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Jade nodded and lifted the latches, taking a peek inside.
Oh my God. Jewels. Is that a crown? Opals and asterines. Gold and platinum!
There are probably enough credits here to buy a lakehouse on Sapien-Three.
“For me?” she dared to whisper, speaking under the booming tones of the jubilant preacher up front.
“Yes—for now. When our eldest son finds a Queen, we must give them to him to present to his bride. It’s tradition. All except the ring. That is yours for always.” Ardol didn’t even turn his head.
Jade swallowed. Mine. For always.
A son of my own. Like Claude. I wonder if he’d like to have a namesake.
In a fog, Jade watched the ceremony, which was filled with a lot of people coming to the front to encircle the bridal couple.
“His Pride,” Ardol scoffed softly, jerking his chin to the odd collection of three humans, a Tigerite, an older Leonid, two little cubs, and one Canid. “In Leonid culture, the other members of a Pride say a different version of the vows, to show that they accept the Queen into the Pride.
“Layla. My sunrise, my sunset, mother of my children, Queen of my Pride and of my heart, will you accept my solemn oath to love you, honor you, protect you, and provide for you always?”
“Queen, will you accept our pledge to support our King in his oath?”
Layla smiled and wiped her wrists under each eye, nodding and smiling. “I accept all of your oaths, Pride and King. Rupex, my sunrise and sunset, father of my children, King of my Pride and my heart, will you accept my solemn oath to love you, honor you, defend you, and aid you always? Pride, will you accept my oath to your King?”
“I accept your oath,” Rupex said in a surprisingly small, scratchy voice. His massive paw swiped hurriedly across his face.
In unison, the company ringing them also answered, “We accept your oath.”
Marcus, the graying Leonid, raised both paws, placing one on Layla’s shoulder and one on Rupex’s. “As the elder, I give my blessing. The union is forever, until the sun no longer shines on one of your souls.”
“As one of the youngest of the Pride, I give my blessing,” the beautiful brown-skinned woman in her sweeping red silk spoke up in a tremulous voice, her short arms stretching to reach Rupex’s much higher shoulder. “This union is forever, for when the sun sets on both souls, they’ll reunite in the hereafter, King and Queen in eternity.”
Jade swallowed hard, mad at herself for being moved. Everyone was rising and cheering again as the couple kissed and the preacher made some final remarks. She sat still, blinking back tears.
The weddings in Sapien-Three movies didn’t look like that. They were lavish displays, chances for the wealthy to show off their riches with grand parties.
The feelings of joy and love rang truer here, in this makeshift “temple” of a dusty backwater town hall, with this brief ceremony.
“Well, I will say they know how to make a statement,” Ardol muttered, his voice thick.
“That was beautiful,” Jade admitted. “Wait. What vows do we say? That had to have been practiced. I don’t... I— Was I supposed to research that?” she asked wide-eyed, remembering the line in her contract about being “willing to learn about Leopardine culture.”
“What? Oh, no. It’s very simple in Leopardine weddings. The King says the vows, then instructs his wife what to say, and then three different members of the assembly must ask her if she is sure that she will be faithful, uphold her husband’s honor and the honor of his house, and obey him always. Typically it is the groom’s father, the bride’s father, and then the officiant. I thought I would ask Marcus, you could ask Griselda, and the preacher can be the third. See? Simple.”
“Wait, I’m supposed to be faithful, uphold your honor, your house’s honor, and obey you? What about love and cherish? That stuff? What vows do you make?” Jade demanded.
I hate this. One minute, I think I can do this. Dream about what it’ll be like to be taken care of—the house, the money, the future, and the way he talked to me so honestly the other night. The next second—I’m back to feeling like some accessory.
Just stay as an accessory, Jade. He told you he wanted you to be yourself, but all guys say that until they meet the real you.
“My vows? To provide, protect, and treasure you. Is that not enough?”
She shrugged. “Plenty. You guys don’t say love?”
Ardol hesitated as if he’d never considered the question. “No. No, we don’t. I suppose it’s important not to lie when making pledges before the Almighty. Bastet punishes those who have unclean hearts.”
And loving each other would be a lie. An act.
“The vows sound good. I’ll never cheat, that’s for damn sure.”
