Lienna.
At long last, the day of the mating ritual finally arrived, and the fortress was buzzing with preparations and throngs of people eager to witness the historic event. I had been cooped up in my room all day, undergoing an endless stream of beauty treatments.
From the moment I woke up till now, I had lost count of the numerous pampering sessions – fragrant baths, soothing massages, and delicate skin treatments. Now, seated in front of the ornate mirror, I watched as several skilled maids expertly braided my hair into intricate patterns.
Their gentle chatter filled the room as they debated which accessory would complement my overall look. “The silver clips or the pearl pins?” one maid asked, holding up both options for inspection.
For the ceremony, I would wear a stunning white linen dress with a flowing train, its delicate folds shimmering in the soft light. A lily wreath would adorn my head, symbolizing purity and unity.
Once they agreed on the pearl pins, the maids worked quickly, securing them into my braids with precision. My lips were glossed to perfection, shimmering with a subtle sheen. A light dusting of powder concealed my blemishes, leaving my skin smooth and radiant.
As they finished, I stood, smoothing the silk folds of my dress. The lily wreath rested lightly on my brow, its delicate petals framing my face. I took a final glance in the mirror, ensuring everything was perfect.
I was ready.
Mara stood in a corner, assessing me with a tiny, knowing smile on her face. Satisfied with the maids’ handiwork, she clapped her hands, calling for their attention.
“Thank you for all you’ve done,” she said, her voice firm but warm. “She looks magnificent. You can leave; I would like to speak with her.”
The maids exchanged nervous glances before nodding and exiting the room, leaving me alone with Mara. I held her gaze, and she let out a gentle sigh before walking towards me. Her eyes, filled with empathy, locked onto mine.
“How do you feel?” she asked, her voice soft as she took my hands in hers.
I looked down at her wrinkled hands, feeling a surge of affection and gratitude. Taking a deep breath, I confessed, “To be honest, I don’t know. When I woke up this morning, I was excited, but now… I’m not so sure.”
My voice trembled on the final words, betraying my growing anxiety. Mara’s expression turned concerned, her brow furrowing. “Come with me,” she said, leading me to the window.
She urged me to gaze down, and I gasped at the sea of faces below. The fortress grounds were packed with people, all gathered for the mating ceremony. My heart began to pound, my fingers growing cold.
Mara’s gentle grip on my hands kept me grounded. “In a matter of hours, you’ll be bonded with the most powerful men in the realm,” she reminded me, her voice measured. “Be honest, how do you feel?”
The words I wanted to say Terrified. Nauseous. lodged in my throat. Instead, I whispered, “I don’t think I can do this.
Mara squeezed my hands gently, her warm eyes coaxing me to face her. “Of course, you can,” she said, her voice infused with calm assurance.
I hesitated, my doubts spilling out. “But… ” I began, only to cut myself off.
Turning back to the window, I gazed out at the sea of expectant faces. My mind reeled with the weight of what lay ahead.
“It’s a big deal, mom,” I confessed, my voice laced with anxiety. “I’m going to be mated to the shifter kings in front of this crowd. Not to mention, all three of them.” I shook my head, incredulous. “What was I thinking?!”
Panic rose within me, my breathing growing labored. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but something in Mara’s gentle gaze urged me to continue.
“There’s no telling if they’ll truly like or accept me, mom,” I whispered, my deepest fears surfacing. “I’m just a mere human.”
Mara’s expression remained serene, her eyes shining with conviction. “A mere human blessed by the moon goddess,” she countered. “A mere human loved by the shifter kings. Give yourself some grace, Aiman. You’ve done so much for these people, and the ones you’re getting bonded with can’t wait any longer.”
Her words seeped into my soul, calming my racing thoughts. I murmured, “You’re right… ”
Mara’s warm smile encouraged me to continue. “You’re right,” I repeated, my voice firmer now. “Thanks, mom.”
I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close. She patted my back gently, offering comfort and reassurance.
I closed my eyes, breathing in the familiar scent of her perfume and the warmth of her presence. In this moment, I felt grateful to have her by my side.
“I’m so happy to have you here,” I whispered, my voice muffled against her shoulder.
Mara’s gentle hug tightened, and I let out a breath, feeling my panic disappear. A knock came on the door, interrupting our tender moment. Mara turned towards it, her voice firm. “Who is it?”
The door swung open, revealing two imposing soldiers. Their armor gleamed in the soft light, and their eyes seemed to bore into me. I straightened up, unnerved by their gazes.
“We are here for Lady Lienna,” one announced in a gruff voice. “It’s time for the ceremony.”
I stiffened slightly, a shudder running down my spine as reality set in. They were here to escort me to the mating ceremony.
Mara glanced at me, her expression reassuring. I managed a small smile, trying to convey confidence.
“I’m ready…” I called out with a tiny voice, taking a deep breath and walking towards them.
Mara’s voice came from behind me. “I’ll join you in a moment.”
I turned back to look at her, drawing strength from her warm, encouraging smile. With one last glance, I walked out of the room alongside the soldiers. To my surprise, even more guards awaited me in the corridor. Their stern faces and rigid postures seemed to soften slightly as they nodded to me.
Schooling my expressions to a calm demeanor, I settled amidst the sea of armor-clad soldiers. They formed a protective barrier around me, leading the way through the winding corridors all the way to the throne room where the ceremony would be taking place.
We emerged into the throne room, and the sheer scale of the gathering took my breath away. Thousands of shifter beings packed the hall, their eager faces turned towards me the second I stepped into the room. My gaze immediately fell on the shifter kings, standing tall in the center of the gathering. As if on cue, they turned to me, their piercing eyes locking onto mine.
