Realm of the Chosen

aisle. Kit continued to make her way in that direction. Avinia and I

important this ceremony was and what it meant to their realm that the heir to the throne would be embarking on a journey to find her mate, which would in turn allow her to cre

he Lands East of the Galacial Mountains and Princess of the Provinces South of the Compaziona

kept her knees together and swung her legs up onto the bed, trying to be as graceful as possible as she was suddenly very aware that she was not wearing any undergarments under the thick, flowing wh

s legs into the proper position, and with a gentleness Kit hadn't felt from her mother in years, she lifted her gown o

t to herself. "It'll all

eet went up and then back down again. From this position, Kit couldn't see anything except the ornate

d, but she figured it would make sense for them all to be waiting there. She knew her mother would double check that it was impossible to tell their identities, and for a moment, Kit imagined the young man coming into the chapel now was likely just as nervous as she was. Had

ian, and then the heavy boots of one of her guards. Poor soul. She scrunched her eyes closed tighter and tried to think about a wide open chasm; that's what Avinia had suggested. "Just pretend

ite understand. She knew it was a blessing, though, and that it was for her and her journey. Her palms w

anatomically, if what Kit had learned about the male body was correct. He wasn't looking. He was going to complete the ceremony by feel. She

e her wedding with a man not wearing one. Along with the special tea she'd been drinking for the past several months, she was assured she would not become with child throu

e moment she'd been so anxious about for these past few weeks was about to be upon her. However, as she filled her lungs, a familiar scent wafted over her, and a calmness settled about her. She didn't let her mind

forward, once he seemed sure of his positioning, and Kit felt a sharp pain streak up what would be the cavern wall if her imagination held true. She inhaled deeply again, trying not to cry out, and he pressed into her just slightly before

height perhaps. Maybe he had a misshapen head she could identify from beneath the covering. But then, the whole idea seemed foolish, and she realized it truly was best if she didn't know who he was.

the fact that she could do nothing to protect herself with her feet spread apart so. Mikali let go of the sheet almost as quickly as he had raised it and said, "There is blood!" to which everyone cheered. Kit remembered that

ke sure that she wasn't being fooled and wouldn't ever find herself in this position again, but she didn't have the chance, and in a moment's time, she was standing next to her mother as the other noblewomen clapped respectfully, smiling, and shouting, "Huzzah!" as if she had just defeated a vic

was it?" her mother whispered in he

s enough to get her through, and as she headed back toward her chambers, escorted by the same two guards who had led her to the Proem,