LOVE & MARRIAGE

Erroll and most of his gang were making ready to head out to the Ninth Tribe of the Medjai. He had sent out a dozen scouts and they reported that Rihana Bay stayed with an aunt or some other relative at the Ninth. She was a frequent visitor at the Fifth. Erroll knew the Fifth was Ardeth's home tribe. None of them wanted to attempt to abduct her there. Although he wouldn't admit it, he was too cowardly to face off with Ardeth Bay. The death of his wife was still fresh and Erroll didn't even want to chance meeting up with him right now. Once he had Rihana in his possession, he intended to ride far away, to find new land to claim.

He saw that Eve had already mounted. She was wearing her eye patch today. The sun wasn't particularly strong, so he knew it wasn't irritated. He supposed her wearing it was her way of pouting. After all, he had been the person responsible for damaging it, hadn't he? It wasn't as if he really cared one way or another. Right now, Eve was dead weight. She truly meant nothing to him.

Erroll had prepared to bellow out for everyone to move, but two riders heading their way silenced him. He recognized the men right away. As they drew closer, he grew angrier. Something must have gone wrong. The men galloped forward, coming to a complete halt before him. They wore ragged clothing and were desert weary.

"Erroll, we can't go to the Ninth," he said, out of breath.

The one to speak was Hessan. He had deserted a nomadic tribe to join Erroll's gang. To show his loyalty, he slaughtered his entire family while Erroll looked on. "What has changed," he demanded of Hessan. "We were set."

Hessan nodded. "That we were, but she is with her brother now and will be there for at least two weeks. Ardeth Bay's Second is taking a wife. Rihana Bay won't leave until after the wedding. She is rather close to the bride to be."

He growled in frustration. "Goddamn it!" He was tempted to tell them they would blow through anyway and wreak as much havoc as they could before being sliced to bits. It wouldn't work. He wanted Rihana Bay. "So we wait two weeks," Erroll said calmly. He glanced at Eve. She seemed very pleased with his decision. "Eve, my love," he said with a leer. "Tonight is our night." He would wipe the smile off her face.


Ash stood with Rihana inside a specially prepared tent for the bride to be. They had had a little less than a month to plan and prepare. It had been a crazed whirlwind of activity, but it was dictated by Ardeth's scheduled departure, now only two weeks away. Faras would become his Chieftain's full-time patrol partner.

Tension continued to run high between Ash, Ardeth, and Faras. It had only abated some, not enough for them to sense a real change. If anything, Ardeth grew even more morose than ever before. He would participate in the wedding; it was his position to do so. Yet, he seemed deeply hurt, reluctant. Faras had commented that he had never seen Ardeth in such a state. It broke Ash's heart to see him. Many times, she went over their confrontation in her mind. It was almost as if she had gotten to the root of his heartache. You also nearly got to the root of something else, didn't you? She shook it away. Today was about her and Faras.

"This is all happening so fast," Ash said with a nervous smile. Like Liliana before her, she chose a traditional caftan and veil for her wedding. It was a deep blue with silver inlay at the neckline and sleeves. She thought she looked like a little girl playing dress up. "It's also hard to believe," she whispered.

"Are you nervous, Ashlyn," Rihana asked.

She nodded and laughed nervously. "That's the understatement of the century, my friend."

"You are not having second thoughts, are you?"

Was she? Ash shook her head vehemently. "Oh no. I'm definitely not. I love Faras very much. I only hope I can be the wife he expects, the one he needs." She sighed. "I should be having this talk with my sister. She can't be here, so you are the only sister I have. I've never…never…"

Rihana smiled at Ash warmly. She knew the words that her friend was struggling to say. Rihana wasn't much older than Ash, but she did have some knowledge that her friend lacked. She remembered her first time. He had been gentle, sweet. He was a healer's assistant at the Ninth who had gone on to another tribe. Rihana thought she would have married him, but that wasn't to be. Before her stood her friend, terrified of something that was just the opposite. Although Ash didn't know, Faras was probably gentler than her long lost lover.

"I do not think you have to worry about that," Rihana said. "Your introduction to intimacy will be undertaken by the most gentle of the lot."

Ash laughed again. It was still more of a nervous twitter. "I can't deny that there were many nights…many times…that we found ourselves carried away, but he always put a stop to it before it could progress. He said Ardeth would have his hide."

"Among other things," Rihana quipped.

The two young women shared hearty laughter at that. "I only hope I can be what he needs," Ash repeated once their laughter died down.

