Page 69 of Scarred

“Now you’re being silly. You look stunning no matter what you’re wearing. Or even if you’re wearing nothing at all.” She wrapped her arms around one of his and leaned against him. “I can’t get over how pretty the nights are here. The flow of energy I get from your moons is fascinating. I wonder if Jo and Shelly would do a ritual with me before we leave.”

“Can I watch?”

“You just want to see me dancing naked,” she teased. “Yes, you can watch. Don’t run if some of my ancestors show up and start causing trouble.”

“I run from no one.” He paused. “Well, I run from my dam. She has a strong arm.”

“I can’t wait to meet her.”

They walked quietly through the village as they joined the others on their way to the pyres. It was humbling to know if he’d made one wrong move during battle, he would be the one being burned. Before he met Amma, he thought often of the glory dying in battle would bring to his name. Now, he didn’t want to waste one day away from her. Dying a glorious death was no longer his foremost dream. He wanted to live long and grow old with Amma.

Amma’s hands tightened on his arm when they left the Ykot’s gates and spotted the rows of pyres lined up in the clearing.

“Suni, are all those warriors from here?”

“We are also honoring the warriors who attacked,” Jo said. She joined them and began to walk at her cousin’s side. “We cannot send them home, and I want to make sure they are welcomed beyond the veil.”

“Why?” Suni asked. He had never heard of a village burning the bodies of their enemies. “They were dishonorable.”

“Honestly? I think we must rethink this ‘controlled warrior’ thing.” Jo replied with a frown. “We have always been taught people with weak minds were the only ones easy to control, but these warriors, there’s something different happening. I’ve seen evil warriors before, and–”

“They seem innocent,” Amma finished.

“Innocent?” Suni gasped. “How can you say that after they attacked?”

“But after the influence of evil was removed, look what happened. They seemed like children who were awakened from a bad dream. I think there is more to the High Coven than what we know now.”

“You and I both.” Jo let go of Amma’s arm. “Ru wanted me to invite you to join his family. They will be leading the ceremony.”

Amma leaned into Suni. “I don’t know. I hate being in the spotlight.”

“Trust me, you won’t.” Jo waved her hand. “Everyone is focused on making sure their loved one is sent beyond the veil with the best party ever.”

“Your cousin is right,” Ru said as he joined them. “Tonight we honor those who have departed from this life. It saddens me that we lost any. We have so few warriors.”

“They will come,” Suni said. “I will spread word back in my village, and I am sure some of the young warriors will be glad to earn their battle scars.”

“Thank you.” Ru took a deep breath as they reached the midpoint between the pyres. “May the Goddess guide me.”

“You got this, honey.” Jo said and gave him a quick kiss after taking a few steps to join him at his side.

Suni stood with Amma behind the leading couple. He admired the way Ru handled not only the battle, but the aftermath. He hadn’t left the cleanup to other people but had gotten his own claws dirty. Suni could imagine Ykot growing as word spread about the young, strong chief who had a powerful witch by his side. If he didn’t have a family back in his home village, Suni would take Ru up on his offer to become a warrior of Ykot.

Ru raised his hand and the clearing quieted. “Under the watchful eyes of our moons, we send many of our warriors to our ancestors. They fought with bravery against odds we have never faced before. Each died with honor and left behind fond memories and strong bloodlines.”

“May their spirits be received by our ancestors.” Suni’s voice joined the villagers. “Their memories will be forever carried through this life and bring peace to those left behind.”

Warriors stepped forward in unison and lit each pyre. Suni smiled as each family started to tell the story of their fallen loved one.

“This is beautiful,” Amma whispered. “Look at the joy everyone has as they recount their memories.”

“This ceremony reminds me of ours,” Jo whispered back. “Ru and I need to mingle with the families. And I need some water. The smell of the burning is churning my stomach.”

“We will go stand with Ru’s family,” Amma said. “I’m sure we can find a way to be inconspicuous and keep Shelly in line.”

Suni carefully led Amma through the families and the burning pyres. His family had been blessed. Neither he nor any of his siblings had died on the battlefield this time. He felt the pain of others who only had memories of a beloved family member. They joined Ru’s family, who were standing at some distance from the celebrations.

“Hey Amma. Suni,” Shelly said with a small wave.

---