Page 52 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

It’s in an older tome on Caelestis that I find the most answers. There’s mention of powers strong enough to change the tides of war. I don’t even think the original empire had such abilities. I keep reading and learn that Sgya calls to those who need the gods. You can’t leave unless it’s the will of the gods that you do, but only when the time is right. It gives me hope for Ryker’s father—if that’s where he still is. My eyes burn, and I realize the sun is already setting on the horizon when I stand.

That evening, I find my mother in my chambers. She’s speaking with Mera and Julianna, the seamstress who creates all my gowns. In front of them are sketches of several dresses, outfits, and gods…

“What is that?” I screech as blood drains from my face.

The three of them look back at me, amused. As if somehow, I'm the amusing thing and not that sketch.

"Raea, how much do you know about the Bonding phase?" my mother asks.

"Nothing. I know nothing because I left school and was never taught.” I start to feel the panic rising. I am twenty-two, and I will soon have a husband, a kingdom, and a war to win.

"The Ceremony is only the first part, my dear. Normally, a Lumos Bond needs...encouragement. Since we don’t quite know what this Bond is, I suppose we should treat it the same."

“Encouragement?” I ask in a high-pitched voice that is definitely not my own.

Mera and Julianna keep going over the sketches while my mother sits in front of me.

"In the month that follows a Ceremony, well..." She begins fanning herself. "I never thought I’d be the one to explain this. You and Anders will need to consummate. It’s best that you two stay...elsewhere for a while."

I feel embarrassed for her. Is she saying what I think she’s saying? "Mother," I start. "So like a lot of sex? Do we have control of ourselves, or is this like a hey, I can finally deal with all my pent-up emotion I’ve been shoving down?"

Mera and Julianna snicker, and my mother’s head whips their way before returning to mine. "Oh, what the hell."

I startle—my mother has never cursed in front of me.

"Yes. There’s sex. Lots of it. You will be in control, but your body...that’s a different story. You will be extremely needy for the better part of a month. It's supposed to nurture the Lumos magic, so I can only imagine what it will do for the Aethermark." She steps away. “There, I said it. It’s completely normal for the Bonding Ceremony. Why do you think they all leave? Why do you think the wedding is a month after? It’s unavoidable, really.”

“I don’t know. Because they’re traveling or doing…things. How was I supposed to know they were just having sex the whole time?”

Everyone chuckles, including me. This feels ridiculous. Does Ryker know this? Do Kellan and Ciara? Surely I can’t be the only one without this information.

"Now you understand these." My mother holds up sketches of underwear that aren’t quite much of anything other than lace that covers the wrong parts of the body.

"Gods." I drop my head in my palms. "What if I'm no good at it?"

"Oh dear, somehow, it all just makes sense. You'll see. With what you both are facing, I’d say you should have a lot of…connection while you still can.”

Bury me now.

I let out a long groan before leaning over the table of sketches, noting the gowns for the balls, my wedding gown, my Bonding gown, and a few others I assume are for coronation and such.

“Will you have time for all of these?” I ask Julianna.

“Yes, Your Highness. I will have a large team on this to complete them before the Bonding Ceremony. Not to worry.”

I nod and grab my book. “I’ll be in the bath should you need to share any more humiliating information.” I curtsy toward my mother and leave.

Tate’s transport lands, and Ciara and I rush out of the palace to find him walking toward us with a huge grin on his face. I’ve missed his goofy self. Hopefully, he can brighten the mood around here.

“What? They didn’t roll out the royal carpets and fanfare for me? C’mon, I thought I was special after all. I mean, I have been summoned to this—” He looks up, and up, and up, at the palace behind me. “Could you have built it any larger?” he asks, scrunching his nose.

Ciara and I burst into laughter and then throw our arms around him.

He wraps us in a hug. “How’s our soon-to-be queen and her overly-protective prince?”

“You have such a way with your words,” I tease. “Ryker is home, doing…things. I leave tomorrow morning for a few days, but I’ll be back before the end of the week, and I will be here until my Bonding Ceremony.”

“Was he just so irresistible you had to rush off and marry him?” Tate asks as we continue into the palace. His arms are draped over our shoulders, and for the first time since I left school, I feel like I can breathe knowing he’s safe.