Page 43 of Elemental Truth (Mysterious Fields #3)

SEPTEMBER 3RD AT THE POWELL ESTATES AND brYN GLAS

I t was not how Thessaly had imagined her wedding day, back when she expected to be marrying Childeric. It was, in truth, far better. But it had taken her time, months, to get her head around the idea of something that wasn’t entirely to the Fortier customs.

That had apparently been something of a feat. Magistra Hereswith had confided privately to Thessaly and Vitus that it had taken every one of her diplomatic skills and a scattering of chosen threats to bring Thessaly’s parents into compliance with the plans. In the end, they’d arranged for the wedding itself to be in the gardens at the ancient Powell estate. Vitus and his parents had been consulted about the customs they most cared about.

One argument had been about timing. Thessaly’s preference had decidedly been for an autumn wedding. Vitus expected to be particularly busy with items for holiday gifts in October and November, along with some work for maintenance talismans for the Council keep. Planning the whole thing in two months had meant no one could come up with ridiculous and unnecessary celebratory ideas. Perhaps most relevant, the sooner they married, the sooner the threat of being forced to marry someone else would evaporate.

And, to be honest, doing it while Dagobert and Laudine were still in formal mourning simplified things no end. There was not a precise number for ‘mourning one’s nephew, from whom one had inherited the title’, but Thessaly had gathered they were using six months as a reasonable count. Which meant marrying before mid-October was preferable. For her, at least.

She had not seen them since that meeting, though Vitus had, of course, continued with the commission for them. He had told Thessaly that it seemed to be working as intended. A few months space had brought Thessaly to a point where she wished them no ill. But she also wanted them at a substantial distance, both physical and emotional.

Thessaly might also have once wanted a life where she could teach Garin a bit of duelling. Where conversations with an extended family, each with their own gifts, could be shared, not seen as something dangerous. She hated leaving him alone that way, it wasn’t his fault. But she could not bear to be near his father, or at Arundel, and that mattered more.

September had also been just enough time to make the changes in the house Thessaly had wanted. She’d consulted Vitus, of course, about what he wanted in a workroom. But it had been Niobe who had overseen the work to ensure all the necessary enchantments and charms suited. And then there had been making over rooms in the house. One for Hermia, whenever she wanted to visit, two others for eventual children. And this past week, she had somehow made it through without Vitus visiting. That had given her just enough time to make over the sitting room and bedroom into something they could share. And to move her own work to the study and workroom downstairs.

The grounds, too, had been adjusted. The new salle was settling in nicely. And now, once or twice a week, people came up and through the portal for a bout or three. They’d arranged it tucked in behind the portal. That way, people didn’t have to enter the rest of the wards. It made Thessaly feel more free about inviting people she didn’t know as well.

All of that had meant a busy summer, between the changes on the property and planning for the wedding. Now, the day was here. Today was for her, for Vitus, for celebrating with the people who wished them well, and for doing the proper rituals to anchor their marriage the way they chose. In the end, that had shaped everything else.

She and Hermia had spent the night with Cousin Owain and his household. There had been a lovely meal last night, stories of happy marriages in the family, and of making a good life without a marriage, as well. Mother would have disapproved, but Mother disapproved of most things right now. Mother had also absolutely not been invited, and no one had commented about it.

On the other hand, Aunt Tegwen had invited Vitus’s mother out for the meal. At the end of the evening, Mistress Deschamps had asked Thessaly to walk her back to the portal. “This is the evening where, technically, some matron is supposed to give you advice about the marriage bed. I gather, without having asked for any details, that you seem to be managing that quite pleasantly. But I hope that if there is any small thing I might help with, you will feel you can come to me. And we may perhaps look forward to having you join us regularly for suppers at home?”

Thessaly had been charmed, honestly. “I wouldn’t think of keeping Vitus from time with you. Or his father or brother.” Her mouth curled up. “Perhaps especially Lucas. I would hate to make him unhappy.”

“Goodness, thank you. Lucas unhappy is like a wet dog, it gets over everything. And we would be delighted to come to you, if that is more convenient at some point.” That was a delicate nod at an eventual pregnancy of her own. Thessaly was not ready to drop the contraceptive charms just yet. There had been so much swirling change in the past year, most of it challenging. But in due course, yes. She’d smiled and made it clear they’d sort things out.

The celebration itself had been simple. Mother and Father had turned up for the ceremony itself. Before that, Thessaly and Hermia had walked down to leave flowers at Aunt Metaia’s grave, along with a small libation. That wasn’t their usual custom, but it felt right. Then Thessaly had gone back to the house, dressed in a simple gown. White had become the custom among the non-magical, but Albion did not follow the fashions of Britain’s queen. Thessaly’s dress had, instead, been the peacock green that Aunt Metaia had particularly loved, with decorations of British pearls. It made Thessaly feel gorgeous, in a way she hadn’t expected to.

The ceremony had been elegant and brief. Hermia had been her attendant, in a dress of pastel blue-green, and Lucas had stood beside Vitus, in his formal cavalry uniform. It gave the whole thing an element of proper show. Mother and Father had been quiet, but impeccably behaved. Cousin Owain had been keeping an eye on them, making pleasant conversation but not leaving them alone, she gathered. There were, of course, Vitus’s parents, a number of the Powell family, Father’s brothers and their wives.

