Kate

"Kate, look how well the flowers are doing! We'll have more than enough for your mating ceremony!"

I grin at the excitement in Nora's voice, walking over to the section of the garden where ornamental plants are being cultivated.

"These are gorgeous," I say, crouching down and touching the soft petals. "They'll go beautifully with the meteorite glass."

"Speaking of meteorite glass—we should go pick some more now that it's nearing dinner time," Fallon points out. "Don't want to lose the light."

"You're right," I say, standing with a smile. "I want enough for our clothes to sparkle."

The idea to use it came from the glass that I'd saved from my first time with Errol. When I'd gathered it, I thought it would just be a keepsake, something that I could take out and reminisce about when I was feeling nostalgic.

Then I wondered if it wouldn't be better to incorporate that very real symbol of our relationship, those lovely memories, into the dress I was going to wear. It felt so right. And as soon as I voiced the idea, all my friends were on board.

"That has to be one of the most disgustingly romantic things I've ever heard," Fallon had commented. "It's perfect."

"We just need to gather more meteorite glass. The pieces you have won't be able to cover your entire dress, let alone Errol's clothes if you want to do that as well," Delilah had pointed out.

So, all the women have been helping gather bits and pieces of it when they can.

The support and excitement while preparing for the ceremony has made me feel even more a part of this community. I used to think of it as Errol’s home, but now it’s our home, our Tribe.

I follow Fallon, Nora and Delilah out near the wall, careful not to stray too far as we pick through the sand for more pieces. The village had a lot of glass, but Errol already used much of it in the protective wall.

That isn't going to be a problem. I had barely come up with the idea before people were already donating glass for the project, even from as far as the city, which really warmed my heart. A couple more runs and I think that will be more than enough.

I pick up a small piece and carefully set it in my bag with the others, marveling at its shining beauty. I smile to myself, shaking my head. A pretty dress won’t make or break the ceremony. But I can't deny that I've missed pretty things living as we have in survival mode since the crash. A little extra sparkle will be nice. There's no harm in having my ceremony be as pretty as I can make it.

Still, it's nice to know I would be happy celebrating my mating to Errol even if we were both in rags, and there weren't any decorations at all.

If I have him, I'm happy. Isn't that just amazing?

Errol

The water ceremony is an ancient practice, one passed down from generation to generation. Father was an official who often oversaw such unions before the Devastation. I believe finding him again is a sign, one that encourages us not to forget our old ways in this new world, this new era on Tajss.

Tradition is important. It is a part of us, a part of our ancestors that came before. So much of this has been left behind as we devolved into the darkness that came after the Devastation. The bijass claimed our past, our traditions. Traditions imply a hope for the future and we had none.

I, for one, know well what it is to run from your past. I had embraced the bijass, not wanting to face what had come before. You cannot face the future though without freeing your attention from what you have done.

Kate gives me that. She is my desire for the future, for what is to come. I want to commit to her publicly, surrounded by friends and Tribe mates.

“I could have done this for you,” Gomul grouses.

“Yes, Father,” I agree. “That would be breaking tradition though. We need to be accepted by the Tribe, that means the Commander should be the one to do the ceremony.”

“I’ve done more of these then he ever thought of,” Gomul sighs. “But you are right son. I’m proud of the man you have become.”

My scales itch at the compliment, warming to his words. Meeting his eyes, I don’t have words, so I simply pull him into an embrace.

“I am glad to have found you,” I say.

“And I you,” he says, patting my back.

“Am I ready?” I ask, holding my arms out to either side.

He looks me up and down with a critical eye before nodding. Smiling, I place an arm around his shoulders and we walk out to the ceremony.

The other males are gathered wearing the traditional robes and standing in a line facing each other. They hum as I walk between them, my father at my side. Visidion stands at the end of the line. My father takes his place next to Visidion.

Turning to face the cliff, I wait. My hearts beat a slow, steady rhythm in my chest, pounding but not too hard. Then Kate walks out of the cave where she was preparing with the other females. My hearts stop. Breath catches in my throat. The world goes still. Even the wind doesn’t dare blow for fear of touching the beauty that is my mate.

Kate sparkles, literally, her dress reflects sunlight in a dazzling display. It accents the pure perfection of her face in ways that I cannot even begin to take in with one look. My hearts pound, hard, trying to break free of my chest and fly across the distance between us to her. I am hers, her claim is deep and true.

She stands at the top of the ramp leading down to the floor of the Tribe’s home and smiles. The suns do not compare. The other females pick up the train of her dress and help her down. As she walks with them towards me, I’m light-headed.

The males form a tunnel with their lochabers, arms extended up, blades at the middle of the space between them. Kate walks down the tunnel, her eyes locked on me. I see, from here, the moisture twinkling in the corners of her eyes but the smile on her face tells me they are from joy.

When she steps out of the tunnel formed by the males, I take her hands and guide her so that we stand facing each other in front of Visidion and my father. I can’t take my eyes off her. Nothing in the universe could be more beautiful than she is right now.

The Commander lays his hands on ours, gripping them. His cool hands are almost cold, despite the heat.

“Errol,” he says, his voice deep and commanding. “Your heart has yearned and has been answered. Is this the female you would share water with?”

“It is,” I answer.

“Kate, your heart has answered the call. Is this the male you would share water with?”

“It is,” she answers, no hesitation.

The Commander holds his hands on ours a moment longer then steps back. Drosdan and Padraig walk forward, carrying a massive barrel between them.

They set the barrel down with a grunt between Visidion and us. The Commander comes back, motioning my father to join him. He takes the lid off the barrel. Inside is water, cold, cool, refreshing water. An excessive amount. The Commander nods to my father, who’s eyes open wider then he nods.

“Water brings life,” my father says, taking over the ceremony. "In sharing water, you commit one to another and both to all of us. Our future rests on you."

He places his cupped hands in the barrel then pours water over my head. Stepping back to the barrel he gets another handful of water then pours it over Kate’s head. She gasps as the cold liquid drips down her face, spluttering. He steps back and I step to the barrel, cup my hands and draw water, turning to Kate.

“I give you my water,” I say, pouring water over her head.

“I take your water,” she answers.

She smiles broadly then steps to the barrel. She cups her hands in it then glances at me, arching an eyebrow. Smiling I lower myself to my knees. There’s a round of laughter from the females where they watch but the males don’t react.

Kate takes her hands out and pours the water over my head.

“I give you my water,” she says.

“I take your water,” I say.

Cheers surround us with warmth and love as I leap to my feet and swing her up into my arms. Locking my lips to hers, I kiss her with every ounce of passion that exists in the universe. She is my treasure.

Breaking the kiss at last, I set Kate back on her feet, keeping my arm around her waist, we turn to face our Tribe, our home, and they rush forward to welcome us.