Four witches came into Talia's and Damon's room before the feast.
They carried ceremonial garments for both Talia and Damon, a basket of small white flowers, and containers that held golden paste. That reminded Talia of Axel's and Yasmin's appearances during their ceremony at the fountain, especially Axel whose body was completely exposed (except for his precious parts).
Damon and Talia were both excited about the ceremony, neither aware of the incoming conflicting emotions (jealousy, possessiveness) that will fill the rest of the evening.
Talia wanted to have a ceremony, but she didn't approve of Damon's delicious body being on display for witches to see. But can it be a proper ceremony if he was covered up?
It was a tough choice, but Damon looked only at her, like bare-breasted witches were not in the room, so she allowed it. For now.
Damon went on the side to change into the skimpy garment which was actually just a string holding two strips of clothing to cover his firm ass and the crotch area.
The moment he stepped back into the room, Talia's eyes flashed in admiration and approval, but a second later she remembered witches in the room, and Talia glared at them while telling them how that's her mate and they shouldn't stare at him.
Damon obviously didn't mind the lack of clothing, and he was amused by the way Talia was protective of his body, but his mood worsened when he got to see Talia wearing her outfit for the ceremony.
Talia had an inch-wide silvery strip over her breasts to cover her nipples, but even the tiniest bikini would provide more coverage.
Damon wished that Talia could put more fabric on her flesh, because Axel, Liam, James, and Keith were there. Axel and Liam were mated, James was too young, so only Keith was a real problem, but Damon would beat any guy into a pulp if he looked at Talia; being mated or young didn't provide immunity from Damon's wrath.
Talia used every ounce of her control not to rip those witches into pieces as they prepared them for the ceremony.
Damon was standing with his arms spread while two witches drew intricate symbols with golden shimmering paste over his chest, back, and legs. Yes, they used brushes, but it was still too close!
The other two witches were working on Talia, but she didn't notice it at all because all her attention was on two females that were within the touching distance of her mate.
Once the golden designs were done, both Damon and Talia got to sit on chairs while witches braided white flowers into their hair. Actually, only Talia got braids because Damon's hair was not long enough. For him, witches used the golden paste as a hair gel, and they twisted strands of his hair while sticking flowers in there.
In Talia's opinion, getting ready was dragging like it lasted forever, but eventually, it was done, and the witches left their room with a reminder that most of the witches are already at the feast.
Damon stood up from the chair and posed in front of a mirror, occasionally throwing glances at Talia to make sure her eyes were on him. He knew that he looked good and that his mate approved.
Talia admired Damon's muscular body that was decorated with golden designs. With flowers in his hair that shimmered in golden, he looked like a statue of some ancient deity.
Even without decorations, Damon was a dreamboat, but she had a problem with his outfit. The fabric was light, and Talia knew that if Damon gets hard, that flimsy thing will go up, for everyone to see Damon's assets. Can she allow him to step out of the room like that? There are so many witches out there!
Damon noticed where Talia was frowning.
"That's yours, kitten", Damon said with amusement in his voice. "All of this" He gestured at himself. "Is yours only."
"I know. I'm concerned that the fabric will move and… you know."
Damon chuckled. He could say the same thing about her, but Damon knew that he had more moving parts.
He came up with an idea.
"When we are at the table, it won't be a problem, and when we are standing, I will be right behind you. How does that sound?"
Talia cocked an eyebrow at him. "You want to poke me from behind."
"Only if I get aroused."
"How about you don't get aroused?"
"I can't promise that because my sexy mate will be right next to me. You look edible and the only thing I want to do is…", Damon started thrusting his hips suggestively while wiggling his eyebrows at her.
Talia burst into giggles. He was outrageous and handsome, and nearly naked, and hers. Completely hers.
In another room, Amelia and Liam were wearing ceremonial clothes that covered their private parts below the waist. They had golden symbols written over their bodies and flowers in their hair.
Liam couldn't peel his eyes off his adorable mate, and he released low growls whenever another female got too close which made painting symbols on him difficult because witches were scared of him.
"Are you alright?", Amelia asked when they were finally alone in the room.
He was quick to walk to her and pull her into his embrace. "I am now."
Amelia liked the fact that Liam disapproved of her sisters being close to him, but… "Will you be so hostile toward everyone?"
"Never toward you, as for others…" Liam stretched his neck in an attempt to release some of his tension. "I don't think so."
"You are not sure."
He couldn't deny that part. All this was new, and he was adapting, and he wished that he had another few days (or a few weeks) of solitude with Amelia because his hunger for her didn't diminish, not even a little bit. They were going at it for a full day, and other than giving her a few hours to sleep (while he watched her), and breaks to clean up and eat the food that was left at their door, Liam was in Amelia. Literally. But it was not enough. Actually, it seemed like he wanted her more.
"It will take me some time to get used to this", he said. "The bond is affecting me in ways I couldn't predict. It's like an insatiable urge to be with you, and everyone else is unwanted."
He realized that he was selfish. This was not only about him.
Liam touched the left side of her shoulder close to the pink mark was turning darker. Soon, the pattern will be distinguishable. His mark.
"Does it hurt?", he asked.
"No", she assured him.
"If you don't feel well, tell me."
"I'm not in pain, but…" She paused while picking her words. "I feel different."
"How different?"
"It's like my connection with nature is strengthened. My senses are sharper." And he smelled of lilac. How was that possible?
Liam smiled at her dreamily. "The bond solidifies after marking, making us stronger. The fact that you can feel the difference means it's working."
"Do you feel different?", she asked.
"I feel like I can run laps around Earth, and move mountains, and fuck you senseless until the end of my days."
Amelia's cheeks turned crimson. She didn't expect those outrageous words to come out of his delicious mouth.
Liam chuckled and leaned to kiss her lips, but Amelia wiggled out of his embrace before he could deepen the kiss.
"We should get going.", Amelia said while avoiding to look at him. She knew that he disapproved, and he wanted more, and she feared that if she looks at him, she will give in, and then they won't go to the feast at all. "People are waiting for us. The sacred ceremony will bless our union."
Liam puffed his cheeks. "We can't go now."
Amelia met his gaze. "Why?"
Liam looked down helplessly.
Amelia's eyes widened when she saw that Liam's erection lifted the fabric that was covering his crotch area. Well, that might be a problem.
