Eternally Bound: Part 13
----- Union -----
While Captain Ember had been busy training House Dejarin's newly recruited soldiers, Demitra had lurked around the estate, with no particular place to go. Paige had sent out scouts to ascertain the whereabouts of Six, who knew the location of Lennk's lab - the very location that now held Valandra's artifact and the asura who took it. Thus, there was a pause in their quest, and Demitra found herself aimlessly roaming the mansion. As happenstance would have it, the Elonian ran into a hurt and lonely Paige, and had, over the course of a few weeks begun to console her. They had grown closer from the experience and despite the omnipresent crack in her heart, Paige took comfort in Demitra's warm and loving embrace.
To further distract herself, Paige had started planning her friends' wedding, and while it was contrast to how she felt about her lost love, she was genuinely excited for her old friend and new friend's special moment. In fact, when Demitra asked if she could officiate, Paige momentarily forgot her melancholy, and actually wrapped her arms around the Elonian.
"So, may I take such as a 'yes'?" Demitra asked at the woman's embrace. "I believe it is within your power, being that of nobility of a house, if I have correctly understood such laws and customs."
Paige continued hugging her. "Absolutely! It would be an honor, my friend." She paused for a moment when tears filled her vision. It was the first time in so many days she cried from something other than the pain. But here, in Demitra's tingling cuddle, she could be happy.
"Lady Paige Dejarin? Is everything alright?" Demitra asked after a few lingering minutes.
Paige giggled. "I'm just so happy," she said, sliding away slowly. She paused, inches from the Elonian's face, frozen from her beautiful smile and lost in her emerald sparkling eyes. Involuntarily, she found herself leaning forward, inching closer to the woman's thick full lips and pressing her own to them.
Demitra's eyes were wide in surprise, but the overwhelming feeling from both Paige and her own heart, quickly made them close and surrender to the passion. She kissed the young woman back with the skilled of an experienced lover.
Paige melted at the softness and moaned as the Elonian explored her mouth.
An eternity passed as the couple kissed, until, reality of her actions took hold. Paige suddenly pulled away, a shamefully shocked expression on her face, her jaw wide from the embarrassment of her presumption. "I… I don't know why I… I'm so sorry, Demi. You're engaged; you are going to be married and I… I shouldn't have done th-"
A tingly finger was brought to Paige's lips. "Shhh. Do not overthink such. As I stated in our proposal: a harem is not completely uncommon in Elona; I believe we may all love and take comfort in each other. And, Lady Paige Dejarin, Ember and I both feel as you do; emphatically."
Tears rolled down the woman's mocha cheeks, heartened by Demitra's words. The Elonian's wisdom had helped the noble throughout their friendship, and she would be a fool to not heed it. Her face fell into Demitra's palm and the woman exhaled a blissfully happy sigh. "You are going to make a beautiful bride," she whispered.
"I am so beyond nervous when I think of the wedding. It is truly something I have wanted since I was a child; before such harshness of life struck."
Paige giggled, taking both of the Elonian's hands, giving them a slight squeeze. "I usually don't see this side of you; you really are cute when you're nervous," she smiled with a wink, happy to be the dispenser of advice for a change. "Trust me though: this is as big of a day for Ember as it is for you, and I will be there. You've been there for me at my worst moments, and I want to be there for your best. I wouldn't miss it for anything, Demi!"
----The Wedding----
Sunlight shone through the overhanging limbs and leaves of the fauna above, intersecting the sticks of bamboo, creating a shadowscape of crisscrosses upon the middle stone laden path. The wind picked up and rustled the cherry blossoms above, sprinkling their pink flowers upon the small pools of water on either side of the trail. The chill of the season hung in the air, but the rays of sunshine cast down a warmness wherever it touched.
Paige overlooked the venue with a smug smile. It was at her suggestion the couple be married in this small alcove of the Grove. She had asked around the nobility to try to get some idea as to where the ceremony should be performed, but it was Ari's suggestion to get permission from the wardens - and by extension - the Pale Tree to use the beautiful backdrop the plant city provided. She had, herself, dressed for the occasion, dawning a elegantly fancy dress, complete with ornate deep purple designs and patterns upon it. Her collar jutted from her shoulders, which had two streamers attached, symbolically representing the individual states of both women. She would combine the ribbons in a knot after their vows were said, further showing their intertwining union.
