“Ash hole?”
I can’t stop laughing as we make our way into town, walking towards the town square. I look over at my friend, remembering the day he ran here and dove into the underbelly of the city. TheLayperryhave a tradition where a person fights their waythrough the maze below and if they make it out and find their mate, they were destined to be together.
It’s always rubbed me the wrong way. Today, all of that changes.
Ghenie and Timalah are already up on the stage, their heads close together as they speak. My heart does a funny little flip at the sight of Ghenie. He’s wearing his long, platinum hair in two braids that meet in the middle and run down his back at the center. His pale skin shines in the sun. He looks like he’s glowing.
“I didn’t realize how bad you had it until right now.”
I look over at my best friend and roll my eyes. “Whatever. Like you’re one to talk.”
“I’m just saying. You should see your smile right now. You practically have hearts in your eyes.”
“I do not. Love is not in the air. Gross.”
“You can’t fool me!”
“Maybe if you were looking at your mate instead of me you’d see the way Timalah is trying to wave at you.”
“What?” Miles quickly turns around, his face morphing into a grin as he waves up at Timalah.
Now that I’m not being scrutinized, I wave up at Ghenie. He nods his head at me, raising his hand. He always looks so dignified. In the past, that always pissed me off. It made me feel like I was beneath him. Now, I still feel beneath but more like I’m on my knees for him. Now, I know he has to rise above, to keep himself distanced from everyone as is his station as leader. Now I see the whole picture instead of getting stuck on the hurt inside my own chest and allowing that to color everyone around me.
“Hello everyone,” Ghenie calls out, his voice ringing out through the square for everyone to hear. “Thank you for coming. I have a very important announcement I would like you allto hear. This is something I do not announce lightly. It is something I have spoken to the Ancestors about and with my closest counsel. Today I announce a change.”
I hold my breath, listening.
“Today is the start of a new age filled with new traditions. No longer will thematuroustrialoccur. Instead, the underbelly of our great city will determine the fate of those destined to join our warriors. If you feel called, you will be called to prove yourself. To prove your worth, your bravery, and your skills. The underbelly will be your final stage before being declared a warrior!”
There are murmurs and a few cheers at the news. For the most part, everyone seems to be on board with what’s been announced though there are still a few confused voices in the crowd.
“I will no longer be preparing matches unless you wish my council. It will be your choice,” Ghenie continues. “Instead, you will come to me when you feel ready. You and your mate, your one true partner, yourmatronwill come to me and we will talk things through. When everyone is ready, we will have a public declaration in front of friends, family, and our Ancestors to declare your match made. It will be a time for celebrations and promises, to pledge yourself to your mate.”
A wedding. Instead of physical combat and dangerous encounters, theLayperrypeople will have weddings. My head is spinning with this new information.
I have never subscribed to the idea of proving yourself to your partner like the old tradition held but a wedding or a handfasting ceremony? I think I could handle that, especially for Ghenie. He deserves to celebrate with his people.
“If anyone has further questions or would like to discuss anything with me, I will be instating an open door policy in myoffice here in town. Any time I am in, you are free to come speak with me.”
Timalah raises his hands. “That will be all. OurTorallehhas spoken. So it will be.”
“So it will be,” a few people say in agreement. People start to disperse, going back to their homes or gathering together to talk.
I turn towards Miles only to freeze when my eyes lock onto a very strong, toned pale pink chest. I look up and meet this person’s eyes. They stare down at me, a wide smile across their lips.
“Hello, Christian. It’s wonderful to officially meet you,” he says, grabbing my hand and shaking it. “Ghenie has been keeping us away, not wanting to spook you but we thought it was time to officially introduce ourselves.”
“Umm?”
“My name is Scrintum,” he says in explanation. “I’m Ghenie’s dad and behind you is Plun. He’s Ghenie’s father.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat. “It’s nice to meet you too,” I say out loud instead of turning around and running as far and as fast as I can. Shit, shit, shit. I’m not good with parents! They’re going to see right through me and remind Ghenie of what an ass I am!
“Nice to meet you,” Plun says, resting a hand on my shoulder. I turn around so I can look at him. He’s tall with dark green skin and a beard to match. “Ghenie sure is taken by you, son.”
“Don’t embarrass them,” Scrintum says quickly, reaching past me and slapping Plun’s arm. “Don’t listen to him, Christian. Ghenie is just as enthralled by you as you are of him. Very normal. Nothing extravagant. Nothing to worry about.”
“You’re making things worse, love.”
