MatingRitual

by Ruby Storm

  She followed his line of sight and took in the proceedings. One of the couples rose and pulled their pillow to the middle of the floor. They knelt atop it before the holy man. The hall fell completely silent.

  “You have come before me,” the Shaman stated loudly. “What is your intent?”

  The kneeling warrior rose to his full height. “I come to declare on this First Night of Seven that the Stonemen woman, Ludo, be declared my mate for life. I will nourish her, protect her always, and protect any future descendants between us.”

  The Shaman turned to the woman. “Rise up, Ludo.” He paused, then continued once she was on her feet. “Do you accept this warrior, Ander, as your life-long mate?”

  Ludo nodded, but remained silent.

  “You will honor him. You will only take this warrior between your legs and into your body. To forsake him means death to you and your offspring.” He raised his arms. “I am the power on this First of the Seven Night Joining Rite. You, Ander, are granted the female, Ludo.” He stepped back and away, but never took his eyes from the newly dubbed mated couple. His hand slipped into a pocket and he pulled out a sharpened stone. “Your wrists.”

  Kella watched in amazement as the couple each held out an upturned hand in the Shaman’s direction. With a quick, glinting flash, the man sliced a mark across each wrist. Instantly blood dripped to the floor. Silently he crossed Ander’s wrist with Ludo’s, letting their blood mingle as one. “Now join together. Ander, show your right now that the woman, Ludo, belongs to you.” He stepped away further and crossed his arms.

  Kella searched the crowd. Not a noise was heard; hardly a breath taken in. Her gaze was drawn back to the couple in the middle of the crowd, who now disrobed. The woman’s dark nipples peaked hard. The warrior’s cock rose stiff and erect from a mass of dark curls.

  Kella’s fingers curled into tight fists when Ander knelt before the woman and widened her stance by pressing the inside of her knees.

  Her breath caught in her throat. They were going to mate. Here. Before all. Her mind shot forward to the next night. It would be Jaggar, naked on his knees pressing her legs apart for all to watch! At that moment she felt the heat of his hand slip around her back to capture her waist and pull her closer to his side. In a blink, he had her across his lap.

  “Are you watching, Kella?” His whisper could barely be heard against her ear. “Tomorrow I will spread you before all and claim you as mine.”

  She dropped her gaze, but Jaggar would have none of it. His strong fingers firmly, but with no pain, gripped her chin and turned her head until she looked directly at the couple.

  Ander spread the woman’s cunt lips wide with his fingers and now slipped his tongue into her cavern. The woman’s buttocks flexed with each lick of her warrior’s tongue, her body surged forward in a slow, steady rhythm. Ludo’s head lolled back as her hands clutched Ander’s thick mass of hair and held his head tighter against her body. He reached about her black naked hips, and dug his fingers between her ass cheeks. Kella clenched her pelvic muscles, knowing exactly what the woman, Ludo, experienced in the throes of sexual tension. It was as if the warrior, Ander, mated Kella.

  Audible gasps of shared desire from the crowd filled the room as Ludo’s body bucked. Moans of extreme pleasure left her throat. Kella knew Ludo experienced the flaming inferno now, the same Jaggar helped her to discover. Time after time, Ander plunged his finger into the woman’s ass and his tongue pleasured her cunt.

  Kella’s arms and legs numbed as she watched the couple. A fiery ache smoldered between her legs, her cunt clenched, her body yearning for the same enjoyable release, but she battled the emotion. Her shaking hand swept through her hair as she tamped the hot feelings threatening to reduce her former resolve. She managed to get her body under control, but Jaggar ruined her newfound strength by trailing a finger up the outside of one bare thigh. She hadn’t even realized his hand found its way beneath her sarong.

  “It is beautiful to watch, is it not?” he whispered. “I want you, Kella. Tonight I will show you.”

