Page 30 of Enchanting Her Mate

If I succeed this eve, I imagine it would make her proud. But I must succeed first.

“We gather beneath the light of the moon for a most sacred purpose,” Rulya continues. “TheKituva Bravatiis a meeting of two seasoned Hexrins, and a test to see whose power is dominant. There are four phases to this test. These phases must occur in the following order:lunwanavi,which is telekinesis;lunwopiivyo,or teleportation;killyaveh,as in elemental control;and finallypohrrixo,also known as necromancy.”

I have spent a significant amount of time practicing all of these skills. The only one I have had some trouble with is the final phase, necromancy. The concept of reanimating the dead has always turned my stomach, so I have been hesitant to work with that area of magic, but I am certain I remember the steps I learned at the Hexrin academy.

“Our participating Hexrins, Jobaki and Tibik, must complete each phase before moving on to the next,” Rulya says. “If one or both are unable to complete a phase, they are immediately disqualified and the title of Prime shall be awarded to the victor. If both are able to complete all four phases, then it will come down to time. Whichever Hexrin is able to finish first shall assume the role of Prime. Interruptions or participation of any kind from spectators is prohibited.”

Rulya turns toward Tibik. “Hexrin Tibik, are you ready?”

“Ready,” he replies, shaking out his limbs and cracking his knuckles.

Then she turns toward me. “Hexrin Jobaki, are you ready?”

I feel a familiar tingle in the tips of my fingers, my blood pumping with centuries of resentment and fury. This is a role I was meant to claim.

Nodding, I lift my palms in front of my chest. “I am ready.”

CHAPTER 17

ALU

Ihad no plans to return to the village after what happened between me and Jo. But Mek has not returned to the caves, and it has been an entire day. He is never away from me this long. Something must have happened.

Or, the more likely scenario, he made his way back to Jo shortly after leaving the caves and has remained at her side ever since.

Kate and Niro left for the village early this morning to look for Mek, and also to add decorations to their new home in the village. They told me they would send a comm if they locate Mek, and if I do not hear from them, to fly down to the village whenever I am ready. They gave me the option of not going at all, promising they would look for him until they returned to the caves tomorrow morning.

So it is not required for me to travel to the village. I could remain here and hope Mek returns. But the caves are far too quiet with no one else here, and it is possible that Kate and Niro do not know all the places in the village to look for Mek. He is very good at hiding when he wants to.

It does not take long to fly from the caves to the village, and when I land on the patch of grass outside the forest, part of me wishes Jo were here to greet me with her large, golden eyes shining with adoration as her short legs bring her straight into my open arms. However, that is not what occurs, and I sigh heavily as I trudge through the trees and thickets, knowing that day will never come.

When I emerge onto the main path, I am immediately taken aback by the crowd of people lining the edges on either side, whispering quietly to each other as their attention is heavily focused on whatever is happening in the center.

I spot Kate’s fiery red hair right away, and slowly make my way to her and Niro. “What is this? Did you locate Mek?” I ask when I reach them.

Kate scrunches her freckled nose and her lips curve into a frown. “No, sorry. No sign of him yet.”

I peer over the heads of a few people standing in front of me, but I still cannot get a clear view of what everyone is watching.

“Kate, what is this?” I ask again.

“Oh, Jo and Tibik are about to kick off something called theKituva Bravati,”she explains in a hushed tone.“It’s a challenge between Hexrins fighting for the role of Prime.”

“Jo is battling Tibik for the Prime title?” I ask, shocked by Kate’s words, but I suppose I should not be. It has been Jo’s dream for quite some time. I am glad she is finally chasing it. Watching her come undone in my arms as she faced her fear of stepping into the role was one of the most profound moments of my lifetime. I have never witnessed anything quite as beautiful, and I am certain I never will again.

I grab Kate’s hand and pull her through the crowd until there is no one else in front of us.

“Alussanai, what are you doing?” Niro grumbles from somewhere behind me.

Niro follows and stands behind Kate, his arms wrapped around her middle.

“I am about to watch my mate fight a disgraceful male for a role that was always meant to be hers,” I explain, my eyes finally landing on Jo. “I cannot do that without my family at my side.”

“Did you say yourmate?” Kate asks, lifting her brow.

I shoot her a skeptical glance. “Did I?” If I did, it was certainly not intentional, but I also do not feel the need to argue with Kate. The word repeats in my mind as I watch Jo lift her palms in front of her heart, her gigantic, soft heart, and I suddenly see how well the label fits.

Jo is my mate.

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