Arriving at the wedding hall, her eyes swept over the neat arrangement of chairs, two rows with pairs of long wooden seats on each side. The distant murmur of conversation filled the air, coming from the affluent families already seated and awaiting the bride's grand entrance.
Siduri's heart raced uncontrollably. She had never been in the company of so many people all at once, and the sturdy weight of their attention bore down on her like farming ploughs rested on her chest. She had never sought fame, but it was clear the crowd knew of her name and heritage.
Her eyes wandered to the altar, where her father stood with the priest facing the guests. His posture was stiff, his unease visible even from a distance. But as soon as his gaze found her, the tension in his shoulders melted away.
Just like the old Forth Dumuzi proverb stated, "Every daughter is her father's jewel"
Mardok smiled at his daughter, a small but reassuring gesture, and Siduri returned the smile. Her nerves were slightly eased by this encouraging gesture.
Nidaba still held Siduri's hand firmly, guiding her to the front row. There, two boys sat at the edge already, their appearances suggesting they were around Siduri's age, though something about their demeanour hinted they were older.
Nidaba directed Siduri to the seat beside them. After ensuring Siduri was settled, she offered a slight bow before turning to leave. Siduri watched as Nidaba disappeared. A weight of abandonment struck her heart, leaving her feeling momentarily betrayed and utterly alone amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces.
She inhaled deeply, willing herself to remain calm. Everything will be fine, she thought, though the doubt lingered at the edges of her mind. Clutching her hands tightly in her lap, she forced herself to sit still and wait, hoping the ceremony would unfold smoothly.
"I've heard a lot about my new sister, but I never imagined she'd be this beautiful," a voice said, breaking the train of thoughts Siduri had. Startled, she turned her gaze to see one of the boys who had been sitting quietly beside her now leaning closer, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers.
Her eyebrows knitted together, yet still flustered by the boy's comment as a faint smile tugged at her lips. The sudden compliment was enough to catch her off guard, and before she knew it, she already daydreamed of this stranger.
"Who—?"
"Ah," the young man interrupted with a playful tone, "You have no knowledge about us yet. I'm Sin-Magir, and the man here is my older brother, Tammuz." He gestured toward the young man who sat rigidly, his stoned gaze fixed on the altar. He only glanced at the two and then back at the altar.
Siduri's eyes darted between the two brothers as a sudden realization dawned on her.
These were her new stepbrothers, whom her father had mentioned on a journey from a stone hunting trip, she and her father just returned from a long time ago four weeks before his marriage to Nanshe Selene.
Though this was the first time she had ever met them. "Oh," she murmured, lowering her gaze as her fingers nervously twirled a strand of her blonde hair. Her cheeks still felt warm, but it soon began to fade. "I apologize. Father never really provided any description of you both, so I didn't know what to expect."
Sin-Magir grinned mischievously, his gaze darted towards the little slit in her dress that revealed a piece of her skin. "No need to apologize," he said lightly. "Perhaps we should've sent you a description ahead of time, maybe even a portrait would do the trick." His teasing tone was gentle, designed to put her at ease.
Before their conversation reached a point where the bonding process took place, the sound of a loud trumpet echoed through the hall, silencing the chatter. All eyes were turned toward the grand entrance as the arrival of the bride was announced. The guests rose to their feet in unison, and Siduri followed suit as well. Nanshe Selene Ebonveil, her father's new wife, arrived at the hall with an air of confidence. Flanked by two attendants, she moved with grace toward the altar.
Her imposing height, accentuated by the towering heels she wore, sent a shiver through Siduri, who couldn't help but feel like her late mother was oppressed. Yet, the bride's radiant smile was so captivating that it held the crowd spellbound. Nanshe's beauty was dazzling, her presence commanding enough to overshadow her imposing height.
Siduri couldn't help but stare, her earlier nerves replaced by a mixture of admiration and unease.
This woman was going to be the one to change everything, the King's loneliness, the replacement of a fallen mother, she thought still clutching the fabric of her gown, awaiting what was to come.
