Chapter Forty-One
After our breaths and heartbeats slowed, my mate drew me up into a seated position against the pillows.
With a secret smile, he reached over the mattress and grabbed a leather pouch from the floor.
Curious, I watched him open the pouch and bring out our story-knots.
He looked up, met my gaze, and we shared a smile.
“This will be our first twin knot.” Raven handed me my story-knot. “Our first important life event shared.”
“But shouldn't that be our mating?” I tapped the knot he had helped me make during the night we shared our stories in the Burning Lands.
His smile faded. “That should have been our first twin knot, but the experience was very different for each of us.” He tapped a knot on his length. “Mine, unfortunately, was more joyous than yours.”
I chewed my lip. “It wasn't what I hoped for, but it was what I needed.”
“How so?”
“It was the last hurdle over the obstacles Bara left in my mind. Only when I thought I had lost you could I see that you were all I needed.”
The King's smile returned. “You're right. It was difficult, but necessary because it brought us here.” He leaned over to brush his lips over mine. “And here is where we make identical knots for sharing the same experience.”
“Not exactly the same.”
“The important parts are, and those are what we weave into our knots.” He made the first twisting loop. “The gathering of the Tabaa Dread.”
I copied his motions.
“Adorning ourselves for the presentation and each other, hearts hopeful.” He moved the leather cords into a spiraling bud. “The acceptance of the Dread.” The cords looped together like bound arms. “Our union, joyful and rapturous. Love taking us into the firmament.”
As he twisted the cords, I gaped at him.
He paused. “What is it?”
“You saw that too? The stars? Our souls bound?”
Raven smiled. “Of course.”
“Was it real?”
He shrugged. “It was real for us. Did we actually leave our bodies and fly to the stars? I don't know. Maybe it was the mating magic, showing us imagery of how sacred our love is. Or maybe we really did leave the world and journey together.”
“We'll have to do it again and pay more attention.” I grinned.
The Dragon King chuckled. “Indeed. Over and over until we're certain.” He cupped my cheek and kissed me. “Whether it was a vision or reality, I don't care. You took me to the stars, my foundling.”
“We went together.” I curled my wing around him more firmly. “Now show me the rest.”
He helped me form the design that represented our journey to the stars, and then sealed it with one final twist that brought the knot together. “The celebration shared with our dread and loved ones.”
I finished my knot and clutched it to my chest as I smiled at my mate. “Thank you, my Raven.”
“You are one of us now, Eliel. This is your magic too.” He laid his hand over mine, holding the story-knot to me, and then leaned in to kiss me.
When he eased back, he grinned. “Now, get up. We must get dressed and see that the completion of our knots holds true.” He stood up and held his hand down to me.
“The completion?” I took his hand and got to my feet. “Oh! You mean we have to celebrate now?”
Raven laughed as he fetched my clothing. “Yes, although I would say it's more something we want to do rather than have to.”
“Yes, I just meant because of our knots.” I tried to take my pants from him, but he knelt to help me into them.
“I know what you meant, Mate.” Raven finished dressing me, and then dared to try to dress himself.
“That's not fair!” I yanked his pants from him and knelt. “You dressed me. I get to dress you.”
Grinning, he stepped into the pants I held open for him. “Thank you, Mate.”
I stared up at him as I fastened his pants, and then slid my hands over his chest as I stood. “It's my pleasure.” I grinned back at him and took his tunic from him.
Raven bent so I could get the white leather tunic over his head, and then he pulled his hair free as I smoothed it over him.
His belt came next, the leather heavily beaded, and his lava-glass blade hanging from it.
I strapped it around his waist and then knelt once more.
With one hand on my shoulder, the King lifted his foot for me to slip on his boot.
I laced it, and then did the next. At last, I stood and smiled at my resplendent mate.
“Not a speck of gold on you,” I declared.
With a low, lusty growl, he closed the distance between us and pulled me into his arms. “Nor on you. We've done well, Mate.”
“Shall we make a spectacle of ourselves and show off our clean skin to our dread?” I played with the fringe on his chest.
“Just one more kiss.” Raven bent his head.