A Marriage of Convenience, Part 2 - The Wedding

[Raen Shahrizai]

Fifth Week of Winter, Year One of Queen Sabrina's Reign

The day of the wedding dawned clear, if crisp, and I arose with the sun, staring out of my window for near an hour. The wedding was not until that evening, at dusk because apparently my bride desired a candlelit ceremony. Or her mother did, I should say. Asarhia, or Asha as she appeared to be called by everyone around her, did not seem to care one way or the other and I actually felt a bit sorry for her. She had no idea what she had been thrown into, and soon her family and mine would go back to Kusheth, leaving her alone with Lei and I.

Lei. My heart contracted with pain at the mere thought of her. I would never admit it to her, but I was glad that Grandfather had banned her from the wedding; I did not think I could go through with it with her there, watching the sham play out.

I sighed and mentally ran over the preparations for this evening, wondering if I could sneak a visit to Lei's apartment. Regardless, I would have her home tonight - our families were leaving for Kusheth directly after the ceremony and I had already told Lei that I wanted her back at the townhouse before the carriage tracks had faded.

Later that evening[/b]

I hadn't been able to see Lei all day, and upon our arrival at the Sanctuary of Elua, I barricaded myself in an antechamber until the ceremony. Mother had been fussing over me all day, giving me little tips on being a good husband, and father had done similar, taking me aside for a "talk" in which he did all of the talking and I tried not to strangle him.

And now it was nearly time for the ceremony to start, and here I was, practically hyperventilating and wondering if I was making the biggest mistake of my life.

[Asarhia Shahrizai]

I had bought a dress on my own, that day I had gone shopping, and though my mother was annoyed, I was rather proud of it. I hadn't shown it to anyone, and when I awoke the morning of the wedding, I had gone straight to look at it, hanging in the closet of the guest room.

I had yet to unpack my things, since I would be moving into Raen's room tonight, and so it was a little difficult to find what I would need to prepare for the wedding. I managed, just as my mother entered the room - without knocking, of course - to get started on the day's preparations.

Things went without incident, though I saw Raen scarcely, and there had been no sign of Leighton since she had been all but banished from the house. I felt badly for her, and I was determined to speak to Raen tonight and tell him that of course I would welcome her back into the house.

When we arrived at the Sanctuary of Elua, I marveled at its beauty, and at the decorations, which my mother had overseen. There were flowers everywhere, red roses for love, which I thought a bit ridiculous since my husband to be and I hardly knew each other, much less were in love, but I had to admit the red and white was a lovely contrast, and the candles set everything off perfectly.

I was led to a small antechamber where I could change into my dress and have my mother finish my hair, which she had piled atop my head with so many pins my scalp ached. I had to admire it though: I looked more beautiful than I ever had. Even Pascal was dressed for the occasion, in white breeches and a red tunic embroidered with black flowers.

Waiting for the ceremony to start, I sent a silent prayer to Kushiel that things would work out, and that my taciturn and quiet husband would let me in, let me be the wife to him that I knew I could be.

[Raen Shahrizai]

When the time came for the ceremony to begin, I was pacing, aching for Leighton and questioning this decision for the umpteenth time. One saving grace was that we knew barely anyone in the City, so this farce was going to be kept strictly in the family, though I had invited Demetrius and Dante, mostly because my Grandfather disapproved of them. I didn't know if they'd come, I wasn't sure if Adepts did that sort of thing, but it didn't matter, and in fact, if no one witnessed this debacle, that might be best.

When Mother appeared to bring me out, I was so full of nerves I had to keep myself from vomiting. I had an amused thought about what Lei would think if I vomited all over my new bride, and it was the first time I'd smiled all night. Of course it was misinterpreted as Father remarked that he was glad to see that I was enjoying fulfilling my familial obligations.

I kept my mouth shut as I was introduced to the priest and told where to stand and what to do. It was a simple ceremony, so I did not have to do much, for which I was eminently grateful.

