“We stand beneath the moon on this night,” declared the same witness who had heard their vows. He stood between them as he had during the day and read from an intimidating tome. He appeared to be the only person present who had not changed clothes.

Bellona’s crown was twice the size of Yui’s coronet and had sparkling stones picked into it. It clashed with her austere military uniform which included a couple of medals hung from her shoulder. Yui could only hope she had been rewarded for acts of bravery and heroism rather than successful bloodshed.

The witness had a much longer script to follow for this ceremony. In fact, he was the one under the most pressure until he needed confirmations from Yui and Bellona. The mated pair needed only to agree with him at the very end and sign their names and there was no longer room for retreat. He read and turned weathered pages and read some more. All the while, Bellona’s stare bore down upon Yui. Unwavering. Even when Yui couldn’t bear to match it any longer she could feel it still on her skin. A wolf leaning against the very end of its leash, anticipating the meal just beyond its nose.

“Your final agreement to this mating, First Princess.”

“I agree.”

That was that. The First Princess of the Anartier Empire had declared the two words that sealed them in this mating, bound them together forever and always, at the centre of a four-part crowd filled with the elite and their costumes.

“Your final agreement to this mating, First Mate.”

Yui brought her eyes back up from her puffed skirts where she had been shielding herself from Bellona’s intensity. “I agree.” Never had she thought, after Yuki’s birth, that she would find herself agreeing to a mate. Despite all the reasons Yui could name for why she should not have been chosen… the act of being mated thrilled her. She had a mate. An official, vowed and agreed, mate.

“Please take up your quills and offer your names forth for this joining.”

The altar was too high for Yui to see the parchment when stood directly in front of it. She traced a finger along the scratchy scroll, hoping to feel where the gap might be for her to put her name.

A large hand caught her wrist and a hot shock rushed through her skin. Yui’s eyes flicked up, half her vision blocked by stone. Bellona directed the nib of her quill and pressed it down on a specific spot. Yui signed her name from there.

It was done. Now, they would eat and dance and revel until Bellona decided it was time to consummate.

―ǁ―

Whatever poor prey’s meat was displayed in the centre of the feast was ceremoniously sliced. Yui could only stomach watching the first piece, which was placed before Bellona. The First Princess pretended to offer it to her, for the sake of the crowd she could only assume, before taking it back to her side of their private table. Once the carcass had been torn apart and divvied between round tables of nobles, the bland vegetables came next. Yui’s tummy turned at the thought of the poor taste as much as it broiled under her nerves. She had no more part to play until Bellona declared the meal concluded. That should have put her at ease, at least for a little while. All she needed to do was pose with poise during the speeches and then eat with her newly-polished etiquette. Their departure felt so close though, despite the hour being determined by Bellona’s whim.

The King gave the first speech, he spoke of honour and tradition and his daughter’s military success. Heads of many noble houses followed. Some certainly liked the sound of their own voices. None spoke of Yui. Finally, once everyone who had something to say had stood and said it and got a room of raised goblets from it, they were permitted to begin feasting.

A round hole had been cut from the base of the back of Yui’s bodice to allow her tail to rest. White and fluffy against a dress of similar style. She was reminded of it only when Bellona’s arm slid conspicuously down the frame of her seat to graze the puff ball as though tickling it. A shiver straightened Yui’s back and wobbled her coronet. She kept her silverware in her hands, although she was now gripping them like rungs on a ladder.

“You are not hungry, my mate?” Bellona murmured.

“I’m nervous,” Yui admitted on a whisper. She felt a little sick if she was being truly honest. The flavour was dire and her body was trembling from the inside out at the prospect of her and the First Princess… Well, it had been a very long time for Yui. Doing that with anyone would have her spooked.

“For our first night?”

Yui nodded at her slimy asparagus. Flakes of salt stuck to it, possibly more as a preservative than seasoning.

Bellona’s cutlery met in the centre of her plate despite the meat half-eaten upon it. “Then let us settle your nerves.”

Now? Yui mimicked her mate with her own knife and fork, hurriedly glancing around the room to gauge the atmosphere. No one was looking their way, they were all enjoying their meal. Or at least, enjoying the filling of their stomachs. When Bellona stood, the room fell silent and expressions of surprise spread. Yui straightened from her seat much more carefully, peeling up and patting out her skirts before folding her hands just beneath the end of her bodice. She kept her eyes to Bellona’s elbow. This was Bellona’s turn to speak, to have the ear of all the high-born carnivores-

“Thank you for attending. Good night.”

Six words. Yui blinked. Bellona’s entire speech was six. Words. And if the King and Queen did not blame her for that...

Bellona pushed out her elbow, offering it for Yui to fold her own into. She accepted and fought to match her mate’s gigantic steps in her gown as they strode out of the grand hall.

They were followed by guards until they reached the First Princess’ wing. Inside was eerily quiet without the presence of attendants, not even blending in with the walls while secretly dusting. She and the First Princess were truly alone.

It was foolish that Yui was silently surprised to find herself led past her room and to the First Princess’ private quarters. Only the most trusted attendants accessed the pair of rooms inside: a square one with an enormous bed in the centre wrapped with curtains, and a wash room tucked to the furthest corner from the door they had entered from. All was dark. Colours so deep they could suck the moonlight from the air. Heavy upholsteries that folded over themselves in layered shadow. The First Princess’ scent was heady, undisturbed since she had departed last.

Yui rustled her way in until her skirts would no longer be trapped in the door when Bellona shut it behind her. She slowed on approach of the bed edge. Would this be difficult for Bellona? Was she experienced? What was she expecting from a woman so much older?

Hands sunk into a padding of her skirts and lifted slightly, taking the weight off Yui’s hips. A relieved sound escaped her before she could get her palm to her mouth and she rocked back a little on her heels, stretching her lower back instinctively. Bellona’s chest met her.

Yui jerked forward again. “I apologise-”

“Do not apologise,” Bellona murmured into her neck. She breathed in deep through her nose, the air brushing Yui’s skin. Her clutch of Yui’s dress did not loosen, fists of snow white material crunched where her grip put the beading under strain. The bared collar allowed her to follow her nose all the way to the top of Yui’s chest, hooking her head over her shoulder. When she lifted it once more, their cheeks brushed. Bellona’s was ever so warm.