Page 116 of Fate and Flame
“I promise I didn’t,” he chuckled.
“Still a badass?” I asked.
“Yes, Ara. You’re still a badass. And humble too.”
I could feel the eye roll, but I didn’t care. I had a reputation to keep. He gathered the jars of paint and placed them back in the box. He snuffed out the flame and opened the door to the pits.
I had to give it to Inok and Umari. They put on quite a show in a crunch. I couldn’t be sure of course, but it seemed like everyone, even close to the city, filled the stands; there were even fae lining the fence as the draconians danced around the arena with circles of fire and batons with blades on the ends. They flipped around and yelled as they performed and the crowd loved it. Loved them. But Fen was one of them. Or at least his mother was. The moment he walked out into the arena, the crowd quieted. The hiss of whispers filled the air as they discussed their king.
“Today, Umari, leader of the draconian fae, has challenged Ara, mate of your king, to perform a sacred rite.” Inok’s voice was loud and clear, and I only semi cringed at my singular title. No need to mention I was Alewyn’s Promise. No need to mention I was actually born here too. “She will attempt to claim a cetani.”
The crowd grew loud again, shifting around each other for a better view, as I stepped out and stood in the center of the pit, nearly naked and smothered in ceremonial paint. The cetani did not need a fae to lead them as they walked forward in a line, Asha at the head.
My heart thundered in my chest as their feline claws pounded the ground in unison as they moved. After parading the fence line, they moved in until they had formed a circle around me. Asha lifted her giant head, her feathers ruffling as she roared. The rest of the cetani followed until the only thing I wanted to do was cower and cover my ears. I was not allowed to move though. Not allowed a single flinch as they each walked up to me.
“This is fine,” I whispered. “We can be friends.”
Are you talking to them right now?I could hear the laughter in his voice.
Don’t you judge me king high and mighty. I’m trying to make friends.
A laugh vibrated down the bond and I had to shut him out as I focused. As I watched them circle me.“Which one of you wants to conquer the world with me?”
Their eyes were huge. I could see myself reflected in each one as I memorized the difference between them. They kicked up dirt as their circle wound tighter around me. The crowd disappeared as they stomped in closer. The ground rumbling as their feet marched, the sound filled my mind. The entire world was gone as they marched around me, so fast they were nearly a blur. My head spun as the cetani completely overwhelmed my senses.
It’s normal. Stay grounded.
He could feel my confusion. The urge to move. It was difficult to make myself vulnerable to anyone. Especially a beast. But I kept my head lowered and spoke the words Fen had taught me.
“Tha mi a ‘seasamh romhad mar do cho-ionnan. Do dhìon, mo dhìon. Biodh a ‘ghaoth gar giùlan mar aon air iteig.”
I’m fairly certain I skewed some of that, but I hoped I had gotten enough right for this to work. I’d asked Fen what it meant, but he would only tell me it was a promise to protect the cetani.
Closing my eyes, I held my hand out, willing my heartbeat to slow, just like he had told me to do. I listened to the thundering begin to subside. The world went completely silent. I waited. Nothing happened.
What do I do now?
Open your eyes, my love,his voice awed.
I dropped my hand and opened my eyes to find a cetani, nose to the ground, bowing before me with his wings spread wide.
“Hi there,” I whispered, taking a tiny step forward.
Totally knew this would work,I beamed.
Do you recognize him?
He looks like Asha, only smaller.
I reached down to pet the massive, feathered wing of the Cetani. The crowd was completely motionless. As far as they knew, I wasn’t from here, I was a foreigner that had come only because I was the mate. But this meant something. It meant I was more. It meant I belonged.
Fen marched forward and addressed the gathering as I continued to pet my Cetani.MyCetani. It didn’t even feel real.“Years and years ago, a child was born right here in this city. Her fate, gifted by my mother, marked her as special.”
I stood, realizing what he was telling the people. My heart responded to his words in terror and pride as he continued to tell my story.
“Not only was this child a gift from Alewyn, we learned that one day, she would save the world. Her parents took their own lives to protect her. The people who raised her, her second parents, trained her just as she would have been raised had she stayed here, in her home. She is a warrior. But she is far more. She is more than a promise from this world, she is more than my mate. As you can see, even my own cetani has claimed her.”
My head snapped back to the creature rising from the ground. I hadn’t realized it. He had of course.