[Asarhia Shahrizai]

I was pacing nervously when Raen's Grandfather arrived, giving me his arm with a kindly smile. "Come along, girl, it's time to make me proud," he said, and I took his arm with a sickly smile of my own. "Now, now, chin up, you look beautiful and I'm sure now that my grandson doesn't have his sister's hooks so far into him he'll appreciate how lucky he is to have you."

I smiled genuinely then, hoping that what he said was true and that Raen would thaw and see me as a true wife, not just a person forced onto him by his family. I smoothed my dress, as we began to walk down the aisle that led to where Raen waited. Thankfully there were not many people present, and Leighton was nowhere to be seen, which helped me to relax. When we reached the priest, Raen's grandfather melted away, leaving me standing there with him, though he hardly looked at me, seeming to look everywhere but.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I had decided to go to the wedding, mostly out of curiosity. Leighton's obvious hatred of this women had me interested in seeing her for myself. The Sanctuary of Elua was practically empty, aside from the bride and groom's immediate family, and so even though I sat in back, away from everyone, I felt conspicuous. I watched Raen with interest - he certainly did not look like a happy groom. It appeared that Leighton was correct about the marriage being one of political ends only.

When the bride appeared, in her red and white dress, looking so exquisite that I could see immediately why Leighton hated her. She was quintessentially Shahrizai, from her black hair that gleamed with an unearthly blue sheen, curled and pinned up, seeded with sparkling crystals and pearls, to her eyes, a clear blue that mirrored Raen's - and my own. Her skin was like alabaster, perfect in every way, and I, who was Shahrizai to the core, found that even I was taken with just how much she fit the mold of our family. Poor Leighton, to forever fall short of what her Grandfather considered perfection, to watch this paragon of Shahrizai beauty take her place in her family. I felt for her, felt her a kindred spirit, and I decided then and there that I hated this Asarhia on principal and would give her no kind words of welcome, nor even speak to her at all if I could avoid it.

[Raen Shahrizai]

When Asarhia finally approached, I couldn't help but find her beautiful. She had gone all out, from the beautiful dress that accentuated her perfectly, to the way her hair curled and gleamed in the candlelight. If it weren't for the fact that I was desperately in love with another, I might have counted my position a fortunate one. As it was, however, I only realized that finding her physically attractive would only cause more trouble between Lei and I.

She finally came to stand beside me, and the Priest of Elua smiled, beginning to speak even as he bent to touch the earth and then rose to embrace the sky. I realized of a sudden that I had never even been to a wedding before, though I had heard that the ceremonies were lovely. I concentrated on the Priest, so that I would not be distracted by Asarhia ... I could smell her now, fresh like citrus, she put me in mind of grapefruits and lemons, a hint of rosemary or verbena.

My thoughts were broken as the Priest anointed first my forehead and then hers with oil, a fragrant scent of sandalwood relieving my nostrils of the scent of this woman who was the cause of so much discord. The woman who stood with the Priest repeated the anointing, the Priestess of Naamah I supposed her. I felt dizzy with the enormity of the situation, and though I repeated the words the Priest bid me say, and Asarhia did likewise, I did not hear them and could not for the life of me have remembered what it was that I vowed.

It was done, finally and too soon, and the Priest spread his arms wide, as if to embrace the entire room. "Come then, let us seal this union with a kiss!" I turned to Asarhia, who was looking up at me, her eyes full of things I did not understand, because they were not Lei's eyes, the eyes I knew and loved, and I wondered how I could kiss her. But I did, mechanically leaning forth, one arm encircling her waist as my lips touched hers for the first time.

[Asarhia Shahrizai]

As I stood there, the Priest speaking and anointing me with oil, the words droning on like so much noise, I wondered how my life could have gone so horribly awry. A mere year ago I had been wildly, passionately in love with Maris, expecting his child, and imagining this scene with he and I in it, rather than this cruel mockery of a marriage to a man that looked as if he would rather be anywhere but here.

