“I’m not sure about witnesses.”
“It’s our custom. Just think about Ronen and Callarn. Worry about nothing.” Ashanie tugged me to the pole. She undid my chastity belt. The women chained my wrists to the pole.
“Why do I need to be bound?” I was unhappy.
“So you won’t pleasure yourself until the time.” Ashanie took off my clothes, leaving me naked and chained.
“Is this really necessary?” I protested.
The women giggled. One of them took out a bottle of oil from the basket and started lathering me with it.
The door opened and people milled in.
My hope renewed. But I didn’t see Ronen or Callarn. The women finished their job just as Lord Veredi announced the claiming procession was about to take place.
“Elyra of Drorknar, are you ready?” Veredi asked.
“Yes, my lo
rd.” He walked around, circling me.
“Send her claimers in.”
Callarn and Ronen entered the great hut. Their gait was steady. Their expressions were solemn.
Lord Veredi spoke again. This time he talked in the Khimerian tongue. I didn’t understand it. My men answered briefly when Veredi questioned them. He then gave a lengthy speech that ended with raucous applause and catcalls.
Callarn came to me and held my face. He kissed me.
“Did you miss us, Elyra?” Ronen asked.
“More than ever. Kiss me, please.”
He laughed and obliged my demand. His kiss was passionate.
The voice of Lord Veredi forced him to break his kiss. The lord was asking Ronen and Callarn something in their own tongue. Both of my men answered in short, rapid sentences.
Veredi spoke again, this time to me in common tongue.
“Elyra of Drorknar?, are you ready for the claiming procession?”
“Yes, my lord,” I answered, almost too eager.
“If you ever have second thoughts, this is the time.”
“No, no, my lord, I do not have any second thoughts.”
“So be it then—complete the procession, the binding of the three. For now and forever, you shall bond, nothing will split the three of you apart.”
Callarn turned to me, tugging my chin up to meet his face. He looked so serious when he asked, “Do you understand what will become of us, Elyra? From this moment on, the three of us will enter the sacred bond that cannot be broken by any force.”
“Forever shall we remain as a union,” added Ronen.
I nodded, my chains clinking against the post. “I want you, both of you. Please.”
Ronen and Callarn pecked a kiss on my cheeks. Lord Veredi undid the chains on my wrists. I exhaled a relieved breath.
“We shall commence,” Veredi said.