The story so far:

---- Aija and the others are on the South-Land. They are waiting for the Leadership to attack. Goldstar is alive. They lost the Premiere, Leigh, Tailyn, Arah Lin. Ze is getting better in his training. Ze and Ruyanir aren't married yet. The war comes to an end when Iernei spaceships arrive. Aija finds her brother Rei and Vincent alive. Aija and Thieron tell Goldstar all that has happened with them. Aija and Thieorn want to go to Ierne to give Aa'di Irih'va the Avo. Luka didn't expect to survive this long. He now feels at home with Thieron and Nala. Zuri goes home. She asks her parents to go to the South-land with her. They refuse. Xan accepts Var-Inu's offer to get an Iernei body. Xan is now Iernei. Thieron talks to Aija; she says she's confused and needs time. They all go to Ierne, Aa'di Irih'va welcomes them and takes Aija away. Zuri roams the Palace. She meets Ze, who tells her he doesn't like Nala and makes Zuri doubt her relationship with Nala. Aija asks Irih'va to remove her bond with Thieron. He agrees and accomplishes it. Goldstar gives Premier Zhaleh a plan to use against the Leadership. Thieron wakes after the bond is removed. He misses Aija. Aa'di Irih'va asks him to go home and then to join the Ithi'hra to work with him. Thieron gives Aija candy; she accepts them and it makes him happy.

----Nala and Ze have a fight session. Ze wins. Nala gets to know Thieorn spoke to Ze about her and Zuri. She asks Thieron about it. He convinces Nala to go home. Xan struggles with Ishth'nor's memories. Xan learns from Aija what really happened to him; he feels hurt. He wants to warn his family about the experiments to save his siblings. Goldstar finds out Vincent is Ytean-human. And that he was responsible for his reputation. He is upset. He chooses to leave behind 'Goldstar' and be Rei.

----It is Ze's wedding day. He's happy. Diya and Nova are present. He sees Ruyanir before the wedding.

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****19.2 RUYANIR****

'Zyn uiri zvu, Ruyanir,'

The words echoed n her heart, making it flutter.

'I love you, Ruyanir,'

Ruyanir regarded Ze, speechless.

Ze took her hands in his. "Zyn uiri zvu. Zyn uiri zvu. Zyn uiri zvu, Ruya, rl ayen. Zvu ins zān. Eva zyn ou zāne zvu. Eva zo el mar ru zoun séra."

Ruyanir's breath left her for a second.

I love you. I love you. I love you, Ruya, till my last breath. You complete me. Today, I commit myself to you. Today we become equals in our circle.

Ruyanir cried. Those words meant the universe to her. Zayr men said – today, I bring you into my circle; you become mine. But Ze saying they were equals, like other Iernei did, meant so much more. She didn't want to belong to him; she wanted to belong with him. He knew and respected it. And him saying it to her in Ze meant even more. He'd practised. All those extra classes with Ru'n On'jir...he'd been practising.

"Zyn uiri zvu, Ze Roan," she swallowed the lump forming in her throat. Still, a few more tears escaped.

Ze placed a kiss on her head. They stepped out into the daylight, hand in hand, behind the Hi'er and Zayr guards.

Ruyanir hadn't given much thought to the décor. Her only requests to Aa'di Irih'va had been a blue gown and for the venue to be outside rather than the Throne Room. But when she saw the stage set up ahead, Ruyanir's heart swelled with delight. Everything was blue, even the lights that hovered above them in the daylight. Everything was set to Zayr rituals; no black in sight. Only the guests wore black.

Aa'di Irih'va stood under the last arch, waiting for them. The mountains were visible beyond the cliff on which the wooden platform stood.

Ze and Ruyanir went down the walkway lined by traditional Zayr azon: the tall metal-pillars topped by bowls containing fire, water, mud, grains. The blue cloth wound around the circular arches matched the blue of her gown.

Her gown, a masterpiece made up of four shades of blue, clung to her figure, enhancing whatever curves she had. The top was made of sheer light-blue material, embellished with gems, all the way to her sleeves that reached her wrists, made of the same shimmery-blue fabric. The neckline around her collarbone was made to resemble rising waves of the ocean, reaching to her neck at places. A dark-blue belt cinched the material at her waist, and the skirt made of another shade of blue swayed as she walked. A long train, attached to her waist, trailed her like the sea followed her up the Mux'xra range. Ruyanir had seen icebergs further up north, only once, when she'd run after her cousin brothers; glistening blue. Today, she likened it.

Aa'di Irih'va had gifted the gold-tiara she wore; he'd had it made for the very day. A gift, he'd said. But he'd given her the best gift of all: Ze Roan.

The holster across her torso, gold too, held the sole blade she owned. A Zayr bride wearing a weapon was sure to make a statement. Za'vyr had smiled, an open, full smile that had touched Ruyanir's heart.

Yal prowled ahead of her and Ze, buoyant. The air, warm thanks to the shielders and fire-bearers, made Ruyanir relaxed. Ruyanir strode towards the dais set up for the wedding, each step making it firm that it was all truly happening. Her wedding to Ze was real.

