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He leaned down and I could smell citrus and sandalwood. It was a heady mix, and it made my head spin.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice low and husky.
I swallowed hard and kept my focus on the task at hand. “I am creating a sacred space,” I explained as I placed candles in each of the tureens. “It’s a way to honor the old ways and ask for luck in the new life I am about to begin.”
Bers looked thoughtful. “I didn’t realize that was possible.”
“It’s not something that is commonly done anymore,” I answered as I finished setting up the space. “But my grandmother taught me how to do it and I wanted to do it myself.”
I filled the six tureens with blessings for different aspects of my new life and explained them to Prince Maedras and Bers as I went.
“This one is for sweetness.” I poured sugar into the first tureen. “This one is for the prosperity of Manzimor.” I continued, placing golden coins into the second tureen.
“This one is for fertility. For the people and our lands.” I blushed slightly as I placed an egg into the third tureen. I didn’t want him to think I was intending to have children.
“This one is for stability and warmth.” I poured cinnamon into the fourth tureen. “This one is for power, wisdom, and craft.” I placed a carved dragon into the fifth tureen. “And this one represents the common people and fairness.” I poured flour into the last tureen.
I grabbed a lighter from the chest. “Now, we need to light the candles.”
But Prince Maedras beat me to it. He waved with his finger and a flame appeared in the air, which he used to light the candles.
“What do the lights represent?” He kneeled beside me. His face was serious and his eyes fixed on the flames. The lights flickered in them and they looked like they were on fire.
“The lights represent the six chosen virtues. And they will guide me in my new life.”
I finished setting up the space, and I sat down in front of it. I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. This was an important ritual, and everything needed to be perfect.
“They represent the fires of home,” I said, my voice soft. “And the hearth that we will build together.”
He was silent for a moment and I wondered if he was going to say something, but he only nodded and stood up.
With green chalk, I connected the tureens and the candles. From the chest, I grabbed the last item I needed. A green woven cloth which I placed over the tureens. The rune work ensured it wouldn’t catch fire. Purple fog escaped from under the cloth, slowly at first and then in a thick stream.
The fog swirled around the room, and as it did, the candles flickered and went out. The only light in the room now came from the fog. It swirled around us, enveloping us in its embrace. Tendrils of fog wrapped around my wrists and ankles, binding me to the spot.
The prince’s eyes were alight with excitement as he watched the fog. His chest rose and fell with each breath. The magic entranced him. “What’s happening?” he asked, his voice filled with awe.
“The old ways are blessing us.”
The fog thickened, and it filled the room with the sound of drums. They beat a fast rhythm, matching the pounding of my heart. The fog swirled around us, caressing our skin with its cool touch. Magic crackled in the air and the candles relit themselves.
The flames danced in the prince’s eyes, and I was lost in their depths. The fog thickened and morphed into different shapes. A moon, a sun, a star. Old blessings for a new life. And then it was gone, leaving us in the dark.
We stared at each other for a moment, both of us caught up in the wonder of what had just happened.
Bers cleared his throat. “Well, that was certainly something,” he said, his voice filled with amusement. “I have seen nothing like it.”
I heard clapping. Looking up, I saw Queen Menthe standing in the doorway, her face filled with pride. I recognized her from the portraits. Tall, lithe, with expressive eyes and silver hair framing her face, the queen was a sight to behold.
“That was beautiful, my dear,” she said. “I’m so glad you did this. I’ve not seen a ritual like this since I was a child and my father was king. It brings me joy to see it again. May many more follow.”
“Thank you.” My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “May your reign be forever and your works be great.”
“Thank you.” The light from the candles danced on her brown skin, giving it a soft, ethereal quality. “Now, let’s leave this room to the young lovers. I’m sure they have much to discuss. I hope to see you at the banquet tonight. Our family wishes to meet you.”
Great.
“Of course, Your Majesty.” I bowed my head in respect. “I would be honored.”
