He Calls Me Unnie

Chapter Seven

Bay spent the next four days in dress fittings, learning about Undulu and Akintola marriage customs, and selecting food for the ceremonies. For all intents and purposes, it felt to Bay like the Undulu's had truly taken her as their own. Pike was quieter than usual, and her actions tense, while Ben had little to say to her. She did this to save her friends, but it felt like she was losing them while they were still together.

Two days before the wedding day they began the ceremonies. Bay began her day by bathing in ceremonial waters with special oils. Then she got dressed in a dress finer than she'd ever worn and put on a new mask that was completely white. Then the bride's family invited the groom's family over for a meal. When Bay saw Roman walk through the gate, a new wave of dread washed over her. He looked like he rather be anywhere than at his own wedding ceremony. He, his father, and his mother, walked to meet her, Master and Mistress Undulu, her three "sisters" and Ben. Usually he wasn't invited to things like these, but the one condition Bay had was that he be at every single one of her wedding ceremonies.

Everyone exchanged bows, but Master Undulu noticed right away that something was missing. "Master Akintola, where are your other children?"

"They couldn't make it on such short notice."

Bay had a feeling that if they could see her Master's face it would not match his calm tone. "How disappointing. Will they be able to attend the rest of the ceremonies?"

"Yes, they will." Bay wondered if their prejudice was so strong that they refused to even set foot in an Undulu house. She immediately pushed that thought out of her mind. If it was true, she didn't want to believe it. "Son, bow to your bride."

Roman scanned her family. "Which one?"

Heat flushed Bay's cheeks. She raised her hand and stepped forward to bow to him. His bow was quick and shallow.

"Follow me," Master Undulu said. Roman stood beside Bay and offered his arm. Bay just stared at it. She knew what she was supposed to do: she was supposed to take it and let him lead her to their spot at the dinner table, but she didn't want to touch him. Bay ran for a few steps to catch up to him and slipped her arm around his. Whatever happened, she had to commit to this marriage. She couldn't hold back as much as he repelled her.

Before they followed everyone else into the dining room Roman stopped short of the door, pulling Bay with him. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

The openness in his face surprised Bay. There was no anger or hatred, there was just that one question on his lips.

"Yes. For my family to live a peaceful life I will do anything. So I don't lose my family or my life I will do anything."

"Then why are you shaking? Are you afraid?"

This time, for once, she wished she could take off her mask and show him just how unafraid of him she was. Only, she was a little afraid. "No."

Roman took his eyes off her and looked into the dining room, where everyone was waiting for them. "I didn't know I was marrying a liar."

That struck a nerve, because he was marrying a liar. The son of a clan leader was marrying a slave of ignoble blood.

Bay and Roman were the last to be seated. They sat beside each other at the center of the table. Master Akintola sat on Roman's left side while Ben sat on Bay's right side in his wheelchair. Ben caught Roman's attention as they sat down. He craned his neck to evaluate his small, withered form slumped over in his wheelchair.