  Her heart bounced around. She did not want to be strong. She wanted to be mated! Shame filled her but there was nothing she could do to force the heated thoughts away! She watched Ander force Ludo to her back upon the pillow. In one swoop he pulled her legs apart and lifted her lower body to his mouth, sucking at the woman’s swollen nub. Ludo’s body bucked and arched as she pulled at her breasts and plucked her nipples. Kella knew the hot flame would come again and soon. Her lips parted as she watched the sheer joy of the couple’s mating. The inside of her upper thighs dampened with excitement. Suddenly Ander flipped his woman to her belly, dragged her ass up over her knees and pierced her hard with his swollen cock. Ludo screamed and met each of his strokes with a rhythmic pounding.

  Kella could not suck in enough air as she watched Ander pump with short, hard jerks inside Ludo until he pressed in hard, forcing Ludo down flat onto her stomach. He followed, ramming his cock time after time until their coupling slowed and they both lay still.

  The crowd roared their pleasure. Amidst all the noise, Kella’s insides thumped with the need for release. She wiggled, trying to force her cunt into Jaggar’s palm as he stroked his fingers against her outer thigh. He ignored her silent plea and instead, he whipped her from the pillow to leave the hall with huge, hurried strides. Kella bounced on his shoulder, the breath nearly being knocked from her, but she didn’t care. Her mind focused on the hot feel of Jaggar’s hand against her ass as he entered his home, tramped by the surprised servants and raced up the stairs. Once in the room he tossed her onto the bed and stripped his leggings off in one hurried motion. Reaching out, he dragged her across the furs, flipped her around, forced her ass up and her knees wide.

  Kella’s cunt splayed wide and wet, glistening in the glow of the lit candles. Jaggar wrapped his fingers around her waist and yanked her close. Instantly his cock pounded her hole, hard and resolute.

  * * * * *

  Hours later, Jaggar stared into the darkness of the room.

  Tangled, white strands wound their way over his wide shoulder. His fingertips brushed the soft skin of Kella’s upper arms. He sighed with contentment.

  Kella wiggled closer in her sleep. Her small hand drifted across the span of Jaggar’s chest and rested over his heart. Her breath warmed the skin just above his nipple.

  Perfect, he thought. The night was perfect, the mating they’d shared was perfect, and the petite white-haired woman sleeping beside him was perfect. And so was his love.

  The thought still surprised him, but he turned it over in his mind once more. He loved her. He may have told Kella about the emotion of love, but it wasn’t until this very moment that he actually understood he shared a part of her soul and could never be without her in his life. Love was an all-consuming feeling of joy at being in her presence, of never ever wanting to be anywhere except beside her. His mother had spoken to him about it years earlier when Jaggar mated for the first time. He thought of his dead woman, his mind still loving her. He had been lucky that time also. The Stonemen had laws to be followed. It was always hoped the emotion of love would exist between a mating couple, but if it could not be found, there was nothing to do. Clan people declared mated must go on together and never forsake their mate.

  He’d lived within those restrictions and had found happiness.

  But this connection with Kella was like nothing he’d experienced before.

  He smiled against her hair. He had heard for those who found a bonding of not only bodies but of complete heart and mind, the world was a different place. Less harsh, less frightening. They were the fortunate ones. And to think he was lucky enough to experience a happy first mating, and a second that took hold of his heart like never before.

  His lids were heavy. Not surprising, he mused. He’d mated with Kella most of the night and now the morning light began to filter through the window. And as much as he could find haven in her hot depths, instead he would let her rest. Tonigh
t they would attend the Second Ceremony of the Seven Nights, and all would know Kella belonged to him forever. It was early, but he had things that needed attending to. Jaggar would be back between her legs again soon enough.

  She rustled beside him, adjusting her body in sleep. A trim leg cupped his upper thigh, making his cock bounce to life. Jaggar willed it flaccid. Once her breathing deepened, he slipped from her unknowing hold to begin his day.

  * * * * *

  When he returned to the room, Kella still slept on. The sun rose higher and higher and Jaggar wanted to walk her to the ditch before leaving her until meeting again before the evening’s ceremony.

