Page 22 of The Bride Auction

To further my surprise, Summer wrote something in her foreign script on the paper. Mourner after mourner walked in silence to the flickering candle. Each mourner kneeled before the candle and burned their last message to my father. I gasped when my friend Arik took his turn, following the ritual of the Abrane people first. Arik pulled a small knife from a hidden pocket in his sash and cut a lock of his mane. He braided the hair, raised it to the sky and released a battle cry that echoed across the land. He buried the lock of hair next to the candle, standing with a salute.

Eventually it was our turn. My younger siblings went first, taking a few minutes each to say their final goodbyes. Warin, the stoic middle brother, who I had never once seen cry, had tears streaming down his face. Summer kneeled in a fluid motion and murmured something I couldn’t hear. She kissed the paper, then watched the ashes consume it. With dignity, she stood without my assistance. The only sign of her strain was her lips pressed tightly together in a thin line. I admired her all the more for her determination. She walked slowly back to her place on the bench. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ivex squeeze her hand and murmur something to her.

All too soon, my turn came to say goodbye to my father. “I’ll be alright. Father, you got your last wish. I’m home for good this time. I found someone I love. I think you’d like her, father.” I bowed my head. “I’ll make you proud,” I said, without hesitation. Flames licked at the paper I held in my fingers, sending my message into the sky.

My mother reached out, gesturing for me to move forward. She walked to my brothers, taking them by the hand before returning to the first spot on our bench and reaching out to me. As my siblings and I stood behind my mother, she took Summer’s hand in hers. As a family, we walked to the candle without hesitation.

My mother whispered, “Now we are complete with Summer.”

Summer, my siblings and I formed a loose circle around Mother, shielding her private grief from the news drones that hovered above. News drones played in the air, recording my father's service, broadcasting it throughout the planet.

The five of us used our bodies to give Mother the moment she needed to mourn Father.

“Summer, are you ready?” Mother asked from the center of our family.

“I am.”

I looked at her quizzically.

“You’ll see, Renick, Summer and I have a plan.”

My brothers scurried to the first row, curiosity dotting their features. I had no idea what Mother had planned, but I knew enough to go along with her.

Mother held both our hands and walked to the center of the gathered crowd. When she spoke, her voice was loud and clear. “I present the citizens of Tenap with my eldest son, Renick, and his mate, Summer Hughes of Earth.” She clasped our hands together in mid-air as hundreds of mourners applauded and more watched on vid screens.

Chapter 15

Summer

Renick’s mother prepared me for the ceremony. My heart clenched when I sent the final message to a man I’d never met. In the days leading up to the funeral, Imoa drilled the rituals and appropriate responses for the service and candle ceremony into me. She thought my idea of practicing with a candle for David was brilliant.

We practiced with an unlit candle multiple times until she was sure I could perform it with ease. As soon as my note to David burned to ashes, I felt instant peace, content. He would always hold a place in my heart. I was sure of the fact I could love again.

Imoa offered to take me to the spot she picked for her final goodbye to her mate, however I resisted. It didn’t feel right to claim a spot that held a special place in her heart. Instead, I asked her to take me to a spot where I could see the color red, since it was David’s favorite color.

There were no clouds in the sky during my goodbye to David as the fire consumed my note. A lone puffy white cloud formed overhead; I took that as a sign of David giving me his blessing.

Imoa left it up to me if I wanted to tell Renick all I learned or surprise him. From his reaction at the ceremony, I made the right call on the surprise. When his mother held our hands to the mourning crowd, I never expected the public acknowledgment or acceptance.

After the ceremony Uncle Sabulk asked Renick if we would be willing to take Imoa home. He gestured at his tablet, muttering something about urgent business. Renick naturally agreed, and Uncle Sabulk gave us both a hug before he disappeared into the crowd.

“I’m sorry to intrude,” Imoa said. “You both did yourselves proud today.”

“Of all the days, he couldn’t turn off the tablet?” Renick balled his fists as the flyer took to the air.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Renick, don’t be upset. I’m not; I understand. Sabulk is an important man,” Imoa said. “You’ll get used to it. It’s the cost of politics.”

We chatted, keeping the conversation light for the ride back home. By the time we landed, the mid afternoon sun sparkled against the glistening walls of the house and stone lined patio. Inside the house, we separated to change for receiving guests who would arrive soon.

Renick and I hastened to our wing. “You amaze me,” he said, coming up behind me and kissing my neck.

“Told you I learn fast.” I planted a chaste kiss on his lips.

His hands pushed down my bra straps, and grumbled that my arms became trapped in the thin fabric. “We’re going to be late,” I murmured. Renick licked his lips at the side of my ample cleavage, barely contained in the cups.

“What a beautiful view,” he rumbled, reaching around to loosen the hooks.

---