Of course this was not how Vanator had imagined it. He questioned himself for an instant, whether they were doing this simply for convenience. But he knew when he looked into Kashik's glowing face, so young and strong and beautiful, that more than anything, this is want he truly wanted.
As Kashik's hands framed his face, her palms calloused from years of wielding the spear, Vanator's body flushed with a warmth that seemed to rise from the flutter in his stomach. Kashik's presence was always so powerful, it had pulled at him relentlessly since the first moment they met. She exuded confidence and a love of life that had captivated him, a sultry mischievousness that intrigued him, and an unquestionable love that he found himself clinging to.
The canvas and leather walls faded as Vanator listened to the vows his betrothed whispered to him, meant only for his ears and those of the goddess that would bind them together for a lifetime. Vanator drank in every word, tasting the sentiment behind each one, humbled as Kashik offered herself to him, swore her life to his, her will to his own. Those utterances could not have meant more, struck him as deeply, if they were spoken in a high Drykas wedding ceremony. If the Denusk heir's strong muscle and bones could melt, they would have done so as she sat in his lap in her nightgown and committed her soul to him.
When Kashik had finished her vows, Van let them soak in. He held her teal gaze, now soft and revealing, confirming the sincerity and joy behind her profession of love to him before Cheva. His hands lifted to cover hers, pulling them gently from his face. Releasing one hand, he reached to lay his own palm against her deep bronze skinned face, his thumb brushing over her cheekbone. Van's other hand pressed Kashik's against his chest, over his heart, and gently held it there.
A soft, warm grin played across Van's lips as his dark, gold-flecked eyes remained fixed on Kashik's gaze. He inhaled deeply, her hand under his rising and falling with his chest. There was a myriad of emotions, feelings and impressions within him, pounding strongly with every beat of his heart. Vanator began to reach for them, trying to craft them into words that would be true to their intent.
"Kashik Brightsmile," he spoke, softly hushed but firm with conviction, "You swept into my life like one of Zulrav's raging storms, seized my heart, and refused to return it. I love you as if my life depended on it, and I want it to. I want my heart to beat in time with yours, my chest to rise and fall with your every breath."
"Kashik, I will surround you with love. I will guard your heart, soul and flesh with the strength of my will and the might of my arm. I will be your protection and your confidence. I will faithfully champion your honor and carry it as a banner over our pavilion. I will respect your decisions, heed the wisdom of your words, share the burdens of your heart and indulge the desires of your flesh. You have my heart and I will not take it back. It will always be yours first. We will be strong together, we will build a family worthy of our Drykas people."
Vanator leaned in slowly but with purpose, and set his mouth to Kashik's in a warm, gentle kiss. He held her there, his lips lazily moving across hers, until he felt a warmth on her skin, under his hand. Van pulled back, his eyes glancing at hers before lifting his hand and looking at her neck. On the left side, just under her ear, a dark image had appeared. It was in the shape of a spear and a battle axe, crossed, and lashed together with a strong vine. In the background was a rock outcropping. The exact formation under which they had taken refuge the first day that Vanator and Kashik had met. Kashik could see as well, that Van bore the same mark on his neck. They were Cheva's marks, the sign that proved the goddess accepted and approved of the heart-felt commitment the two Drykas lovers had made, the vow to live for one another for the rest of their lives.
Vanator and Kashik were now husband and wife. |
