The Wedding Rite

"Hey! I see them!" Alena hustled forward, pushing Aryun onto the bed, hugging her tightly before walking back.

They waited a few intense minuets until the door opened, and Tyral, Thanatos, Xristis, and Elysian walked in with torches, lighting the path for Erdric.

Aryun's eyes grew wide as she saw her love, standing within the circle of light the torches made.

The firelight made his hair shine and shimmer as it hung past his shoulders in gleaming waves. His thin chest was uncovered, it's golden hue enhanced by the soft light. The light white colored pants still stayed on, but he was barefoot upon the stone.

A shy smile curved his lips as he walked forward, away from his escort, and stood in front of her. His fingers ghosted her face before they rose, taking off the crown of flowers and handing it to the four maidens that stood beside to wait.

As Erdric leaned forward, finally taking her lips in a very chaste kiss, their company retreated.

Both were oblivious to that fact as the soft kiss deepened, their lips opening and their tongues exploring one another. Neither one of their bodies touched as the kiss progressed.

Erdric pulled back, his lips lightly brushing against hers as his hands, trembling, lightly fell upon Aryun's shoulders.

"Aryun," he whispered softly. "I've missed you, and I am so glad that I can now call you my wife in truth."

Aryun trembled herself, allowing her arms to wrap around his waist. "Erdric, love, lord, and husband. I've . . . a gift for you. One that has been yours since I saw you."

Both trembling, Aryun pulled away to turn her back to Erdric, slowly unlacing her shift and letting it slip off her body.

The golden phoenix emblem glittered in the light as the gown slipped completely off her body, reveling the soft curves. She started slightly as Erdric wrapped her arms around her waist, his fingers gently touching her stomach.

She sighed softly as his soft hair caressed her shoulder when he bent forward, his lips softly kissing her cheek. Aryun felt his warm chest settle softly against her back, and she ran her hands down his arms, interlocking her fingers with his.

Erdric softly kissed the base of her neck, fluttering kisses up the side until she arched back against his touch. His teeth gently gathered some of her skin, and tenderly bit down, causing her to gasp.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Tyral's not easily mistaken voice filtered through. "Bend her over, and have your way."

"No, no, no, no! Don't do it that way! Have her ride him. That might be better." This was Lethe's.

"Better yet, he could just jump her, and have it fast and furious." This was Xristis' unmistakable tenor.

"Hey!" There was a smack. "Why don't you just like Erdric take the lead here? He's not quite a virgin you know, and boy do I know!"

Erdric groaned, resting his head on Aryun's shoulder.

"He was quite fiery when I had him in my bed."

There were startled gasps from the hall, and Erdric clutched Aryun tightly around her middle.

"What? Did you think our relationship was simply friendly? It was, but not in the way that you seem to think. He needed comfort, I offered, and hence, he became my lover for the time against Necros. We've been friends since. Nothing funny!"

"So, what kernel of ribald advice would you offer?" Tyral's dry voice asked.

"Well, let them have fun whatever way they want."

Xristis's voice again. "You know, he should hook her legs over his arms. That's pretty fun."

"Xristis!" Another smack resounded. "Don't give away our secrets!"

Aryun was shaking, slightly in humor at Erdric's horrified body language, but also in slight frustration at the situation. This night would never happen if this continued.

Gently pulling away from Erdric, she picked up one of her shoes that her bridal escorts had neglected to take with them, and marched to the door.

Sticking her head out, Aryun glared at the assemblage of people.

"I'll have you know, Erdric is quite the capable lover, and he has all things under control. Now you either shut up, or I'll deal with you later. Go and get drunk somewhere else!"

"But it's just a bit of fun." Xristis placed his arm around Alena who was shaking in mirth.

Aryun's face set stubbornly. "I will repeat, Erdric is quite a capable lover, he has things well under control, and you're ruining what little sex drive we posses! Now LEAVE!" With that, she threw the shoe, smacking Tyral straight in the face, and turned around, slamming the door.

After slamming the door, and hearing the people inside the hall grumble then leave, Aryun leaned against the door, giggling hysterically. Calming herself down, she looked around the room and noticed Erdric sitting patiently upon the bed, their bed, with his hands tightly clasped together.

"Erdric?" She murmured softly as she approached, and knelt at his feet, her hands coming to rest upon his. "Everything's taken care of. I think I nailed Tyral in the face with my shoe."

There was a slight tremor to his body. "Shoe? You hit Tyral, the king of the gods with a shoe?" His voice was still soft, and it was obvious he was trying to act deadpan. He was succeeding, but wouldn't yet look at Aryun.

"Yes. Is there a problem in this?" Aryun tilted her head, not quite getting the game he was playing. "Sometimes, Tyral needs his face busted in, only this time, Lethe didn't do it. I did." Aryun stroked his hands. "And I couldn't relax with them being vulgar."