Demitra entered in a lavishly detailed wedding dress. It was the color of pearl, lace at the top, and made of extremely form-fitting silk with floral patterns within and a bell bottom. The veil was the same translucent purple amethyst color she adored, as was a part of the tiara she wore, with the gemstone of purple sparkling in its center. Holding the veil were a row of four distinct white roses were atop her head, which matched the white and purple flowered bouquet rounding out the ensemble.
She was considerably and uncharacteristically nervous, but her trepidation dulled as she spotted her lover awaiting her arrival at the altar. Ember wore a corset of red and black striped, buttoned with her cleavage brimming from the top. Her sleeves and shoulders were covered with a velvety black fabric, intricately decorated with embroidered red-lined patterns. Her leggings matched the same design and her bottom was a straight dark leather skirt, outlined with reds. Demitra was at a loss for words at the woman's beauty.
Ember looked up to see Demitra at the end of the path amid the falling pink petals of the cherry blossoms. The white of her wedding dress glowed with a vivid radiance as the streamers and veil danced on the wind. Her unmistakable emerald eyes sparkled as she made her way down the white-stoned walkway toward her soon-to-be-wife.
Smiles on all in attendance were obvious as members of the house guard, the Dejarin Estate staff, comrades and a few nobles all clamored to get a look at the bride. There were excited murmurs and happy giggles as all eyes followed the shapely woman walking slowly, unknowingly swaying her hips in step with the rhythmically enchanting melody of the harp and lute players Paige had booked. Ember and Paige both slightly giggled, noticing it, but said nothing.
A lustrously golden scaled drake trotted up beside Demitra causing her to pause and look down at it. The animal had on a cute purple bow-tie which instantly made her giggle and it seemed to urge the Elonian along, leading her down the rest of the pathway.
"W-wow," Ember stood in awe of her future wife, barely able to squeak out the word.
Demitra's thick lips smiled warmly. "Ah-ahai," she said with a slightly nervous giggle that instantly made both Ember and Paige melt at the cuteness.
Paige signaled to the hired mesmers, which promptly manifested a rainbow, half multicolored and the other half, subtly simulated fire rainbow: a blending of one woman's love of beauty and the other's fiery nature. It spawned over the watery chapel with the crest of House Dejarin tastefully at its center. "Stunning," the noble woman whispered, but she wasn't staring at the magical rainbow.
Demitra bashfully blushed, fidgeting nervously with her Boquete.
Sebastian attempted to calm the crowd down and bring order, but it was Ari which stood and gave a rather loud whistle that instantly caused a hush over the crowd. Paige nodded to Ariadne, then began.
Ember's red eyes unblinkingly stared at Demitra, and as the shorter woman spoke her vows, a few wisps of smoke escaped her head. Her cheeks reddened and she cleared her throat - which did little to reassert her shaky voice. "For the past few years, you have been my reason for being. You've been my motivation… the reason I have moved to help save the world in the war, and the reason I sought the power of a God to bring you back to me. You have been my fire, and my rock. You've saved me from the woes of life and shaped me into the woman I am now. So, I vow on this day to be the same (if not better!) for you. I would die for you, just as I live for you."
Demitra's eyes filled with the tears of a Djinn, sparkly glitter streams running down her cheeks. She would have remained silently enthralled by her lover's words, had she not been prompted to speak by Paige. She took in a long breath, staring deeply into Ember's tear-filled eyes, then to ease the tension she giggled nervously saying, "Ahai."
Ember giggled, then mouthed the words, "You can do this," to her bride.