After the vows were exchanged and the sacred ritual binding King Mardok and Nanshe Selene Ebonveil as one came to a final conclusion, the celebration shifted into full swing. That evening, the banquet hall became a vibrant scene of festivity. Musicians played old, cherished tunes, their melodies weaving through the atmosphere as the laughter of guests and the cheers of drunken revelers echoed joyfully. The rhythmic stomping of dancers' feet against the wooden floor resonated with energy.
King Mardok, seated beside his radiant bride, clapped his hands to the beat of the music, his joy evident. Yet, his smile faltered as he glanced around the crowded hall. There was one troubling absence that gnawed at him—his daughter, Siduri Ebonveil, was nowhere to be seen.
Not wanting to disrupt the celebration, the king leaned toward Samsara, who stood attentively behind his chair. With a discreet gesture, he beckoned her closer, whispering instructions into her ear. Samsara bowed slightly in acknowledgment before quietly exiting the hall to fulfill his request.
Meanwhile, Siduri sat alone by the open window in the main hall. Her gaze was fixed on the horizon, where the cold night wind swept across the sandy terrain, carrying with it a mysterious blue glow that lit up the shifting grains. She rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought and oblivious to the lively celebration taking place nearby.
The muffled sound of approaching footsteps went unnoticed as the soft red carpet masked the noise. A gentle hand suddenly touched her shoulder, startling her. She gasped, spinning around to see who had interrupted her solitude.
"Hello there," Tammuz said, his voice calm and polite. He raised a hand in apology. "I'm sorry to approach you so unexpectedly."
Siduri pressed her hand to her chest, her heart still racing from the surprise. "You startled me," she admitted, her voice steadying as she recognized her stepbrother.
Tammuz smiled warmly, the gesture both kind and reassuring. "I didn't mean to frighten you," he said, his tone sincere. "It was my mistake, and I promise it won't happen again." He placed a hand over his chest, a small act of earnestness.
Siduri returned his smile, a faint curve of her lips easing the tension between them. "It's all right," she said softly. "Is something wrong?"
"Not at all," Tammuz replied, shaking his head. "I just thought we could talk—if you don't mind." He moved to sit on the wide windowsill, his calm demeanor inviting her to join him.
Siduri hesitated, unsure of his intentions or what she should do. Tammuz, sensing her uncertainty, waited patiently, his expression unchanging as he gestured once more for her to sit beside him. After a moment of deliberation, she obliged, taking a seat next to him.
For a brief moment, silence enveloped them, the only sound the faint whistling of the wind outside. The stillness was both awkward and peaceful, neither rushing to speak. Finally, Tammuz broke the quiet.
"Can I ask something of you, Siduri?" he began, his smile fading into an expression of unease. "Do you ever feel that you and I could never truly be close in the future?"
Siduri froze for a moment, unsettled by the question's peculiarity. She forced a faint smile, hoping to deflect the unease she felt. "Why would you say something like that?" she asked, her brows knitting together in concern.
Tammuz sighed, his gaze lowering. "I understand that Sin-Magir and I are your brothers now," he said, his tone contemplative. "But we come from different mothers. And sometimes, I worry that this difference will create a divide between us, a gap that can never fully close. That it might lead to resentment or even enmity."
Siduri shook her head, her voice firm yet warm. "No, not at all, Tammuz," she said, leaning in slightly to reassure him. "We're family now, and family doesn't need to be divided by the circumstances of birth."
Tammuz noticed her drawing closer and allowed a faint smile to return to his lips, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of something else. "You really believe that?" he asked, his tone now softer. "That we can overcome these differences?"
"Of course," Siduri said, her smile genuine. "I'm sure that everything will work out as it should. We just need to trust one another." Her words carried a warmth she hadn't entirely realized she felt, her focus solely on comforting her newfound brother.
Unbeknownst to Siduri, the closeness between them grew as she leaned in. Her intent was innocent, but Tammuz seemed to interpret the moment differently. Before she could register what was happening, he leaned forward and pressed a brief kiss to her lips.
The act was sudden and entirely unwelcome. Siduri pulled back instantly, her eyes wide with shock and a sense of betrayal. Realizing the gravity of his actions, Tammuz's expression shifted to one of guilt, though he didn't immediately respond. Siduri stood abruptly, putting distance between them, her heart pounding in her chest as the weight of what had just transpired settled heavily in the air.