Starlight Gleaming Ch. 21 Pt. 01

The priestess paused, then nodded. "I give you my solemn word that you will come to no harm from me or any priest or priestess within these walls. I assure you that I mean Lady Izel no harm. I interview all brides privately before we proceed with any marriage ceremony."

Janetta bowed. "I meant no offense, priestess. I am new at this, and I wish to discharge my sacred role in a way that brings honor to my House and serves Lady Izel's interests."

Xiao suddenly laughed. "No offense taken. I might want to ask you a few questions as well. Come along, ladies."

The acolytes encouraged us to sit, which we did, though our Air Security troops remained at attention. One of the acolytes bowed. "I am Veela. If you wish something to drink, there is a place to obtain drinks just down this way. We have a variety of juices available. Orange, apple, pineapple, star fruit, papaya, tomato, lemonade, coffee, hot chocolate, cahault, as well as various flavored bottled water. We also have snacks available for your enjoyment."

Chita took a quick inventory, and after Mack carefully set down Izel's headdress, hurried off to lend her a hand carrying things back.

I grinned at Doyya. "I didn't expect my words to cause such a reaction from you. I would have expected you to have become used to such notions coming from me."

She nodded, mollified. "Ever since I first met you, you've said those types of things, and more important, acted on them. There is literally no comparison between my life two years ago and what I know today. Then, I was stuck in a dead-end occupation with no chance for advancement for years, if ever. Now I'm a captain, second in command of an Air Security Regiment, and nobody thinks anything of it. Which I think is amazing. It's still new, and sometimes shocking to hear those things said aloud, Commander."

"You are my friend, Doyya Lovyanchiti."

"Okay," she replied quietly. "You said Calia and your captain approved of this marriage. Still, it's quite sudden. People will talk about this, especially because she's the general's widow. Is this something that you are okay with? In all the preparations and discussions, you never said anything about how you feel, sir. At least to me. As your friend, I'd like to know."

"I appreciate you asking, Doyya. All right. Maybe this will help. There are moments in my life when I act without thinking and it feels right. When I stood there on that landing and made my first Protection Order, I didn't think it out, I just did it because it felt right. When I picked you to be my Second, I didn't think about it, I just did it. Acted in the moment. There are a few other events that have been the same. Making Bilan Monaycote my blood brother. Telling Zinja I would support her in adopting Sisi. Adopting Mina when the only child I was looking for was Sisi. I did it because it felt right."

I winked at Zinja, who was suddenly interested in our conversation. "I don't know much about Izel Ocotépan, but from what little I've learned, I like her. She's intelligent and well-read, both of which I find sexy. I was going to investigate her this morning. Find out more about her situation, her background, the whole thing. In our day-to-day lives, Janetta and Calia don't always see eye-to-eye on things."

Akama came in, and Doyya quietly pointed for her to take a chair.

"Captain Lady Janetta Tlacotli is the Mistress of my household. I love Zinja, Ixma, Cholan, and Calia, and I care a great deal about their happiness. Janetta, however, is first in my heart. Calia is my oldest friend and lover, and I think she knows me better than anyone. Janetta is somewhat jealous of Calia but she also respects her. Yesterday evening, Lady Izel arrived unannounced at our front door and asked me to marry her. Janetta and Calia, without discussing it and without hesitation, said I should accept. Both of them."

Chita and Mack, their arms full, distributed drinks. Hearing me speaking, they sat down quietly and listened.

"Still, that doesn't directly answer your question, but I'm hoping in a way it does. Maybe this will clarify it for you. I trust my instincts. You, too, have very good instincts, Doyya. That's what makes you a good officer. I trust everyone here and everyone in my family with my life. I don't know Lady Izel very well, but I'm beginning to. I know she's deeply afraid for her life and her future, and I've already promised to protect her. How do I feel about marrying a woman I just met? Of course, I have concerns. We both have households and people who depend on us, and somehow we will have to try and make things work. Arranged marriages are still a thing across the Empire. Some are disasters, but I think sometimes some of those marriages are at least content if not happy. So how do I feel about this? I'm actually okay with it. I know Janetta and Calia love me, and for both of them to ask me to do this must mean something. My instincts say trust them. I don't know if the marriage will work out, but I'm willing to give Lady Izel a chance."