And then there had been a few others. Magistra Hereswith and her husband with her companion Bess making sure everything went smoothly behind the scenes. A number of people Vitus was closest to in the Four Metals had come, the ones who were becoming Thessaly’s friends, too. Cyrus and Andie Smythe-Clive. And of course both Niobe, for Vitus’s apprenticeship, and Magistra North, for Thessaly, along with her husband. And several of the Scali had come with Emeline in company. She was about to take up a new position as a bodyguard, now that threats against Thessaly seemed rather less likely.

She and Vitus had sworn their oaths on their magic and on the Silence. Instead of the plain gold band she had expected, Vitus had slipped a ring onto her fingers. It was a broad green emerald that felt like perfection on her finger, with tiny pearls set beside it. The ring did not sparkle with the many facets of diamonds; it did not draw the eye. It felt, instead, like her feet were firmly planted on ground she loved. She would ask him, later, what he had chosen for it, but she knew it was perfect. And he had made it, with love and care and understanding. The details mattered, and they did not.

From there, things had come out smoothly. Mother and Father had stayed through the luncheon, the early dancing, and then had quietly excused themselves, as had some of the other guests. Others had stayed to the end. Niobe had drawn both Vitus and Thessaly into some of the country dances, along with Aunt Tegwen and Cousin Enfys and some of the other Powell relatives. Lucas had swung Hermia around in a waltz, and then picked up some of the dances along with Niobe, escorting her with glee through the steps and turns.

Finally, they were escorted back to the portal and welcomed by the household staff. “All is ready, Mistress.” Collins came forward, her eyes gleaming. “And we wish you and Master Deschamps very well.”

Thessaly beamed at them, then tugged at Vitus’s hand. “I have things to show you before the bedroom.”

“Not for terribly long before the bedroom, I hope?” He laughed, but he let her pull him across to the smaller barn. She opened the door easily; the door had been hung perfectly, it swung open without a sound. Then she nudged him inside. “We can change things if you wish, of course, but Niobe made sure all the functional parts should suit.” The room was a creamy white, to reflect the light with a worktable in front of the window for the best light. Cases of shelves, designed to pull out from the wall for access, lined the back wall, an abundance of storage space. “And there’s space there, for your wheels and such. The floor’s charmed to collect all the dust, that method you had been admiring in Harley’s Mechanicals.”

Vitus turned around, his mouth open. “I will not explore every detail, Not now. Maybe not even tomorrow. We have a wedding to celebrate.” Then he picked her up, swinging her around. “And you’ll tell me all the details?”

“I will.” She flicked her fingers, bringing up one of them, a set of coloured designs along the ceiling, perhaps a foot below. Then she flicked her fingers in a different pattern, and another, and they changed colour each time. “So you can have the room echo what you’re working on. Naomi was rather smug about it. The enchantment work there is mine.”

“Ah.” Vitus kissed her. “You are a gem among women. May I demonstrate?”

Thessaly laughed, and let him lead her back out of the former barn, to the house. He picked her up to carry her over the threshold, but sensibly put her down to walk up the stairs and into their rooms. There, he stopped, blinking. She had kept the effect of Aunt Metaia’s love of colour. Along the main wall, she’d painted a fresco into the plaster. She’d drawn on the local wildlife - foxes, badgers, a shoreline with seals, perching birds, mountain ponies. Then she’d set illusions so that the sky behind echoed the time of day. Just now, it was a glorious sunset, all golds and purples and pinks shading the room with light.

“And tell me about that, in due course.” He took her hand in his, kissing the ring. “And I should tell you about the ring.”

“Unlace me, and tell me in bed?” Thessaly suggested. She was looking forward to this evening. She came to her marriage bed not a nervous virgin, depending on her husband to ensure a good time. They were doing this together, knowing more than enough about each other to make sure the night would match the day in pleasure and comfort and mutual delight.

Vitus pulled her close, guiding her into the bedroom. Here, she’d drawn on the tumble of gemstone colours, the glowing reds, blues, greens, golds, and sparkling clarity. It was accented here and there with an illusion for what paint and plaster could not do. It was like living inside a jewel box in the best possible way. She felt as if the colours enlivened her soul. Vitus spun in place, taking in the choices in the curtains, the pillows, the bedding. “I do not deserve your eye.”

“Oh, you inspire.” Thessaly turned her back, so he could unlace her. She took a moment to step out of the dress and leave it in the sitting room for Collins to tend to. She came back in, closing the bedroom door behind her. By the time she had, Vitus was largely undressed, and was sprawling on the bed. She joined him, holding out her hand. “The ring?”

“When Niobe introduced me to her gem seller, they had an emerald. I didn’t think, then, that I’d ever be able to give you such a thing, but I’ve been working on it for— well. I began it last October. It is a talisman for loyalty in love— my loyalty— and for abundant pleasures. Wisdom and harmony. And the pearls bring joy and harmony.”

“And you don’t hold with the lore about emerald preferring chastity?” Thessaly asked, teasing.

“I do not. Loyalty, faithfulness, yes. But I don’t think we’ll have much trouble with that, do you?” Vitus raised himself up on an elbow. “I have had no eyes for any but you since we met. And you have chosen me over several others.”

“None of whom matched your standards,” Thessaly said, leaning to kiss his nose. “Let us test this out, then, to make sure all is well.”

Vitus laughed, moving to place hands on either side of her shoulders and bend to kiss her. She slipped her hands down his chest, to his hips, pulling him closer. They were going to have an excellent night indeed. And whatever the days of their marriage might bring, she was sure they’d face the challenges together and delight in the joys.

Thank you so much for joining Thessaly and Vitus on their journey!