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This is a WIP, NaNoWriMo 2015, Forest Wed. The gods of a town in the rain forest chose a new forest wed couple from the unmarried young people–Addan and Kaie (who was engaged)–they marry, return their totems to the gods’ statues, patrol, and go home, where Kaie explores the house to avoid the bedroom he insisted on sharing with Adann, and finally enters, carrying a lamp.
He found his wife stretched out on the bed, feet together, hands on her stomach. Her eyes were closed, but they opened as he walked into the bedroom.
“Are you fine with that side of the bed?” Adann stretched a little, and settled more comfortably on the bedding.
Kaie couldn’t help but watch the flex of her body, but he blew out the flame before he could be caught staring, “It’s fine.”
“Oh,” Adann’s voice sounded small and unsure, but she didn’t speak again.
In silence, he got ready for sleep in the dim moonlight, and climbed into bed, turning his back to Adann. Her breath hitched, and paused for a moment, before he heard the soft whoosh of an exhale. The bed shifted as she rolled onto her side, and Kaie lay there, his back rigid, waiting for her to say or do something.
* * *
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 
Poor Kaie. I have a feeling he might regret waiting.
Love the excerpt.
He’s regretting it a little right now. 😉
You’ve done a great job of conveying their stiff awkwardness. No, no, stiff isn’t the right word in this context. Their LIMP awkwardness.
Hah! 🙂
Nicely done, Caitlin. There is no doubt that neither of them is comfortable. I like how you hint at the emotional undertone.
It’s just awkward all around!
What an uncomfortable situation! But, it seems like Kaie holds more attraction to Adann than he first realized.
They’re both fairly attractive young people, and they *are* married… 😉
Newlyweds with unspoken problems. Communicate, kids! Caitlin, you create the most interesting tales.
If they communicated, they wouldn’t make so much conflict! 😉
But they will figure it out, eventually.
Uh oh…is the honeymoon over already? 🙂
Fun little snippet.
I think it’s fair to say the honeymoon never even started.
I really feel for these two. It’s a tough situation and it sounds like they’re not ready to talk about it just yet.
Kaie doesn’t want to talk, and Adann is too polite to force the issue–which will make everything worse before it gets better!
Akward! You did a great job with tension in that scene.
History Sleuth’s Mysteries
Thanks! 🙂
Great job conveying the awkwardness and tension.
Not the wedding night dreams are made of!
Poignant moment. I like how they’re both waiting for the other to break the barrier.
Yep. You know what they say about people who hesitate!
Awkward in the extreme (which is so clearly depicted through your writing). Enjoyed the excerpt, feel badly for them, can’t wait to see what happens next.
Glad you enjoyed!
Wonderful scene–showing how awkward their relationship is. This story has such good tension running through it, Caitlin. I wonder if you’ll have to sort of vilify the girl who Kaie was planning on marrying… 🙂
I’m not sure if vilify is the word, but I’ve already established some character traits. 😉
Waiting for her to do something, say something…and if she doesn’t? Maybe this isn’t the wedding night people dream of, but I think sleep will be a long time in coming for these two. Great job painting the awkward tension!
If she doesn’t speak, he doesn’t either. 😉
That’s not the wedding night of anyone’s dreams. I don’t imagine that marriage will be consummated that very night.
Doesn’t seem likely, does it?
Oooh! Sounds like things are going to get a little “blue” (it’s an expression I made up to indicate a couple getting it on). I enjoyed that sensual moment, and it sounds like an awesome honeymoon already. The only thing that struck me was how he gets in bed and turns his back to Adaan. Is he turning his back to himself or to Kaie?
I’m not sure I get your question. Addan was on her back, and Kaie is on his side, his back to her. Then she rolls to face him.
Can you not tell that from the snippet? Might need a rewrite, then.
Oh I got that part. I knew what you meant to say. It’s just the sentence said he turned his back to Addan. I’m sure it’s a typo. Sorry if I confused you.
I can sense the awkwardness with each other. Well done. I’m enjoying the snippets of this story.
They are quite awkward, poor them!
Wonderfully awkward. 🙂
Tweeted.
The two of them need to work on their communication skills.
Smiled all the way through reading this – love the visual at the beginning – so sweet.
Tweeted.
Thanks!
That’s awkward! You’ve captured it perfectly.
Thanks!
Love the tension, and uncertainty between these two. I think it would be fun watching them get to know each other.
I hope so. 🙂
I can’t help but feel sorry for both of them here.
I do, too. They’re in a difficult situation.