“I’ve heard of handfasting before. Isn’t it just a trial marriage?” I asked, remembering some obscure bit of information I’d picked up from somewhere years ago.
“Sadly, like so many things, it has become so much less on the surface.” Cleito lowered her head. “Handfasting is even more ancient and meaningful than your histories tell. While I know you feel as if you are already bound, there are still rituals that must be performed, and you must be blessed by the lord and lady. They are older than even the oldest gods and must bless your union before you can be complete.” She was skillfully plaiting my hair into intricate braids around my head as she spoke.
“Oh, so it’s like a marriage.” Surprisingly, I wasn’t terrified at the thought. I had realized as Raif and I were making our way to Cleito’s palace that I’d do anything to be with Raif. He truly was the other half of me, fulfilling me in ways I’d never thought possible. When we were together, I no longer felt empty, but joyously complete.
“It is similar, yes, but not entirely the same. Our handfasting is more permanent than your common marriage. It cannot be broken by a mere piece of paper or by death. It forever binds your heart, body, mind, and souls together as one. It brings us back to how we were first created, before the first soul’s division. You have accepted the fact that after you mate, you must separate from each other, yes?” Her hands stilled for a moment as she asked the question.
“Yes, he told me about the prophecy and what we’d have to do.” Her hands picked up their work once more. “The thought of leaving Raif tears me apart, but it’ll set things right with your people, and I’ll see him again someday. Knowing he’s here, feeling him in my heart, that will be enough until the day I can be with him again physically.” I smiled and hoped it was convincing. I really didn’t want to lose him, even for a moment. I had no idea how she’d lived for so long without Poseidon.
She opened her mouth as if to respond, but then shut it again. She looked conflicted about something, and I looked up at her, encouraging her to continue. She wasn’t given the opportunity, however. A knock at the door interrupted our moment.
“Forgive me, but we must hurry before my absence is noticed.” Atreyu called from behind the closed door. “King Nereus is determined to see Natasha eliminated before she finds her alma xemelga and fulfills the prophecy. We will be waiting.” His footsteps were fading away before either of us could form a response.
I felt beautiful. The scarlet dress molded to my body like a second skin from my chest to my waist. The skirt billowed out from my waist down, swaying with each step I took toward my future. My auburn hair was held away from my face in a series of intricate braids and knots, leaving most of it to flow down my back. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect day than today, and wouldn’t ruin it with thoughts of what would happen later. I was binding with my soul mate, and nothing could compare to this moment.
I rounded the corner behind Cleito and saw the clearing. There was a circle enclosed by orichalcum stones in front of a forest. Cleito explained that this was the same location that she and Poseidon had their handfasting, as well as where the curse occurred.
It was beautiful, as was the man waiting for me. He was covered head to toe in black. His eyes shone with such love for me, I thought my heart would burst right then.
He took my hand as I approached him, and the ceremony began. Cleito and Michael stood with us as our witnesses and Atreyu performed the rights, as was his duty. He rang a small silver bell three times. Raif began to walk around the circle, and I followed his lead. We then entered and stood facing each other in front of an altar. Atreyu prompted us to state our intent and Raif started.
“I, Raifuku Iochera, have come of my own free will, in perfect love and perfect trust to bind myself completely from now until the end of days to my alma xemelga, Natasha.”
“I, Natasha James, have come of my own free will, in perfect love and perfect trust to bind myself completely from now until the end of days to my soul mate, Raifuku.” I was so overjoyed; I barely noticed the twin tears sliding down my face or the misty rain that had begun to fall. Atreyu rang the bell.
We exchanged rings as a sign to the outside world of our commitment to each other. The palms on our left hands were cut, and the blood dripped into a chalice that was half filled with wine. Our hands were then bound together, mixing our blood. I was slightly unnerved by this, but tried to remember that it was part of their culture. We used our right hands to drink from the chalice, symbolizing the need for balance between being together and apart as well as infusing our bodies further with the essence of each other.
Our right hands were then placed over our left ones and tied tightly together. We repeated our intent to be bound for the rest of eternity. Atreyu rang the bell.
We sealed our intent with a kiss. The knot was undone, and we each cut a lock of hair from the other and placed it into a silver box. As we buried the box
