* * *
Latimer began the ceremony by opening a small book and he then asked Emrys to take my right hand in his.
“Dearly beloved, we have come together today to witness the joining of Emrys Bertrand and Elizabeth Rose in their aeonian union. This is a special time of celebration that Emrys and Elizabeth shall long remember, and because of this, they are thankful you are all here to share their joy. From the dawn of Raven history, it has been customary for the sign of approval to be placed upon another, the Signatus, with proof given from The Veinvedia, resulting in the union of two Ravens in marriage. If these solemn vows that they are about to make remain faithful, their marriage and their love shall be eternal, as they are.”
I found myself daydreaming again as I stared into Emrys’ eyes. Basking in the over-powering love that emanated from his soul, as once again, I was locked within his eyes as he peered deeply into mine; the depth and breadth of his love, so warm and inviting. A small smile adorned his face. His hand sent electrical energy all through me. And then I realized I had missed something when Emrys began to repeat Latimer’s words:
“You have become mine forever. I have become yours forever.” He squeezed my hand, and never blinked as he kept his eyes riveted on mine. “Hereafter, I cannot exist without you. Do not exist without me. Let us share these joys forever. We are word and meaning. You are thought and I am sound.”
I felt light-headed, my heart pounded and my stomach quivered. This was it. He would really be mine - forever!
Latimer then had me repeat after him.
“You have become mine forever. I have become yours forever.” Our eyes were still locked. Did he see the love in my eyes? Did he feel the same emotions as I felt? Emrys squeezed my hand again as I continued. “Hereafter, I cannot exist without you. Do not exist without me. Let us share these joys forever. We are word and meaning, I am thought and you are sound.”
I couldn’t help but wonder if Latimer knew of our ability to communicate without me speaking. If not, this seemed quite ironic.
Latimer asked Emrys for the ring, and as he spoke he held it between his thumb and forefinger, unconsciously twirling it.
“This ring,” he began, “is a symbol of unbroken unity. It portrays completeness and eternity itself.” He held it up as he said, “A circle without end.”
Taking note of the thick band of sterling silver, I saw alternating squares of intricately engraved pictures: one was a Scottish thistle, one a Celtic knot, one a raven and the last I recognized because of my studies: a Claddagh: two hands clasping a heart together. Latimer handed the ring back to Emrys.
“I give you this ring,” Emrys said placing it on my finger, “as a symbol of my vow of unending love, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I will honor you forever.”
The ring felt warm and heavy, and was a perfect fit. I wondered if my skin was glowing now - I was tingling with electrical energy as Emrys looked into my eyes. I only hoped he could see the same expression on my face as the one he lavished on me. I smiled as I thought –
I am yours, my husband!
He acknowledged my thought with a smile.
“Before those gathered here,” Latimer said, “you have both promised each other your unending love.” He put his hand over our clasped hands. “This ring is a symbol of that circle of love, no beginning and no ending, and a sign of your deep commitment. In Saecula Saeculorum. It is my distinct pleasure to declare that you are now husband and wife.” He cleared his throat as we both stood staring into each other’s eyes, smiling, just barely hearing Latimer’s words.
“Emrys, you may kiss your bride.”
Emrys held my face between his hands, looked into my eyes and whispered so only I could hear him, “I would love to kiss you.”
And so he did.
Lindy and Fiona giggled and clapped. As soon as Emrys had reluctantly released possession of my lips, the two girls descended upon me, wrapping me in their arms. The three of us circled together in a group hug. It was hard to contain ourselves as we tried desperately not to squeal out together, giddy with joy, as we used to when something exciting happened.
When I turned to face Amrita it was now easy for me to see beyond her outward appearance. I realized at once that her countenance revealed her true happiness for us. Her smile was wide and genuine. The thick, dark makeup and multiple body decorations were only skin-deep. She could no longer hide herself from me. I saw right through the facade.
“Sister! Welcome to our family,” Amrita said, embracing me.
Rufus and then Gavin greeted Emrys with a hand to elbow whole-arm clasp that reminded me of an old-fashioned, medieval form of handshake. Amrita and Larkin then took their turn to embrace Emrys
After we signed our marriage papers, Latimer pulled out a huge brown leather book from a nearby shelf. It looked so heavy, and his arms so ancient, that I thought he would drop it on his foot. He plunked it down on the table with a loud, thick thud. Both the front and back bore an embossed design of a giant old oak tree; roots, trunk, branches and leaves. The roots and trunk twisted and knotted and led up into the gnarled branches, reminding me of the deformed hand of a very old man riddled with arthritis. Above the huge oak tree written in golden letters were the words: Raven Legend. I realized at once, it looked just like the design on the goblet that Emrys had used to feed me my first drink of blood. And then I understood. It represented the tree of life! I watched wide eyed as Latimer entered my name as an official Raven, and then Emrys smiled at me as he finished signing his name next to mine. He gave a slight nod, acknowledging my discernment. It all made sense to me now. They kept records of all the new members of their society and those responsible for turning them: a census bureau for vampires. I wondered if Latimer would ever get with the times and purchase a computer, but somehow I doubted he’d ever change. He looked pretty old for a vampire, but the book he placed back on the shelf, slow and with so much care, looked even more ancient. Emrys chuckled softly.
“I’m glad to keep you so highly entertained,” I whispered with a grin, leaning toward him, “but does this mean what I think it means? A record of new vampires?” He nodded again and turned back to the record keeper.
