Page 71 of His to Claim
I head to the training grounds, looking for Hexal. I want him to help me organize the mating ceremony. I want Emma to become my true mate before the gods.
Hexal is waiting for me when I arrive. He's dressed in his normal outfit: leather pants and a white tunic. His pale blue eyes fix on my face. "Dhakar, my king! Come to see me about the ceremony?" he asks, smiling widely.
? "Yes, Hexal. I was hoping you could help me arrange things."
? Hexal bows down to me. "Anything you wish."
? "Thank you. Go search Tha'ashil, the priestess, at the Temple of Love and bring her to me. I want to speak to her about the mating ceremony."
? Hexal grins and leaves quickly.
? I head over to the weapons practice area and find a bunch of warriors sparring with each other. They all turn to look at me as I enter.
? "What do you think you're doing?" I demand, pointing my sword at one of them.
? A few of them laugh. "We're just practicing our fighting skills, Veerha Dhakar," they say.
? I glare at them and turn around. "Go back to your rooms."
? "Why are you here?" a warrior demands. "Aren't you supposed to be busy preparing for the ceremony?"
? "I said go back to your rooms." I raise my voice so everyone can hear. "Don't make me come over there and tell you again."
? "You can't do that!" another warrior challenges.
? "Can, or will?" I ask.
? "Will," the warrior replies.
? I move towards him and he steps backward, trying to get away from me.
? "That's enough, Veerha Dhakar. Go back to your rooms," says a familiar voice.
? I spin around and see Tha'ashil approaching. She's wearing her usual clothes which consist of a long dress with an elaborate pattern over it. It looks like she has been doing some sort of work today because her hair is a mess and there are paint stains on her hands.
? "Priestess, you're here. I want to talk to you about the mating ceremony. Today, Emma becomes my mate," I growl.
? Tha'ashil stops when she reaches me. Her gaze flickers between me and the warriors who have backed away from me. "Is this true? You really want to mate with her?"
? "Yes, Priestess." I take a step closer to her.
? "Then we need to hold the ceremony immediately, Veerha Dhakar," she says, slowly.
? "I know. I'll start organizing everything now," I reply, and leave without another word.
? As I walk away, I hear her calling out to me. "Veerha Dhakar, wait."
? I stop and turn around. "Yes, Priestess?"
? Tha'ashil moves forward to stand beside me. "Are you sure about this, Veerha Dhakar? The ceremony is very important to the people of the tribe. If you take her as your mate, she'll be yours forever."
? "I am. I've known for a while that I wanted to mate with Emma. There was never any question in my mind. Why did you think otherwise?"
? "It's not about whether you want to mate with her or not." She stares into my eyes. "Do you love her? Can you spend the rest of your life with her?"
? "I do. I love her more than anything. And I plan to spend the rest of my life with her."
? Tha'ashil nods. "Then you should carry through with the ceremony. Emma will be happy."
