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This is a WIP, NaNoWriMo 2015, Forest Wed. A small town in the rain forest is protected by two gods, represented by married avatars, each chosen by their god. When one of the pair dies, the gods choose a new couple from the unmarried young people–Addan, and Kaie (who was engaged)–three days later they are getting married.
The priest took both their hands, the ones bearing the totems, and joined them together. The vines and flowers on their wrists rustled, as a breeze wound around them, ruffling Kaie’s hair, and making the fall of Adann’s tresses shimmer.
“You may now speak your vows,” the priest nodded encouragingly.
“I will be your wife,” Adann murmured, “and do my best to shape our life together into something that serves us both well. I promise I will listen to you, even when I don’t want to, and support you in your choices. I can’t promise to always give you my best, but I can promise to try. And I promise you patience.”
“I will be your husband,” Kaie hesitated, mouth open, drawing in a breath to speak, and then shook his head.
The priest waited, and when it was clear Kaie would say no more, he released them from his grip. “By the blessing of the gods, you are wed.”
* * *
Beikife is a small town in something like the Amazon rain forest, protected by a pair of married gods. The gods are represented by human avatars, two young people chosen and married by divine power. The strength of the marriage represents the bond between the gods’ blessing, so the new forest wed must find a way to connect to each other, or the crops will fail, the rivers will flood, and the cursed monsters that live in the forest will claim many lives.
caitlinsternwrites 
An inauspicious beginning to married life. I think Adann should be worried.
Oh, Adann is very worried. She’s also rather stuck.
Seems Kaie has his misgiving but is following through on his “duty” to Beikife. I am curious to see how this is going to play out, I imagine there will be tears along the way.
Yep! Plenty of tears.
Tears and a punch in the mouth or two. Guys! They never know their lines well enough.
Kaie is too honest to say something he doesn’t mean, and right now, he has nothing good to say.
He’s being plenty of trouble, for sure.
I hope this marriage will be a good one, but something tells me it won’t be straightforward
No, I piled on the conflict for this one!
I love those vows! Highly realistic. 🙂 Kaie acts like he’s literally been dragged to the altar, which I guess he kind of has . . .
Yes, Kaie isn’t coming off too well, but he had all sorts of plans–Addan didn’t have any more choice, but she also wasn’t engaged.
And the trouble starts already, right from the first moments of this marriage. Fascinating!
Kaie is trapped between duty and love, and making the choice he feels he must. But no one said he had to be happy about it.
Ouch! But I can’t blame him too much if he really is in love with someone else. Darn gods and their meddling.
They have to have faith, but it’s difficult in times like these!
Oh no. Not a great start to married life for certain. This does not bode well. Adann’ s vows are beautiful. Love this story so far and can’t wait to read more. 🙂
Their vows pretty well describe their personalities and approach to this marriage–Adann is trying, Kaie is angry.
Glad you liked them–those few sentences took a little while to write!
I feel for them both. If only they’d had a choice in the matter.
It would be a very different story then… And I like to torture my characters. 😉
Oh well, after Adann’s vows Kaie certainly was a flop…but yeah, how else could he act under the circumstances! This is such a beautifully done tale, can’t wait to see what he does now that the deed is done.
That’s exactly what I thought! The poor man’s in love with Orla, who he planned to marry–and had a move, a job, etc., planned too. And now this? He has a right to be grumpy.
I feel so, so sorry for her. She’s at least trying… Good snippet, Caitlyn. You’ve really upped the tension!
Yes, Adann gets to try for quite a while, while her husband will only be trying!
His vows are memorable in what he didn’t say. At least she’s trying.
He was honest… I give him points for that.
That’s such a bittersweet wedding ceremony. I hope they find a happy life together eventually.
I like my romances with a happy ending, too–but I feel free to give them plenty of roadblocks along the way! 🙂
Not a way to start a marriage. I feel bad for the couple.
It’s a tough situation, but they’re doing their best.
Nice reluctant groom. It makes me want to know what comes next.
Thanks!
Oh my… Definitely a marriage where work will be needed. Nice snippet!
Oh, yes, lots of work. Especially since the gods’ protection is strengthened by the bond of the forest wed.