Doyya gave me a satisfied smile. "I hope they know how lucky they are to have you."

"It's I who feel lucky to have them. I'm busy with my career, and I worry that I'm not giving the women in my life the attention I know they deserve, and I also have to carve out time for my girls, too. I promised myself and them that I would be their dad, and I can't be a good parent unless I am there every day, teaching them, spending time with them, showing them how much they mean to me."

"Don't worry, Commander," Zinja said. "You're doing just fine. We all know your work sometimes requires your full attention. It's weird sometimes knowing that you're my man and we do intimate things together while you're also Ixma's man, too. But you're a good man, and I know you love me, and I know you love her, too. I think each of us would love to spend more time with you. But I think a lot of couples feel that way. You've made such a change in Ixma's life. It's amazing to see how much she's changed, and it's because of you. It's not as dramatic, but you did the same for Cholan, too. By the gods, I'm the captain's woman. You know that. But if someone said I couldn't be with you, I'd fight hard to keep you.

"As for your girls?" she continued. "Mina might need some special help later, but she is responding well to the time you give her. Sisi loves me, but she idolizes you. Just the other day, she said she wished you could be a dad to some of the kids she knows at school. They talk about their home lives, and some of them have parents who are unhappy and take it out on their kids. She believes if you were their dad, they would be happier. When I took her in, I knew she was special. She's just turning six and already she's maturing, looking outside herself at those around her."

There were several grins around me.

"I tell you true, Zinja. You are a great mom. Have I told you lately that I love you? Because I do."

Blushing, Zinja smiled at me. "That's kind of you to say, sir. Thank you. I love you, too."

"Changing the subject, I do have a bit of other news," I announced. "Some of you don't know this, but when Commander Orchid disappeared last year, the Minister put out an order to have her killed. That's why she disappeared so suddenly."

I winked at Doyya, and she pursed her lips. "The special instructions to retest for pregnancy last year came from the Emperor by way of the Empress. Lady Izel confirmed this morning that the Empress holds Commander Orchid in high regard. Sometimes she watches some of the television episodes, and she has favorites that she's watched more than once. When she learned about the murder attempt, the Empress was greatly displeased. One of my orders from the Air Marshal was to assist the Empress' Household Guard to relieve and arrest Voyacherno for questioning. According to Izel, he was questioned by a military court-martial under Truth Drugs and executed for treason. It bears knowing that not only did the Empress have him killed, she had his skull affixed to the inside her toilet and expressed satisfaction at the new ornament. When the Minister arrived, he demanded his release. The Empress contrived to let the Minister discover his whereabouts for himself."

There were several gasps at this revelation.

Then Doyya looked at me and whispered, "By the gods! The Protection Order and the other changes. They might actually become law throughout the Empire! We have the support of the Air Marshal, the Ground Marshal, the War Minister, and the Empress herself!"

"But still not the Emperor," I cautioned. "That's important to remember. However, if we can manage to stop the aliens screwing around in international politics, life should get better within the Empire. Still, these are historic times. They will be days you will proudly recount to your grandchildren."

"Hear, hear," several of them echoed.

"Historic days began last year when Commander Orchid put you in charge of the 945," Doyya replied, her brown eyes looking first at me, then looking around those seated and those standing at attention, speaking loud enough for all to hear. "Commander Orchid did great things when she was here, but she couldn't stay to finish them. You issued the first Protection Order. That was you, sir. You did that. Since your return, it's become effective all across High Guard. It's not safe here, but it is much safer than anywhere else in the Empire and safer than it was last year. I see women in uniform and civilian women going about their jobs and lives and the fear that used to haunt their faces is gone. Whatever comes, Commander Kandikan, we are already living in historic times."

"Any good that I've done has only been possible because of good men and women. I am proud of the 602, and it is my privilege to serve with you, each and every one. Llam nuqan."

"Llam nuqan," they echoed back.

Priestess Xiao approached, accompanied by Izel and Janetta. With a broad smile, she said, "I am convinced that this marriage should proceed. Commander, if you and your party will follow me?"