  Watching her sleep warmed his heart, but he had no choice. Moving to the bed, he bent over and whispered into her ear. “Kella, time to wake.” He watched her stretch lazily behind closed lids, then tuck her hands beneath her cheek and burrow under the furs. Enough was enough. In one fluid motion, he whisked the furs to the floor, chuckling as she jerked to a sitting position with her cloud of white hair cloaking her breasts.

  “Jaggar!” she cried out and swiped her sleepy eyes. “You frightened me!”

  The sight of her nude body made him forget all the tasks at hand, but Crete waited with Marte at the front gate. He reached across the bed. A second later he tossed her lightly into the air before catching her close to his chest.

  “Jaggar!” she laughed out and clutched at his neck.

  The tinkling sound of her laughter made his stomach flip and he knew this woman would always bring him joy.

  “Time to wake. Crete and Marte await.” But instead of setting her on her feet, he tightened his hold and kissed her upturned lips, thrilled it seemed a natural thing to do. The bond strengthened. As hard as it was, he set her down. “Get dressed.”

  He relished the smile she sent his way as she slipped on her sarong.

  “Why are Crete and Marte waiting for us?”

  “Because it has been decided between the two of us that you and Marte will be allowed to search for your medicinal herbs.”

  “You will spend the day with me?” Kella asked brightly.

  “No, Kella. I have much to do. There will be two strong warriors assigned your safety today and will escort you outside the fortress.” As much as he wanted to, Jaggar still did not trust her one hundred percent. Having an escort would assure Kella and her friend returned.

  Soon they left the warrior’s den for the bright sun of the day.

  * * * * *

  Marte held Kella’s hand as they strolled along a meandering path, their heads close as they spoke in hushed tones. To the two Stonemen warriors assigned guardianship for the afternoon, the women looked as if they were simply enjoying the warm sunshine and cool mountain breeze that lifted their long tresses.

  Such was not the case. Marte listened as Kella told her of the past evening’s events and Jaggar’s earlier declaration, finding it hard to understand.

  “How can a man find love for a woman such as a mother does for a child?”

  “I know,” Kella said with her head tipped close. “He was gentle, Marte. He stroked my arm, spoke softly and told me I would never want or fear for anything in the whole of my life. He said it is the way of the Stonemen to take a woman to his heart and cherish her always. He has decreed I will meet with him before the holy man. I have no choice, Marte. Jaggar has declared I will be his chosen one. After the Rite, I will be free to walk wherever I want and he will always put me first before his clansmen.”

  Marte snorted. “I could shake you, Kella, for falling under his spell. But to do that will bring those two warriors who trail on our heels nearer. If they were not so close, I would grab your arm and we would run from here!”

  Kella looked to the sky, battling the urge to defend Jaggar and hating the warring confusion in her mind. She, Marte and the other women of her tribe had been abducted and brought to the Stonemen’s fortress as prisoners. Things might have changed for Kella, but what of the others?

  “Have you seen any of our sister clan, Marte?”

  The woman shook her head. “I have searched for them each time I follow Crete about the market, but no one.”

  “I saw the girl, Allat. She was one of the Seven. She was not frightened and seemed happy with her warrior. Maybe Crete has not decided if you are to be mated forever.”

  Marte stopped and spun in her direction. Kella saw the two escorts out of the corner of her eye. Both men tensed as they observed their charges.

  “I will never be Crete’s mate,” Marte hissed.

  “You will have no choice, Marte. Just as I have no choice.”

  How could she explain being with Jaggar was more difficult as each day passed? He toyed with her and she easily succumbed to his every wish. Mating with the big man was not an act of deception anymore, but more of conceding to her body’s demands. When Jaggar looked at her, touched her, she lost her strength of will.

  She stared at her friend now and realized though somehow Marte gave it back to her. Marte reminded her constantly who she was and what they needed to do. They were chosen and there was no recourse but to find haven with their own kind as soon as possible.

  Suddenly a grunt and a thud met their ears.

  The women spun on the trail and Kella clutched Marte’s hand, her mind comprehending what had just happened but unable to totally digest the scene as the second man assigned to them fell silently to the ground.

