At dawn the next day the delegates made their way back to the meeting place. In the little clearing outside the tent a number of tall screens had been linked together to form a circle, measuring about 40ft in diameter. The screens, made of wood and fabric, were a deep velvety black, patterned all over with clusters of silver thread with the occasional ball of bright gold. Overlaying the rich embroidery was a stitched network of fine blue lines that shimmered like butterfly wings. Even the untrained eye could tell that they represented a map of the stars, but just where these constellations were was anybody’s guess. Aurelian guards were dotted around the barrier facing outwards, politely but firmly keeping the curious at a distance. Buffy could hear chanting from within and could make out tendrils of pale smoke drifting lazily upwards before dissolving into the early morning mist. Commander Giles was slowly making his way around the perimeter as if enjoying a pleasant stroll in the fresh air, but she knew better; the wily old soldier was taking in every last detail, even though there wasn’t a single gap to reveal what was going on inside.

After a while a curious tingling sensation heralded a change in the atmosphere, and the air felt oppressively heavy and kind of itchy. Just as Buffy’s skin felt as though it was crawling off her body a bright blue light blazed inside the circle before disappearing just as quickly. The guards efficiently dismantled the dark shields and she joined the others to get a good look.

A single female wearing a long white dress stood at the centre of the clearing and, as one, the Aurelian males slowly made their way towards her. They knelt at her feet in the meadow, heads bowed.

“Are my darling boys pleased to see their mistress again?”

After all the build-up Buffy had expected rather more than this. The thin woman, no scratch that, monster that appeared to be so delighted with her reception was busy running her long fingers over the ridged brows of several of the males before her before pulling two of them up to their feet. Anjell and Spike. With a burst of girlish laughter she flung her arms around Anjell and kissed him thoroughly, seemingly unaware that she had a rather large audience. Twisting slightly she included Spike in her embrace. Her long dark hair was gathered in twin grips as she nuzzled at the throat of first one, and then the other soldier, that leaned against her body. Finally, she broke away and without any hesitation walked towards Ambassador Rayne. She stared intently at the man for several seconds.

“Ooh, I see much mischief in this one, but has he learned that even in chaos there must also be a natural order for everything? Tell me, Ambassador, will you meddle and muddle with the future or will you let fate decide what’s best?”

“We are apparently in your hands, dear lady, and in need of your guidance.”

“Such honey on your tongue, you would make an entertaining companion, Ambassador. It’s such a shame that humans are so breakable.” Droosilla fluttered her eyelashes at the bemused man and then cast her gaze at the other humans around her. Seeing Commander Giles she paused.

“Ah, the cold grey wolf looks at the fire, he longs for warmth but experience has taught him to distrust and fear the flames. If he turns away he freezes, if he gets too close he risks the sparks catching in his fur. Tell me, wolf, have you decided to lead your pack closer to the fire or take them far away?”

“This wolf is too old and experienced to make any snap decisions, madam, but you’re right, my pack comes first, and it’s not as though I haven’t had my fur singed once or twice before.”

“Then the old pack must be bound to the fire and to the new pack by blood and promises…and that is why I am here.”

Droosilla took a few steps back and seemed to withdraw into herself. Nobody came near as she half raised her arms, palms upwards and tilted her head up towards the sky. Closing her eyes she started to speak in a dreamy voice.

“Twists and turns - blood lost and found
Warrior kin dance to an old tune
Tears and tantrums – fragile threads
Yet young hearts remake the tapestry
New patterns for old – tempered in flames
As dark seeks to unravel the light
Wisdom is carried over to mend the rending
A cloth of gold to wrap the new world in.”

Opening her eyes at last, Droosilla swayed a little, whatever she’d seen had left her a little confused. Anjell stepped to her side and put his arm around her waist as she rested her head against his broad chest.

When she spoke again she sounded tired.

“There must be a marriage to link our people, the two youngest here must be bound in ceremony. Their joining will decide our future, if they fail then darkness will consume us all.”