I spoke the words required of me, somewhat woodenly to my ears, and then felt the icy fingers of nervousness penetrate my belly when the Priest bid us kiss to seal our union. I was afraid that he would refuse, that I would be humiliated, but thankfully he did not, though when he bent forward I could have felt more emotion from a tree stump or brick wall than I felt from him.

His lips touched mine softly, his arm around my waist, strong, though was it my imagination or was his hand shaking? No matter, I saw a chance and I took it, resting my hands against his cheeks as I slipped my tongue past his lips, kissing him and trying to show him in that one instant that I could be a good wife to him, if he let me.

Dimly I heard the Priest's words, "Let it be done!" and the light smattering of applause from our small audience. It was done. Raen and I were husband and wife.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I had gone, though I wasn't sure why, I didn't know Raen, or Asarhia for that matter overly much. But Naia was seemly close to the sister of the groom so I decided that I would attend in hopes of being a good impression to family no matter how distant they may be. I stood toward the back of the group and watched as the pair married and I felt a little sad, either of them looked overly happy, especially not the groom. But I wastched Naia and I watched the group, taking it is with a reserved nature and waited for the ceremony to pass so that I could return to my uneventful life.

[Leighton Shahrizai]

I couldn't do it.. Gods, I couldn't.

I told myself I wasn't going to go, that I wasn't going to bear witness to that union, wasn't going to allow myself to see Raen marry that chit. My Raen, husband to another, bedding another not just in sex, but to bear children to secure an heir. It made me absolutely quiver with rage, and I sat curled up on that hard, narrow bed that was in the sole bedroom of my town home, my arms wrapped around my knees, trying to ignore the sound of laughter coming from the streets, the call of hawkers selling their wares. Once someone came to my door and rapped upon it, and I edged back, a hunted look coming to my eyes, but they faded away again. Once someone had broken into my home while I was out, the time I'd met a man named Azriel. I didn't have much at the townhome yet; the most they'd made off with is a handful of my dresses, the ones with seed pearls and made of finer material, and a few scant pieces of jewelry that I'd brought. Two bottles of wine; nothing else. There was nothing else, not of any value. I'd taken to keeping a bat near me after that, and had seen to having new locks fitted on the doors and windows, though it didn't stop me from jumping like a cornered wolf every time a strange noise came too close to my home.

Today everything had come down. Every last moment burned, searing me, every shout, every laugh and crude word coming in from the window made my skin crawl. I couldn't sit here - I couldn't do it, but by the time I'd leapt from my bed and dashed downstairs, out of my town home and barely taking enough time to lock the door behind me, I knew I would be close. Tears streamed across my cheeks as I at first fled down the street on foot, ignoring the shocked stares of people around me. No one had really seen me, and I'd ignored all efforts of any niceness they'd tried pressing upon me. I ran now, my blond locks streaming out behind me like a banner, ran for blocks until I finally came upon a carriage for rent. One person was hailing them, hands laden with hat boxes and paper-wrapped products, but I cut in front of them, knocking them back. One of them fell; a woman, I thought, but I wasn't positive. My attention was focuses solely ahead, not behind, and I ignored their indignant, angry cries as I ordered the carriage to the Temple of Elua. A flash of a handful of coins was enough for the driver, and he slapped the reins upon the haunches of the mismatched horses that pulled the carriage.

Gods, it wasn't fast enough. I sat forward, tense, until the temple came into view. Leaving a handful of coins scattered across the seat and floor of the carriage, I fled it, ignoring the drivers cries, ignoring the people I pushed past. The acolytes tried to stop me, or slow me, as I burst through the doors, and I glanced about wildly. "A wedding!" I gasped, my voice higher than it should be, shrill. "Gods, tell me, where! Where?!"

One pointed and the other frowned and tried to pull me back, but I slapped her fingers from my arm before I dashed, bursting heedlessly through the door.


They were kissing. Tears rolled over my cheeks as I took it in, my feet stumbling as I stopped a third of the way down the short isle, but I couldn't help but to take a few more steps.

"NO!"