"You will."


Ardeth stood with Faras and some of the other warriors inside the billowing tent that served as a general gathering place. On days like today, it was the MaHall Min Gama. He watched Faras with great interest, noticing that he didn't seem nervous, not even the slightest bit. He was sure of his choice, his decision to marry. Faras had always been a man who knew what he wanted. There was not oneindecisive bone in his body. Ardeth admired that trait. He had possessed it once. He longed to have control of it again. He longed to have control of many things that were forever out of reach.

As he continued to watch Faras, witnessing his happiness, he felt a heaviness developing in his heart. Such rushes of emotion weren't the norm for him. He was far from cold or detached, but he was also no barometer changing position with the atmosphere. It didn't make sense for a Chieftain to be such. He didn't understand what was happening to him. He knew in his heart of hearts that he didn't want to witness Rimâd's marriage to Faras. He was duty bound to be here, to witness it. Not only because he was Chieftain, but also due to his status as her guardian. Her parents could not make the trip on such short notice. He was her only 'family' close enough to attend. If he had another choice, he would take it. He didn't. He was trapped.

Ardeth snapped to attention when Elder Ibrahim entered the tent. He was the tribe's holy man and would perform the ceremony today. His presence signified the beginning of the festivities. Before long, Rihana would bring along Rimâd. He didn't know if he was ready to see her. He didn't know if he was ready to bear witness to her marriage. He certainly understood he wasn't ready for many things life had had to offer him lately. Oddly, his visits to Tokan made more sense. At least there, he knew what he was going to get. He would rather be there than here. Sahar and her favors were the only truths he could face.

As if on cue, Faras and the others took their places before the murals depicting Hathor and Bes, the goddess/god of love, music, marriage, and childbirth. Ardeth stood in the back intentionally. He didn't intend to be part of the main ceremony. He would be an onlooker like any other person in the tent. He looked up just as Rihana entered with Rimâd. He saw that she had donned traditional Medjai wedding garb. Her caftan was blue and silver. She was achingly beautiful, almost delicate. He could only see her as the child she had once been. It was safer that way. However, she was no longer a child.

Ash entered the massive tent, her eyes at first trained only on Faras. His robe and cape were black with ornate gold inlay strategically placed at the same points as her caftan. His cape was adorned with the official Medjai seal: a great scimitar with Arabic characters spelling out 'eternity' across it. His gaze never wavered from her face. His eyes were shiny, as if he were on the verge of tears. She didn't want to see that. She would cry. She felt another set of eyes on her. She shifted her gaze only a fraction to see that it was Ardeth. Outfitted similarly to Faras, he was a striking figure. But he appeared sad, heart sick. He wanted to be anywhere but here. She looked away quickly. If she hadn't, she would have never looked away.

After the ceremony, the couple and their guests adjourned to the dining hall for their wedding feast. As 'family,' Ardeth sat at the head table with the groom and his bride. He was seated toward the end of the table, but that was fine with him. He hardly touched the rich roasted meats or the inviting sweetness of the seasonal fruits. He moved these items along his plate so everyone thought he was eating. Mostly, he sat and watched Rimâd and Faras. Their eyes were meant only for each other, their hands stayed continuously joined. They were obviously happy and very much in love. Ardeth could not share their happiness. He wished he could, but he couldn't. He felt low, sad, and envious.

The wedding party began to disperse toward dusk. Ardeth saw Rimâd speaking quietly to Rihana. He decided to approach her now. "Ashlyn?"

Ash turned to look at Ardeth. He was very handsome in his black robe and cape, but that was overshadowed by his sadness. "Ardeth," she acknowledged.

"I wish you much happiness and love," he said.

She reached out and took his hand. "Thank you, Ardeth. You brought Faras into my life. I will be forever grateful."

He nodded. "I am glad I managed to help bring that light into your life." He pressed his lips to her forehead briefly before stepping back. "Be happy." If you are not…if…


Faras returned to his and Ash's tent to present his new wife a bouquet of desert flowers when he was met with quite a surprise. She was sitting up in the middle of their pallet with the sheets held up past her breasts. Her bare shoulders were smooth, creamy, and begging to be touched. Many times he had envisioned her in his bed. Many times he had wanted to make love to her so badly he ached. It was never proper until tonight. Tonight, she was his wife.

"Yâ maHabbi," he said as he approached the pallet. "You certainly are full of surprises."

"As are you," she said as she eyed the flowers.

