The chapel was yet another marvel unknown to Islay. Constructed of spiraling pillars, glass panes, cathedral ceilings vaulting over them, and full of trees, flowers, and some wildlife. It was like an indoor forest. The chapel acted more as a conservation then a holy house. There was no place more perfect for a wedding then this she thought.
Lainn staired in awe as Islay walked in, his breath caught in his chest. She was beautiful, like a goddess coming to lure men into the abyss. He was tormented knowing that he still had hours ahead of him before he could embrace her as her husband.
His gaze shifted to Biff, he would never be able to thank her enough. She always remembered everything he said, even a teenage dream of what his bride would look like. It touched his heart that she would put that much care into his wedding day. He shifted a smile her way silently thanking her, she warmly smiled back, acknowledging the special connection shared between them. Lainn's eyes moved back to his bride, and the thoughts of how he would embrace her tonight.
Islay's couldn't bear to witness their intimacy any longer, she shifted her eyes to the floor, avoiding Lainn and his lover. As the elder gentleman guided her, she wondered if anyone else noticed the lovers, if they knew this wedding was a shame, or if they could feel her embarrassment? Even if they didn't, she did, and she would remind herself of it every time she looked at him
As they began to ascend the stairs, the distance between them closed, and Lainn realized not only was Islay avoiding his gaze, but she also wasn't looking at him at all. His heart pined, he knew that it was too soon for a connection let alone a bond to have formed between them, but he had thought she would at least be touched by his attempts, maybe even find some happiness that he was sharing himself with her and accepting her as his bride.
They reached the top, facing the holy man, whose voice echoed the sanctuary "Who gives this Woman?" "I Uwun, keeper of Taunche Tower gives this woman." The elder man said. "Who accepts this woman?" "I Cu ChuLainn of Udeania accept this woman" Lainn answered "Who accepts this Cu CuLiann of Udeania?" asked the holyman "Ah Islay, o' Culden accept this mon" Islay said, hoping she had done it properly. The little boy approached Burm giving him something, when Lainn looked at his hand his eyes were full of emotion. Uwun smiled "This is my wedding gift to you. May you and your bride find the same happiness we found." Lainn looked into Uwun's eyes, overwhelmed by the love being shown to Islay and himself "I can't accept this." He said as he held his hand out toward Uwun. Taking Lainn's hand in his "She would have wanted it." Uwun said with a tear in his eye as he took Lainn's hand and closed his fingers around the gift. Lainn nodded and handed the objects to the holy man, who blessed them and gave one each to Islay and Lainn
The holy man began to speak again"Before da Tauth De will you give yourselves to each other." Lainn took Islay's hand in his "This ring is a symbol of the eternity we will share together, I swear before da Tauth De to honor and protect you all my days. I will cherish you and the life we build together." He slid the ring down her finger, it was a little loose, but it looked like it was made for her. Islay took Lainn's hand and repeated his words, hoping that she mimicked it correctly. Lainn's gaze was burning down on her, but she dared not look into his eyes, she set her eyes on the ring she had placed on his finger.
"Before da covenant of our faith, Da Tuath De and the witness' here, I unite you in the eternal unity of marriage, may your life be long, your house full, and your legacy great. You may now seal your covenant." Lainn took Islay's chin tilting her face towards his, he kissed her passionately, she responded to his movements, something wasn't right, it left a sickening feeling in his gut, he just didn't know what, just that something was wrong.
Lainn turned to the crowd, "Lets feast!" he howled as he grabbed Islay's hand and cheerfully pulled her down the stairs, she wasn't keeping up, so he swept her into his arms carrying her to the dining hall. His arms were warm, to the on lookers they must have looked like a happy couple, but inside Islay was churning. She didn't want to look at Lainn, so she buried her face into Lainn's chest.
