise, husband, Guard of my People, King of my Soul." Atul dipped his thumb into the brass bowl and smirked at Vlad, waiting all too eagerly to smear his forehead too.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad fought not to laugh as he and Atul matched eyes and he felt sure they were thinking the same thing at once. In a gesture of profound discipline, he kept from laughing as the king smeared the oil on his forehead. He bit back any lewd remarks, but made them with his eyes as he smiled happily at his king.

[Emora Deen]

The crowd erupted with clapping and whistles. Jubilation to the highest order. Tenele tried not to let her heart run away with her at the realization that she was no queen. That she had subjects. That she had power. But, most of all, that people would look up to her and rely on her and she would have to work very hard not to fail them.

After the wedding there was a great feast in the dining hall. All the nobles and royalty from neighbouring kingdoms were invited. After super they three parted ways, or rather were forced apart by others beckoning their attention.

Tenele was feeling more introverted than normal, but she threw on a smile and made a good sport of it all.

“Who is that?” Tenele asked her second husband, nodding towards a man who stood near the back of the room with his arms folded across his chest, flanked on either side by similarly imposing looking individuals. They were among stylishly dressed men and woman, and looked off wearing battle armor to a party.

“I’ve never seen him before, but he bears the crest of the Dread of Ongul, a camp of mercenaries led by a young Warlord from a bordering Kingdom. I’m pretty sure I didn’t invite them, but King Tatsu might have brought them as his personal guard.”

“I assure you, I didn’t,” King Tatsu sighed heavily. “They are here of their own accord. I spoke to them. The leader, Sahid Nyko, was invited in the hopes of keeping peace between your lands and his men. They do not raid your villages on the boarder of their territory, as they do not raid mine.”

“Is that Sahid?” Atul asked, gesturing to the young man that Tenele pointed out earlier.

“It is,” King Tatsu smiled.

“Well,” Tenele sighed, clasping her hands together. “I’ll introduce myself and let them know they’re welcome. The last thing we want is pillaging for being poor hosts.”

“Tenele…”

“Don’t trust me?” Tenele asked as she sauntered off.

Tenele stepped confidently up towards the cluster of men that the whole party seemed to avoid with a five foot radius and bowed her head politely. “Welcome to Hajara. It pleases me that you took time to travel here for our wedding. I do hope you enjoy your stay with us, Nyko.”

“I’m sure I will,” Sahid replied, lifting the helmet from his head and shaking out long black hair.

Tenele choked on her next words, wondering if she’d been tricked. She even looked over her shoulder at Atul conversing with King Tatsu just to make sure. Then, she turned her eyes back to Sahid, the towering young man barley 20, with olive skin and dark eyes. “Are you… are you related to the Hajaran family, Mr. Nyko?”

“Lord,” Sahid corrected with a sneer. “Not to my knowledge. I was an orphan, my mother left me the desert to die and I was adopted by Eb Nyko, the previous lord to the Dread of Ongul.”

“Forgive me, I meant no offense,” Tenele whispered. “I too am an orphan.”

“One who has obviously done very well for herself,” Sahid nodded. “I can appreciate that sort of commitment. Not only have your garnered one powerful man, you have gained another. The female body is a notable weapon for acquiring ambitious desires. Will you be seeking a third powerful ally tonight, Queen Dracul-Hajaris?”

Tenele flinched at his words, clenching her teeth. She refrained from scolding a man barely out of his teens. “I am quite content with the selection I have. No need to worry if I’m meaning to claim more power. It is not power I desired from either of them.”

“I see,” Sahid grinned. “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, our highness.”

“And you, Lord Nyko,” Tenele whispered, bowing her head again.

“Can we avert war?” Atul chuckled when his wife grew near.

“I believe that’s a fair assessment. His a silly boy barely a man.” Tenele sighed with a forced smile. "Where is Vlad?"

* * *

Tenara slipped from the crowd and walked slowly up to the Dread of Ongul, tilting her face up to Sahid. She clutched her doll a little tighter.

Sahid smiled, kneeling down in front of her. “Hello little one,” he whispered, tapping her on the nose. Tenara glowered at him.

“You sought me out,” he reminded her. “Can it be that you are afraid of me?”

Tenara shook her head. “I’m not.”

“You are,” Sahid replied, reaching out and placing a hand atop her small head. “But, you have no need to be. I do not threaten you, little one. We are the same, you and I. You know that, don’t you?”

Tenara nodded.

“I am not your enemy. I am your friend. We can be friends, can’t we?” Sahid asked.

Tenara thought about it, glancing over her shoulder. “You promise not to hurt them?”

He cringed. “If I break my promise will you not be my friend?”

Tenara shook her head.

“Then, I promise to not hurt them,” Sahid sighed.

“Tenara,” Tenele called, jogging the short distance to them. “I’m sorry if she bothered you, Lord Nyko. She’s very inquisitive girl.”

“No bother,” Nyko replied, rising just as swiftly as Tenele scooped up her daughter. “She’s a lovely child. It was nice meeting you, Princess.”

Tenara closed her fist twice to say good-bye as her mother carted her away.

“I don’t trust that man,” Tenele whispered. "Please do not approach him, okay?"

"But..." Tenara murmured. "He's my friend."