Erdric tilted his face up, his eyes full of possession and fire. "Really?" He arched an eyebrow as he slipped down onto the floor. He was slow in his movements, doing his best to be utterly seductive. His knees came down beside her hips as he pushed her forward, his hands holding hers above her head.

He pinned her easily beneath him, holding her hands tight while he knelt over her. "You don't seem to mind a little dirty talk. In fact, I believe you have the more vulgar mouth between us."

Aryun watched his eyes filled with fire as he bent forward, his lips grazing the corner of her mouth. "That's different," she nearly purred. She turned her head, trying to capture his mouth.

"No," he breathed softly, his lips stealing to the other side of her face. Erdric fluttered kisses down her cheek to her ear, and then started softly kissing her neck.

Aryun whimpered and let her head fall back, her hands struggling uselessly. His soft kisses were setting her aflame, and the only place he touched her were where his hands held her wrists, and his warm mouth. She didn't even contemplate moving from under him, but wanted to wrap her arms around him, make him touch her like she wanted.

Erdric's voice was still quavering soft as he softly brushed his teeth against the pulse in her neck, causing her to gasp. "It's not different, love. They just irritated you because they would be able to hear us again . . ."

Aryun sighed as his tongue traced its way back up to her ear, gently flicking it before taking the lobe into his mouth. "I guess so," she whispered, still trying to loosen his grip upon her hands.

He chuckled softly before he pulled back, allowing his grip to loosen slightly. "They might've had some interesting advice for we newly joined."

Aryun grinned up at him. "But haven't we done everything?"

"Maybe, maybe not. I've ideas for this night, as I bet you have, my fair virgin." He bent forward, kissing the hollow of her throat. "Now, what is this gift you said is mine? I must admit," he whispered into her flesh as he nipped at the tendons of her neck. "You've got my curiosity piqued."

Aryun smiled slightly, raising her left leg and letting her thigh brush against his, causing a sharp tremble in Erdric's frame. He sank down on top of her, his knees against her flanks as he kept up the delicate teasing of her neck.

Taking a breath and making her breasts brush very lightly against his chest, she strained upward, snagging his ear with her teeth.

With a startled gasp, he pulled away, looking down into her eyes that were inches apart from his own.

Gazing into Erdric's warm eyes, Aryun smiled. "For this night, and only this night, I have been restored to what I once was. For you and only you, I truly give myself with a pure body. For you and you alone, Erdric Cathaoir, I am a virgin."

Erdric's eyes widened considerably. "Aryun," he breathed softly, his right hand releasing her wrist to caress her face. "Aryun. Who gifted you with this?" His face held a slight wonderment, but a slight fear as well.

"My foster mother," Aryun stated as her free hand came up to cup his cheek. "I wanted to give you more than what little I control, but something that is me. Something that you can look back on this night and realize I truly gave all of myself to you." Her eyes glittered with tears yet to shed. "I would never be complete without giving my purity to you, and Lethe knew this."

"Aryun," he breathed again, tears in his own eyes. "Aryun, you need not have done this for me. I accept you as you are, and I was the one who tamed your soul. I am the one who is now joined with you in the eyes of every god. I need no other assurances of your love than what you yourself state." He saw a tear slip down her face. "Since you have offered me your all, I can do no less." His thumb traced her lower lip. "I accept your gift with a warm heat, and love to erase the pain held within your past."

Aryun blinked and another tear rolled down the side of her face. "So you are not angry at this?"

"Dearest love, why would I be? I am flattered to do what you wish of me." Erdric bent forward and delicately kissed her lips. "I am honored to show you how a true gentleman takes care of his virgin lady," he joked lightly.

Aryun smiled, wrapping her free arm around his neck, snuggling him close to her. "Thank you for accepting my need for this," She whispered against his neck, and she laughed to hear his soft voice murmur, "delighted"

He rose, looking at her lying beneath him. "Now where were we? Oh yes, I remember." Erdric smiled as he swiftly grasped her hand, forcing it to the ground again. "I believe I was about ready to bite this luscious neck."

Aryun groaned as she felt Erdric’s soft lips brush across her neck, and nuzzle his nose into the warm area behind her ear.

“Do you . . . wish to have another child?” His hand withdrew from hers and gently traced her cheek.

Aryun smiled, bringing her freed hand to Erdric’s cheek. “Did you prepare?"

Erdric smiled and tapped her nose. "If I didn't prepare, why would I ask?" He rose, taking Aryun's hands in his and led her to the wall.

She finally looked down, seeing the altar there draped in a beautiful red cloth that was sheer and seemed highlighted with silver.

Upon this altar stood several candles carved with runes and symbols. The soft, tangy scent of myrrh, mixed with that of Frankincense and patchouli, peppermint and apricot, and magnolia. Each scent corresponded with a specific color upon the altar, and she knew that each candle, they had cleansed, dressed, and consecrated together for another event like this one.

