He nods to her politely before his gaze returns to me. “Ye are beautiful, fancy or plain. But this…”
“Let’s dance!” I haul him along, holding his hand. The flare in his eyes is setting me off too, and we canna do anything here at the Marabout’s home.
More people have joined the party, and we’re quickly lost together in a swirling circle of dancers. Feet stomping, arms raised, singing, and laughing. The stone pavers underneath our feet are shaking and flower petals are flying through the air from a dozen blooming trees.
My foot slips a little on the turn in the dance, and I stagger against Lucas.Maybe that scotch hit harder than I thought.He laughs as he slips his hands around my waist, spinning me, his gray eyes so warm as he looks down at me. Maybe Lucas has had a little bit too much scotch, too.
We could have danced for an hour, or all night, I dinnae know, but eventually Marabout Badis stands, clapping his hands and we all turn to him.
“ahlaan bikum 'ayuha alduyuf al'aeizaa'a! nahn huna allaylat linahtafil bialhubi walliqa'i. linukrimbaedana albaed wanaltazim bialeuhud alati natabadalha.”Lucas whispers the translation for me, “Welcome, dear guests! We are here tonight to celebrate love, and reunion. To honor each other and the vows we speak.”
Couples are beginning to line up in front of him and several of the women pull on our hands, coaxing us to join in. As each couple stands in front of Marabout Badis, he loosely binds their wrists with a bit of colorful silk cord, gives them a blessing and they step off the platform to the cheers of the party guests.
“I dinnae think we should be doing this,” I whisper to Lucas. “What is he saying?”
He frowns slightly, “As near as I can ken, it’s a blessing for happiness. It’s nothing we would disrespect by participating.”
“Oh, grand, then.” To be honest, I’m in no hurry to step aside. My hand is in Lucas’s warm one, the torches cast a golden glow over the party and that scotch we drank earlier is buzzing through my veins.
When it’s our turn to step in front of Marabout Badis, he gives us a huge smile.“'asdiqayiy aljudda. 'atamanaa 'an turafiqakum alsaeadat fi rihlatikum.Allah i3tik ma tmniti.”Lucas’s lips touch my ear as he whispers, “My new friends, may happiness follow you on your journey. May God give you peace.”
There’s a huge, silly grin on my face as Marabout Badis binds our wrists together with a ceremonial cord like the other guests and sends us on our way to another man, who is holding a huge, leather-bound book. He hands us a pen and points to a place on the page to sign.
“Oh, this must be like a guest book?” I look up at Lucas, who shrugs and smiles. We sign and step off the terrace, looking out onto the garden, lit by dozens of torches.
“Come, sweet Cat. Let’s dance a wee bit more, aye?” He frowns, studying me. “Or is your back twinging up?”
“Not at all. When did ye become such a social thing?” I laugh as he pulls me back into the circle of dancers.
“Since ye first took my hand tonight.” He gives me a quick kiss on my temple and we swirl and bow and stomp our feet, laughing giddily.
It’s late into the night and the celebration is winding down when Imane finds us again. “You must be tired. My brother wanted me to show you to your room so you can rest.”
“shkran lak,Thank ye.” Lucas nods respectfully and we follow her back into the house.
“Do ye think we should ask for separate rooms?” I whisper, “Marabout Badis knows we’re not really married. I dinnae want to insult him.”
Lucas shrugs, “He gave us a single room, so it’s his decision.”
The room is dominated by an enormous bed, the carved wooden headboard more like art than furniture. Two hanging amber pendants on either side give off a gentle glow and the bed is piled with silks and pillows in purple and blue.
This roomscreamsseductive, and suddenly, I dinnae know where to look, so aware of the man next to me.
***
Ken - Scottish slang for understanding something.
Bairns - Scottish slang for children.
Si- A term of respect for an important person.
Chapter Eighteen
In which there is love, lust, and filthy talk.
Lucas…
I should put Cat to bed and go sleep on one of the long, low couches settled in the corner of the room.
