Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steve explores the intertwining destinies of its characters against a backdrop of love, loss, and the supernatural. Set in a world where witch trials create an atmosphere of paranoia, the story follows a bride and groom on their wedding day, revealing their deep connections and the challenges they face. The narrative delves into themes of fate and the emotional struggles of the protagonist, who returns to a hometown steeped in fear and uncertainty. This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy with rich character development and intricate plots.

Key Points

  • Explores the themes of love and fate through the lens of a wedding day.
  • Set against the historical backdrop of witch trials in Vardø, Norway.
  • Follows the emotional journey of a protagonist returning to a haunted hometown.
  • Features a richly developed world with supernatural elements and deep character connections.
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Laura Steve
280 pages
Language:English
Type:Short Story
Literature
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Laura Steve
280 pages
Language:English
Type:Short Story
Literature
302
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THE RIBBON BINDING THEIR wrists together was red as a wound.
It was late Sólmánuður, and a fine day for a wedding. Scant clouds
wisped across the pale sky. The sea lapped at the pebble beach, afternoon
sun splicing its surface with fractal shards of gold. Rounded rocks rose
through the shallow foam, sprayed with salt and the vague echo of siren
song – if one believed in such things, which the bride did not.
But she believed in love, and in the man who stood before her.
The groom’s long chestnut hair was threaded with copper. His beard –
impressively thick for a man not yet eighteen – was braided with metal
rings and porcelain beads, scented with the pine resin and sage of his best
oil. He wore a neat dark tunic and trousers, a gold arm ring, and a leather
belt fastened at his waist. From the belt hung a glorious longsword, its hilt
studded with rubies. A family heirloom.
A smile pulled the groom’s crooked mouth wide, his eyes glistening with
joy. He had known the bride since the day he was born, and had dreamed of
this day for over a decade. She was the golden strand running through his
life, tying his past and future together in a harmonious bow.
The bride, however, was coiled like a spring. Dressed in a long linen
dress of palest cream and beaded silver, she cut a tall, lithe figure.
Every taut line of her body lay in wait.
Half huntress, half hunted.
The groom barely noticed. He was too caught up in the moment, in the
caw of seagulls and the felted words of the elder officiating the ceremony.
As formalities were exchanged, their hands remained fastened. The red
ribbon had been woven from the tunic of the groom’s late mother, so that
she might still play a part in the ceremony. Indeed, the groom felt his
mother’s presence there, as both a spectral smudge in the middle distance
and a reassuring solidity around his wrist. His heart swelled, pressing
painfully against the cage of his ribs.
At the bride’s curious insistence, they exchanged weapons instead of
rings. Knives, forged by her brother, the curved silver blades each engraved
with the Valknut. Odin was the groom’s favourite god; he found himself
inexplicably drawn to the interweaving of past, present and future, to the
perpetual knot of life and death and rebirth.
The wizened elder nodded for the groom to utter his vows.
‘By the light of the sun and the power of the gods,’ the groom said, a
marble of emotion rolling in his throat, ‘I pledge to love and honour you
always.’
He drew his sword and touched the jewelled hilt to his bride’s shoulder.
The elder nodded once more, solemn, almost funereal. ‘I believe the
bride has penned her own vows.’
Something strange darted over the elder’s aged face.
Scorn?
The bride shivered. She had been cold since sweating out her
maidenhood in the hot springs the day prior, and the elder’s dispassion was
unsettling.
A breeze picked up, and the sea whipped itself into sharp peaks.
The bride’s voice was low, crystalline, as she spoke to her betrothed.
‘Like the sway of the sea and the tug of the tides, love is a moving, eternal
thing. Let us not be afraid of the wax and the wane, the rise and the fall, the
eternal undertow. Each time our souls meet, let us submerge our bodies in
the bright-blue cold, and let the waves make us anew.’ A tear slid down the
apple of her cheek. ‘I love you, and I have loved you, and I will love you.’
The groom pressed his warm forehead to hers. ‘I love you, and I have
loved you, and I will love you.’
They waited for a few moments, sure they would soon hear the elder’s
blessing of the union. A wave tumbled and fizzed, and a plume of smoke
rose from the fresh-lit fire where the meat would be roasted for the feast.
/ 280
End of Document
302

Figures

wrists together was red as a wound.
set for a feast, but all the carving knives had been
the grave for several hours, and still the snow held
a tiny trawler off the coast of Nauru, Elenoa’s body thrashed
father was shot on the beach, I had to work.
of the Western Front, there was a sunset of
a crescendo, and I couldn’t hear a single note.
window on the asylum wall, Vermont was a
clanged with trade as our boat came in to moor. I
I was reborn near enough to a previous life that I could
in the sultan’s library, I went to soak in the
heat as our strongest camel drew water from
I strolled down Imperial Boulevard, our hands
reap my first soul by the end of the night, the Mother would
until the sun devoured the earth; that much I knew.
first day as a barista-in-training, serving up an

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FAQs

What is the significance of the red ribbon in the wedding ceremony?
The red ribbon binding the bride and groom's wrists symbolizes their connection and fate. It was woven from the tunic of the groom's late mother, allowing her spirit to participate in the ceremony, reflecting the theme of love transcending even death. The groom feels a comforting presence from his mother through the ribbon, which ties their past and future together.
How do the bride and groom express their vows during the ceremony?
During the wedding ceremony, the groom expresses his vows by pledging to love and honor the bride, touching her shoulder with his sword as a part of the ritual. The bride, in turn, delivers her vows, likening love to the eternal movement of the sea, emphasizing the cyclical nature of their bond. Their vows highlight their deep emotional connection and commitment to one another.
What happens to the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony?
As the wedding ceremony unfolds, it takes a tragic turn when the elder officiant reveals a sinister transformation, indicating that she has found the couple. In a shocking moment, the bride uses her marital blade to slit the groom's throat, leading to his death. The bride falls shortly after, gasping for breath, marking a devastating end to their union while the red ribbon of fate remains binding their wrists.
What role does the elder officiant play in the story?
The elder officiant initially appears to conduct the wedding ceremony but later reveals a darker side. As the ceremony progresses, her transformation into a more sinister figure signifies a betrayal of trust. Her glowing eyes and threatening demeanor culminate in the tragic events that unfold, ultimately leading to the bride's violent act against the groom, showcasing her as a catalyst for the story's conflict.
How does the setting influence the mood of the wedding scene?
The wedding scene is set against a picturesque backdrop of a pebble beach with the sea lapping at the shore and a pale sky. This serene and beautiful environment contrasts sharply with the tragic events that occur, enhancing the emotional impact of the ceremony. The imagery of the sea, sunlight, and the natural elements creates a sense of tranquility that is abruptly shattered by the violence of the bride's actions.
What is the relationship between the bride and groom before the wedding?
The bride and groom share a deep and longstanding relationship, having known each other since birth. The groom has dreamed of their wedding day for over a decade, viewing the bride as the golden strand that ties his past and future together. This history adds layers of tragedy to their fate, as their love is abruptly cut short during the ceremony.
What themes are explored in 'Our Infinite Fates'?
The story explores themes of love, fate, and betrayal. The red ribbon symbolizes the connection between the bride and groom, representing their intertwined destinies. However, the tragic turn of events highlights the fragility of love and the unexpected nature of fate, as well as the darker aspects of human relationships, as seen in the elder's betrayal and the bride's violent act.

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