He set them upon a small table beside the pallet. He sat down to face her and ran his hand through her silky hair. "Today, you made me a very happy, honored man. Tonight, I will finally know what it is like to awaken with you in my arms. I have wanted you since I first saw you."

She released her hold on the sheet, revealing her breasts. They were as pure and as untouched as she. "Then have me," she whispered. "Make me your wife in every way."

Her movements were bold, unabashed, but Faras could see that she was trembling. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips before he stood. He noticed her watching him as he set about removing his clothing. He listened as her breathing quickened, making her tremble even more. Her bravery in the face of the unknown endeared her to him more.

In her profession, Ash had seen many nude men, but the sight of Faras was something altogether different. His chest fell to a stomach that was rock hard and rippled with muscle. He was narrow hipped and long legged. The male part of him matched his body type. She trembled at the sight of it. Could she take that into herself? The fear and anticipation threatened to overwhelm her. She couldn't move. She could do nothing.

Her spell shattered as he approached the pallet. Ash tossed the sheet aside to welcome him beside her. He came down to the pallet, leaning up on one elbow. She was so beautiful. Her body, every inch a woman's, held a soul still belonging to a girl. She drew her body close to his. He kissed her tenderly, his hand finding her breast, cupping it, his thumb caressing her nipple. She moaned against his lips, pressing her body against his.

He broke the kiss and gazed down at her. "I know you are afraid," he whispered. "I cannot tell you not to be. For every moment of discomfort, I can promise you ten more overflowing with passion."

"Show me," she whispered huskily.

"Aiwa."

His lips met hers again with more passion, more urgency. When their lips parted and his tongue touched hers, his body drifted over hers, enveloping her with his heat, with his weight. She felt him hard and hot against her. The sensation was alien to her, but so very welcomed. She felt him moving away, breaking their kiss. He leaned upward, inserting his knee between her thighs. She ran her tongue over her lips, tasting him, wanting more. He smiled down at her before shifting his body again. He ran his large hands along her body, touching her breasts, her flat abdomen, running further down before stopping altogether. With his touch, he had spread a great heat, waking every nerve ending in her. Soon, his mouth followed the same path and she arched her back almost severely. When he gently suckled at each of her pinkish nipples, she fought to stifle a cry. His lips and flicking tongue ventured lower, dipping into her navel, before moving further still. He skipped the center of her and placed scores of nibbling bites along the inside of each thigh. By now, she was nearly writhing on the pallet.

He kissed every inch of her body back up to her lips. Once they joined again, she felt her body drifting to its side. She opened her eyes to look at him. His eyes were open as well, searching her face, reading her emotions, her passion. He allowed his hand to drift along her arm, down her side, and then it slid onto her lower abdomen. It settled down between her thighs and she parted them willingly for him, settling one leg against his hip. His fingers began a slow, maddening caress. She opened her mouth to cry out, but he stifled it with a kiss. Going by mad instinct now, she moved against his hand, but he never sped up the tempo. She could feel something happening inside her, building and building, threatening to boil over. When it burst through her, causing her to spasm and shake, she did cry out then. She couldn't help it. Her insides felt weak and rubbery, her heart pounded furiously in her chest. His mouth covered hers again. She accepted his kiss greedily, desperately wanting him now.

The kiss broke when her back hit the pallet. He leaned up and gazed down at her lovingly. "Yâ gôza, ana maHabbi inti."

She brought her legs up against his hips, anticipating his entrance, wanting it. His flesh didn't feel like normal flesh at all. "I love you, too."

Although his own desire pushed him to move quickly, he didn't. He wanted to keep his promise to her. He eased into her very slowly, listening to her take little gasps of air. The deeper he sank into her, the shriller her gasps became. The moment he pushed through her maidenhead, she took in a deep breath and held it. Fully inside her, she let out her breath of air with a slight cry of pain. Oh, how he hated hurting her. He looked down at her and there were tears in her eyes. He wanted to withdraw, to leave her be for the night, but she dug her nails into his back, urging him on with a whispered affirmative. 'Yes,' she had cried to him, and he knew from that moment on, he would never deny her anything.

Later, Faras stirred and found Ash snuggled against him, hardly an inch of space between them. She stirred as well and placed a gentle kiss on his throat.

"I never knew it could be like this," she said against his skin. "I never knew it could feel like this."

"I was so afraid I would hurt you," he told her. "I know it can be unpleasant."

"No," she whispered. "You made it beautiful."

"I never want to hurt you, Ash," he said, his lips within a breath of hers. "I had rather die than hurt you."

