Page 137 of The Oracle of Dusk

“Then make your offerings to Passion,” Myrina said, her eyes glowing with divine power. Suddenly Aurora could feel the goddess’ gaze on her, a hot, nearly choking heat that wound its way around her.

Theron took off one of his golden cuffs. Aurora took off one of the bracelets she’d been given. They laid them amongst the other offerings. She recognised Epicasta’s necklace and one of the staffs wielded by the groom’s warriors. It must have been Hyllus’.

“Bind your chosen, your fated, from this breath until their last, to be reunited in the Loom and spun anew with your blessings.”

The fiery heat sank into her sinew and bones. Aurora crumpled to the floor, melting as she was prepared to be reforged anew. Theron was there beside her, struggling against the weight of the goddess’ brand. He reached out to her and gripped her hand in his. Something within her unfurled and then tangled, anchoring her with a weight she didn’t recognise. She kept her gaze on Theron’s. His eyes flashed with red flames before the pressure suddenly eased. Catching their breaths, Aurora and Theron simply stared into each other’s eyes. Deep inside, something settled into place. They stood up on shaky legs as Myrina smiled.

“You are wed by Passion. Please complete your prayers anywhere within the temple. If you prefer privacy, my acolyte here will lead you to a room.”

Aurora flushed again, looking up at Theron as her heart raced. The marriage wasn’t binding until they consummated it. She remembered the sight of him nude on the first day she met him, wide and solid and strong. But she also recalled just how large he was. Everywhere. Trepidation bloomed in her chest.

“Please take these as a gift from my temple,” Myrina said as another acolyte approached with a small case decorated in suggestive imagery. “And not to spoil the mood, but you’d best hurry. I’ll keep them off your scent as long as possible, but it won’t be long now.” She urged them to follow the acolytes. “If you run into any, erm,difficulty, remember that an orgasm each will suffice for the purposes of the binding!”

Theron shot Myrina a killing glare. And if Aurora wasn’t mistaken, the tips of his slightly pointed ears heated. For some strange reason, it made her less nervous about what was to come. In record time, they were taken to a cosy room on the third floor with a view of the crowded plaza below. The attendants set the case inside the room, wished them well, and closed the door behind them.

Aurora and Theron stared at each other as the silence dragged on. Fated. She’d never given the idea of a fated match much thought. Such things were rare. Precious. And her life had held enough precious things in it—her family, her scholarship, Phaedra—that she’d never wished to tempt bad luck by wishing for more. She swallowed, her throat suddenly parched. Aurora spied a pitcher of water and poured herself a glass.

Theron was frozen to the spot, staring at her with the same disbelief she felt. No doubt it was doubly jarring for a king. Royalty never married for anything but politics. She glanced away from him, looking around the room but seeing nothing. And always her eyes were drawn back to him. A man whose thread was intertwined with hers. Triad, this was awkward. She tried to speak, but the moment she opened her mouth he did the same. Aurora shut hers, just as he covered his own and coughed.

She’d thought she would simply feel the urge to leap into his arms and lose herself in him, but this was different. They were different. Something important weighed heavily between them—a lifetime commitment, the blessing of a goddess, two lives made one. Fate was not to be taken lightly. It made her nervous. Perhaps she should have drunk the whole of Epicasta’s paint-peeling alcohol.

“I’m—” He pointed at his clothes.

“Right—” Aurora gripped the fabric of hers, palms sweaty.

They had to see things through, to pray—to consummate.

“Perhaps we should—” He tipped his head towards the bed.

Fear galvanized her steps.

“I’ll go see what’s in the box.” Aurora rushed over to it, swallowing a groan.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

When she opened it, the contents did nothing to quell her anxiety. Her mind reeled as it processed what was laid out before her in a custom, velvet-lined case. She choked on her next breath, slamming the lid shut.

Theron padded over, his hand on the lid.

“No!” Aurora fought him to keep it closed.

Merciful Triad, please let a hole swallow her up and take her shame with it.

“It can’t be that bad,” he argued as they wrestled for the case.

She covered it with her body, clinging to it with all her might. But Theron was a trained warrior and he quickly pried it free, one limb at a time. When he finally won it from her, holding it above where she could reach, he peeked inside.

“Hmmm. She’s nothing if not practical.”

“P-practical?! T-there are d-dildos in there!Glass dildos!EIGHTof them! What are we meant to do witheight dildos?!”

“And in a range of sizes,” he said, a slow smirk lighting on his face. He plucked one from inside and tested it in his palm. “Catch,” he said, tossing it to her.

She caught it before it shattered on the floor. Like a fool. Her face blazed. Her fingers didn’t even meet when she held it the damn thing was so enormous. He set the case aside.

“Why would you—”

“That’s my size,” he said, his eyes raking her with heat.

---