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Kel reached up on tiptoe, kissing the top of Neal's nose. He grinned, grabbing her around the waist, and swung her around.
"C'mon, Kel." They clasped hands, then walked into the center of the circle of people. Thayet stood in front of them, smiling from joy.
"Neal? Kel? You both ready?" she said.
They looked at each other, meeting eyes. The crowd sighed audibly at the loving glance that passed between their eyes. "Yes."
Together they stepped in front of the bonfire. Thayet, proudly yet gently led them through the ceremony. "In every life, the present and beyond, i swear my love is true..." Kel said, a tear creeping down her cheek.
Neal repeated the words also, his eyes overly bright. "In every life..." He choked, but managed the last part of the speech. "The present and beyond, i s-swear my love is true."
Thayet, also emotional, whispered, "So mote it be."
The crowd erupted in cheers, mostly from Solane and her equally lunged baby Dehlyliahm, who had a fine crop of red hair already growing. They boy gurgled and waved his chunky fists as the newly wed couple passed by them.
Kel sobbed into Neal's shirt as he held her close. He closed his eyes, and two silvery tears slowly made its way down the sides of his face. She brushed them off gently with her two fingers.
Neal held her as close as possible. Never let go. He loved her so much, that being any farther than this was like agony. Drawing back, he watched her face, now slightly mottled with tears.
"I love you!" she murmered, sniffling a little.
"Kel, i love you too. Forever."
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"Rise and shine!"
"Arhhh!" Neal groaned, flinging hay at Cleon.
"So Neal, wedding night man..." His friend winked, motioning with his head to Kel, who was dragging a bucket of water from the community well.
"You never got married!" Neal growled. Throwing more hay at Cleon, he snarled and leaped at him. Cleon took the hint and left, still grinning gleefully. No matter what happened, they still acted their ages: 19 and 21.
"And Cleon?"
"What, lover boy?" The redhead grinned from ear to ear, his tanned face crinking.
Neal grinned. "Can you give me the news on that dead man? Those colorful bruises were interesting...My father wanted me to look at that case. And Cleon?"
"What?"
"Shut up." A handful of hay was flung, sparking an attack.
Kel stumbled in, her bucket sloshing. "You boys! What are you doing?!" Her face, flushed with happiness, regarded the two friends. "Solane wants you."
Cleon ran out of the small extention quickly.
Neal grinned. "Looks like she got him on a tight leash..."
"And? Is that bad?" They dissolved into giggles.
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