Winter’s natural curiosity spiked, and she would have argued for the information right then and there under any other circumstances.
But her mate was waiting, and the me’hendra clearly weren’t in the mood to linger. The enormous cats circled and nudged until Winter and her friends made their way out the main door. As they walked along the corridor, Jaz and Itohan took the lead, Melody and Piala followed them, and Winter and Shallamar brought up the rear.
They climbed the steps to the roof garden, and when Winter stepped outside, the beauty of her surroundings took her breath away. And the best part of it all? She saw Kasim’s hand in every detail.
Chapter Twenty-Six
As Winter stepped out into the sunlight, walking proudly next to Shallamar, Kasim thought his heart might explode with joy. The sight of his two great loves side by side packed an emotional punch that pushed all the air out of his lungs.
Almost dizzy from lack of oxygen, he watched Winter’s face as she looked at the transformed roof garden. Tubs of flowering plants had been brought in, boasting varieties from both Earth and Jendar. His brothers formed an honor-guard, providing a walkway that lead to an arbor wreathed in gauzy fabric and greenery. The sun shone and the sky was a clear blue, but no wind stirred the roof garden. At Kasim’s request, a defense dome had been activated over the venue. It protected everyone on the inside from view and—more importantly—from attack.
With a bit of luck, he’d never have to explain the precaution to his mate.
As Winter and her human-me’hendra escort moved forward, Kasim finally caught her eye. Keeping that dark, mesmerizing gaze on him, she walked forward, all smooth lines and feminine grace. Even now he still couldn’t believe she was his.
And he was hers.
When she finally came to stand by his side, he almost dropped to his knees under the weight of his emotions. Instead, he captured her hands and brought them to his lips. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
With their witnesses formed in a semi-circle around them, Kasim motioned his cousin forward. Like him, Mikko was blond haired and blue eyed, and while he was considered fit and strong for a civilian, he didn’t have the height and muscle of a rhe’hashan.
“Winter Nayar, may I present to you my cousin, Mikko Ta’nehr.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Mikko.” Winter’s smile was genuine. And little shy, which surprised him.
Mikko, on the other hand, was utterly dazzled. He blinked a couple times, made a not-quite-smooth bow, and did his best to recover. “The honor is mine, Winter.” He flicked a nervous glance in Kasim’s direction. “I’m looking forward to welcoming you into the clan.”
That was true. When Kasim had asked this favor, Mikko had been ready to transit there and then. It was only when Kasim explained the dangers involved, politically speaking, that Mikko had second thoughts. They’d spoken often over the last week, and Kasim made sure his cousin was aware of the risks involved with him participating in this ceremony. And Mikko came anyway.
Which made him family in ways that didn’t rely on shared bloodlines.
The priestess who was officiating both ceremonies stepped forward so Kasim could continue the introductions. “Winter, may I present Jamar A’vaase, Priestess of the Night Sky.” Jamar was tall and slender, and wore her light-brown hair in the intricate braids common to the Goddess’s representatives. Her long dress was a purple so dark it was almost black, a color only worn by the highest ranking members of the preistesshood. The silver belt at her waist and the dangling charms of the stars and the moon were also badges of her high office.
Winter smiled at the priestess, then crossed her hands over her chest and bowed slightly at the waist, exactly as he’d taught her. “I’m honored to meet you, my lady. I am Winter Nayar. Kasim and I are humbled by your willingness to officiate for us.”
Jamar gave Kasim an approving nod before facing Winter and returning her formal gesture. “I’m pleased to be here.”
The snort Borini let out made it clear what he thought of that declaration. Borini had spent the last week complaining to Kasim about Jamar’s recalcitrance, priestesses in general, and females in particular—including the human variety. And as usual, Borini had come through. Jamar was serene and relaxed as always, and looking to all the world as if there was no place she’d rather be. Only the rhe’hashan knew how very far Jamar was from the safety and comfort of the settlement. A rooftop garden in one of the most densely packed cities in the world was no place for a Jendari priestess.
But, like Mikko, she came anyway.
As Jamar moved into position, Kasim stepped away, Shallamar tight by his side. Winter and Mikko faced Jamar, and when the priestess held out her hands, the atmosphere in the garden buzzed with her power.