Raens arm was around her, and that.. that bitch had her mouth on his, and from the way her head was tilted, her tongue in his mouth. Another denial wrenched from my throat as I lurched towards them, intent on physically breaking them apart, when of a sudden I could no longer see them, but a side wall of the room. My cheek hurt, stung fiercely enough that it brought me out of some of the shock I felt, and I brought my eyes up to my Grandfathers infuriated stare, his hand still in the air between us from where he'd slapped me full-armed. "You," I hissed, baring my teeth at him, but my arms were latched onto by the two acolytes that had met me before. They tugged at me, and Grandfather walked towards me, backing me away from Raen and Asha. He was saying something, something about me being a disgrace, about how my father and mother should have gotten rid of me when they had the chance, but I didn't care. I trembled as I tried to look past him, to see Raen, to try to convince myself it wasn't true... that I wasn't too late.

[Asarhia Shahrizai]

We were still kissing, and I thought I could feel him relenting, feel some of his stiffness fading away. I was just starting to enjoy it when all hell broke loose. Leighton. And in a rage the likes of which I had never seen before. I dropped my hands from Raen's cheeks and simply stared, my mouth open, at the display. Her grandfather slapped her so hard she fair spun and for once I didn't blame him. My cheeks had blushed crimson at the scene ... why did she care so much that her brother and I were married? I didn't understand it, but I knew that she was a force to be reckoned with.

Acolytes appeared as if from nowhere, restraining her, while her grandfather launched into a tirade. I ignored them, focusing suddenly on Pascal; where was he? I saw my mother with him, watching this farce with a calm look on her face. I moved to her, taking my son in my arms and moving to stand as far away from that devil woman as I possibly could.

[Raen Shahrizai]

When Lei arrived, I felt like my entire world was caving in. The last thing I had ever wanted her to see was me kissing Asarhia, nevermind that it was part of the ceremony. Things happened so fast that it took me a few moments to react, but when Grandfather hit Lei, I lost my temper.

"Enough!" I roared, snatching Grandfather by the arm and spinning him to face me. "I've had it with this!" I leaned into him, my fingers digging into his upper arm. "Let me make this plain: I've done as you asked, at great personal cost, and now I want you gone. And I don't want you coming back, do you understand me? I'll keep up my end of the bargain, but you stay away from my sister, do you hear me? Leave her alone!"

At first Grandfather seemed as if he would strike me too, and I almost wanted him to, I would welcome it. No, instead he laughed, laughed. He leaned in so that his words were for me alone, for which I was infinitely glad once I heard them. "Leave her alone? Perhaps that is what you should do, boy. Do you think I don't see the way you two look at each other? Do you think I don't know what's behind this outrageous display? And do you think you do her favors, boy, by keeping her in your pocket knowing that you can never truly give her what she wants? You're a hypocrite if you think it is I that is the true source of her pain."

He wrenched his arm out of my grasp while I stood there, slack jawed, and pressed his finger into my chest. "You're damn right you'll hold up your end of the bargain," he said, his voice now as loud as mine had been, "If she," He pointed at Asha, who had gone straight for her son and now practically cowered as far from my sister as she could get and still be in the vicinity of the wedding, "isn't pregnant within the year, well, then we shall have to revisit this entire affair, and believe me boy, you don't want that."

[Naia Shahrizai]

Just when I thought I might fall asleep, Leighton arrived, trailing holy hell in her wake. I sat up straight, noticing out of the corner of my eye that Azriel had arrived, which was the only thing that kept me in my seat. My first response had been to jump to Leighton's defense against that bastard grandfather of hers, but I was acutely aware that I was on thin ice with Azriel, so instead I sat back to watch the show, rather than be part of it.

