Losing the ability to shift into human form is no loss.I push past them all and head for the platform where Asteria’s waiting for me.The blessed are gathering around—sunset was the appointed time.It looks like everything’s ready.
Earth blessed form?Asteria’s words don’t betray her disappointment, but I can hear it all the same.
You’re disappointed.
The blessed know Azar as their Recovery Leader.
I’ll shift.With one small push, I change from Axel to Azar.Now I’m ready.
You brought her.Asteria’s eyes move past me, to Liz.I’m surprised.
Surprised?
And pleased.She smiles.Very pleased that you’re willing to give her to me.
I can’t keep my nostrils from flaring.I don’t want to give Liz to her, but that’s just part of being flame blessed.We don’t share well.I’ll have to practice more, now that I’ll be mated.
“I’d like permission to fly into town.”Liz points.“I need to look for proper coats for my new form.”
“She’s freezing.”Coral slides down from Rufus’ back.“Weak little humans like us need things like outerwear.”
Liz does look a little blue, especially on her extremities.I’m not an expert, of course, but I haven’t seen other humans turning that color.
After the ceremony.Asteria straightens.Come.Watch us mate.
I’ve never seen Asteria act like that—like she’s enjoying the suffering of another.Surely if she’s cold...
Asteria calls for the ceremony to start.Hyperion.Now.
Liz is shivering now, and it bothers me.A lot.I blow heated air in her direction, unwilling to let her freeze to death while she’s here.Gordon’s on one side of Liz and her small humans, and Rufus has fallen in on the other.Even before that happened, all of them moved easily among the blessed for non-bonded humans.
You can’t do that anymore.Asteria’s gaze narrows.She’s mine.I’ll take care of her.Don’t worry.She won’t die from being a little cold.
Hyperion’s watching us carefully, his eyes bouncing from Asteria back to me.The blessed are filling in all the open spaces quickly—wings for the earth blessed help this process happen much more quickly than it would have otherwise.The water blessed aren’t pleased to have been left out of the wing upgrade, but at least they aren’t openly complaining.
As all of you know, we’re gathered today to celebrate the wedding and mating ceremony of Asteria Strike Blessed and Azar Flame Blessed.Hyperion’s starting.Our hope is that their union will be the first powerful blessed union that creates offspring in the millennia since we left Earth.
And Axel Earth Blessed, Phileas, one of the stronger earth blessed warriors, says.
Hyperion’s glare is ferocious, and Phileas ducks his head quickly.
He’s right,I say.I am also Axel Earth Blessed.
The earth blessed have had offspring all this time,Phileas says, encouraged by my support.If it works, how will we know whether he’s able to create offspring because of our proximity to the alleged heart, or whether it’s because he’s earth blessed?
Hyperion frowns.
I’m not earth blessed, Asteria says.It’ll still be an effective test.
There’s some grumbling, but the blessed seem to accept that.
We’ll begin now,Hyperion says.
Prince Axel!
From the edge of the water, a large water blessed surges onto land, disturbing the gathered earth blessed.She’s sky blue with small, delicate horns all around her face.I recognize Plumeria, and apparently, I’m not the only one.
“Plumeria?”Liz ducks underneath Gideon and disappears under a churning mass of blessed who are upset at the interruption.I start to move toward the place she just vacated when she shoots up and out, winging her way to the river’s edge.She finally lands near a distressed Plumeria.“Are you alright?”