Rising, we followed the priestess to the chapel. The walls along the way were adorned with large murals of the Jade Goddess bestowing gifts of bountiful harvests, nets full of fish, and happy adults with laughing children. The chapel itself was larger, with large windows high above letting in the light from all four directions. As the priestess turned around to face us, behind her stood a ten-foot-tall statue of the Jade Goddess in a seated position with a large gravid belly, while in her arms she nursed another babe.

The two acolytes moved about the room, lighting candles around the altar itself, and then lighting some sandalwood incense.

"This proceeding will be filmed," Xiao said, then lifted her arms. "Greetings, one and all. You have announced your intention to marry before the goddess and these witnesses. I am Xiao Lec'lama, high priestess to the Jade Goddess, assigned to High Guard War Base. Groom, please give your name."

"Ranji Kandikan."

"Bride, identify yourself."

"I am Izel Ocotépan of Nahua."

"Is it your intention to be wed and bound as husband and wife?"

"Yes," we answered.

"Groom, do you have a best man to declare?"

"I do. My best man is Captain Doyya Lovyanchiti, my Second."

"These others, they are with you, too?"

"Yes," I answered. "As witnesses, I present Senior Sergeant Chita Wanwari, Sergeant Sowitwee Bancorri, Second Sergeant Zinja Ba'lanchicotl, Third Sergeant Uway Sonoctamack, and Corporal Akama Xicsic."

I heard Mack whisper, "He remembers my full name!" To which there were some amused chuckles.

Zinja cleared her throat. "Excuse me? While I'm here to witness, I'm actually here to support the bride. My captain asked and I agreed that Lady Izel shouldn't stand with just her warrior maiden."

Izel looked startled, then gave a warm smile to both Janetta and Zinja. I mouthed to Zinja a thank you. She just grinned and nodded back.

The priestess turned to Izel. "Do you have a warrior maiden to declare?"

"I do," she answered. "I present Captain Janetta Tlacotli of Nahua as my warrior maiden. As my witness, I bring Zinja Ba'lanchicotl of Oexeca."

"Lord Kandikan," Xiao said, "Before we begin the vows, do you have anything you would like to say to your intended bride?"

I chuckled, then reaching over, took her right hand into both of mine. "I see. Well, I thought I was prepared, but I didn't expect this, so if I stumble, please don't hold it against me. Lady Izel, I saw you for the first time yesterday afternoon. When you arrived, you were anxious and I daresay, frightened even, and you came to me seeking my help. Today, with the urging of my family, I will take you to be my wife so as to provide you the shelter you need. In the short amount of time we've been together and talked, I have found you to be intelligent and perceptive, both of which are traits that I admire. It is my hope that you will come to see me not just as your husband, but as your friend and companion. I will do my best to see that your heart is happy and that your days are not just free from fear, but filled with joy and expectation of new wonders."

"Oh, my," the priestess said, using her hand to fan herself. "For an impromptu speech, you did really well. Is he like this normally?"

She looked at Janetta, who just nodded, but Zinja said, "Oh, yes. He's the best man I know. If he says it, you can believe that he will work hard to make it so."

Xiao laughed. "Zinja, is it? I forgot that you are his lover as well. Lady Izel, do you have words for your intended husband?"

Izel added her left hand to the outside of mine already clasping her right. "My lord, your words are true. I came to you in desperation, seeking to become your wife to ease my fears. You have already given me Sanctuary, and today you make my wish come true by becoming my husband. I will look to you for your strength, honor, protection, and for the solace of your arms around me.

"Twice yesterday, my enemies tried to end my life." Priestess Xiao blinked at that revelation. "You and your family not only opened your home to me, but you also healed my injuries and saved my life. Yesterday I came begging to become your wife. This morning I begged you again to take me to be your wife by right of conquest, and you explained to me why you couldn't, and you opened my eyes as to why that would have been wrong. I spent twenty-six years as another man's wife. To him, I was his property, and often I was poorly used. There were times I endured great pain, but worst of all was the years of emptiness that filled my home life."

