Chapter Nine: Tethered Silks[edit | edit source]

On the eve of his wedding, Ivin Choerkin, confined to a room for a day of purification, reflects on his reluctance to marry Kinesee, his unrequited love for another, and his worry for Rinold, captured in the southern forest, where Daksin Ravinrin’s rescue party has ventured. Dressed in fine black silk with silver griffons and a golden sash, Ivin emerges to face a grand ceremony attended by over a thousand, his nerves eased by Kinesee’s radiant yet anxious presence in a white silk gown adorned with gold. The couple, bound by red and white silken sashes symbolizing blood and spirit, exchange vows under High Priestess Jelodu’s blessing, uniting their hearts and souls before Sol and Januel. Kinesee, battling her own fears and a choking cough, finds comfort in Ivin’s shared nervousness, their mutual admissions of unreadiness forging a tentative bond. As the crowd erupts in celebration, clansfolk offer silent blessings, and the couple dances, tethered by silks, navigating the awkward intimacy of their new roles. A kiss, interrupted by Tengkur the black goat nibbling Kinesee’s dress, sparks laughter and a genuine moment of connection, with Kinesee declaring she “likes” Ivin, despite the absence of storybook romance. Bound for six candles by tradition, they face the humorous challenge of shared tasks, their marriage marking a union of duty and budding affection amidst the looming threats of Rinold’s captivity and the clans’ precarious future.

WoG Chapter 08 — Bones Forgotten
WoG Chapter 10 — Tangled Triangle
Whispers of Ghosts — Main Chapter Listing