Read Online Suriax by Amanda Young - Free Book Online Page B

went to bed.
Sitting outside, looking up at the stars, she slowly realized the
house was quiet and all the lamps were out. She thought to go to
bed herself, but several minutes later she hadn’t moved. She
listened to the distant hum of music from the ongoing festival.
Bryce would probably be wondering where she was by now. She wished
there was some way to contact him without putting him in danger.
Her eyes grew heavy, and she found herself drifting off where she
sat. Arms wrapped around her and she felt herself be lifted into
the air. Turning in to the embrace, she rested her palm against a
broad chest. It rose and fell with deep, even breaths, his heart
beating loudly under her ear. She relaxed into his arms, feeling
slightly bereft when he laid her down on her bed. Opening her eyes,
she saw Thomas walking quietly to the door. “Veronica thought we
were a couple,” she said softly.
    Thomas stopped and looked back at her. “What
did you tell her?”
    “That we just met.”
    He acknowledged her response through the
slight upturn of his face. “Good night, Marcy.”
     
    * * *
     
    Kern stared up at the stars, the grass at his
back. In the distance he could see the walls surrounding the
palace. The palace tree towered above it. As with most buildings of
importance in Suriax and Aleria, the palace was crafted with
powerful magic and expert designers from the structure of a large
tree. He could almost make out the upper levels, nestled among the
tree limbs. He spent most of his day looking around, gently probing
people for information about the palace and its security. Now he
had to decide how to get in. That could wait until tomorrow, after
a good night’s sleep, he reasoned. Closing his eyes, he strained
his ears to listen for the distant sounds of celebrations. Aleria
was quiet, most everyone asleep. He heard a horse shuffle his feet
in his stall at the stables down the road. A cricket chirped
softly. He almost gave up hearing anything when the slow beat of a
drum caught his ear. One . . . two . . . three . . . three beats.
It was the ceremonial drum announcing the start of the third day of
celebration.
    And then he heard the flute. Kern opened his
eyes and saw a wedding procession walking to the gazebo at the
center of the park. They were led by the bride and groom, walking
hand in hand. The man was an elf, the bride a human. This was a
bonding wedding. It was traditional in elven society to hold the
ceremony at midnight and follow it with a full day of celebrating.
Midnight was the start of a new day. The couple joined, not when
all was light and easy, but in the cold darkness of night.
Together, they pledged to face the coming day and all the hopes and
problems it may bring. In a bonding wedding they entered the
ceremony site together with hands joined to signify their added
level of commitment. They walked as equals, already joined in their
hearts.
    Kern watched the couple step up to the priest
and recite their vows. Clerics stood to the side, working the
bonding magic. A glow came over the bride and groom. Their features
shifted subtly. It was more noticeable in the man, who aged many
years in the span of a few seconds. They looked into each other’s
eyes and smiled, happier than anyone he ever saw.
    Bonding weddings weren’t as common in Suriax.
Full elves and humans were mostly bred out, and few new ones chose
to move to Suriax. While there was a lifespan difference between a
quarter elf and a three quarter elf, it was not as substantial as
that between a full elf and human. Besides, Suriaxians were less
willing to sacrifice any of their life for another, even for
love.
    The couple shared a kiss, and their family
and friends cheered. The once quiet night burst into song and
dance. In an odd way, it reminded him of being home for the
Solstice Celebrations. He watched them for some time. Their
happiness was contagious. He longed to be a part of the
celebration, to sing and dance without a care, to know that