Read Terran Times Second Wave # 10 - Liberty for Free Online Page B

decanting day arrived, she was lifted out of the tank on a rising platform until the assistants could drape her in drying sheets.
    Abin-Da was waiting next to the shower, and he laced her into a gown designed in the colours of sunset. “It is a big day, Death Seer.”
    She swayed on her feet. “Is it?”
    He blinked. “They did not tell you.”
    “It is decanting day. That is all I know. What is going on? Why the gown that covers everything?”
    “I don’t mean to blow the surprise, but you are getting married today. The duke has spent the last week driving all caterers and folk in my profession insane with demands. You are going to wed him today.” He smiled at her from his dark eyes. “Now, on to your hair and makeup. We haven’t had a duchess in a very long time and you want to look your best.”
    Libby blinked in surprise and tried to grapple with what she had just learned while the cosmetic and hair experts had their way with her.
    Married to a man she had only known for two days? The outrage and panic should have been there, but she couldn’t manage it. It felt right to be linked to him and not just in her mind. Her brain knew what it wanted, and a flutter of unease was all she could manage while she was painted and pinned into whatever they wanted.
    Shoklek arrived with a carved box held in his hands, and he smiled. “It is time, Death Seer.”
    “What is in the box?” She rose to her feet and went to stand next to him.
    “You will know when it is time. You look well, Death Seer.”
    She sighed and inclined her head. “Thank you. It is amazing what a long soak can do for a girl.”
    He grinned and gestured for her to accompany him. “They are waiting for you.”
    “I think I knew you were going to say that.” She sighed and followed Shoklek through the halls, into a chamber she hadn’t seen before.
    The heavily armed guards snapped to attention as she approached. That’s new.
    Shoklek passed through the columns of guards and tapped the base of his staff. “Guardians of the Miexhar court, I give you your lady, Liberty Trout, Death Seer of Miexhar.”
    The guards slammed their left fist against their chests in acknowledgement.
    Libby blinked and tried to clear her head, but all the auras she saw were the burning blue of those full of life with no sign of an early demise. It was comforting and peculiar. She had never seen normal living auras outside of a vision before.
    Libby walked the path of guards, twisting and turning across the polished stone floor. The hem of her gown swept behind her in an arc, and she kept walking through the endless maze of guards, each one saluting as she passed.
    Finally, there was an end in sight, and Shoklek walked up to the dais and stood facing her. Rajon was standing sideways, and she took her cue and walked up the steps to face him.
    He was wearing an elaborate metal breastplate and a heavily pleated floor-length skirt that matched her own gown. His hair was decorated with fiery gems.
    The box was opened and Rajon removed a jewelled cuff. He held out his hand, and she placed her fingers against his. “Bound to my life.”
    The cuff snapped over her wrist with a definite click.
    He took another cuff out and waited until she put her fingers in his. “Bound to my heart.”
    The sound echoed in the chamber when the cuff went on.
    He took out a necklace and waited until she leaned forward. “Bound to my soul.”
    The jewels warmed the moment that the necklace went around her skin.
    She smiled at him and lifted her newly heavy hands. “I choose to be bound.”
    He winked and removed the final piece in the box. “With this I crown, you are Duchess of Miexhar and second only to the Imperial family. No one may command you now.”
    He settled a tiara on her hair and smiled. “You stand before me as my equal, Liberty Trout Nor Terra.”
    She winked. “I have always been your equal. I am glad you are making it official.”
    His shoulders shook with amusement, and he turned