It got more interesting when Raen dove in, defending his sister and paying no heed at all to his new wife, who looked for all the world like she might faint at all the excitement. Well, perhaps I should comfort her? With a covert glance at Azriel, I slid out of my seat and over to the bride, putting a comforting arm around her shoulder. "I'm Naia, an old friend of your husband," I whispered, making sure that no one else could hear me. "I'm so sorry about Leighton, but you know, she has always been a little unstable... there's a story that she stabbed a woman once just for looking at Raen. Although, I'm sure there's no truth to it, you know how people love to gossip..." I gave her a little squeeze and a disingenuous smile and returned to my seat, unnoticed in all of the clamor.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I was about to get up and leave when things suddenly errupted into a huge scene as Leighton... Leighton! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Leighton, the girl I had met in the City was here and this was her brother getting married. I watched as all the events unfolded and I could understand now why she had been so cold, so dark; I felt sympathy for her to an unknown degree. The man, her grandfather I assume, slapped her and I would have jumped in and punched him had her brother not spoken up. I listened as the man spoke, and one could see through the cracks of his words to know what had happened to make Leighton become so aggitated; I didn't want to speculate but I had a feeling she didn't want her brother marrying because she wanted him for herself.

It was easy to see why this was a problem, and since Leighton bore the familiar baring of a Shahrizai that is not a Shahrizai and her family quite obviously screamed it, they were marrying her brother off to produce more 'pure' Shahrizai. I grit my teeth, standing and moving a few steps in the direction of where Leighton was being held but stayed unmoving past this. I didn't want to step in and do or say something that was not my place, but I'd be damned sure that if her grandfather tried anything else I'd jump in along with any other member that wanted to help me pummel the old man.

[Leighton Shahrizai]

Suddenly Raen was there, pulling Grandfather away from me, the look on his face far more furious than I'd ever seen it. Beauty in anger, in the raw, seething hatred that made him who he was, etching itself in every crevice of his face, every pore, every line beside his eye and the way his lip curled upwards, like a wolf who was secure in himself, in his pack, knowing whatever would have to be done would be. My teeth bared again as Grandfather looked as if he was going to strike at Raen, but instead he leaned forward and whispered something to him, something that made his mouth fall open, made that beautiful line of anger slip from his face. Tears washed across my vision, and I tore my gaze from him and to Grandfather again as he turned to face me, a wicked gleam of superiority in his eyes. He'd won. He'd won.

The tears fell from my eyes without fail, and I squealed as I lurched towards him, intent on hurting him, trying to make him feel like I did, but the hands of the acolytes tightened around my arms, stopping me, my arms strained backwards. I stared at him, fierce and wild, and all he did was stare back, a smile on his mouth. The more my face fell, the larger his smile, til I was no longer pulling at the acolytes. Tears on my face, I looked at Raen one last time before I allowed them to turn me and guide me out, sparing one glance towards that whore who now had him. Naia was there beside her, but the thought didn't truly register before I was turned the rest of the way. I ignored my mother and father, ignored that whores family, my head held high as I let them take me from the room as if they were my servants. My eyes glittered, and I took Azriel in as I walked past him, not truly seeing him in the haze of pain and humiliation that I was drenched in. The deeply metallic taste of blood continued to trickle into my mouth from where my cheek had been sliced against my teeth from his slap, and just remembering it made me wince; already it was puffy. My chin remained up, though, my strides cool, even if I quaked with anger, quivered with every last step as I left the room and was guided out again, not towards the doors, but towards another room, one they could soothe me in, one that I could calm down. I wrestled my arms from their hands as soon as we were out of the doors again, glaring not at them, but straight ahead, tears falling down my face. I didn't know what to do; leave, or let them try to help.

[Asarhia Shahrizai]

When Naia came up and put an arm around me, I was at first grateful for the friendliness shown me by at least one person in this godforsaken City. Her words, however, made my blood run cold, and though I could well believe them, it was evident by her cat-got-the-canary grin that her intent had been to make me feel worse; obviously she was a confederate of Leighton's.

I don't know what their Grandfather had said to Raen but he looked thunderstruck, and as Leighton was led out of the room, he made as if to go after her. So then, that was how it was going to be, was it? I was infinitely glad that their grandfather had put her out of the house, for I realized now that I would never have a happy marriage as long as she was there. At least I had a chance with her gone, had a chance to make Raen see that I was a good person, that I was as much a victim of circumstance as he.

