This placed them almost eye-to-eye—though he was still a bit taller. But it was much easier to look into his face—not that Allara wanted to.
However, it seemed that her new husband wanted to see her face because he murmured,
“Can I lift your veil now or would you rather I wait until after the ceremony?”
“N-now would be all right,” Allara heard herself saying, though she had no idea why. She would have liked to keep this last shield between them for a little while longer. But he would have to see her bare-faced eventually, she told herself. It was better to be brave now and confront the evil one face-to-face.
“Thank you,” he murmured. And—delicately, for one with such large hands—he lifted the golden veil and bared her face.
“Gods…” His golden eyes widened and his deep voice went suddenly hoarse.
Allara lifted her chin, her pride stung by his reaction.
“I am sorry if you do not like what you see,” she said tartly, determined not to let him upset her. After all, he would be dead by her hand before the next day dawned. What did she care of how he thought of her?
But his next words surprised and disarmed her all over again.
“Baby, please don’t misunderstand me—I love what I see,” he murmured. “I knew from my dreams that your eyes were beautiful, but I had no idea you’d be so Goddess-damned lovely—so perfect in every way.”
It was Allara’s turn to look at him in surprise. She knew she was pretty—knew that she would have fetched a high price at any bride auction. But the way the big Kindred was looking at her was…reverent. Almost worshipful. How could a man so evil look at her with such wonder in his golden eyes?
At that moment, a woman with green streaks in her yellow hair and strange green-within-green eyes came to stand in front of them.
“Children of the Goddess,” she said in a voice that carried through the entire grove. “We have come together to Join two hearts in eternal love with the blessing of she who made us all, The Mother of All Life.”
She looked at the huge Kindred.
“Brand, though you have never met this female before, the Goddess has decreed the two of you should share a life together. Will you take her as your mate? Will you honor her daily, put her happiness above your own, and worship her with your body and soul? Will you protect her even at the price of your own life and keep her safe until the Goddess sees fit to call one or both of you home?”
Looking into Allara’s eyes, the big Kindred murmured, “I will—I so swear it before the Goddess.”
The priestess—for that was what she must be, Allara decided—turned to her.
“Allara of the Q’ess,” she said, frowning a little. “You come to us in order to end a Blood Feud which has festered between our peoples for time out of mind. Will you share a life with Brand? Will you give him children if the Goddess blesses you with them? Will you respect him and open your heart to him, though you know him not at this time?”
Allara’s throat was suddenly so dry it felt as though she had swallowed a mouthful of sand. A part of her whispered that if she agreed to these vows, she would be profaning a most sacred ritual.
But of course, she could not say no. She could not reveal her true purpose—the mission she had been born to undertake—the destiny that led her, not to a life full of joy and laughter and love but to death and destruction instead.
“I…I will,” she somehow managed to force out.
The priestess’s frown deepened and she stared at Allara for a long, long moment.
She suspects me, Allara thought, her heart starting to pound. Oh Gods, of All Creation—what will I do if she finds out my true purpose?
But just as her anxiety was reaching a fever pitch, the priestess finally, nodded.
“Very well. I believe that Brand has a special vow he wishes to make at this time,” she said and nodded to the big Kindred. “You may proceed.”
To Allara’s utter amazement, the big Kindred dropped suddenly to one knee before her, which put his head below her own for the first time. Why was he doing this—kneeling before her? No man of the Q’ess would ever debase himself in this way!
And yet, the big Kindred seemed to feel no debasement. What Allara saw when she looked into his strange, golden eyes was more like…devotion.
Reaching for her, he took both her hands in his much larger, warmer ones.
“Allara,” he said softly in the warm, mellow voice of his that was so disarming. “You are the bravest female I have ever met. You have come to be my mate, knowing nothing of me but the animosity between our people. And yet you’re willing to start a new life with a stranger in a strange place. That takes courage.” He looked up at her earnestly. “I only hope I can be as brave as you have been as we begin out life together. Thank you for being willing to come and take a chance on a male you’ve never met before. I swear you won’t regret it.”
Then, to Allara’s further surprise, he turned her hands over and placed a kiss in each of her palms.
The touch of his lips to her skin made her shiver just like the music had. Sensations rushed over her in waves and her heart was galloping in her chest, though she had no idea why.
She was incredibly relieved when the big Kindred rose again and the priestess said,
“I now pronounce that you are Joined in the eyes of the Goddess. May she see fit that you shall be bonded in the fullness of time. Brand, you may kiss your bride.”
Wait—he’s going to kiss me again?
Allara couldn’t believe it. Which part of her body would the evil one press his lips to next? And then he leaned towards her and cupped her face in his big, warm hands, giving her the answer.
My mouth? Is he going to kiss my mouth?
Mouth-on-mouth kissing was not done in Q’ess society. Males of equal stature might give each other a brief kiss on the cheek during business deals and mothers might kiss their babies. However, it was seen as demeaning for a man to put his mouth—which was the instrument of his Song—anyplace on the inferior female body. This was one reason the big Kindred kissing her hands had so surprised Allara. And now he intended to kiss her mouth?
He will demean himself forever if he does such a thing! she thought, completely forgetting that she was planning to kill him, so his life wouldn’t be very long anyway. He will—
And then Brand’s lips met her in a kiss so sweet and tender it nearly took her breath away.
She was able to keep breathing, however, which was how she first inhaled the mesmerizing scent coming from the big Kindred. It was spicy and warm and somehow comforting, which made absolutely no sense at all.
But then, none of this was making sense. Allara had expected her new husband to be harsh and rough with her. Instead, he was treating her like she was precious and breakable. Why?
Don’t ask so many questions, her aunt’s voice whispered in her head. And don’t worry—I’m certain he’ll be harsh enough to make up for all this tenderness later. He’s probably only acting this way because others are watching.
Before she could analyze what was happening further, Brand drew away and smiled at her.
“Can I help you down?” he asked softly.
Unable to speak, Allara simply nodded.
Once more, the big, warm hands were at her waist. Her new husband lifted her as easily as he had before and placed her back down on the ground. Looking up at him uncertainly, Allara realized she had been right in her earlier reckoning—the top of her head came just past his elbow.