Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
He reached the end of the aisle and came to the altar. To his left was a priestess in flowing white robes. She had green streaks in her hair and the green-within-green eyes of one who has communed with the Goddess for many years. The stone altar behind her was overflowing with flowering vines.
To his right were several of his Jorgen Kindred shipmates. They nodded at him and Torus nodded back. He was glad to have friends to stand with him.
Standing across from his friends on the other side of the aisle was Lana wearing a moss-green gown. Her Twin Kindred husbands were seated in the audience along with Commander Sylvan and his wife, Sophia, and almost all of the workers from the Kindred Information Department. Most of them were staring with wide eyes, as though they still couldn’t believe what was happening.
Torus felt a little that way himself—he never would have guessed when he had decided to punish Molly’s cruel ex-Mate that it would lead to a Joining Ceremony with Molly herself. But he couldn’t say he was unhappy. In fact, he felt his heart lift when he thought of being able to spend the next few weeks pretending to be her Mate. He loved the idea of getting to hold her hand and cuddle her soft, curvy little body close to his own. She was so sweet and delicate and—
Suddenly the music changed to a kind of march. Dah-dum-da-da…Dah-dum-da-da…
There was a gasp of indrawn breath from the audience and Torus turned to see. Standing at the end of the aisle was Molly. The little Elite was wearing a gorgeous white gown which hugged her curves and a light, diaphanous veil that covered her face without hiding it. It floated around her shoulders like an ethereal mist.
Torus sucked in his breath. Molly was beautiful! He had thought so before, but somehow the bridal regalia made her look even more gorgeous and stunning—regal and lovely at the same time.
“Er…thank you,” he heard her whisper in his head and realized that he’d been unintentionally projecting his thoughts.
“Forgive me, little bird,” he sent back. “I forgot my mental shields when I saw you.”
“It’s okay,” she sent back. “We’d probably better concentrate now that the ceremony is beginning.”
“You’re right. Come to me.” Torus held out his hands and she came to him, almost floating down the aisle between the benches on her tiny bare feet. When she reached him, he longed to lean down and sweep her up, into his arms. She was too far away from him—he wanted her closer.
Since he couldn’t pick her up during such a solemn ceremony, he knelt instead. On his knees, he was only a little taller and it put him much closer to her and the priestess too.
The priestess, who had been staring at both him and Molly, nodded as though in approval. Then she made a motion with her hands and the song the string quartet was playing concluded.
Torus expected her to start the ceremony with vows, but instead she leaned forward and spoke in a low tone which was apparently meant only for him and Molly to hear.
“Listen to me, my children,” she said softly, her green-within-green eyes pinning the two of them to the spot. “I know what you are doing and I know you believe this is not a true Joining.”
“What?” Molly breathed and Torus felt her sudden surge of panic through the TET link they shared. “But how could you—”
The priestess held up her hand for silence.
“I know because the Goddess has told me,” she went on. “But she also told me to perform the ceremony anyway. I have been told to say this to you—though you Join in jest you must love in earnest. Treat each other with kindness and respect and remember if you need help or healing to return to the Sacred Grove.”
“Thank you,” Torus said gravely, nodding. “We will obey the words of the Goddess.” He looked at Molly. “Won’t we, sweetheart?”
“Yes, absolutely!” Molly nodded earnestly.
“Good, then we may continue with the ceremony.” The priestess nodded regally. “Children of the Goddess,” she began in a ringing tone that carried through the Sacred Grove. “We have come together to witness the Joining of this male and this female in the bonds of love and respect that the Goddess wishes for all of her children.” She turned to Molly first. “Do you, Molly, come into this Joining with feelings of love and desire for the male before you? Do you offer him your heart—do you give him your respect and caring and will you trust him to guard you and to guide you as you walk this life together?”
Molly’s cheeks turned pink under the veil and her eyes went wide. But she lifted her chin and said,
“Yes, I will.”
“Good.” The priestess nodded again and turned towards Torus. “Warrior, a precious female is being entrusted to you,” she told him. “Will you give yourself wholly to your new Mate? Will you shield her from harm and protect her with your life, even if it means giving your blood to be spilled and your body to be broken for her sake?”