The wedding guests stood in a semi-circle around the platform, a swarm of black; her mother, with other Zayr, on the right where Aa'di would sit. There were so many: the Hi'er Royals, Hwa'adi Krior'va, the Representatives of the Provinces, and families. A large screen, far across to the left, recorded the wedding. Ruyanir saw herself and Ze on it, walking under the arches. Ruyanir took a deep breath, feeling Ze's touch on her hand. She was nervous; the whole of Ierne watched. She hoped Za'vyr, Zwi'nair, and the others wouldn't get into trouble.

Ru'n Thr'vir and Ru'n Ve'dir bowed to their Emperor; Zwi'nair and Rah'ven followed. They parted to let Ze and Ruyanir step forward. Yal demanded a pat from Aa'di Hi'er, drawing laughs from the crowd.

Ze and Ruyanir knelt in front of the Hi'er Emperor. Ruyanir could hear her heavy breaths in the silence that gripped the place. Even the winds had grown quiet in respect for their Emperor.

"Ze Roan-wi-aht-Earth-ra-Zayr, kare wi Diya Roan-wi-aht-Earth, kare wi Zxa'hyr Ze'dvar-wi-aht-Zayr. Ruyanir-wi-aht-Zayr, lari-wi-Za'vyr. You may stand," Aa'di Irih'va

Lari-wi-Za'vyr. Daughter of Za'vyr.

Not 'daughter of Na'thwir' as a break from tradition.

This is why Ruyanir loved the Emperor.

"I give you my blessings," Aa'di Irih'va smiled. He wore a simple gw'xun with mildly flamboyant cape-sleeves. A thin gold-circlet ran over his brows. Nothing fancy even as the Emperor. He ensured all the attention went to her and Ze.

Aa'di Irih'va took his seat; everyone else followed. Ruyanir spotted Aija in the chair beside his. Aija gave her a demure smile; Ruyanir returned it. Aija and Aa'di looked good together. Could Ruyanir ever hope it would work out between them? Aa'di Irih'va deserved happiness too.

The Zayr Priest, in yellow-gold robes, beckoned them to the platform. He directed Ze into one circle created by eight azon lamps and her into another, facing him. Ru'n Thr'vir and Ru'n Ve'dir stood behind Ze; Zwi'nair and Rah'ven behind her. Yal stood by Zwi'nair.

The two connected fire-circles created a pattern similar to the one humans called 'infinity.' The Iernei had the concept of infinity too, but the symbol differed. Ruyanir loved that the circles created an 'infinity', for Ze was half-human, and it, in a way, symbolised their love.

"Ze Roan-wi-aht-Earth-ra-Zayr, kare wi Diya Roan-wi-aht-Earth, kare wi Zxa'hyr Ze'dvar-wi-aht-Zayr," the Zayr Priest addressed, "Ruyanir-wi-aht-Zayr, lari-wi-Za'vyr, we are gathered on Hi'er land, belonging to the great Emperor. In the name of the Emperor, Ruler of the Hi'er Empire of Ierne, blessed of the Spirits, favoured of the Gods and Goddesses, Aa'di Hi'er Ivauth-Xru'lar Jei'ri-Xrou'rin Irih'va, I'm obliged to ask if you are willing to make the commitment whole-heartedly on Hi'er land?"

"Yes," they answered, looking into each other's eyes.

The Priest nodded to another behind him. The second Priest sprinkled Quinzra-water onto Ze and her. Quinzra; a symbol of purification. The Priest dipped two fingers into the jar and tapped the red-Quinzra water over Ze's heart, then over his temples. He repeated the gesture with Ruyanir. The blessing didn't involve cleansing the spot on their back where wings once existed as in other Iernei ceremonies because the Zayr never had wings.

The first Priest asked Ze to take Ruyanir's hands in his. He then dipped his fingers into the Quinzra-water and trailed them over their wrists – where the commitment runes would be drawn. He asked Ze to lead Ruyanir into his circle of azon lamps. Ruyanir stepped into Ze's circle of fire, her hands in his, heart whipping up a hard beat. Zwi'nair helped keep the train of her dress away from the fire.

The Priest handed them kuf, grains mixed with mud, and directed them according to the rites. Ruyanir poured the kuf over his head. Most of it settled in his curls, making her grin. "Ef akunvi jwerene," she whispered in his ear.

Ze repeated the process with the kuf. Zayr men never whispered 'Remember who you are,' to Zayr women. Zayr women were supposed to belong to their men, not care who they were before. But Ze whispered it into her ears, surprising her. Ruyanir fell harder for him.

"Ze Roan-wi-aht-Earth-ra-Zayr, kare wi Diya Roan-wi-aht-Earth, kare wi Zxa'hyr Ze'dvar-wi-aht-Zayr, will you always remember you are committed?" the Priest asked.

"Yes,"

"Will you remember always you are one of two of your own will?"

"Yes,"

"Will you remember who you are even as you take on another?"

"Yes,"

The Priest addressed Ruyanir next. The only question a Zayr woman was asked if she'd remember she belonged to her partner. She'd always loathed that tradition.

