Ayu, Wura, Tonia, Ari, Aiden and Annie sat at the centre of the bonfire. There were music and dances. The bonfire has two gatherings every year. The aristocrats do theirs on the palace grounds while the rest of the villagers organize a gathering around the town square.
After the dancing, drinks and food, all single men and women mingle and choose partners under a mistletoe tree. It was said the mistletoe represents love romance and vitality. If a mistletoe leaf falls on your head in front of an opposite gender, do well to hold it. Tonia and Annie didn't believe in those things but they tried it nonetheless. Annie got a man from the west which came as a surprise to her. It was the first time for him at their village and he came to establish himself. Not knowing he will be finding a woman on his first trial.
Tonia got merged with Ari which was a shock as they never bonded. The night was joyous and glorious they didn't notice the darkness lurking behind them. Ayu and Wura excused themselves to walk in the woods.
I am happy for Annie, the guy seems nice. Yes, he does Ayu said. I could never understand how the tree chose Tonia and Ari to be partners. I mean the two of them never agree on anything, he said touching his chin. Fate has a way of mending things, Wura answered him.
We argue too, not like them. Disagreements are part of the relationship. You can't expect me to nod and say that's nice to everything you say or do and I am not expecting you to do the same for me.
I can do that, he said sitting down in front of a tree. I can say yes, to everything you say. as long as you wish it, he drew her into his arms. That'd be nice then, I get to rule your heart and our home. Yes, you do he said.
He bent down to kiss her lips, you are beautiful he said looking deep into her eyes. He kissed her again, taking his time asking and begging. When she opened up to him, he took her lips pouring all his yearnings into it, his hand ravaged her, playing with her. Is it okay? He asked through the kisses, shut up and kiss me, she pleaded.
He gave her small kisses on her neck while fighting to remove her garment, his rough hands clasped around her breast, nibbling his way up he kissed her again, gently laying her on the floor, and he ripped his clothes off. Still Kissing her, he thrust into her nice and slow and felt all the muscles in his body tighten.
All her senses were clouded as he thrust, the pain was barely visible as he continued to thrust in, she didn't want this to stop, so she reached for him, feeling his heart slam in her chest, she heard her name in his head and felt double of his feelings for her. Light emitted from them, around them giving the tree and the forest life.
She meets him heart to heart thrust for thrust, her moans and pleas drove him mad, drove him wild, and he emptied himself in her as she does in him. He felt his ears ring, his throat dry, I will move in a bit, he said to her gently.
Did I hurt you he asked. No, I feel okay. Still, inside her, he picked rolled with her on his chest. I love you he whispered in her ear. And I you.
Anger burst through her as she watched them. He should be mine and not hers. I will take everything you care about starting from this one. She watched them as they wrapped around each other. He was hers and now she takes him from her, she vowed to rob her of all she had including the one in her arms.
"Time and time, the clock moves faster daughter of the earth and its lover. The wind brings a message. A journey leading to its peril, the dark is nigh. A new life to take its place. A daughter to fill its position. Fate has chosen that the head will be taken if it's not worn right. Time to wake daughter and its heart. The darkness has knocked".
Wura felt winded from the revelation. She sat in the middle of Ayu's leg in a stream located in the woods. What does that mean, she asked panicked. Nothing, he assured her. No, this is bad and you know it, I want the truth she pleaded.
A resurgence, death and a new life. I think my brother has made a move to the throne, he means to kill me, Ayu said. This cannot happen, not now, she shook in his arms. Feeling the ash breeze surrounding them Ayu drew her in, calm down my love. I won't leave you not now, not ever. He can't kill me, look on the bright side, he kissed her brows absentmindedly. Fate has blessed us with new life, he touched her stomach.
Shocked, she stared at him. Yes, my love we have a new life among us. He kissed her now and touched her face gently. He traced his hand on the line of her back. Let tonight be ours, let's spend it as we would eternity.
Ayu and his brother Aayan stood in front of his father in the courtroom. A war is impeding, our neighbouring village has waged a war and the front line is almost disbanded. I want you and Aayan to ride north immediately to stop this, the king gave his order.
Father, Ayu started, judging from the reports yesterday I don't think we need a big expenditure for this. Our neighbours are fighting the soldiers who invaded their land unauthorized and abducted their women and children. War is not the solution to the issue on the ground. A reconciliation should be proposed.
I have evidence of their dealings here. He passed the parchment to his father. What do you propose we do then? The king asked. Let's meet with the village head with the soldiers that caused this issue. I would have proposed a similar treatment should be done to them but their children and wives have nothing to do with it, so a death sentence, confiscate the lands they have and give it to the families of the people they have offended.
Okay, see to it this doesn't happen again. I want you both on this. Send relief to the affected family and find a way to pacify their chief.