“Mikko Ta’nehr, for what purpose do you come here today?”
“I come to adopt Winter Nayar into the Ice Plains clan. If the Goddess wills it to be so.”
“Winter Nayar, do you forsake all other clan ties? Will you give your love and loyalty to the Ice Plans clan?”
“I will.”
“Mikko Ta’nehr, will you accept responsibility for Winter? Will you teach her the ways and traditions of your clan? Will you help her to the best of your ability?”
“I will, my lady.”
“Join hands.”
Kasim had to hold back a growl when Mikko touched Winter. Then he had to pet Shallamar when she growled her own warning. Ignoring both of them, Winter and Mikko lifted their linked hands so Jamar could cup them in her own.
“I call on all facets of the Goddess to witness and bless the adoption of Winter Nayar into the Ice Planes clan. Gilana the child, Elazar the mother, Rahtri the wise, and Badria the warrior—I ask that you give your blessings to your new daughter.”
Kasim’s heart pounded in his chest. Winter was kind, strong, smart, and loyal, and if the Goddess had any sense She’d snap Winter up before anyone had a chance to change their minds. But the divine worked in ways unfathomable to mortals, and he had no idea if accepting a human would be a step too far for Her. No matter how deserving that human might be.
Then he felt Her presence, a rush of unconditional love so pure it filled him with light. The moment the initial rush passed, he opened his eyes and homed in on Winter. Her eyes were closed, her head titled up, and she wore a look of blissful wonder. Kasim let out a ragged breath of relief. That particular expression only came with the touch of the Goddess. And with that blessing, Winter became clan.
Jamar smiled as if she’d known the outcome all along. And maybe she had. “Congratulations, Winter. Welcome to the clans.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Jamar turned to address Mikko. “Do you have a clan gift for your new sister?”
“I do.” Mikko withdrew a small box from his coat pocket. Kasim knew the box contained earrings to match the necklace Winter wore. Mikko opened the box and handed it to Winter. “The diamonds represent the ice plains on which your mate and I grew up. By wearing these, you will help keep alive the link between our old world and our new one. As long as you have these in your possession, you will carry with you a piece of our clan.”
“Thank you. I’m—” Winter choked on the words and when Kasim scented the air he could smell her distress. He’d taken two steps forward before Jaz gripped his arms and halted his forward momentum.
“It’s all right. Those are tears of happiness. It happens sometimes when a person has too much joy to hold inside.”
He looked down at Tallis’s am’chai. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Kasim stayed where he was, but he watched Winter like a hawk. The tremulous smile she offered his cousin was the only thing keeping his feet stationary.
As soon as Winter affixed her clan-gift to her ears, the rhe’hashan and their me’hendras stepped forward, one at a time, to offer their congratulations. Kasim stood back and watched, making sure all of the touching was brotherly and Winter wasn’t being overw
helmed.
When it was done, the witnesses reformed their half circle and Jamar waved Kasim forward. Finally.
He stood side by side with Winter, facing Jamar.
“Kasim Ta’nehr and Winter Nayar, for what purpose do you come here today?”
“We come to be bound together as am’chai. If the Goddess wills it to be so,” Kasim replied.
Jamar spoke to both of them, but her eyes were on Winter. “And do you understand what that entails? A union blessed and sanctified by the Goddess cannot be undone.”
Then his brave mate spoke up. “We understand the seriousness of the commitment, my lady.” She held Jamar’s gaze, sure and true. “I’ve been educated and counseled by Kasim and his brothers. I’m fully informed.”
Jamar nodded and gave Kasim an ironic lift of her brow. “You’re more organized than Tallis, it seems.”
He nodded back. “I had more time, my lady.”
“Mmmm.” That sound could have meant anything, so Kasim kept his mouth shut. Jamar’s next words were spoken with the full weight of her religious authority. “Winter Nayar, do you come before our Lady with a sure purpose and an open heart?”
“I do.”
“And what is that purpose?” Jamar asked.
“To become am’chai with Kasim Ta’nehr.”
“And will you bind yourself to him for now and ever more? Will you trust him, love him, respect him? Will you protect him to the best of your ability?”
“I will.”