His grandfather stopped him from following her, their argument fierce though I could hear none of it. Of a sudden, Raen was striding toward me, his face clouded over with a rage that terrified me.

"Let's go," He said shortly, then, "Say goodbye to your family, none of these people are welcome in my home again." And then he stalked away, leaving me staring after him in shock.

"Don't fret," my mother said soothingly, patting my hair and straightening my dress. "He will get over this, you'll see. We'll go home now, and you make sure to write as soon as you're with child." She kissed my forward and left, as if she was not leaving me in a den of wolves with only Pascal by my side. I had to fight back tears as I followed in the direction my husband had gone, finding him standing out in front of the Sanctuary, staring back to where he thought his sister might be.

"I left her a note..." he murmured, more to himself than me. In fact, he barely registered my presence, gesturing toward the carriage. "Let's go."

And thus my wedding was done, and I left with my husband for what was now my new home.

[Raen Shahrizai]

I was so furious I was near apoplectic, but Grandfather stopped me from following Lei, which was perhaps for the best, because at this moment I wanted only to be with her and I would not have given a damn who knew it.

"If you let this out," He hissed at me, "everyone will know and Leighton will be even more of an outcast than she is now. Is that what you want?" I stared at him in a rage barely calming myself by taking deep breaths.

"Fine, but I want you gone, all of you. Your things are packed and on the carriage, so just go." I turned on my heel and stalked over to my wife, telling her to say her goodbyes so that we might leave. I then walked off, asking an acolyte quietly for a quill and parchment. I wrote a quick note to Lei, as follows:

Lei,

I am so beyond sorry that you had to see this, I wanted to spare you more than anything. It changes nothing, NOTHING. I have told them all to leave, and I would like for you to come home tonight. I'm sending a carriage and a man to help you with your things. Tonight we will put this behind us, tonight is our night.

I love you, from here to forever,

Raen

I sent the note with the acolyte and then waited for Asha to catch up. When she did, we left, the carriage ride home long and silent, and I could not even meet her eyes. It was nothing personal, not really, but if her happiness was the sacrifice that kept Lei with me, well, then I would lay it gladly upon the altar.

[Leighton Shahrizai]

In the end, I'd let them lead me away wherever they willed, and with a few worried glances they walked out again, having successfully deposited me in a small room that held nothing but a few pallets upon the floor for kneeling, a few plants adorning the walls... and one beautiful statue, larger than life. Elua. My eyes fastened on him as the door clicked shut behind me, though I barely noticed their passing, I wanted to hurl something at it, wanted to knock the statue over as much as it absolutely horrified me to contemplate it. Tears streamed down my cheeks in endless streams, and I found myself stumbling forward one slow, agonizing step after another.

"You did this," I said softly, and all the bitterness I felt, all the hate, all the anger and the fear poured from me as I glared at the statue. Somber eyes stared back unblinking, and I scowled, my face a black cloud of rage. "You did this! You put us together, you led us to one another... Gods, Elua, he's my soul! He's the only thing that keeps me sane! And now he's gone, ripped from me! You gave him to me, but I could never keep him. He was mine - he IS mine, but he's hers too."

I bared my teeth fully, my fingers clenching into fists at the idea of even a hair of him belonging to her. "I hate her as much as I hate you.. I hate you for doing this to me, to doing this to Raen, giving us everything. Elua, we had everything! Love, adoration, something deeper than I ever could have hoped to feel. We can't have children... but I've come to terms with it. I was willing to do it, gods, I still am. I don't need children - I need Raen!"