“No pressure then” muttered Buffy under her breath.

As if she heard her, Droosilla turned her gaze on the now squirming girl, and gave a delighted laugh. Making her way over to Buffy she tilted her head as if listening to an unseen voice.

“The sunshine tries to hide her light yet she blinds those that see. She banishes the shadows yet only they can cool her. The little sun will be our bride and be soothed by the pale moon’s touch,” the seeress crooned.

As Buffy stood horrified, aware of dozens of eyeballs boring into her, Drusilla’s smile gradually disappeared and she gave a low moan.

“My white warrior is her moon. But I thought he was mine! It isn’t fair Anjell, why must I give him up?”

With tears in her eyes she looked at Spike who was standing frozen to the spot.

“My Spike must leave his dark princess for the sunshine, you will be husband to the chosen one.”

“No!” Buffy and Spike cried out at the same time.

Swiftly the two were engulfed by the others and led to opposite sides of the meadow. Even as Buffy made her tearful protestations to the ambassador she could hear Spike’s angry roaring. Anjell had a firm grip on his arm and was shouting and growling at the distraught blond. Droosilla was trying to pat and pet the young Aurelian to calm him down.

“But Droo, I love you, don’t let this happen, please. I’ll do anything, just don’t give me to this… human!” he shouted.

Despite the grave insult, Buffy was in complete agreement. She turned to Commander Giles; surely he would agree that this was a terrible idea?

“Commander, I’ve always tried to be good soldier, you know that. Now, just because I’m a female, you think you can sell me like …like a chattel to seal a deal with these creatures? I thought the human race had got past selling their women!”

Giles sighed, it was true he’d admired the strength and loyalty shown by this remarkable girl and he would have been happy to make her one of his trusted officers, despite her inexperience. If Rayne hadn’t been so taken with her she would have been pulling planet-side duty months ago.

“My dear, I don’t like this any more than you do but we are at a point where we must make deals with the devil himself if it brings an end to this bloodshed. We have been brought to our knees by this war.” Giles lowered his voice. “You are still ours, Buffy, and if this arrangement allows you to gain valuable knowledge about the Aurelians, knowledge that can be used against them at the first signs of betrayal, then you will have succeeded where a whole army has failed.”

“So, I’ll be like an undercover agent?” Buffy wiped at her eyes and tried to put on a brave face.

“Yes, Buffy. By marrying this Spike you could save us all.”

***

Human marriages were usually civil affairs. The bride and groom would pledge their loyalty and love for one another in carefully prepared speeches that were read out loud, and the ceremony was recorded and entered into the archives. The presence of God at the wedding was optional, but the ancient traditions of the Reception and Disco lived on. As Ambassador Rayne went off to make arrangements for the celebrations, Buffy slumped down into a corner of the tent, unnoticed.

Not for long.

“Silly girl, you don’t know how lucky you are.”

Droosilla, stood in front of her, half annoyed, half amused. She carried a bundle of bright cloth that she placed on the floor before gracefully sinking down by the girl’s side.

“Well, if he’s that great a catch then why don’t you have him, if you haven’t already?” said Buffy waspishly.

“My Spike makes such a pretty lover,” she agreed without taking offence at Buffy’s tone. “So eager to give and receive pleasure, he holds nothing back. If not for Anjell then I would have marked him as mine and no-one, not you or anyone else, could take him from me.”

“Doesn’t Anjell object to you having Spike as a lover?”

“Oh, he likes it well enough; they are like brothers, and both of them know that my wishes come first. Besides it is common for Aurelian females to take several males into their household. The males of our species are fierce in battle but back on our planet it is the females who rule.”

“So, how does that work exactly?” Buffy was intrigued despite herself.

“They’re brought up to accept it, all Aurelians are capable of great violence, but the males are physically stronger. To prevent an imbalance the males are taught to respect and obey their mother’s and mistresses from an early age. We govern our planet knowing that they would lay down their lives for us. In return we offer security, pleasure and home.”