Strewn around the candles at the four corners were several herbs; Gardenia for peace, opening, and harmony around the blue candle; Rosemary around the red candle for passion, sexual passions, love and power; Sunflower, and hazel around the green candle for fertility, and around the white candle for sanctification, valerian.

In the center of this was a slim silver dagger, a small branch of a flowering oak tree, a small bowl of scented water and several acorns.

While Aryun was taking in the altar, Erdric had pulled off many of the comforters and pillows, fanning them on the floor. He stepped back behind Aryun, gently laying his hands upon her shoulders.

Aryun turned her head to kiss one of his hands as he gently squeezed her shoulders. “What will Thera think?”

Erdric snuggled his body close to hers. “I don’t know. He’d be nineteen years older than this new one.”

Aryun sighed and leaned back into him. “I know.” She picked up his hands and wrapped them around herself. “I honestly don’t think he’d mind. There weren’t too many children around here for him to play with. Only Leda’s daughter was here, and she, as you well know, doesn’t age as fast as humans.” She sighed again. “But he won’t age past where he is now. That was my genetic gift to him.”

Erdric gently whispered a kiss across her ear. “I am glad, Aryun.” He paused a moment, remembering his last thoughts before his spirit was wrenched into another plain of existence. His son, not yet born but still protected within his mother’s womb, that he would never touch nor hold. He watched as Thera grew into the man he now was, and he was very proud of him. “I would never change it though, Aryun. He grew into a fine young man, and I am indeed proud of him. He knows this, and he also knows that no one will ever take his place within my heart.”

Aryun stood looking at the altar, and slowly nodded her head. Slowly, she stepped out of Erdric’s embrace and walked a circle around the pillows and blankets to the altar and back around, closing her circle. When that was done, she walked forward and knelt in frontthe the altar.

Erdric smiled and watched her as she walked her circle, closing out anything not of her own invitation. He walked up beside her and gently kneeled behind her. His knees were placed outside of hers as he tenderly took her hands into his own.

Aryun trembled slightly as Erdric took her hands and led their hands towards the first candle. In their left hand, they picked up a few pieces of the valerian, and tossed it into the bowl of water. At the same time, their right hands fed power to the other, making it surge out and light the white candle.

“Lady Goddess of Purification, of the Moon, and of calmness, be with us now as we create this rite, this holy act that needs your protection and guidance. Heed us in our endeavor, Lady Goddess Lethe. Protect us as you do all your creations. Protect this act from prying eyes, and the wiles of evilness. Lady Goddess, be with us.”

Both of their voices melded into a harmonious creation oundound. Erdric and Aryun closed their eyes, allowing the ritual to begin the way it would end.

Their hands moved as one to the next god to be invoked. Picking up some rosemary from around the red candle, they threw that also into the water. Their right hands once more allowed their power to flow through one another to light the next red candle.

“Lady Goddess of passions and love, of sexuality and of power, heed us in our time of need. Grant to us the power to attain our goal, and to make the most of this night. Grant to us your blessing for this union of souls, and of bodies. Lady Goddess Deraja, protect us and give us your blessing. Lady Goddess, be with us.”

Their hands moved as one, picking up the gardenia around the blue candle and throwing it into the water as well as lighting the candle with their softly intertwined voices.

“Lady Goddess of healing and opening, of peace and harmony, consider our plea to you in our wish. Lady Goddess, open our hearts, our minds and our bodies to each other, and allow us the power to over come that which is before us. Allow us the gift of your harmony and your opening to heal us with your light. Lady Goddess Iraina, protect us and give us your blessing. Lady Goddess, be with us.”

Picking up the hazel and sunflower around the green candle, they threw the offerings into the bowl before lighting the green candle and again invocating the gods.

“Lord God of fertility and children, of the joys of birth and parenthood, hear our plea to your ears. Lord God, open us and allow us to receive your power. Let us create a new life, a new hope for the future. Lord God Elysian, give us your blessing and protection in this act of creation. Lord God, be with us.”

Together they picked up the oak branch, and pulled off a few of the blossoms. These they cast into the pool along with an acorn.

“Lord God of life and rebirth, hear our plea. Lord God, open us and allow us to bequeath and create life with your divine help. Allow us to bare a child, and allow us the glory of your gifts. Lord God KimVay, give us your blessing and protection within this act. Lord God, be with us.”

Erdric and Aryun switched hands, left to right, and Aryun’s left hand along with Erdric’s right picked up and gripped the haft of the silver dagger. Aryun’s right and Erdric’s left placed their palms upon the blade and pressed inward as their opposing hands jerked the dagger up, cutting the flesh and allowing the blood to drip steadily into the bowl.

“Blood of blood, flesh of flesh. Soothe the great gods that look upon us, and allow them to bend their ear to our request.”

There was a taught silence before the contents of the bowl flashed in a pale green flame, completely engulfing their hands.

Slowly, they pulled their joined hands back and apart, smiling slightly at the site of completely healed flesh.

The gods had given them their answer, and the fire in the bowl steadily burned within the water.