I am nervous. The anticipation of my role and the importance that it carries thrums in my blood. I can feel the way it makes my limbs tremble as I move and I have resolved to stand still and resolute as to not allow my nerves to bleed into the bride or our party. I am so terribly happy for them that I cannot bear to do anything that may ruin their special day, especially considering I know how terribly conflicted that Eness must feel.

She has not spoken much on the topic, not even as we shared my oasis for an entire week. Even the mention of Sakhmet's name was enough to bring the pain back into her eyes and I dare not cause her more grief. I had sincerely hoped that the fierce blood-marked mare would come around to the idea, but my hopes were clearly not enough. In amidst all the planning and the preparations for the ceremony, I had not found the time to seek her out as I had hoped, to try and talk sense into her. My hurt heart for Eness, even as it anticipated the happiness that she would find in the company of her soul sewn.

I relied on my years of training at the side of my jida and kept my face composed, even though every bit of me felt nebulous with nervous energy. I dragged in slow breaths through wide-rimmed nostrils and kept my gaze firmly trained on the setting before us, my mind frantically working backwards and forwards over the words that Rigel had taught me. It is only the subtle sense of beginning that emanates from my husband, my dearest, that brings me back to the present, and a smile flutters over my lips.

Our joining had not been customary, that was certain, but it was the will of both of our respective sets of deities that we had come together in the way that we had. I had spent far too many years dreading a wedding to be truly sorry that I had not experienced my own, and with a subtle murmur of laughter I stretch to reassure him that I did not miss what we had not had. "I would wish nothing different from our first moments together, Husband."

Movement draws my gaze again, and with another deep breath, I shift to the correct position and beckon the beautiful Eness forward. She has always been gorgeous, but the women have made sure that her mane remains bedecked in petals, and the soft perfume of desert flowers trails in her wake. I can sense the reaction of Atair nearby, and bite my cheek to prevent myself from smiling too wide and ruining the solemnity of the situation.

My gaze catches Corona in the back, and again my jaw clenches to prevent a grin as the beautiful dappled woman takes her place. I had sensed a kinship with her in the Crossing, and our similarities had only seemed to blossom the longer we spent time together. She stood as though she were little more than a bundled wisp of wind, and I wondered absently what it might be like to witness her racing across the dunes at the side of Aldebaran. Surely it would be a true race between the comeliness of Corona's lithe figure to distract him and the speed that Sayyida believed she possessed.

It wouldn't hurt to see her prideful brother brought down a notch. Or happy with a wife of his own.

I smile back at Eness as she stills before me and swallow to quell my nerves. The words that Rigel bade me to memorize are formal and solemn, but I am not yet comfortable enough in my role as Mira as to change them. Regardless of their age, the words had weight and meaning, and I felt it course through me as I solemnly spoke to the gorgeous bride. "Come, bride, and speak your vow."

Again my lips curve into encouragement as I lift my gaze to Antares, bidding him to continue with his part.