***
The ceremony was held on a gorgeous summer day at what was once the largest convention center in Baltimore. It had seen worse since then and thus required much to make it suitable for the occasion. No expense was spared as the venue was adorned with decorations of all kinds, but there was one thing that would be the talk of the town for months and years to come: the hall was lit using a genius combination of natural and artificial lighting. To many it possessed a mystical effect because electricity was so rare, even in West Maryland where a quarter of the population - the highest number in any of the major territories - had access to it for a few hours each day. And of that already small number most was used by the government. For many, seeing electricity being used so extravagantly was amazing. But for others, these were somber and painful reminders of a world that had slipped through their fingers.
The ceremony began as many had since time out of mind, with music. A large grand piano accompanied by other instruments played as the attendees turned to watch little girls shower the center aisle with flowers. The crowd cheered as they reached the podium and split off in either direction. Turning to the entrance once more the great doors opened to reveal The Groom. He strolled down the aisle in a fine black suit and a fantastic grin on his face. From the corners of his eyes he could see friends, a few officers, and the remaining members of his family. His cousin and older brother had taken their spots on his side of the aisle along with their cadre of bodyguards. Both men were standing and cheering wildly. He laughed. Sitting on the bride's side by herself was his sister who expressed no emotion. She just stared at him with cold eyes. He didn't acknowledge her, and he passed her like one passes a stranger on the sidewalk. Reaching the podium he nodded at the officiant who nodded back: he was the mayor of Baltimore. The groomsmen came next clothed in similar outfits. These were officers who each cut a striking figure as they positioned themselves to the left of the groom. The bridesmaids were next as they walked down the aisle with grace and pizzazz in their navy blue dresses. Reaching the podium they positioned themselves parallel and opposite to the groomsmen.
At last, The Bride appeared. Radiant like the sun, her magnificent white gown shone as the light reflected off of crystals sewn onto the dress. She sparkled, and everyone who attended would recall her as the most beautiful bride they'd ever seen. Trailed by two girls holding up the wagon of her dress she made her way to her future husband. They followed her until she reached the podium where she turned to face The Groom. The girls bowed to The Bride and then took their seats. The Groom smiled and winked at the lovely woman in front of him who smiled and winked back. He noticed she was wearing her favorite necklace, the one he had acquired for her some years ago. A thin but solid chain of pure silver, hanging from it was a sapphire so brilliant a blue you could stare into it and become lost. When he had first given it to her she had remarked that it was beautiful and she'd look great with it on. He had responded that had it not been for her, the chain and jewel would've been ordinary, even plain - it was she who gave the jewel its worth and beauty. Looking at her now he realized how true it was. He felt a lump in his throat and fought to keep it down.
The officiant motioned everyone to sit down, and when they did he began.
"In this year, X a.t.c., we come together to see these two joined in matrimony. They join in love and solidarity as only these two can. For the world has changed and society has turned to chaos." He paused for effect, and then pointed a finger at the couple. "But not them; they didn’t succumb as many have. They found the strength and joy and hope in one another to triumph through these dark times. And in doing so, they’ve brought much of that happiness to their people.”
The attendees clapped. The Groom and The Bride looked at one another and felt pride. In the din of the applaud The Groom turned to thoughts of the past. The chaos immediately following the collapse of the government and dissolution of the United States. The lean years to come. The war with his sister... He was close to annihilating her until his older brother and cousin came out of nowhere to stop him. They had told him it was for everyone’s sake as it was for hers. He had been furious but learning they had survived had blunted some of his anger. He didn’t have the manpower to refuse them, so he and that woman met at Annapolis and signed their peace accord, forever dividing Maryland between his land in the west and hers in the east. But the peace between them hadn’t been absolute: border skirmishes were common and spies from both sides had infiltrated the other with a few losing their lives. In the end, she dealt an unexpected but heavy blow to him with the creation of a navy large enough to take control over Chesapeake Bay and enforce heavy tariffs on shipments to and from his territory. But more than that, worse than that, what he’d never forgive or forget, was that she’d gotten away with murder...
He felt a soft hand touch his and he glanced at The Bride. There was a question in her eyes but he shook his head. She smiled. He turned his attention to the officiant who had just finished the introductions. Looking at The Groom he said, “Sir, do you have your vows prepared?” The Groom nodded and looked straight into her eyes.
“I owe everything to you. If I didn’t have you, I wouldn’t have anything at all. You’re my light. You’re my love. It’s because of you we were able to build the life that we have now. It’s because of you I’ve become who I’ve become. None of what I’ve achieved would’ve have been possible if you weren’t there with me. My achievements are yours. You’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, and if you’ll have me, I promise to love you until the end of my days.”
He could see the tears in The Bride’s eyes. Without looking back she held out a hand to one of her bridesmaids who handed her a tissue. She dabbed her eyes and gave the tissue back. The officiant thanked The Groom and signaled The Bride to share her vows.