Finding comfort in her love, Demitra continued. "I know you don't like it when your name is used, but I must break this rule on this eve. Emily Drakenfist… Ember: My confidant, my fire-starter, my heart; my love. Upon our first meeting, you were one whom caught my emerald eyes with your ruby orbs. While we may have been slow to express ourselves, and slow to act on such, not a moment goes by when I am not thankful we did. Love is a funny thing: it comes when one least suspects it, and does so in many different ways and forms. I am grateful my heart has fallen for your fiery form. You are understanding, passionate, fierce, caring and even patient - though such a thing may not be apparent to others; it is apparent to me, and I know this to be true. For reasons too numerous to describe, I love you with all the energy that I am. I am bound to you, eternally."
There was not a dry eye after both women had spoken; even a norn named Varyl, a friend of Harid's, bawled at the sheer amount of love that could be felt from the couple. Harid, normally stoic man wiped a single tear form his own eye, before patting the norn on his back.
Paige fought back the urge to break down from the beautiful moment, almost forgetting her role in officiating. She wiped her face, clearing her throat after Sebastian broke her from the trance. She reached out, offering both women her hands, palms up. Demitra slid her hand softly upon Paige's, the expected tingle prominent, while Ember did the same with her other hand. Paige laced her fingers between the two, and squeezed both simultaneously. Her warm hazel eyes looked at both women, while she whispered a slight incantation. At once, a small puff of smoke came from their hands, and both women found their fingers smoothly interlaced together, both with the glistening jewelry of their wedding rings upon them. Paige giggled delightfully at the surprise, happy the spell had worked.
Ember looked at the ring of obsidian and a small ruby set within, as Demitra stared at her amethyst stoned solitaire. Then both women looked past their hands catching each other's gaze.
"There is an expression in my family's home in Kourna: 'May you find shade and sweetwater.' This doesn't just mean as it sounds. It is a wish for protection from the heat and trials of life and respite and refreshment at the day's end. As these two women have found one another, I believe (without a doubt!) that they have found their respite, refreshment, and therein… rejuvenation. So, let these women celebrate the first of many nights; each as beautiful as this very moment. May these two find their shade and sweetwater within each other's love."
Both women were crying. Demitra was almost overwhelmed by the feelings of love, comfort, warmth, and excitement felt from both her bride and her friend.
"As Lady of House Dejarin, friend to these two, and…" Paige sniffled, "a proud supporter of this union, I now pronounce you two as wives. You may kiss!" Paige couldn't help but blurt the last line in her excitement.
Ember put her arms around Demitra, dipping the tall Elonian off her feet, planting a passionate kiss on her bride. Demitra slightly yelped at the action, but returned a passionate kiss back to Ember. The two remained lip-locked for a moment as the crowd cheered, then stood upright. Ember wrapped her arms around Demitra, bringing their hands together on her shoulder and stared up at her wife.
"I love you, Demitra Naja Nyimah," she said with the warmest smile her bride had ever seen.
"As I love you, my Emily Drakenfist," Demitra said as she leaned forward, pressed her soft lips to Ember's again, this time initiating the kiss. Ember melted, wrapped her arms around the woman and squeezed.
Paige clapped. "I'm so very very happy for the both of you. I truly do love you both, and I am overjoyed to have been a part of-"
Demitra pulled Paige into the hug, laughing as she did. Paige giggled, embracing the two women.
The band began to play them off as the couple walked down the cobble-stoned aisle giggling and laughing. The night continued on, with Demitra and Ember greeting all that came, thanking them for their participation and support. Every so often, Demitra would burst into an exclamation of 'We are wed!' and more than once Ember did the same.
Paige approached the women when most of the guests had begun to man the tables of food at the reception. "So, I wanted to give you this," she said, turning as red as the envelope she handed Demitra. "I booked a weekend at a Southsun resort for your honeymoon, as a gift from our house. (Well, really it's from me, but you understand.)"
"Oh! That's fantastic!" Ember said, excitedly.
"How wonderful, Lady Paige Dejarin. The weekend, I surmise is to be used after our current ordeal has been dealt with?"
"Yes, it is an open invite; simply send a bird to the resort to reclaim the reservation. I want you two to enjoy it, especially after all we've been through and what we have to do. You both deserve a break." Paige said with an inviting smile and a nod. "So tell me, how will you spend a few days on the island?"
