Page 154 of Requiem of Silence

“Neither of us are the same people we once were. We would need to get to know one another again.”

“In this new lifetime.”

She swallowed as something in her middle fluttered. She turned away, cheeks hot. It looked like she would have to say her good-byes after all.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

It is enough to just be

quiet

and

listen.

—THE HARMONY OF BEING

The number of people pressed into Rosira’s northern temple must be in violation of some sort of fire code. Zeli stood at the front of the only Sisterhood temple still standing in the city—the southern one had been destroyed by terrorists and the eastern one pulled down by the hands of the wraiths. The joyous anticipation inside the walls was like effervescence, popping and fizzing in the air. She inhaled it deeply.

“Who are all of these people?” Varten whispered to her, craning his neck to take in the crowd.

She shrugged. “It was an open invitation, and everyone needs a reason to celebrate.”

The audience had dressed in their finest clothes to come here today and experience some joy again. On the raised platform in front of them was a table holding several tiny glass bowls and a larger empty one. A small candle flickered inside one of the smaller bowls. Varten had described the Elsiran marriage ceremony to her and she liked the symbolism of it all.

Only a handful of Sisters stood behind the platform. The order had been devastated by the questions about the Goddess Awoken and Her possible allegiance to the True Father. Her disappearance after his death had made the rumors swell. That added to the imprisonment and upcoming execution of the former High Priestess had left the organization in shambles. Zeli was not certain they would survive—but maybe out of it something new would be born.

A hush came over the crowd and then a low chant began. All the Raunians in attendance—and there were so many she wondered if there was anyone left on the island at all—began to sing, their voices rising in a lilting melody. Ani emerged from a door behind the platform and climbed the short steps. She was radiant in a voluminous gown made of iridescent blue material that left her arms and shoulders bare.

She wore a matching glove on her single hand, and a ribbon tied around her other arm where it ended below the elbow. Roshon approached the platform from the opposite direction, grinning from ear to ear. He wore a sharply cut formal suit and looked comfortable in it. Queen Jasminda and King Pia arrived last, making the small stage quite crowded.

Darvyn and Kyara had agreed to delay their departure until after the nuptials. They stood with Dansig, King Jaqros, Tai, and Lizvette in the front row.

Tears formed in Zeli’s eyes, she loved weddings. The Elsiran and Raunian ceremonies were held simultaneously. The Elsiran one involved transferring the contents of each small bowl into the larger one. The Raunian service involved lots of knot tying and a series of call and responses in their language—some of which involved the whole audience. Zeli stumbled over the pronunciations of the words, without any clue as to what she was saying, but the love and hope of everyone present rippled through her Song.

When it was done, the bride and groom stayed at the front to receive their guests, another Raunian tradition. Their families were at the front of the line, and she followed Varten, who hugged his brother and new sister fiercely before stepping back.

Zeli placed a wrapped gift into Roshon’s hand. Wedding presents weren’t part of Elsiran custom, but they were important in Lagrimar.

“Open it,” Varten said, grinning. His brother peeled back the paper and opened the box to reveal the little figurine of two boys with their arms hooked into one another’s—the same one the twins had been fighting over when Zeli met them.

“I decided you can have it,” Varten said.

“Idecided that it would be a good wedding gift,” Zeli said, elbowing him. Varten shrugged and chuckled.

“Thank you,” Roshon said, holding it gently, and Ani beamed.

“Maybe we’ll give it back to you when you two get married,” she said.

Zeli’s face grew hot. From the corner of her eye she saw Varten’s jaw drop then snap shut. He nodded. “Deal.”

Then he grabbed Zeli’s hand and moved off, allowing the next person in line their chance to greet the newlyweds. She had questions, lots of questions, but she couldn’t voice them as they worked their way through the throng and to the temple’s exit.

Outside, masses of people queued up to get their chance to greet the prince and princess.

“Marriage?” she finally asked, brows raised as they stood on the temple’s front steps.

He looked sheepish. “Well, you know… I mean that is if you want… Well, the thing is. I love you, Zeli. And I do want to marry you. If you’ll have me. One day. I mean we—”

---