Page 72 of His to Claim
? "She already is," I whisper, feeling tears sting my eyes.
? Tha'ashil smiles gently at me. "It's all right. I'm glad you feel that way, Veerha Dhakar."
? I nod, then turn around and continue walking. I don't look back.
* * *
"Everything is ready, my king,"Hexal says to me. "We can start the ceremony at the Temple of Love."
?? I nod. "Let's begin."
?? I walk down the steps and into the temple, followed by Hexal and the other elders. Tha'ashil is there, waiting for us. "Are you ready, Veerha Dhakar?" The priestess asks as she approaches.
?? I glance up at her and nod.
?? "This is the most important day of your life. You must make sure you do it properly," she says.
?? I smile gratefully at her. "Thank you, Priestess."
??Tha'ashil leads me towards a large, white marble altar. On top of it sits a beautiful statue of an elk. It stands on its hind legs and holds up two horns with its front legs.
?? "Veerha Dhakar, you must kneel before the statue and say the following words," she says softly.
?? I bow my head and repeat the same words I said when I first met Emma. "O mighty god of love, please bless this mating ceremony and let the bond between the couple grow strong and everlasting."
?? Tha'ashil moves close to me and places her hand on my forehead. "May the gods protect you from all harm, and may you both have many children together."
"Now let's wait for your mate and we can begin the mating ceremony," the Priestess says.
?? "Yes, Priestess," I murmur.
The crowd suddenly grows quiet. I turn around and see Emma standing at the entrance, wearing a white dress that hugs her curves. Her hair is tied in a braid, and she looks so stunning. My heart stops beating for a moment as I take in her beauty.
?? Emma walks over to me and takes my hands in hers. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time, Dhakar," she whispers. "You're mine now and always."
?? I swallow hard and nod. "I know, Emm."
?? She kisses me again, and I wrap my arms around her waist.
?? "All right, everyone," Tha'ashil calls out. "Let's begin!"
?? The crowd cheers and claps as they enter. They surround the altar, and I can only see Emma.
?? "Ready?" she asks me.
?? "As I'll ever be," I whisper back.
?? Tha'ashil raises her hand above our heads and begins to chant. "In this sacred place, between the great mountains and the beautiful lake, two souls are about to become one."
?? "Do you, Veerha Dhakar, take this female, Emma, to be your mate? To love her and care for her body and soul until the end of time?"
?? I can feel the heat rising to my face as I nod. "I do."
?? "And do you, Emma, take this male, Veerha Dhakar, as your mate? To love him and care for his body and soul until the end of time?"
?? "I do."
?? Tha'ashil smiles at us. "Then let us begin."