She said his name. “You’re my strength. You’re my heart. You’re everything to me.” She looked askance and spoke in a small voice. “When my family died I thought, so did the best part of me. I was lost and felt so alone, but you were with me. Even when I yelled and screamed and was unfair to you, you were patient with me. Then, one day, I realized I was wrong; I hadn’t lost the best part of me. Because I had you. I have you. My family will always be in my heart but being with you has helped me endure and become strong. You’re everything to me, and if you’ll have me, I promise to love you until the end of my days.” This time, The Groom allowed tears to fall and he leaned in to kiss her. She accepted it and wiped away his tears with a hand.
They released one another and waited for the officiant to conclude the ceremony. The officiant looked at The Groom, said his name, and asked him a simple question. “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health ‘til death do you part?”
The Groom looked into the eyes of the woman in front of him and said, “I do.”
The officiant asked the same of her. “Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do you part?”
The Bride looked into the eyes of the man in front of her and said, “I do.”
The officiant smiled. “Then by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife...” He motioned with his hands. “Ya’ll can kiss now.”
The couple laughed and wasted no time as they kissed. The crowd went wild as the music blared. But to The Groom and The Bride, the people and the music and the fluff of the ceremony had disappeared. It was just the two of them in the new life they’ve just created together. Letting go they looked at one another. He took her arm in his and proceeded down the aisle. Rows and rows of people congratulated the passing couple. The Groom couldn’t help the grin on his face. But as he was looking around his eyes locked on to something that sent a terrible chill down his spine and gave his heart pause. His eyes locked on to his sister, sitting by herself. He had seen that look before and it unnerved him to the point of fright because it spelled something terrible
.
She was smiling. She showed teeth, white as the sharks that hunted the oceans of the world. He couldn’t find happiness in those eyes – not for him, his wife, or for anyone or anything. Her eyes were devoid of all things except the hate and madness that looked back at him. But what haunted him the most, that day and for a long time after was the sound of her clapping, its slow and heavy cadence reminiscent of a bell striking at midnight.
The Adder
The Adder surveyed the room from his position near the commander’s table with deep green eyes. He wasn’t expecting trouble but his duty was to protect his charges. He wouldn’t fail. He heard a familiar voice call his name, and he turned to see The Groom waving him over to his table. The Adder walked over to meet him. He nodded to The Groom and bowed courteously to The Bride who smiled and waved. The Groom said his name. “You’re literally standing there on ceremony; relax a little.”
The Bride also put in her two cents. “Yes! You’ve done more work than either of us, and this is our wedding!”
The Adder smiled. “That’s not true, ma’am.” He liked her. She often lacked tact but was charming, intelligent, and had an emotional strength that was difficult to find. They were good for one another.
The Groom motioned for The Adder to lean in. When he was close The Groom said, "Do you see that woman standing against the bar?"
His eyes shot towards her. The Adder's senses flared, waiting for her to make a threatening move. “Is she a problem, sir?” Startled, The Groom looked at him. He recognized the tone and the icy look, and after a moment he burst into laughter. The Adder looked at him. “Sir?”
The Groom said, “No, not at all. I was about to point out that she’s been eyeing you for a while.”
He blinked, even more confused. “Sir?”
Chiming in The Bride said his name. “You should go up and talk to her. I think you’d hit it off.” The Adder glanced at the woman, who waved a single gloved hand at him. Seeing the greeting, she said, “See?”
The Groom chuckled. “I think she likes you. It’s that streak of gray hair you got going. I hope I can pull that off someday...“ Before he could say more his wife gave him a gentle slap on the shoulder to make him stop his teasing.
The Adder pursed his lips and crossed his arms. “Sir, my foremost duty is to protect you and your wife, not take advantage of a young lady in the heat of the moment.”
Not missing a beat The Groom said, “Is it her age? Yeah, she’s in her twenties but that’s alright-“
“Honey!” said The Bride, this time she hit shoulder hard enough for him to put on a pained face.
“Okay, I’ll stop.” To The Adder he said, “Fine, have it your way.”
“Thank you, sir.” He tipped his head and turned to leave but The Groom held out a hand. “Sir?”
The Groom smiled a kind smile. “But seriously, it’s okay to relax a little bit.”
The Adder said, “I’ll relax when she’s gone, sir.” He wasn’t talking about the lady at the bar.
The Groom said, “My sister won’t do anything, not here. She’s outnumbered and she doesn’t have her toy-boys or her dogs with her. Besides, my cousin is occupying her.” He nodded in their direction and The Adder looked out at the assembled guests. The Groom’s sister and cousin sat alone together near the entrance at a table fit for eight people. The party organizers didn’t object; they simply set their eyes to the floor and set another table far from the two of them.
The Adder nodded. “Very well, sir.”
“Great, so you’ll relax and talk to that nice young woman?”
“No,” said The Adder. He bowed his head and walked away just in time to see the couple roll their eyes and laugh. A smile of his own touched the corners of his lips.