Once again the power of the Goddess moved through him, pouring out of his heart and filling every inch of his body. The mating bond swelled and he could feel the Goddess moving through Winter as well.
It was done. No matter what happened next, no matter how long or short the ritual, Winter was his. A union blessed by the Goddess and unbreakable by anything but death.
The relief made him lightheaded, and the rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. He responded to the same questions Jamar had asked Winter. He stood quietly as the binding vine was placed between him and his mate. As Jamar sang, the delicate stems of the veneshay plant grew and twisted around them, binding Winter and him together. The vine symbolized their new life as am’chai and their commitment to each other, the clans, and the Goddess.
Jamar’s voice was pure and clear, and her song sank deep inside him. The melody linked with his own song, the musical phrases meshing together until they resonated in every corner of his soul.
At the completion of her song, Jamar withdrew a knife from the small basket at her feet. Then she held out her hand. “Kasim?”
Without hesitation, he put his hand palm up in hers. With the ease of long practice, Jamar made a shallow cut on the fleshy part of his thumb. When she held out her hand to Winter, his mate didn’t even blink before offering her own hand. Once the cut was made, Jamar pressed his hand to Winter’s, sealing the cuts together.
“Blood to blood, heart to heart. Two people, one life, one clan. Kasim and Winter, you are am’chai from now until the Goddess calls you home.”
Jamar released them, lifting her hands to place her palms on their foreheads for the benediction. “I call on the four aspects of the Goddess to bless this union. Gilana the child, who imbues us with joy and creativity, bless Kasim and Winter with a lifetime of laughter. Elazar, the mother, who nurtures us and teaches us compassion, bless Kasim and Winter with love and understanding. Rahtri the wise, who offers us wisdom and patience, bless Kasim and Winter with knowledge and reflection. And Badria, the warrior Goddess who protects us all, bless your son and his am’chai with strength, courage and endurance.”
Once again Jamar sang, but this song was of celebration and completion. The veneshay vine unwound, shrinking back to its normal size. They would take the small plant home with them, a symbol of the ceremony and their new life together.
Jamar took a step back and raised her voice. “This vow is sanctified and sealed in the presence of friends and family, and in the presence the Goddess in all her glory. Congratulations to you both.” She smiled at Kasim. “You are now am’chai.”
And thank the Goddess for that.
****
Hours later, Kasim was still riding the high. Jamar had transited back to New Havilah as soon as the ceremony had been completed, but everyone else had stayed. They’d eaten too much, drank even more, and filled the afternoon with talk and laughter. The me’hendra had prowled the party, being petted and hand fed as though they weren’t the most lethal creatures on the planet. And the human females had taken a shine to the me’hendra. It seemed every time he looked around Winter, Jasmine, or Melody were fussing over the four-legged parasites. Somehow the I’ll-kill-you-if-you-look-at-me pack had turned into the pet-me-if-you’re-a-human-female pack. It would be pitiful if Kasim wasn’t so grateful.
Having a cadre of rhe’hashan in Winter’s corner was one thing, having a pack of me’hendra to protect her was something else again. It eased his heart to know his am’chai had such efficient hunters as her guardians.
Then his mate walked up to him, put her arms around his waist, and everyone else disappeared from his vision.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Joyful.” And grateful, and a hundred other things he couldn’t articulate. Wrapping his arm around her, he turned them both so they could view the party. “Look at our family, shamira. Never did I dream it would grow like this, or that the connections between us would run so deep.” He kissed the top of her head. “You did this. By showing me how to love you, you taught me how to love them.”
“I think you always loved them.” She leaned into his hold, allowing him to take her slender weight. “The difference is, now you’re not afraid to feel it.”
“Perhaps.” Turning her into his embrace, he placed his hand on her jaw and lifted her face. “You are a miracle to me, Winter. You’ve given me a life I never thought I’d have.”
She smiled at him, her eyes full of love and trust. “And today is only the first day. Imagine how much better it will be in a week, or a year, or a lifetime.”
“We’re going on quite a journey together.”
“We are.”
And he couldn’t fucking wait.
The End
www.delwynjenkins.com
If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:
Day by Erin M. Leaf
Transcending Fire by Casey Moss
Taken by Gwendolyn Casey
EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Breaking Ice (The Jendari Book 2) Page 24