“I’m sorry that the Duke is so grumpy, Dai. You took him by surprise. And we have some reason to be wary.”
“You followed us,” Marcus said, also dismounting.
“I did. Curious, wasn’t I,” Dai said.
“How did you get here before us on foot?” Marcus demanded suspiciously.
“Well now. That’s a question, isn’t it? I know these lands and they know me,” Dai replied cryptically.
“We came here to wed, Dai. I would be honored if you would stand as a witness for us,” Selina said.
Marcus looked at her sharply for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, that is a capital idea.”
“Wed?” Dai said, tilting his head to one side, “Suppose that explains the getup. But shouldn’t yous be doing that in a church?”
“That has proved…problematic,” Selina said carefully, “my father has raised objections.”
“Father, is it? That would be the name you called me, Duke?” Dai replied, “You thought I was him trying to stop you marrying your girl, did you?”
“He tried to have Selina kidnapped. And now casts doubt over my rightful claim to the Dukedom. He believes me to be an impostor,” Marcus said.
Selina had not wanted to be quite so open but she supposed it was public knowledge now. Everyone in Folkington knew why the Duke’s wedding had not gone ahead. Why should they not be open and honest with Dai?
“Hmmm, now then. There’s a thing you don’t hear every day,” Dai replied thoughtfully, “bet the old vicar down there in the village ran a mile, did he? Never one to stick his neck out.”
“He did,” Marcus said grimly.
“So you thought you’d wed your girl the old way. In front of the old ones and the land itself,” Dai went on, nodding, “Well, let’s get on with it then. Lady Moon is out so I’d say you has her blessing see. To the stone we go and we’ll get on with the handfasting.”
He turned and began to hurry back towards the standing stone. Selina and Marcus followed, leading their horses.
“Handfasting?” Selina whispered for Marcus, though she was overheard by Dai.
“Aye, handfasting. The old way to marry. Back before the Christians arrived in these isles. You think people didn’t get married before Christ came along?” Dai said over his shoulder, “I will bind your hands together with grass. And you’ll stay married in the eyes of Woden until you decide to part. That’s the old way and that stone over there is Woden’s eye.”
“Yes…” Marcus said thoughtfully, “I remember that story. There are carvings on the stone and one of them looks like an eye. I remember that!”
“It is an eye. Woden’s eye. I told you,” Dai said.
As he walked he was plucking long strands of grass. Beside the pool, it grew tall enough to reach Selina’s knees. Dai was taking the long strands and doing something with them that she couldn’t see. By the time they all reached the standing stone, he turned to reveal a long thread, made up of interwoven grass. The stone was taller than it had seemed in the distance, looming over them. Looking up, Selina could see a notch in its top which cradled the full moon. They were here at the precise moment that the moon sat directly above the stone.
“Woden guided you, I’d say,” Dai said, following her gaze, “to be here at just this moment. Only happens once a month and doesn’t stay there for long. So, if the two of yous want to be married and want the blessing of the old gods, let’s be having you.”
He spoke briskly, taking Selina’s hand in one of his own, then taking Marcus’ in the other. Selina smiled, heart racing.
I feel more excited in this moment than I did when entering the church for my actual wedding. But, why should this be any less than that? Why should I look on that ceremony as valid and this as a game?
Marcus was staring at her as Dai wrapped the grass about their wrists.
“This was meant to be,” he whispered, “destiny. It brought you to me and brought your father to the church today. All to bring us here.”
“How does it happen?” Selina asked when Dai had bound them, “What do we say?”
“This a place for honesty. Woden’s eye is on yous, on all of us. He will bind you together but not if you harbor any untruths or deceptions,” Dai said gravely.
Selina stepped closer to Marcus, her fingers intertwining with his. He towered over her with all the sense of strength and permanence as the stone that towered over both of them. She felt safe in this place, protected by Marcus from anything her father or the rest of the world chose to throw at them. Nothing had felt so right as standing here with Marcus.
A man I have known for a matter of weeks. A man I believed I had known since childhood. A man I wish I had known my entire life. A man I will have the rest of my life to know.
