Raya thought this to be the perfect moment to go home and get the baked goods for Damien. She had been to the temple so many times that she didn't care too much to see it anyways. "Damien, I will excuse myself and quickly run home to get something for you. I will be right back." Damien wasn't interested in her accompanying them, so he agreed with her absentmindedly and went inside the temple as well.
Eliana and Georgina couldn't believe their eyes when they entered the temple. It looked majestic from the outside, but the inside was even more impressive. It was seamlessly integrated into the rugged rock formations that defined the landscape, just like the palace. Carved meticulously into the sandstone cliffs, the temple's intricate architecture harmonized with the natural surroundings, creating a sublime fusion of human craftsmanship within the desert's raw beauty.
The grand entrance was adorned with intricate floral carvings, symbolizing the everlasting beauty of Calanthe's spirit. Delicate vines climbed the walls, intertwining with desert blooms and lush greenery, while the air carried the sweet fragrance of exotic blossoms.
Upon entering, both girls forgot about the rest of the world and were immersed in a realm of serenity and tranquillity. The temple's interior was adorned with vibrant tapestries depicting scenes of love, devotion, and the cycles of nature. Sunlight filtered through strategically placed openings in the rock, casting warm, golden rays upon the sacred space.
"Wow" was the only thing Eliana could remark. "I think this might be the most beautiful place I have ever seen." She murmured to herself.
She stood at the heart of the temple, with a breathtaking courtyard and a crystal-clear pool reflecting the azure sky above. Floating lily pads and blossoms dotted the water's surface, their colors dancing in harmony with the shifting light making Eliana's blue eyes shine brightly.
"Yes, it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," Damien said, standing behind her, only that he was looking at her side profile and not the courtyard.
At his deep voice suddenly echoing so close, she turned around to face him, surprised. It was as if time had stopped, and only the two of them were there. His intense gaze, one of longing, profound love, and appreciation, made her body heat up and her heart race faster. Why couldn't she control it? It was as if her instincts were linked to him and were bound to respond to his proximity.
Damien was the first to break the magic by mentioning a fact regarding the temple. "A lot of people come here to finalize their mating bond." He forced himself to look away so that he could collect his thoughts.
"Oh, really. But isn't that something very private? I mean, it is a physical act, is it not?"
"Unlike for vampires who have to bite each other to complete the bond, for werewolves, it just happens. One day they imprint and feel the pull toward a person and are bound for life. But we still like to have a ceremony. Here, they swear their devotion to each other until they die in front of family and friends. Not all mates decide to make vows since it is not a necessity."
"So, it is like a marriage for humans?" Eliana's curiosity sparked.
"Yes, exactly like that." He smiled at her interest in his world and could already visualize the two of them standing in the temple one day.
She looked around the temple again to imagine how a ceremony would look. "It must be enchanting to get married here. Have you ever attended such a ceremony?" She smiled and started to stroll around the pond, with Damien following suit.
"No. It is not available to just anyone. Only royals or higher elites can afford to organize their rituals here, and since we only do this with our mates, it doesn't happen often. It can take hundreds of years for one to find their mate."
"I see. I don't know much about the mating bond between werewolves. How does that work?" The mere thought of her understanding fated companionship and accepting the concept flickered excitement in Damien. He had to explain it carefully so that she wouldn't be overwhelmed.
He pointed to a bench for them to sit down. Sitting down, he took a deep breath and started his explanation. "Well, as you know, the nightly creatures don't choose their mates with reason. Rather, their core being, which is led by instinct, does the choosing. - As mentioned in the folklore I told you before, imprinting is not always done on the same species. Either way, it is an unbreakable bond that could be explained to a human with true love." She looked at him with a confused look until she realized why he described it like that. He obviously still thought she was a human.
"What happens if an immortal being imprints on a mortal one? Wouldn't their companionship be doomed no matter what?"
"Somehow, nature has found a solution for that issue. Because through the mating bond, the lifespan of both is as long as the one with the originally longer lifespan. It is magic in the end."
"What do you think about the love story in the folklore? Do you believe in interracial companionship?" Eliana couldn't stop herself from asking.
He leaned back on the bench and took a moment before answering. "I believe that our core chooses the right person and that race or background shouldn't matter. Unfortunately, though, in reality, our society and power-hungry people make it difficult and ruin something so sacred."
Eliana fell into deep thought. Unconsciously she knew the pull she had felt toward Damien since she met him was a sign that he probably was her mate. Also, for him to show up and save her, help her get out of Paxos, and do what he did could be understood as him feeling something for her. But she didn't want to allow herself to believe in those things because she wasn't sure if she could get over the disappointment if her intuition ended up wrong. Nevertheless, she wanted to find out if he had been aware of his behavior. "Do you know how it feels when you find your mate?" Damien's smile faded, and his eyes drilled into hers, searching for a sign that she felt what he did. Although she did, he wasn't able to recognize it yet.
"Your focus becomes that person, and you constantly think of them. You worry about their wellbeing, think about their happiness, want to share all their experiences, and stay close no matter what." His husky voice sent chills down her spine, and his words weighed heavily on her as he didn't break their gaze.
"Or so they say…" He added, looking straight toward the bothersome person who was about to ruin their meaningful conversation.
"Hello there, I am back, and I brought the sweets I had made for you." Raya disrupted the peaceful atmosphere with her shrilling voice and her energetic being. Her sudden appearance was like a splash of cold water in Eliana's face, bringing her back to the real world.
Meanwhile, Simon had cornered Georgina on the other side of the temple and almost made her cry. He didn't know what came over him, but the minute he saw how another man approached her to converse, he had lost it. Everything she did irritated him, and it was impossible for him to control his anger. The same happened when he snapped at her outside. He didn't like the idea of her hating his kind because that would mean she probably hated him too, and his heart couldn't accept that for reasons he denied being true.
So, when the guy started talking to her, and she smiled at him, he went there to split up the "couple-to-be." "Ha, how interesting! You say that we werewolves are the reason everything went to s*** in this world but two seconds later, I see you flirting with one like the needy virgin you are."
The guy recognized him as the prince and excused himself immediately to flee the scene. Nobody would dare challenge the royal brothers because they were known to be ruthless and strong fighters.
"What did you just call me, you beast?" Her scream echoed through the room, which was separate from the courtyard, meaning nobody heard or saw them.