Both of us freeze, then turn our attention to Elder Aïna as she steps into the room.
“Now, now,” she says as she motions with her paw. “Come on in.”
In a flurry, dozens of nýmphí rush inside, their glowing forms filling the space. Before I can process what’s happening, they lift Theron off me.How are they even doing that?Theron probably weighs more than all of them combined—thrice over.
“I trust neither of you has eaten a thing this morning?” Elder Aïna asks with a grin that’s far too knowing.
Theron and I shake our heads like guilty children caught red-handed and pawed. The fasting was explained to me the daybefore as well. From the morning of the bonding ritual until dawn the next day, both mates must abstain from food. Mina said it was a precaution after a few unfortunate brides had food poisoning during their ceremonies. It also served to cleanse the body—two rabbits in one claw, as she put it.
But now, with all these nýmphí bustling around us, a new and horrifying thought strikes me.Everyone in this room has already seen me bare.
Dear goddesses above.
“Oy! Theron!” Kaël’s voice booms from outside.
Theron exhales a long sigh. He leans down to me, still pinned beneath everything that just happened, and murmurs, “We’ll meet tonight, my beautiful mate.”
His gaze is smoldering, his arousal more than obvious. Then, with a reluctance that almost makes me laugh, he straightens and leaves the house. And just like that, he’s gone, with a frustrated expression and a hard cock.
“They took him to the farthest stream from this one, Your Majesty,” Naïa says as she helps me out of my dress.
We’ve arrived at a stream on the opposite side of Ávera. I still don’t quite understand why Theron and I have to be separated for the preparations, but tradition is tradition. As long as it doesn’t harm anyone, I’ll go along with it.
Naïa folds my dress and hands it to a nearby nýmphá.
“What happens in the winter?” I ask, holding my hair in a loose fist as I dip my toes into the water. The coolness is a surprise, but not unbearable. “Do the mates still have to cleanse outside?”
Elder Aïna, standing nearby, brushes her paw over the crystals adorning another nýmphá. “In colder weather,” she explains, “there are two options. First, the woman cleanses at home in warm water. Second, she dips quickly in the stream outside.”
“Why would anyone choose outside when there’s another option?” I ask, turning to face her fully. “Wouldn’t it be easier to do this at home? All year round?”
Elder Aïna takes my hand in her paw. She steps into the stream, the water lapping just below her knees. Vólkin-style knees. For me, it will likely rise to my thighs.
“Mother Nature has four elements,” she begins. “As her child, you must embrace them. The water you cleanse yourself in now is hers, created naturally and pure. It cleanses not only your body but your spirit.”
I nod, stepping into the stream after her. The water is cool but invigorating, flowing around me gently.
“The second element is fire,” Elder Aïna continues. “We will light a fire under the full moon. It symbolizes passion and your awakening.” She gathers my hair in her paw, guiding me.
I dip beneath the surface, letting the water cover every part of me. With my eyes open, I take in the underwater world—the green moss carpeting the stones, the smooth pebbles beneath the current. It’s beautiful.
Elder Aïna tugs my hair lightly, signaling me to rise. I break through the surface, the brisk air meeting my wet skin, and take a breath.
Mina and Essin rush to wrap me in soft furs before the shivers set in. The warmth is comforting, and I pull the layers tighter around myself. Mina’s crystal necklace catches the sunlight, sending tiny flecks of light dancing around us.
“The third element is earth,” Elder Aïna continues. “Theron will demonstrate his skill in energy transfer by creating a blue rose crown for you.”
“A blue rose crown?” I echo, tilting my head. “Theron grew blue roses for me when we first met.”
Elder Aïna hums in amusement and then chuckles. “Well, then he’s made this task even harder for himself. Now, he’ll have to outdo himself to impress you.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “Do I make a crown for him too?”
The idea of crafting a crown for Theron makes me smile wider. I can grow blue roses, and the thought of him with beautiful flowers adorning his head is... nice. He’d look sopretty.
But the moment the words leave my mouth, the air shifts. Every female around me freezes and turns to face me, their expressions ranging from confusion to outright horror. Each one stares at me from a different angle, as if trying to confirm they heard correctly. Nýmphí included.
Pinching the bridge of her snout, Elder Aïna sighs. “I’m almost afraid to ask what kind of traditions humans have these days.”
