Lover Sacrificed - Chapter 62

Nalla was finally alone with her mahmen as she got ready for her mating ceremony.

- Mom, I am so so sorry I didn't tell you sooner.

- It's ok.

She could smell the obvious lie and hugged Bella who started crying softly.

- I thought you trusted us. Or at least me.

- And I do.

- Clearly not.

- It's just something that I needed to come to terms with, on my own.

- You told Rehv, but not us. Not me. Do you have any idea how much that hurts, Nalla?

- Mom, I'm sorry. I can't explain it, I'm sorry and I can't change the past but from now on, I need you to be a part of this. Every single day. I don't know if I can do it on my own.

Bella hugged her.

- Of course you can, but I'll be by your side every step of the way. You're forgiven, but don't ever do this to me again ok?

- Can I be a part of this too?

- Beth! Come in, of course you can. I need both of you.

- God, but I am so happy! Nalla, you are like the daughter I never had and now you're making us grandmothers.

Beth hugged Bella, both overly emotional with the news. And just like that, all was good again.

- So, you have to tell us, did my Darius go crazy when he found out you were feeding of another male?

Nalla blushed but her mahmen and mother-in-law looked genuinely curious.

- Oh yeah. He went crazy all right.

They helped her get dressed and put her make up on so she could get ready for the ceremony, all the while sharing stories about Darius.

Soon the girls joined them and there was some serious female bonding going on.

Nalla took a moment to just take it all in. She was about to get mated to the male she loved more than anything and she was surrounded by the people she loved.

Life didn't get much better than this...

*-*-*

Darius wasn't nervous as he waited for the Scribe Virgin to appear in the Tomb. He was ecstatic.

He'd wanted to be with Nalla since before his transition. Had felt something for her since he could remember. And now, finally, after all these years, after everything they had been through, he would finally make her his shellan.

And she was having their young. She was giving him his own family.

Zsadist had talked to him, threatened to cut off his balls if he ever hurt his girl. D had just smiled.

- Hurting her would be worse than hurting myself. Z, you have nothing to worry about. I adore her, and I plan on making her the happiest female alive.

- That´s what I thought.

And that was it. Z stood by his side now, waiting for the Scribe Virgin and Nalla to appear, so they could complete the ceremony.

The brotherhood filled this place up to capacity, and having everyone else in the household here.

Pure madness.

Doc Jane had run her tests and cleared him of everything. Everything was turning out just like it should... His breath caught when the brothers moved to the side to make room for her.

Through the crowd he saw Nalla approach him and his stomach tightened. He felt like he should be down on his knees adoring her and spend the rest of his life just thanking the Scribe Virgin.

If she hadn't known the truth about Penehlope and Feron...

Nalla was positively glowing as she approached him.

The dress she was wearing was a loose model made of silk that clung to her curves like glue. He was mesmerized by all that perfection.

- She's beautiful.

He turned to see the Scribe Virgin behind him and he smiled.

- Yes she is.

Nalla approached and bowed towards the mother of the race.

- It's an honor Scribe Virgin.

- Such manners. Thank you child. Now, what do you say we start this mating ceremony?

- Please.

- Child, this male asks that you accept him as your hellren. Will you take him, if he proves himself worthy?

- Oh yes.

Nalla smiled at Darius as she spoke the words.

- Yes, I will accept him.

- Warrior, this female will consider you. Will you prove your worth for her?

- I will.

Darius´deep voice could be heard throughout the tomb.

- Will you sacrifice yourself for her?

- I will.

- Will you defend her from those who seek to do her harm?

- Fuck yeah. I mean, yes, yes I will.

She smiled indulgently.

- Give me your hands.

They both obeyed, not needing to be told any of the rules of how to talk and act around the Scribe Virgin.

- Ah yes, what a good mating this is. One of the best I have ever seen. You two were made for each other. And already blessed with a young.

She let go of their hands and pulled her hood back up.

- I am so pleased things have turned out for the better and you have my blessings. Wrath, son of Wrath, you may proceed with the rest of the ceremony.

The Scribe Virgin disappeared at that point and Darius just couldn't help himself, he pulled Nalla close to him and kissed her senseless, not caring they had an audience.

- Not so fast son. You're not done.

He never took his eyes off Nalla as he disrobed and got down on his knees so they could carve his back.

- What is the name of your shellan?

- Her name is Nalla!

The King was first, and with some help from his brother Matt, they carved the N.

- What is the name of your shellan?

- Her name is Nalla!

Zsadist did the A.

- What is the name of your shellan?

- Her name is Nalla!

John was next to carve the first L.

- What is the name of your shellan?

- Her name is Nalla!

The next L was done by Rehv.

- What is the name of your shellan?

- Her name is Nalla!

The last A was carved into his skin by Ahgony.

He took a deep breath when the salty water was poured over the fresh cuts and he dealt with the pain just fine. He'd go through this every single day if it meant he had Nalla by his side.

The proud look on her face made him want to beat on his chest like a gorilla and show off his feathers like a peacock all at the same time.

He felt the white cloth dry his skin and Zsadist handed him the box to give to Nalla.

His heart was pounding loudly in his chest. He knew she'd accept the box, she'd accept him, but this was such an important moment...

He was high on happiness as he knelt in front of her and held the box up for her to accept or reject.

She took it with a huge smile and tears in her eyes and leaned down to kiss him.

- I love you hellren mine. My love, my prince, my king.

He got up and grabbed her waist to pull her close to him.

- As I love you my shellan. My love, my princess.

He kissed her again and again. Sweet lingering kisses that promised so much more.

- My queen. The queen of my heart.

*-*-*-*

Nalla sighed content as Darius - her hellren! - laid her carefully down on their bed.

She had eaten way too much, danced until her feel hurt and laughed like she hadn't laughed in years.

She had been all too happy to let Darius sweep her off her feel - literally- and have him tell everyone she needed her rest.

Their knowing snorts had made her blush, but she didn't care and had let him take him to their bedroom.

And here they were.

- How are you feeling my love?

- Better than ever.

- Can I get you anything, do you want anything?

- Just you.

He smiled at her.

- You've always had me Nalla. I'm yours.

They heard a loud thud next door and Darius frowned.

- You want me to tell him to keep it down?

- Nah, it's just Ahgony. How much noise can he make?

He caressed her hair.

- You really don't mind he's my Ahstrux Nohtrum?

- How could I, when his sole job is to keep you safe? It kills me that it means he can't be with Mariah, though. Just like you and me, those two belong together.

- If he loves her even half as much as I love you, he'll find a way. Now, enough about them...

She watched in awe as he dropped the ceremonial pants and stood naked before her. Moving the straps of her dress off her shoulders, she let it drop to the floor in a puddle at her feet and stepped out of it, only to kneel in front of him.

- Nalla?

- I have been dying to taste you again, nallum.

Without letting him speak any further she took him into her mouth, showing him without words, just how much she had missed him.