"I know, my love. You never would."


With Faras off duty for his wedding, Ardeth chose to fill in for him on his watch. As Chieftain, it wasn't necessary for him to perform this particular duty, but it served as a good distraction. He relieved the other warrior terribly early, insisting that he go on to be with his wife and children. Ardeth no longer had those obligations. He had more time now to devote to his people. If he had another choice, he would have taken it. Ardeth hadn't told anyone, but the elders had approached him almost two weeks ago. They wanted him to take another wife. The prospect didn't bother him, but he balked at the same time. Perhaps it was best for him to remain single. Aiwa. He would take another wife if she could… .

"Ra'îs," a voice said, surprised.

Ardeth turned to focus his eyes on Faras, who was in full gear. "What are you doing here? You should be with your new wife. I relieved you for tonight."

Faras nodded respectfully. "Aiwa. You did, but I am to leave on patrol soon. Ash understands service and duty."

"Aiwa. I am sure she does, which is what led me to ask. If you are to leave, you should spend as much time with her as you can."

Faras understood, but didn't at the same time. Oddly, Ardeth seemed uncomfortable in his presence. He couldn't explain it. "Ardeth, as your sâHib, your akh, I must ask. Have I done something to anger you? I know you are unhappy with my decision to patrol, but I sense something else. Something different."

He had no idea. No true idea at all. Yet, he couldn't say that. "I am not angry with you," he said. Was that true? "I am simply ready to hunt down Erroll Auberjonus and rob his beating heart of every ounce of life left in it. I am ready to gain control of my life again, to awaken in the morning and feel normal for a change. I am ready for hate to leave me. I do not have the capacity right now to be angry with one of my men. I need all that energy focused to carry out the proper justice due my wife and unborn child."

Once again, Faras nodded respectfully. "Aiwa. Go on back to your tent, ra'îs. I can stand watch."

Ardeth shook his head. "," he insisted. "Go to your wife. Spend as much time with her as you can, and praise Allâh that you have her."

"Aiwa, yâ ra'îs. Shukran."

Ardeth waited until Faras was out of sight before he buried his face into his hands for a brief moment. He absolutely had to be losing his mind to feel as he did. What on earth was he thinking? For the first time in his life, he envied what another man had. Before this tragedy, he had only been aware of his immediate surroundings, his loving wife, and their unborn child. He held no envy, not one ounce. Tonight, he hated Faras, hated him for nothing, for everything. He did not know it would get worse as the days passed. Peace wouldn't come for Ardeth Bay any time soon.


Ash awoke as she felt a body sliding in next to hers. "Faras?"

He kissed her forehead. "Ardeth sent me back to you."

She smiled lazily and pressed her lower body into his, creating delicious friction. "I'm glad he did. I missed you."

He stirred against her. He groaned inaudibly. Allâh help him, but he would want her again before daylight. How could one so innocent be so seductive? "As did I, yâ maHabbi."

She kissed him deeply and he found himself responding to every touch, every movement. Before long, he made love to her again, their bodies collapsing from exhaustion when they were completely spent. At the end of it, for no reason at all, Faras looked over his shoulder. Who had he expected to see standing there?

As the hours ticked away, Faras couldn't sleep. Beside him, her legs tangled with his, Ash slept deeply. Since falling in love with her, he often wondered what she looked like while asleep. Now he knew and it was exactly as he imagined. She looked like a sweet malak, her skin soft, still flushed from their passion. It amazed him to no end to realize this exquisite creature was his wife.

He reached out to gently stroke her hair. She made a small noise in her throat and shifted her position closer to him. On a night when all his attention and thoughts should have been focused on his wife, he could only think of Ardeth. Tonight, he saw something in his Chieftain's eyes and demeanor. What he saw definitely didn't belong there. He wondered if Ash had picked up on it. It was very subtle; it had to be uncovered by one who understood it before it could be seen. Until Ash, Faras had been quite green when it came to matters of the heart. But now, he knew. Now, he could see. What he saw, he didn't like. He thought he understood Ardeth's behavior now more than ever before. He was more than certain that he would rather not know at all.

Translations:

MaHall Min Gama—Place of unity

Rimâd—Ash

Yâ maHabbi—My love

Aiwa—Yes

Yâ gôza, ana maHabbi inti—My wife, I love you

Lâ—No

Ra'îs—Chief(tain)

SâHib—Friend

Akh—Brother

Shukran—Thank you

Malak—Angel


To be continued…