  The two Stonemen warriors both lay on their backs with sightless stares. Each had a spear driven through his heart and their life blood trickled to the forest floor. She shook her head to clear it, grabbed Marte’s hand and screamed. “Run, Marte! To the fortress!”

  She began to pull Marte along with her but suddenly their path was blocked when two painted men stepped from the thick underbrush.

  Magya warriors!

  Marte shouted with glee and raced in their direction, calling out they were Magya females. One of the men rushed forward, raised his arm and backhanded Marte, who gasped and fell to the ground, cupping her cheek. Kella sank to her knees to gather the frightened woman to her breast, trying to fathom what had just happened.

  “Quiet!” the warrior hissed. “You will give us away and we will all die at the hands of the Stonemen. Rise, woman, and follow quickly.”

  “Yes! Yes!” Marte said as she scrambled to her feet, her reddened cheek swelling before their eyes. “I am sorry I raised my voice. Yes, we will follow. We have waited for an escape and it has finally come.”

  The other warrior towered over Kella with a glare. “You are the woman Kella. You were my chosen one before the Stonemen took what was to be mine.”

  Kella recognized him instantly. He was called Biligan, named so because of the anger he always carried within. Of all the men in her clan, he was the most odious. Instantly she compared him to Jaggar and in that moment, Kella knew her Stoneman warrior was her choice. The thought of mating with this Magya clansman sickened her, but she had no choice when Biligan’s fingers gripped her arm and she was shoved forward on the trail.

  * * * * *

  The dark jungle surrounded them. The only light filtering through the thick overhead foliage was a sliver of moonlight. Kella’s muscles screamed with fatigue as she trudged after Biligan. Marte’s footsteps could be heard behind her, but Kella dared not stop to check on how she fared. Marte’s warrior, Tao, who brought up the rear would not allow it.

  Finally Biligan halted in a moonlit clearing. The women were ordered to sit beside a tree as the men handily set about building a small fire. Once small puffs of smoke turned to flames, Tao urged them closer to the light.

  “We have waited. We have watched,” he told them. “We did not know what happened to the ten women preparing themselves for the Purification Rite. No one returned from the pond that day. We searched and found nothing but tracks leading to the mountain. We knew then what your fate was. We have watched from afar and when you two women who are called Kella and Marte were allowed outside the fortress, it was
only a matter of time to claim what is rightfully ours.”

  He stepped closer, his gaze pinned on Marte. He pointed to the ground. “Get down.”

  Kella’s harried gaze darted from Marte to Tao, knowing Marte would submit passively. The strong, passionate woman of the past weeks disappeared on the trail. Her friend was a Magya woman again in the presence of the warrior, one who now sank to her knees, one who unfaltering obeyed.

  Marte laid her forehead on the forest floor. The warrior moved closer, using his foot to guide Marte’s knees farther apart as he lifted his shirt. Once his hard cock was in his hand, he dropped to his knees, shoved aside the woman’s sarong and worked the rigid flesh inside her friend. His buttocks clenched with each stroke he took. Marte groaned quietly as he slammed into her.

  “Stop!” Kella yelled. “She is a chosen one! I am a chosen one. It is not right for you to mate this way without a ceremony!”

  Biligan was beside her in an instant. “Silence!” A loathing glare hardened his eyes. “You were among the chosen ones at one time. No longer. You are nothing, not after the Stonemen enjoyed mating with you.” He pointed to the ground. “But you will make your life with the outcasts now and serve only one purpose. It is that reason we have secreted you back.”

  Kella did something she would never have done in her entire life. She refused to assume the position and held her ground. She was worth more. Jaggar had shown her the connection. “I will never be an outcast!” she flung back. “I will not obey you!”

  Images of her past life raced quickly through her brain. The many times she assumed the position because it was the way of the Magya. The many times she ate the ragweed, hoping upon hope to be a chosen one and not have to fear for her life as an outcast. Those thoughts quickly turned to Jaggar. Never was he hurtful or had he scorned her. He pledged himself to Kella by joining the other couples for Seven Nights. Her eyes and mind were now open to a far better culture.