I wanted him to respond. I wanted him to argue with me, I wanted to have a reason to strike at him, to unleash the fury I felt. Vaguely I was aware of sobs ripping from me, my body slowly sinking towards the floor. All I could see was Eluas face, a soft smile, vast in knowledge, staring in gentle passiveness from a face that would never cause harm. I cried, my chest shaking my entire body, and I was aware, too, of arms wrapping around me. I didn't know who it was, but I curled into them, crying into their chest, sobbing Raens name intermittently. I knew why this had happened, but knowing didn't make it any easier to see him wed to that whore. It seemed like I cried for ages, for years, but slowly it began to ebb. My breath shook in my chest even after the tears had stopped, none left to give, and I remained huddled against the person who I was sure was a woman now. Her breast pressed against my cheek, her hand ran along my back, but she remained blessedly silent as I slowly regained who I was.

Slowly I sat back, pushing myself upright, my cheeks ruddy from sobbing, one scarlet from the slap I'd received. The priestess carefully tucked my hair behind my ear before using a thumb to gently wipe my tears from my face, her expression sympathetic, loving, like she honestly cared and hurt to see me like this.

"He knows," she said softly, tears coming to shine in her own eyes. "He knows, daughter, and your tears hurt him more than anything ever could. Love as thou wilt knows no bounds, as your heart shows, and the heart of your brother." To her credit, she didn't gainsay it or me, didn't flinch when it left her mouth. "I cannot say even I can know his intent here, but I know his touch in your heart - it's wrought plainly upon your face. Continue to love him.. to love this Raen, to love Elua. Don't abandon them, or yourself, for in the darkness there will never be love, never be light."

I looked at her as she spoke, my eyes drawn as I continued to try to recover from my emotional break down. I sat half upon the floor, half upon a mat, my dress disarrayed, my hair wild, but my attention was riveted upon her. Don't abandon them, or yourself, for in the darkness there will never be love, never be light. I slowly shook my head - without Raen, there would never be love nor light, but she silently handed me a parchment before I could speak. My brows lowered a little more as I slowly took it from her to unfold and read.

My fingers shook as soon as I saw the handwriting; Raen, gods, Raen. I almost didn't read it, almost crumpled it and threw it in the hearth at the end of the room, but I made myself and in the end I was more than simply glad I did. My eyes went over it once, twice, thrice... before raising to the priestess again. I didn't think she knew what it said, but it mattered not. ...In the darkness there will never be love, never be light.

Tears shone in my eyes again as I slowly nodded my head, my thoughts beginning to clear, to steady. I scrubbed at the tears upon my face, wincing as I pressed the back of my hand against my tender cheek. "I think I know what to do," I said softly. Very carefully, I took her hand in mine and kissed her fingertips, her palms, her wrists. She let me, something glimmering in her eyes that I didn't understand, but I turned from her to regard the statue of Elua. "I'm sorry," I whispered before I kissed his feet, resting my cheek against them for a long moment before I backed away, rising to my feet. Raens letter clutched in my hand, I met the Priestesses eyes for a long moment before I made my way from the room, my eyes red from having cried, but my chin was high again, and there was a purpose to my step.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I watched, in shock at the events and then watched as Leighton breezed past me and away from this mess. I followed after her, keeping my distance, but intent on trying to help; but a I watched, as she confronted Elua himself I kept back and decided it wasn't my place. I barely knew her, and what did I know of what she was feeling? Nothing probably. It would simply be best to call on her another day, in another place, for now I watched her from a distance, silent until she fled the temple and I sighed, resigned to return to my life as it ever were.

[Therin Shahrizai de Leveque]

I had managed to arrive late, though not to late to miss the drama. I chided myself for being distracted once again by my father's doings and not keeping the event in mind. The wedding, however, was not a happy one, but I had not expected it to be as such. I ended up standing in the back, not wanting to disturb any of the few guests. I recognized Naia of course and thought of greeting her at it's final.

However, all was interupted by a rather unhappy sister of the groom. I raised a brow at her outburst but stayed out of it. There were some Shahrizai affairs I preffered to stay out of. This was one of them. As quickly as it started, it ended, so I left, thinking of the events. I would keep my review of the events to my family vauge, otherwise the rest of the family would know of the outburst in days with my gossiping mother. I would let someone else spread this if it was to spread.