Married officers are offered free fort housing, you know. Maybe we could get Kaika’s old place. I hear it comes with beer steins. Though I’m sure you’re right. There’s no hurry. Rysha smiled across the gardens at him, not wanting to pressure him. She wasn’t sure marriage was something she was ready for, anyway, since that seemed to lead to children, and she couldn’t imagine that right now. She’d only just been accepted into the elite troops. She looked forward to missions and countless adventures before settling down. Would Trip understand and wait? Surely, he had adventures of his own in mind.
No hurry, he agreed, gently returning her smile. Though I don’t think children are a requirement of marriage. I assume Major Kaika doesn’t have any planned.
Not that I’ve heard about, but you never know. Angulus may want an heir, and tradition dictates that the queen’s womb is the ideal place for one to originate.
I suspect nothing about this marriage will be traditional.
True.
The music rose to a crescendo, and the bride and groom appeared at the entrance to the gardens. They walked arm-in-arm slowly, stately, and to the pace of the now more subdued music. It morphed from The Royal Ceremony to Heralding of the Wedding, each of the songs at least five centuries old. It was too bad Kaika hadn’t bucked tradition there, too, and invited Colonel Grady to play something. Maybe Angulus could have joined in, though songs about weeping flowers might not be on point for a wedding.
I’m not sure if I should warn you or not, Trip said, but Bhrava Saruth and Shulina Arya are on the roof of the west wing. They just arrived.
Uh, maybe you should warn Angulus.
He hasn’t invited me to speak to him telepathically.
I don’t think I ever invited you to, either, Rysha pointed out.
You’re fortunate that I’m perceptive and could tell you’d been missing out on this your whole life and would love it.
Uh huh. And you don’t get that feeling from Angulus?
Oddly, no.
Kaika and Angulus reached the dais, stepping up to join the priest, officiator, and kin watchers. They clasped hands and faced each other. Angulus had worn his typical hard-to-read expression during the walk up, but his eyes glinted as they met Kaika’s. She quirked an eyebrow at him, and they both broke into smiles.
Rysha had never seen the king smile and decided he should do it more often. But maybe Kaika was the only one who could twitch an eyebrow and elicit such an expression from him. If so, Rysha definitely thought they should stay together.
The officiator cleared his throat, and the murmurs of the crowd quieted as he spoke about the bride’s and groom’s duties to each other, present and future, and the long life they would spend together. Angulus and Kaika gazed at each other, not looking like either was paying much attention as they took turns making playful facial gestures. The officiator first called the male kin watchers forward to scrutinize Kaika.
“Do you, being faithful and loyal friends of King Angulus Masonwood, affirm that you have researched the vitality and emotional stability of Astuawilda Kaika and found her a suitable mate?”
Kaika propped a fist on her hip and looked like she would punch either man if they responded with anything but an emphatic yes. Of course, that surly gesture might also be in response to the use of her first name.
The nobleman’s lips thinned, and Rysha had the sense he’d been pressured into accepting that this match was good for the country, but he nodded and said, “Yes.”
The officiator’s gaze shifted to Zirkander. Angulus’s eyes narrowed.
“I can’t personally attest to her vitality,” Zirkander said, eyes twinkling, “but my research does indeed suggest that she is well endowed in that area.”
Rysha watched Angulus warily—maybe he would be the one to punch someone. But he actually appeared faintly smug. Or pleased?
He’s suspected that Kaika and Zirkander have explored each other’s vitality in the past, Jaxi said, surprising Rysha by speaking into her mind. Since that was something of a promise to the contrary, he’s happy to hear it.
Rysha spotted Sardelle in the crowd, wondering if she knew her sword was chatting up the wedding participants, but she was lifting her eyes skyward. It might have been in response to Zirkander’s typical irreverence, or she might have been looking toward the west wing and the dragons perched on the rooftop.
The officiator cleared his throat. “It’s a yes or no question, General.”
“Ah, then yes.” Zirkander bowed to Angulus and Kaika, then stepped back into his spot.
The officiator offered a similar question to Rysha and Blazer, asking them to attest to Angulus’s suitability. Rysha, her cheeks warm simply from being included and having everyone looking at her, simply stepped out, glanced at Angulus without seeing him, and said yes. She stepped quickly back into her spot.
Blazer strolled out and considered Angulus more thoughtfully. “I’m not terribly well equipped to comment on a man’s suitability, but he seems sturdy and stout enough to handle Kaika’s vitality.”
Off to the side, journalists were clucking their tongues with disapproval while hurrying to scribble down direct quotes.
The officiator sighed. “Again, it’s a yes or no question.”
“No room for creativity? Disappointing. Then I shall say yes.” Blazer bowed, as Zirkander had done, and stepped back.
Rysha shook her head, unable to imagine being irreverent at someone’s wedding, especially a royal wedding.
Fortunately, Angulus didn’t appear distressed. He was quick to meet Kaika’s eyes again and smile.
“Pilots,” the officiator muttered under his breath, followed by what sounded like a string of curses. But he recovered, raised his voice, and said, “The wisdom of the kin watchers prevails, as we trust it always will.” He looked to the priest.
“This union is blessed by the holiest and oldest of the gods, Nendear,” the man said.
Rysha wondered how much he got paid to say that handful of words. Or rather, how much would be donated to his Order.
“Then, King Angulus Masonwood and Major Astuawilda Kaika, I invite you to touch lips to make official this union of souls.”
They came together so quickly it was as if someone had been physically restraining them up until that moment. Rysha would have expected a chaste public kiss from Angulus, but wasn’t surprised when Kaika wrapped her arms around him and gave him a passionate lip plant. He returned the kiss with equal intensity, and Rysha doubted either of them was aware of, or cared about, the onlookers.
“It’s going to be more than their souls that are unioning tonight,” Zirkander said.
The old nobleman at his side frowned darkly at him, frowned at the length of the kiss, and also frowned over at the journalists, who were all scribbling furiously.
I usually yawn at newspapers, Jaxi said, but I do expect tomorrow’s edition to be interesting.
I just hope Kaika doesn’t regret this one day, Rysha replied. I know she won’t regret Angulus, but he does come with a whole locomotive full of freight cars.
Indeed, and you encouraged the wedding!
I know. Rysha hoped Kaika wouldn’t one day be cursing her.
If it makes you feel better, Sardelle also encouraged it. Two years ago. A year ago. Six months ago. Did you know that there have been many proposals?
So Kaika said. I’m going to find the fact that they’re still kissing promising for their future happiness.
Their future horniness, at least.