"Most assuredly without clothing," Demitra said with a flirty grin.
"Demi!" Paige said, flushed.
Demitra laughed wildly, pulling Ember in close with another smooch.
"Ember, I believe you are in trouble!" Paige joked.
Ember returned the kiss, looked up at Paige from between Demitra's bosom, turning red. "Well… I mean, I have stamina and I know how to hydrate," she mumbled.
"You two are both impossible!" Paige feign exasperation, giggling as she said it.
"Impossibly in love, Lady Paige Dejarin!" Demitra injected teasingly.
"Quite true," Paige grinned.
"And, thank you for officiating. It was a lovely ceremony!"
"It was perfect, Paige," Ember added.
"It was my honor," said Paige. "I did a lot of reading and researching on Elonian and Tyrian traditions and… Never mind; today I'll save you the ramble!"
"Your explanations never bother me, Lady Paige Dejarin. Your speeches are as breathtaking as you." Demitra said, blinking emerald eyes.
Paige rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, after all you've helped me with over these past few weeks, I
Um… I won't let you make me blush tonight. I just… Well, I just wanted to say thank you for being there for me."
"Tis my pleasure, as always Lady Paige Dejarin. I… We both love you so." Demitra glanced down at her bride and winked, as if to say, "We shall speak of such later, dear heart."
----The Dejarin Estate----
The sun was beginning to set at the manor as the newlyweds approached. Demitra picked Ember bodily up and walked into the mansion, explaining it was a tradition she and Paige had read about. Ember amused the woman by letting the act play out without protest. The normally busy estate was quiet, as most of the staff still lingered in the Grove at the reception. Ember freely swatted Demitra's behind without fear of being watched, and the two playfully chased each other around the main areas before finally settling back into their room.
Ember plopped down on the bed, clearly drained from the day's activities. Demitra stood over her wife admiring her.
"What is it?" Ember asked, at the Elonian's stare.
"Since the very first moment I saw you at the ball, I have admired your beauty."
"Well, in the future, you are allowed to give more notice. It took me till Elona to know…"
Demitra snickered. "You are quite lovely, Ember Drakenfist, my wife."
Ember giggled, not used to hearing the word. "And you are too! You look amazing in that wedding dress!"
Demitra grinned. "I look more so without it. I hope you are not… too exhausted."
Ember smiled warmly. "For you? Never too exhausted," she said, unlacing her corset.
"This is a good thing, for I believe we shall stay up quite late this night," Demitra said, peeling off her lacy gloves, placing them on the nightstand beside her guantlets.
"Going to put my stamina to the test, aren't you?" Ember laughed, pulling apart the bodice.
Demitra laughed. "Indeed."
Elsewhere in the manor, Paige was roaming the hallways of the empty estate, enjoying the quiet and thinking of the day's festivities and the excitement of the ceremony. She laughed as she remembered the happy couple's expressions and smiles, and she blushed thinking about their lips interlocked in that kiss. The weeks leading up to the ceremony had been hard, but she felt as though it had helped her continue to move on. Demitra had consoled and helped her, and the woman had begun to think of Demitra as more than just a confidant. Her mind kept snapping to the night of the fashion show, when she had experienced the affection she had just witnessed from the wedding kiss: both women had kissed each other with the same passion as they had shown her.
"Harem," she whispered softly. The thought had been bouncing around in her mind since it was uttered, and while the heart-wrenching break-up with Nalla had consumed her, the word never left her thoughts completely. Something inside her urged her to consider the possibility, and not just due to lustful ambitions, but for love.
Her mind raced as she found herself approaching Ember's opened bedchamber door. She had convinced herself that she was only checking on the accommodation and to wish them a good evening, but as she walked into the room, Paige knew why she'd actually come. Her heart throbbed when she heard the moans from across the room on the bed, and she had the opportunity to slip away, or hide and watch (as she'd done before), but she knew she wanted more. Paige turned, closed the door, and clicked the lock behind her, before walking into a night of loving passion.
[To Be Continued...]