“Thank you very much, Latimer,” he said, clasping the old man’s arm in the same manner as earlier.
“It has been my pleasure, Sir,” Latimer uttered in his gravelly voice. He took my hand in his, and giving a bow, said, “Madame.”
I had no idea how to address this ancient Raven. It was obvious everyone had great esteem for him and his place in this society.
“Thank you.” I managed a feeble squeak.
Once out in the hallway again, there were more hugs and congratulations, and it was apparent that Fiona and Rufus were in quite a hurry to say goodbye.
“Wait,” Lindy said, stopping them, “shouldn’t we at least go have a glass of wine or something to toast the happy couple?
Fiona gave me a pleading look, begging me to say no. I tried so hard not to imagine why, but caught Emrys glancing down to hide his grin. I figured he thought the same thing as I, and the look on his face clinched it.
“One quick drink,” Emrys agreed, regaining his composure, “and that will be all. Surely we all have more pressing issues to deal with before this gathering is done.”
Rufus took Fiona’s hand and led her down the hallway. We followed behind Gavin and Lindy, and I kept my eye on him to see how much attention he paid to her. Down at the bottom of the stairway, I managed to catch up to Melinda and told her I needed her help for a moment. Amrita and Larkin went on ahead to join Fiona and Rufus, who had gotten quite ahead of us, Gavin and Emrys waited outside as we ducked into the restroom. I had to think fast. She wasn’t supposed to know if she had a sign or not, so I told her a bra strap was hanging out the back of her dress near the sleeve, and that I would tighten it.
“Lift up your hair, Lindy,
I can’t see a thing.”
She piled it up on top of her head with one hand and stood motionless, frowning at me in the reflection of the mirror, suspicious of my reasons to get her alone. I managed to get a good look at the base of her skull, and found nothing unusual.
“Are you quite done yet?” she asked in a most agitated tone. “What’s going on, Lizzy? Why are you wasting my time? Or is it your time? You’re stalling, aren’t you? You’re nervous about your wedding night!”
“Yeah, you caught me,” I said, giving her a fake nervous laugh.
I never was a good liar, but now since I didn’t blush any longer, I supposed I could get away with this one little white lie. I pretended to chew on my nail. “Got any advice for me, sis?”
“What makes you think I would have any advice?” she said, putting a hand on her hip. “You know darn well it only happened that once. I feel guilty enough about it. You don’t have to rub it in, Elizabeth!”
“Well, I just thought maybe you had some encouraging words, that’s all. I wasn’t insinuating anything more.” I felt terrible now. I guess even vampires can be idiots.
“Well, if I was you, I would just relax and enjoy the ride,” she said, grinning at me, relishing the fact that her words made me squirm. “Lizzy, you’ll be fine,” she added, apparently stabbed by a twinge of guilt. “I can see how much he loves you. He won’t do anything to hurt you. You know that, right?”
I nodded, but didn’t have the heart to tell her I was the one who couldn’t wait, and he was the one who had all the patience and self-control.
“So,” I said, changing the subject, “what’s going on with you and Gavin? Do you really like him or what?”
An expression crossed her face I had never seen before, and I couldn’t read it.
“Yes, I do like him. I’ve managed to surprise even myself tonight. He’s certainly not the type I’d ever go after,” Lindy said, glancing into the mirror, running her fingers through her hair. “He’s exactly like one of those gentlemen out of a Victorian era novel.” She sighed and said, “He’s poetic, intellectual, serious, and yet, he loves to make people laugh. He confuses me a little. He’s so smart - I guess since he’s been around so long. I don’t know. Why do you ask?”
I didn’t want to push the issue, and I wasn’t sure if I should tell her about my new talent just yet. “I can picture you two together, Lindy. I see how he looks at you. I think he really likes you too.”
“You’re saying that only because you want me to become a vampire. Aren’t you?”
“No, Lindy, That’s your choice. I’m telling you - pay attention. Gavin is one of Emrys’ oldest friends. He would tell me if he was a bad seed.”
“What do you mean, ‘a bad seed’? I thought all these Ravens were different.” She looked upset now, frowning and glaring at me.
“Well, this isn’t the time to go into it, but there are bad vampires out there. I met one myself earlier tonight.” I shivered remembering what almost happened.
“Oh sure, now you tell me about the bad ones. Here I thought this night would be just one big party. Now I have to worry and have eyes behind my head? How am I supposed to know who is good and who is bad?”
“Just stick with Gavin. I promise you that you’ll be fine. Please trust me, Lindy.”
“Alright,” she said, taking a deep breath and shaking out her hair. “But remember, I’m counting on you to watch my back. Now that you are one of them, you would know, right?”
“Lindy, that’s the one thing I am sure of right now. I think I’d know if someone planned to hurt you. At this point in time, you are safe, especially if you stay close to Gavin. I have a feeling he’s watching out for you anyway.” Lindy thought about that for a moment.
“You’re probably right,” she finally said. “Ever since our first dance, he hasn’t left my side. There were a lot of women who tried to get him out on the dance floor too, but he turned them all down,” she said giggling. “Hmm, I wonder...”
She didn’t finish her thought, and I could only assume it had something to do with whatever he had whispered to her earlier. If I wasn’t in such a hurry to get back to Emrys, I would have questioned her more, but I really needed to get back out there. I began to feel withdrawal symptoms, not only for Emrys, but my mouth had suddenly gone dry. I had a new thirst building up inside - one that only human blood could quench.