Page 38 of Salvation
Chapter Twelve
Nick stood in the crowd of Anferthians, warmed by the towering bonfire and stuffed full by all the food served for the wedding feast. Dacey and Nero’s “traditional” Anferthian wedding had been interesting and beautiful, even via a translator. The wedding party had moved through the entire village accepting greetings, blessings, and food from everyone. There were even representatives from the Directional villages in attendance. It reminded him of the progressive potlucks his parents had dragged him on as a kid, only this time he was attending voluntarily.
All in all, a complicated but well-choreographed event that had ended here, at the huge bonfire in the middle of the street outside the happy couple’s cube. As Storo had explained, this was where Dacey and Nero would performmaitz’a, the ritual that led to consummation, while their guests made toasts to them.
And that disturbed him more than he would admit, especially within earshot of Storo. His friend must be pulling his chain. It was impossible to imagine the Nero and Dacey he knew having sex in the street in front of everyone. Watchinganycouple consummate their marriage was a sight he could live without. Especially while standing next to Sakura. It would be like the whole Anferthian male anatomy picture in the book all over again. Only a thousand times worse. He surreptitiously scanned the crowd. Best to have an exit strategy in mind in case things got too hot for him to handle.
K’rona and Storo appeared in front of him, blocking his view. They pressed large, wooden cups of golden liquid into his and Sakura’s hands.
“Ryma,” K’rona explained. “The golden rum we toast the new couple with. There will be many toasts as they dance, so drink conservatively. To finish yourrymabefore the end of the dance is an insult to the bride and groom.”
A dance? Not sex in the street? He looked up at Storo. This was a glare-worthy moment. “So, they’re justdancing?”
Storo’s grin was on the almost wicked end of mischievous, but K’rona answered, “Yes.”
That was a relief. “How long do these dances go on?”
K’rona shrugged her shoulders. “From minutes to hours. It all depends on how long the couple has known each other and how much they have experienced together. Sometimes their stories include their individual childhoods, and sometimes they begin from the moment they met. It ends when Dacey brings Nero to the frenzy.”
Nick frowned. “Forgive my ignorance, K’rona, but shouldn’t they do that inside?”
“Maitz’ais the ultimate trust between a husband and wife, Nicholaus,” she explained. “He trusts her enough to allow her to publicly initiate the frenzy. She trusts him to get them inside before he completely loses control. This is why it is done so close to their door.”
Now it made more sense.
“On rare occasion, couples do not make it inside.” Storo’s grin had turned evil.
“I’m not listening to you anymore.” Nick raised the cup to his nose, inhaling the nutty scent of the liquid inside.
“Be careful, little man, you have not hadrymabefore. It comes to the inexperienced on quiet feet.” Message delivered, Storo turned away to talk to someone else.
Nick leaned toward Sakura. “I could go for a nice mellow lager about now.”
She shook her head. “Sake.”
“Sake?” He gave her a look of mock horror. “Isn’t that the base for kerosene?”
Her tinkling laugh brushed over his skin like a gentle breeze. “I believe you mean vodka. More for me, then. Thisryma, it looks like egg yolks, yes?”
He gazed down into the contents of his cup. She was right, it really did look like well-mixed, bright yellow egg yolks. “Bet it doesn’t scramble well, though.”
The first drumbeat sounded and Dacey and Nero stepped into the large circle made by their guests. Everyone lifted their cups and Nick followed suit, then drank a sip. He raised his eyebrows and met Sakura’s surprised gaze. Thick, like egg nog, but exceedingly refreshing, like a chilled pallet cleanser after a heavy meal. Hard to believe it was alcoholic.
A loud roll of the drums sounded like thunder, marking the beginning of the dance. Sakura’s shoulder brushed his bicep as she turned toward the dancers in the center of the circle of onlookers. Dacey and Nero’s bodies flowed, the dance almost tribal in nature as it told the story of how the couple met and how their relationship had developed. The only way to keep up with all the enthusiastic toasts was to keep his eye on K’rona. It seemed like the bridal couple’s lives together had more highlights then a movie blooper reel.
Dacey and Nero danced to a stop directly in front of him and Sakura, sinking to their knees.
“For Nero’s life, we honor you,” Dacey said. “You arefyhen.”
“Fyhen,” Nero shouted, his voice echoing through the circle.
“Fyhen!” The tremendous roar from the gathered Anferthians resonated in the chilly night air. All of them using the voice level normally reserved for battle.
Had they just been officially—and personally—accepted by the dissenters as their own? Nick gave Sakura a bewildered glance. She appeared to be as stunned by this proclamation as he.
Another toast was made to each Sakura and him before the newlyweds spun away, laughing. Their dance was now uninhibited with wild abandon. If anything, Dacey appeared to be challenging Nero. Ducking and spinning, then coming at him with a wordless shriek only to duck away again. They both seemed to be enjoying their game immensely.
K’rona bent closer. “For what you have done for us, you are now part of our family of exiles. You are claimed asfyhen, and are forever ours.”