The huge doors of the dining hall swung open, the aroma that greeted Islay's nose made her turn around, it truly was a feast! Islay got excited by the food, she was starving as she hadn't eaten since the carriage ride. Since they had now entered the dining hall Islay used it as an excuse to be put down. "Ah think tis safe tae pat me doon, we ur in th' hall noo, 'n' ah see na reason fur us tae continue th' act". Lainn put her down glaring at her. He didn't like her words, they even hurt a little, but he was content to make the best of their night together. Islay turned to walk away, but Lainn passed her, grabbing her hand in his, and escorting her to the head table where he pulled out a chair for her to sit next to him.
The hall was full of noise, hustling, and bustling. Everyone commented on how beautiful Islay was, how in loved Lainn looked, and when the baby would arrive. If only they knew Islay thought! "Islay, that's such an interesting name" Uwun commented to Islay, she knobbed in agreement and continued to eat. "I find it interesting that your father named you after the capital of the northern empire, I heard he burned it to the ground." Islay stopped eating, up until now she had thought Uwun was a sweet old man, but now, she was wondering where he was going with his comments. She gazed at him, summing him up, his staired back at her intently, he was fishing for something. Lainn broke the silence "I didn't know the capital of the north was called Islay." Ida chimed in "Aye, 'twas th' capital. Her mither cried her Islay oot o' loue 'n' respect fur oor fowk 'n' land." Uwun looked at Ida "You're also a northerner?" "Aye" Uwun's brow raised "How strange?" Ida smiled back and gave a nervous giggle as she continued to eat. Lainn looked at Islay, there was much to learn about his new bride, they would have many obstacles to overcome, but they were in this fight together now, he needed them to be allies, no, not allies, more than that, he needed them to be a husband and wife.
A lad of maybe 7 stood Infront of Islay, "Milady, will you dance with me." She was about to decline the offer when Lainn stood "Boy! You have nerve. I have not even danced with my wife yet, and no other man but me will hold this woman ever again." He grabbed Islay's hand and took her to the floor, twirling her around, making a grand display of his foot work, quickly learning that she could not dance, but she would by the end of the night. As the night passed Lainn realized Islay was more and more of a mystery to him. She was very quiet through the night and he couldn't help but feel that he had made her conscious of her accent.
Islay's feet hurt from dancing, Lainn had made her join him for every dance. He had patiently taught her all the steps and never once complained when she stepped on his feet, while she could feel his body whence from the pain, no one else noticed. She had avoided conversing with him, half the time she pretended like she hadn't heard him, and if she did have to answer him, she would nod in acknowledgement.
Lainn did not appreciate the cold shoulder she was showing him, he was putting on a façade, but he was growing furious by the second. Islay was full of smiles and glimmering eyes for everyone in the room but him, it was enraging him, and he didn't know how much longer he could handle it.
Burm approached Lainn from behind "Some of the men were talking about playing slovin" "What!!!" Lainn barked. "Lainn, you did it to them, one of them couldn't find his bride for a fucking week, of course they are going to retaliate!" Lainn was not about to spend his night searching for Islay, he was going to spend it fucking her senseless.
Lainn grabbed Islay to the dance floor, pulling her close to him he whispered in her ear "You can pretend not to hear me if you want, but if you don't want to spend the night locked away with a bunch of men, doing gods knows what to you, you better stop playing deaf and fucking listen to me". Lainn felt her body tense in his arms and smiled a little knowing she was afraid, it shouldn't, but after how she had treated him today, it brought him a little pleasure. "We are going to move toward that hall over there, once we reach it, we are going to run like hell and no matter what, you aren't going to look back. Understand?" For the first time since their vows, she looked at him and gave a weak smile.
Once in the corner Lainn grabbed her hand and they ran, Islay heard men booming down the hall after them, the crowd growing, taunting them. The sounds got closer and Lainn tossed Islay over his shoulders, she felt like a commodity, but hearing the men yelling "We are coming for you, Where's the pretty Bride, and you can't hide from us." Islay would not protest.
Islay recognized the stairs and realized he was taking her to the bedroom. She began to contemplate if she would be safer with the crowd of men chasing them rather than alone with Lainn, but it was too late, they had reached the bedroom, he barred the door, and there was no getting out now.