I apologize to any individuals who might be offended by the implied sexual content. Please remember, it was not uncommon in ancient times for an adolescent girl to be married to a much older man. I did my best to make the marriage ceremony as authentic as possible, which was not easy due to the lack of verifiable sources concerning ancient Greek wedding customs. If anyone has any reliable sources, please send them my way. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 6
I am among the girls and women who attend Phoebe as she makes her way to and from the baths three mornings later. Olive oil is rubbed into her skin and spices are scattered across her body before we clothe her in the fine soft bridal robe. Her fair hair is brushed until it shines like the sun and is left unbound, trailing over her shoulders and behind her back. A pale shimmering veil is placed over her head and secured into place by pins and a simple diadem. Now Phoebe is as finely clothed as a goddess; she leaves the readying room for the ceremonial hall where her bridegroom and the guests await. Behind Phoebe come the nine maidens- her sisters Karme`, Rhoda, and Berenice; Euclid's granddaughters Eunice, Ilene, Phyllis, and Leandra; Medusa, and me.
Cosmas is wearing a chiton of similar style to Phoebe's and his dark hair is adorned with a wreath of flowers that make him look as handsome and distinguished as my brother Apollo. Although his face is composed into a mask of acceptance, I notice that his hands are buried in the folds of his ceremonial chlamys. No doubt they are shaking, a clear sign that he is probably just as nervous as Phoebe must be about their soon-to-be sealed marital union. Solon, Phoebe's father, steps forth from his place at Cosmas' side to guide the bride to a spot facing her new husband-to be. There, the two individuals are joined in marital union with the simple exchange of coins and the raising of the bridal veil.
Once Phoebe's face is shown to the room at large, she and Cosmas exchange a short kiss- Cosmas crouching slightly while Phoebe extends her height by rising on her tiptoes. I am somewhat surprised and a bit scandalized to see Cosmas' hands openly stroking Phoebe's swelling breasts (still hidden beneath her bridal gown) as Phoebe openly strokes her husband's curly locks. It is not until much later that I learn that this is the custom- making sure that the bride is fertile and enough of a woman to be made a bride in the legal as well as the physical sense. But despite my small shock at the open sexual intent of the actions, it is not as repulsive as I might once have thought it to be. There is something almost tender in Cosmas' face as he embraces his bride, despite the difference in age between the two. Phoebe looks radiant as she smiles at Cosmas and it is as though the idle, chattering girl has disappeared to be replaced by the passionate yet dutiful young woman who is now a wife.
The blissful moment could last forever…until it is shattered by a piercing scream. Heads turn away from the wedded couple and all eyes fall upon the girl Rhoda. She has fallen to her knees beside a pile of clothes that lie scattered on the floor. On closer inspection, we see that the clothes are the garments of a maiden. Rhoda looks up in horror at us, tears streaming down her face and disappearing into the veil that has come undone from over her lower face. "It's Karme`," she sobs uncontrollably. "She's gone!"