Free Web NovelChapter 386: The Gifts
(Amaia)
Alnilam, Alnitak and Mintaka mark me after Rigel, cementing the bond in our chests. My neck aches but my heart has never been more alive, like a live wire it permanently settles inside my chest.
I am theirs and they are mine.
After the marking ceremony, Rahria brings me the rings I have specifically chosen for them.
Saiph’s is a blue band with his initials embedded in it.
Rigel’s one is black. freewёbnoνel.com
For Alnilam I chose silver.
Mintaka and Alnitak have gold ones.
I begin with Saiph, placing it on his ring finger. He graciously smiles.
"Thanks bunny."
Rigel is an emotional mess when the ring settles on his finger.
"I will cherish your gift till the day I die."
I hugged him. "No one is dying for now."
I moved forward to Alnilam. He stares at the ring and then at me when I slip it on his finger.
"It’s elegant."
"Just like you," I add and he smiles at me, his eyes narrowing in amusement.
Alnitak is beyond himself when I put the ring on his slim finger. He twirls his hand, showing it to everyone around him.
"My mate’s choice is the best." He gathers me in his arms and spins me around on the stage.
Laughter and happiness surround us as I stare into his gold-dusted eyes. Endless love, he holds for me. I place a kiss on his forehead so he can let me down.
"Always dramatic," Mintaka mutters, taking me from his arms.
The guests cackle seeing their antics.
Mintaka is grateful, and he peppers a kiss on my cheek.
"Thank you for this gift."
"We have something for you too," Saiph’s deep voice comes, making me turn towards him.
Kacir steps onto the stage and hands Saiph a small emerald-shaded box. Opening it he extracts a ring from it and hands it to Mintaka.
"May I have the honour?" Mintaka extends his right hand towards me, smiling with expectation.
They have chosen the youngest to present me with their ring. With a rapidly beating heart, I place my hand in his. Others gather around him as he slips the ring onto my finger.
Shaped like a flower, the ring has a large gemstone in the centre that resembles my eye colour, surrounded by smaller gemstones of blue, red, golden, and violet shades.
Constructed with finesse and colours and delicate patterns chosen with thought.
"It’s just a small token of our collective love for you," Rigel gently says, pulling me into his arms.
"It’s gorgeous and I love it. Thank you." They all gather around me in an embrace, completing me and our bond.
The music turns soft and guests stand up from their seats clapping and cheering for us. A rain of petals falls.
"We have another gift for you, after the feast," Saiph murmurs into my ear, making me smile.
"That completes today’s ceremony. Thank you all for being a part of this beautiful day. Let’s enjoy the feast," King Orion declares. He smiles at us, embracing us turn by turn.
"Welcome to the family Amaia. You are going to be the Queen of Orion now." He holds me by the shoulders.
"I will be honoured." I generously smile at him.
It is time to meet the guests. They guide me off the stage. After meeting my family, Rigel leads me towards his grandmother and uncle. He had told me about them when he returned from Fudaria.
His grandmother holds my shoulders while carrying a pleasant smile. "What a beautiful mate my grandson has been blessed with."
"Thank you for honouring us today," I softly answer, feeling a little shy at the compliments, my cheeks burn.
"Congratulations! I am Hakial Kane. Rigel’s uncle." The man who appears to be a younger version of King Hathial introduces himself.
"Thank you. It’s an honour to make your acquaintance," I respectfully answer.
"I will be stealing your mate sometimes. For uncle-nephew time," he mischievously says, making me giggle. It also makes my heart bloom, knowing Rigel is now surrounded by people who unconditionally love him.
"You can," I answer with a soft smile.
My mates take me around and introduce me to more of their families and friends.
My mother-in-law is beyond herself with happiness. She hugs me and introduces me to her family. Everyone greets me like a celebrity.
The after-ceremony follows and all of us settle down to watch the dancers. The fire dancers perform, mesmerising the audience with displays of fire exuding from their twirling bodies. Like watching phoenixes being reborn and performing a dance for us and leaving us mesmerised. These dancers don’t appear to possess a single bone in their bodies. I have never witnessed such a show before.
After the dances are complete, we sit down for the feast. King Orion stands up for the toast. Raising his chalice he graciously says.
"To my sons and Amaia, who not only saved the supernatural world but also annihilated the monsters of the apocalypse. To freedom and new beginnings."
"To our new generation and the new beginnings." Everyone cheers behind him.
I take a bow, offering everyone a smile.
I opt for strawberry juice because I am craving something sour. The tables are laden with food but all the combined smell of meat and stews is beginning to make me nauseated.
Min comprehended my unease. "We should get out of here. Amaia is not feeling well."
With that, we ask to be excused from the ceremony. Thanking the guests and our family we finally take our leave.
"Amaia!" Saiph holds my shoulders. "Do you remember the place by the lake I took you to?" freewebnovel.cσ๓
My ears turn red. That was the place Saiph had made love to me for the first time and called ours. How could I ever forget?
"Yes!"
"Open a portal there. We have something to show you," he gently asks.
I nod and use my magic to open a portal. Alnilam guides me forward, his hand resting on the small of my back. The six of us emerge on the other side and my breath is snatched from my chest.
On the bank of the lake, surrounded by flowering bushes stands a tiny but colourful cottage, lit by lanterns and candles on all sides. A red chimney, two windows, plants on the window sills and a silver swing outside on the patio. It has a homely feeling from a single glance.
I turn to face my mates, stunned and mesmerised.
"It’s a home for us to gather when we need to get away from the palace and politics in future. It will be our safe space," Saiph tells me, guiding me forward, towards the round wooden door painted cyan blue. A wind chime hangs on it, twinkling in the blowing zephyr. The tiny bells welcome us.
"And this is where we are going to be spending our honeymoon and showing our eternal love to you," Rigel sultrily whispers from behind, his arms lifting me from the ground, and carrying me inside, the bridal style.
The excitement has me shivering in his hold as we enter our new place. Alnitak opens another door and he takes me straight to the bedroom.
"We skipped dessert, so we are having you," Saiph tells me with a wicked grin while they close the door and settle me on the bed. All five of them gathering around me as if they have been hungry forever.