“So does that mean that Spike will have to do as I say?”

“Only if he thinks you are a worthy female. Being human he may have some difficulty with that,” Droosilla admitted, “but you are not all you seem, are you? That will be in your favour.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are special, little cousin, I can hear your blood pounding with power. An ancient spirit lives inside you, one that has waited patiently to be understood. One that would pierce the hearts of your enemies to protect those you love. You must trust your spirit’s instincts and find your real family.”

Buffy was deeply curious to know more, but knew that if she admitted to being ‘different’ then she would lose any small advantage that she had. No, for now she would be clueless Buffy, until she could find out more about the enemy.

“So, um …how does this marriage thingy work?”

***

Three hours later Buffy was ready. The bundle of cloth that Droosilla had brought with her had been unwrapped to reveal a wedding dress. Shimmering gold fabric that hugged her breasts and small waist before drifting silkily down to her feet, which were clad in soft white leather ankle boots. They were flat soled. A selection of gold and silver bangles decorated with symbols ran up her arms and a simple red ribbon was tied around her wrist, hidden by all the jewellery. The seer had carefully decorated her hands with red and white dyes using a tiny brush, murmuring softly as she worked.

Finally she allowed herself to be blindfolded and was led into the tent.

With her sight gone Buffy could hear rustling and the occasional cough as the crowd settled around her in anticipation. When there was complete silence the ceremony began. A firm masculine hand grasped hers and she found herself trembling as Droosilla began to chant. Strange words that meant nothing and everything flowed round her and Buffy’s whole world narrowed down to the fingers that covered hers.

After a while the chanting stopped and she was turned slightly to face her husband before the blindfold was removed. He was blinking in the light as she was and his features had changed. The white hair remained, but the ridges had disappeared. Dark brows with a scar running through one of them, vivid blue eyes and a strong nose. Firm mouth with a full lower lip and sharp cheekbones revealed the face of a man. How was that possible?

As she’d been instructed, Buffy took off her bangles one by one and dropped them to the ground. Spike followed each of hers with a bangle from his own wrist until they all rested in a gleaming heap together. Not a word was spoken. Droosilla knelt down to examine the pattern they made before standing up again with a satisfied expression. She undid the ribbons that they both wore and tied them together.

Anjell and Ambassador Rayne stepped up to the small group. Anjell held a small dagger that he gave to Spike and the ambassador gave Buffy a man’s bracelet. It was of polished grey metal and inlaid with dark red stones. With a grim expression Spike gripped her wrist and brought the knife swiftly across it, drawing a thin line of blood. As Buffy gasped at the sharp pain he ran the knife over his own wrist. Droosilla reached for their hands and placed them together before binding them swiftly with the red ribbon. She started chanting again.

Buffy knew it had only been a shallow cut but she felt dizzy and disorientated. Her hand felt as if it was both on fire and encased in ice at the same time. As their blood combined she felt herself drifting away.

Images swamped her. She was hunting and her prey was getting away. Keeping to the shadows she stalked the creature in the moonlight. He was cunning and knew how to evade her, but she was stronger and faster. She couldn’t see him clearly for the trees that stood between them, but she could hear him. He was laughing. Making a sharp turn to the left she took a short cut that only she knew, doubling back quietly. Hidden by low leafy branches she could hear ragged breathing and a pounding heartbeat. Good. With a blur of motion she leapt and they rolled together, snarling and spitting, disturbing the flakes of bark and burrowing creatures on the ground. Like an eel he twisted underneath her but she kept him in her grip and he couldn’t get away. So he changed tactics and brought one thigh up between hers and roughly rubbed it against her sex. Distracted by the pleasurable feelings that this caused she loosened her hold, allowing him to throw her off. He got up and ran again into the night and she ran too.

Buffy came back. She was lying on the floor next to Spike. Her hand gripped his wrist, which now wore the metal bracelet and the ribbon was gone. He was staring into her eyes with an expression of pure shock.

***