"Ruyanir-wi-aht-Zayr, lari-wi-Za'vyr, will you always remember you are committed?"

Ruyanir's heart skipped a beat. What?

"Ruya," Ze whispered when she didn't answer.

The lump she'd managed to smother returned. "Yes," her voice broke.

"Will you remember always you are one of two of your own will?"

"Yes,"

"Will you remember who you are even as you take on another?"

"Yes," Ruyanir sucked in a deep breath of air. She sought the Hi'er Emperor. He acknowledged her with a nod.

She knew he'd done it for her. There were no equals in a Zayr marriage. This, this equality was his gift to her, not the dress or the tiara, not the blade or the opulent wedding. This equality she'd desired all her life was the Emperor's real gift.

A tear slid down her cheek. Ze grinned, drawing circles with his thumb on her hand. He'd known of this part of the ceremony.

"Will, you both, remember you are equals in this commitment?" asked the Priest, a typical Iernei statement, not Zayr.

"Yes," they said together.

Ruyanir cried. She didn't care that all of Ierne watched. She felt grateful. She cried and smiled through it all, heart elated.

"You may mark your runes," said the Priest, handing over a blade.

The blade had the Ro'ein carved over it; the Emperor's.

Ze and Ruyanir drew the commitment-runes over the other's wrists as they'd practised. The runes glowed, and a black line emerged across their wrists, connecting the ends of the rune.

"Ef akunvi jwerene," Ruyanir whispered into Ze's ear as per Zayr tradition.

Ze Roan broke it again by whispering the words back to her.

"We see tomorrow together," Ze said.

Ruyanir repeated it, grinning, even as her tears didn't stop sliding down her cheeks. Ruyanir felt it – the connection between them. It rose with the rune and settled, sure and steady. The Zayr called it Uio – that rare, shattering sort of love. Zayr spent lifetimes hoping it happened to them. Ruyanir had it with Ze. She felt blessed the Uio had chosen her.

"In the name of the Emperor, Ruler of the Hi'er Empire of Ierne, blessed of the Spirits, favoured of the Gods and Goddesses, Aa'di Hi'er Ivauth-Xru'lar Jei'ri-Xrou'rin Irih'va, I bless your commitment. In the name of Za'nai, I bless your commitment." The Priest's voice boomed. It echoed over the Mux'xra mountains like a hymn.

"Zyn uiri zvu," Ze crooned.

Ruyanir chose CommLang. "I love you,"

The Emperor rose, and with him, the rest of the guests rose. The Priests brought Ze and Ruyanir chairs while Zwi'nair and Rah'ven set a wooden-container in front of them for the remainder of the rituals. Yal retook her places beside Ruyanir.

Aa'di Irih'va grabbed a handful of grains from the container beside the platform and climbed it. He poured the grains into the empty container in front of them. "May your hearts and home be full," he kissed Ruyanir on the cheek and repeated it with Ze, who blushed when Aa'di placed a peck on his cheek.

Ruyanir sought permission to hug him. He allowed, despite being in public. She heard gasps from the crowd as she held him and whispered, "Nih'ite," she said in Iernei. "Nih'ite, Aa'di Hi'er."

"Of course," he patted her once on the head and walked off the dais, followed by Ru'n Lwr'vyn. He retreated to his seat.

One by one, Zayr and Iernei grabbed handfuls of grains and dropped them into the container, offering their blessings. The grains, sort of like dyr, were traditionally Zayr. It was meant for their home. Their first meal as a married couple was supposed to have a sweet and savoury dish made from the collected grains. Traditionally, the grains were a handful from the guests' homes so that the newlyweds didn't have to worry about food on their table for a time. It was a blessing that together, they'd survive as a community in good and bad times. Now, the grains came from already collected containers, for they weren't in Za'nai, but Aa'di Irih'va wanted to keep the ritual; for Ruyanir's sake.

A while later, Aija came to give her blessings. Somehow, she'd sneaked two handfuls of grains, making Ruyanir giggle. She kissed Ze and Ruyanir and said, "May your hearts and home be full." No doubt the Emperor had taught her.

Zuri also brought two handfuls of grains. "More to you," she grinned.

"Thanks, Zu," Ze said.

Thieron came next with his sister; the only family resemblance held in their eyes and hair. He handed a blade to Ze, who hesitated before accepting it.

"But it's yours," Ze noted.

"Now it belongs to you," said Thieron. "Good luck with the fight, Ze Roan."

"Thank you," Ze placed the dagger on his lap, taken aback.

"My blessings," Thieron placed a kiss on Ruyanir's cheek. "May your hearts and home be full."

Ruyanir dipped her chin in acceptance.

The ceremony continued until every one of the guests had put their share of the grains into Ruyanir and Ze's container. The Priest announced that the wedding lunch would be served in the Throne Room. Aa'di Irih'va left first. Ze and Ruyanir were ushered behind him.

Ruyanir glimpsed at Ze.

"What?"

"We're married,"

"We are, my love." Ze placed a kiss on her hand.

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