Chapter 8
Andrew met up with Ayla again after he had left the throne room and she had been asked to come in.
He had been waiting with the two higher sisters who had brought him in. Since they were two women he hadn’t seen before, he wondered how many higher sisters there actually were.
He couldn’t help but wonder if they were among the ones he would have to impregnate.
He caught glances at them while they quietly stood beside him. Arousal sparked from his lower abdomen and spread throughout his body.
It was a pleasant sensation, but it was soon overridden by the worry he felt. If he hadn’t had any problems with his fertility, he would probably have protested against the expectation of fathering many children.
But since he knew he couldn’t make anyone pregnant, that moral issue was far from his mind. Instead, he found himself more concerned with when they would discover that his precious seed was basically useless.
He sighed and looked down at his feet. He noticed one of the higher sisters glancing over, but she kept silent. She probably had orders not to speak with the almighty Seed Bringer.
He realized his negativity was spiraling him. Shaking off the thoughts, he looked back up.
He wondered when Ayla would return.
Will she also be one of the women?
Butterflies fluttered through his stomach. He couldn’t help but smile, though he forced himself to calm down.
Easy now. Look at you. You’re actually starting to like the idea of this daily duty, huh?
His thoughts returned to what the Queen had said. He could still feel the warmth of her hand on his cheek.
‘Once you get into the chambers, you will never want to leave.’
Yet another riddle, not clearly explained.
Guess I will find out soon enough what that’s supposed to mean…
The doors to the throne room opened, drawing his attention. Ayla appeared from within. Her face was serious, but her expression softened as their eyes met.
She stepped out into the hall, the doors closing softly behind her.
Andrew straightened slightly as he watched her, immediately picking up on something being off. It was subtle, but noticeable.
Her posture was a little tighter than before, her expression more controlled. Not the open curiosity he had grown used to, but more restrained.
“Hey,” he said, stepping toward her. “You okay?”
Ayla blinked, as if pulling herself out of her thoughts, then nodded quickly. “Yes,” she said. “Of course.”
Andrew studied her for a second, not entirely convinced, but he didn’t press. Whatever had been said inside that room clearly wasn’t something she wanted to share. Instead, he let it go for now and shifted the conversation.
“So,” he said, exhaling lightly, “what’s next?”
Ayla hesitated, just briefly, before straightening her shoulders. “You will be brought to the temple soon,” she said. “For the official start of your initiation.”
Andrew frowned. “Initiation,” he said slowly. “And what exactly does that mean?”
Ayla opened her mouth to answer—
“I will explain.”The voice came from behind them, cutting cleanly into the moment.
Andrew turned.
Trina approached with the same steady, stride as before, her presence immediately shifting the atmosphere. Her eyes were already on him, focused, sharp. She had clearly heard enough of the conversation. Her hips swayed in that sensual way, awakening his senses.
Ayla stepped slightly aside, lowering her head in acknowledgment.
Trina stopped a few steps in front of them.
“The Queen will introduce you formally,” she said. “To the population.”
Andrew crossed his arms slightly, trying to ground himself and look confident. But it only made him feel out of place and stupid, so he quickly dropped his arms again. “Okay,” he said.
Trina held his gaze. “And after that, the ritual will take place.”
There was a weight to the word that didn’t sit right with him. Andrew exhaled, a faint edge creeping into his voice. “And what does that involve?”
For a moment, Trina said nothing. Then her expression shifted, and her eyes lit up.
A smile curved at her lips. “The first impregnation,” she said.