An Out Of This World Wedding #scifi #romance

Hi, I'm Pippa Jay, author of sci-fi and supernatural stories to engage your emotions. Despite writing several romances, only one features an actual wedding. My debut novel (which by strange coincidence released one day before my own wedding anniversary) sees the out of this world joining of my two main characters on a tropical island far removed in space and time from either of their points of origin.

The ceremony combined the tradition of their reptilian hosts with their own chosen vows, created after researching some pagan hand-fasting ceremonies from my home country. So I'm sharing an excerpt from Keir where my star-crossed lovers finally get to make the ultimate committment...

Keir stood in M’linka’s hut and tried to still the quiver in his hands. The saurian artist sat hunched over his sketchpad, once more tracing the patterns on Keir’s back. Metraxian tradition required a groom to come bare-chested to his bride, to show the tattoo that marked his initiation into adulthood. When S’rano had given him the vows to learn and told him of the ritual, Keir had barely hesitated. He would honor his hosts and the woman he loved by going against his own inhibition and obeying islander tradition. And it gave M’linka, itching for another look at the plethora of designs carved into Keir’s skin, a second chance to sketch. The saurian had been flattered by Keir’s request to be his guide through the ceremony, though he did little to allay Keir’s nerves as they waited.
Keir watched the villagers pass by in brightly-colored clothing and woven headdresses, bearing food for the banquet or burning torches to light the feast as they went to gather on the beach. The sun was sinking in crimson splendor, turning the sea to fiery gold and the trees beyond into dark shadows. The sounds of excitement and anticipation, of talk and laughter rose above the voice of the sea. Listening to them only heightened his own nerves. He dried sweating palms on the fabric of his trousers, ran the words through his mind again and again. He prayed his tongue would not stumble over them.
A sudden hush fell. M’linka laid his drawing aside and rose to join Keir, whose mouth went dry as L’enko’s voice carried to him.
“My friends!” he cried. “Tonight we celebrate three great events. We welcome our wraith hunters back as men, ready to take on the responsibilities of adulthood. We welcome two honored guests, rescued by our brave hunters. And we celebrate their marriage, here in our village on this night!”
A rousing cheer and applause greeted his announcement.
“Let the ceremony begin!”
The Metraxians started clapping rhythmically, beating out a marching time. M’linka led the way out, down to the gathering, and brought Keir before the chief, who sat on a throne of bamboo. Keir waited as S’rano came down with Quin walking behind him. She had her eyes downcast, and a beautiful rose blush to her cheeks, still dressed in the flowing sarongs and with her hair braided. His body pulsed with heat as she raised her eyes to meet his, and then lowered her gaze to his bare chest. He heard her sharp intake of breath, saw her smile brighten as she understood his tribute to her.
“For you, my love.” He offered it as a gift.
Tears glimmered in her eyes, and he adored her all the more for it. She knew what it signified, and the fact that it mattered to her meant the world to him. She meant the world to him.
“You are my everything.” Her thoughts twined within his, and her love washed over him.
L’enko joined Quin’s left hand to Keir’s right, holding them together in both hands. The fact that her hand trembled as much as his settled his own nerves, and he squeezed a reassurance.
L’enko called for silence and turned to Keir. “What do you seek here?”
The words he had feared to forget came easily now, because they came from his true desire. “I seek to bind my life to Tarquin Secker, the woman I love with all my heart and soul,” he replied, his voice as steady as his love for her.
L’enko turned to Quin with the same question, and she answered calm and clear, as if she had waited all her life with those words on her lips. “I seek to bind my life to Keirlan de Corizi, the man I love with all my heart and soul.”
“The joining of your hands represents your wish to join your lives together as one.” Once more, L’enko addressed Keir. “Speak your vows.”
“I promise to share all my life with you, in love and laughter, through tears and trials. To work by your side and to dream in your arms. To fill your heart and feed your soul. To always see the best in you, and to love you always until the end of our forever.” As he spoke the words, he touched her mind, offered himself body and soul along with his vows, completely.
L’enko prompted Quin to speak, and for a moment, her voice failed and she could only stare at him in silence. Panic flared briefly in Keir’s mind. That single mote of tension, of quiet, seemed to last forever. Then Quin spoke, and a sigh passed through the gathering as she mirrored Keir’s vows. Relief washed through him as each word brought them closer to unity.
With their promises given, L’enko wrapped a cord around their joined hands. “With your pledges spoken, and your hearts and minds as one, as your bodies will be one in union, I bind you now until the end of your forever.”
A loud cheer arose as the Keir and Quin kissed each other, both hesitant with so many eyes upon them. The chief unbound their hands and bade them sit together as he proceeded with the rest of the ceremonies.

To find out if that was their happy ever after, you'll have to read the rest of their story. ;) Find them all at pippajay.co.uk