Izel withdrew her hand to wipe at her eyes before clasping my hands again with hers. "You insisted on a real marriage because you said that my wishes and my feelings mattered. You even said that I had rights. You said that as your wife, I could deny you my body whenever I chose by merely saying so. Today, as I become your wife, my heart is filled with hope and wonder at your strength tempered with such kindness and love and courtesy that I never expected to see in a man. I cannot tell you how shocking and shattering it is to know that my feelings matter. With the aid of your First, I will do my best to provide you comfort and care with my body and to help you as a good wife should. I pledge to keep your home and do all the other things expected of a dutiful and conscientious wife. I eagerly look forward to learning what it is to have a husband who also wants to be my friend."

"The two things I truly enjoy," the priestess remarked, "are weddings and baby naming ceremonies. Both occasions are so full of love and hope. Those are truly heart-warming sentiments, and a good sign for two people coming together in marriage."

For the next half-hour, the priestess conducted the Nahua wedding ceremony, and we fed each other bits of salt, had the brazier and the incense waved over us and were sprinkled with holy water. There were, however, some changes. When Izel wrapped the binding cord around her wrist and handed one end to me, I undid the cord and then wrapped both our wrists together. And at the end, when she was supposed to get down and kiss my feet, I stopped her, lifting her up to stand before me.

"I am the head of the household and sometimes I will need to act without seeking a consensus," I told her. "But these gestures reinforce the idea that you are subordinate to me, and I reject that." Holding aloft our bound wrists, I said, "By this, we are bound together as partners, not one bound to the other like a captive. You are my wife, not my servant nor my slave. As you support me in my work and home life, so I will work to help you with your own work and projects. Seal the vows with a kiss to my lips, not to my feet. I want you by my side, not beneath my heel."

Tears spilling, she nodded, then threw herself into my arms. Lifting her up, we kissed passionately. Our mouths opened and tongues met and began our first exploration together. When we broke apart, I set her back onto her feet, and we faced the priestess.

Taking the ceremonial knife, she pricked our fingers, and taking hers first, smeared it onto my cheek, and then smeared my blood onto hers. Unwrapping the cord, she intoned, "This cord used to tie your wrists together symbolized your union. Even as I remove it, the pledge binding you two as one is made. It is both invisible and indivisible as long as you stand together. Lord Kandikan, do you have your gift for your bride?"

From my inside breast pocket, I pulled out Calia's scarf, and wrapped it around Izel's neck, tying it loosely. Then our attention was distracted as Janetta removed her blue beret, sliding it her own inside breast pocket and retrieving a neckerchief! Zinja moved behind her and affixed it to her jaguar hair clasp. Janetta then took Zinja's neckerchief and tied it off around her crew chief's thick braid.

"Oh, my," the priestess breathed. "This is most unexpected."

Then her eyes widened as I reached up to remove Izel's headdress, handing it to Mack. With a resigned grin, I pulled off my own neckerchief, and removing the grade pin on my left shoulder, I affixed it to the neckerchief. Izel, her eyes wide, watched as I moved to her side, and as with Zinja, gathered her hair into a ponytail and tied it together with my neckerchief.

Giving me an amused grin, the sultry-voiced priestess asked, "This makes six, doesn't it, Commander."

"It does," I agreed, taking Izel's hand in mine.

Her other hand reached back to touch the neckerchief, her face incredulous, amused, and happy. She had to know the significance of the neckerchief, and that noble wives and women officers did not wear them. That Janetta proudly wore one beside Zinja was a declaration of their new solidarity with Izel.

Xiao cleared her throat. "Well, I guess it's official that Lady Izel Ocotépan has joined your household, Lord Kandikan. How shall your wife be addressed?"

Facing Izel, I said, "It's important that you keep your title. If you do not keep it as part of your name, there's a danger you might lose your personal lands, isn't there. I thought so. However, as you share my life, you will share my name. Henceforth, you will be Izel Kandikan, Lady Ocotépan. Is this acceptable to you, Wife?"

Smiling, she nodded. "Yes, Husband."

"Now comes the really hard part," the priestess said with amusement. "If the rest of you will follow Ponya back out to the lounge, I will lead the happy couple to the marital chamber where they will consummate the marriage."

"Really hard part?" Janetta rolled her eyes. "Did you just make a bad pun? Oh, gods."

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Part 6 -- Consummation

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Ponya walked to the main chapel entrance and waited while Veela went around extinguishing the candles and doing other priestly stuff.