Breathtaking couldn’t begin to encompass how they looked majestic, powerful, and radiating an otherworldly allure. Adonis’s chiseled features, Hermes’s piercing green eyes, and Caspian’s strong jawline left me awestruck.
All my fears, doubts, and anxieties disappeared in an instant. I found the strength to keep moving forward, drawn to the shifter kings like a magnet. It was still hard to believe I was going to be bonded with them soon. With a steady heart and newfound determination, I began my walk towards them, the soldiers parting to clear a path.
Finally, I stood before the shifter kings, my heart pounding in anticipation. I offered a small, nervous smile, and they acknowledged it with a nod. Caspian stretched out his hand, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
I gingerly took it, letting him pull me up to the podium to stand amidst them. “You ready?” he murmured, his voice low and intimate, sending shivers down my spine.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, turning to face the high priest, who stood before me with an solemn expression, his hands folded in front of him.
“Let’s do this,” I said, my voice firm.
Lily petals were scattered around us, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. A loud horn blasted, silencing the crowded arena. The priest cleared his throat and began to speak.
“We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Lady Lienna to the Grand Kings of our realm!” he announced, his voice booming across the room, echoing off the stone walls.
I exchanged glances with the shifter kings, surprised to find them already staring at me with intense gazes. Adonis’s piercing blue eyes, Hermes’s emerald green, and Caspian’s warm, honey-brown.
“Thanks to Lady Lienna,” the priest continued, “one of the greatest prophecies known to us shifters has been fulfilled, and now she’ll be stepping into a greater duty, becoming the queen of the realm!”
Cheers erupted from every corner of the room, thundering through the arena. I clenched my teeth hard to stop myself from breaking into a grin, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
Without further ado, let us begin!” the priest declared, signaling to a nearby attendant.
A delicate glass was brought forth, filled with a crimson liquid that resembled wine. I eyed it skeptically, but Adonis’s reassuring gaze prompted me to take a sip.
Scrunching my face at the odd, slightly bitter taste, I tried to pull away, but the shifter kings encouraged me to drink more. I forced the liquid down my throat, feeling its warmth spread through me.
They took the cup away from me, and it was time for the shifter kings to drink. Hermes accepted the glass, his eyes never leaving mine as he raised it to his lips. He drank from it and passed it to the rest of them and I watched as they drank it all till the cup was empty.
The priest began to speak and we turned out attention to him. “By the light of the moon and the blessings of the ancient ones, we gather to unite Lady Lienna and the Grand Kings of our realm in sacred matrimony.” He began and my heart began to pound. He turned to Adonis, Hermes and Caspian, a somber expression on his face.
“You have been chosen by fate and prophecy to stand together with Lady Lienna, your queen and mate. Do you promise to love, protect, and cherish her, through trials and triumphs, through the phases of the moon and the cycles of life?” He asked.
“We do.” They said in unison, their deep voice reverberating through me. I balled my hands into fists, letting out a shuddering breath. The priest faced me afterward.
“Lady Lienna, you have been called to join with these noble kings, to stand as their partner and queen. Do you promise to love, honor, and support them, to stand by their side as they rule with wisdom and justice?”
“I do… ” I said, my voice stronger than I felt.
The priest nodded, clasping his hands together. “Together, may your bond be strengthened by the power of the elements, the wisdom of the ancients, and the love that you share. May your union bring prosperity, peace, and harmony to our realm.”
The priest moved forward, beckoning for my hands and I stretched them toward him. He took it, leading me towards the shifter kings and placing my hands towards their outstretched ones. My heart was racing the entire time and when I looked up at him and saw the warmth in their eyes, I couldn’t stop mine from filling with tears.
“She is yours now. By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husbands and wife! The kings and queen of our realm!!” He announced loudly as they clasped their hands in mine, sending sparks through my body. Cheers erupted in the whole room, resounding in my ears. It was done. We were now bonded, I couldn’t believe it.
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur, with countless well-wishers approaching to congratulate the shifter kings and me, welcoming me as their queen. I smiled until my cheeks ached, surrounded by the men I loved, their warm gazes and gentle touches fueling my joy.
As the celebrations drew to a close, the shifter kings escorted me out of the fortress, into the crisp evening air. My heart skipped multiple beats as I beheld the majestic carriage awaiting us. Its gleaming wooden panels and golden accents seemed to shimmer in the fading light.
I felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a hint of trepidation. I would be leaving with them, to go and consumate this bonding and finish with the mating ritual.
Looking back at the fortress, now bathed in the warm glow of sunset, I was flooded with a mix of emotions nostalgia, gratitude, and anticipation. I struggled to decipher the tangled threads of my feelings.
A gentle tug on my shoulder brought me back to the present. Caspian’s voice was low and soothing. “We should be going. The journey might take a while.”
I turned to him, my apology barely above a whisper. “Of course… I’m sorry.”
Adonis offered his hand, helping me into the carriage with gallant ease. Hermes and Caspian followed, settling beside me on the plush, velvet seats. Caspian sat across from me, his eyes crinkling as he smiled.
As the carriage door closed, enveloping us in a cozy, intimate space, I felt a sense of belonging. The shifter kings’ presence surrounded me, their scent and warmth a comforting blanket.
A while later, the driver’s voice called out, and the carriage jolted forward, its wheels rumbling over the stone pavement. I bit my lip, glancing out the window as the fortress slowly receded into the distance.
Taking a deep breath, I turned away from the past and looked ahead, my gaze meeting Caspian’s. This really is the beginning now, I thought, my heart pounding with excitement and promise.
The shifter kings’ hands found mine, their fingers intertwining with mine in a gentle, reassuring grasp. I bit back a smile, fluttering my eyes closed even as my heart raced in my chest. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next few days would look like.