Chapter Thirteen
Mercy
The ceremonial robe was far more complex than she anticipated. Paax helped her navigate the long sleeves that draped over her hands and then fasten the thick belt. Satisfied that every fold lay correctly, he presented her with a beaded necklace. A crystal and amethyst star pendant hung in the center, surrounded by multi-color glass beads. For the last two weeks, warriors had been giving her the beads with the utmost seriousness. She accepted them graciously but put the beads in a bowl, not knowing what to do with them. Somehow Paax strung the beads into a necklace.
Even with the chain long enough to wrap around her neck twice, the pendant still hung down her chest.
“When did you have time to make this?” she asked, marveling at the fine chain.
“How many times do I have to tell you that there is nothing I will not do for you, little star?”
The sweetest things. Honestly.
In the arena, the sight and sound of the entire Judgment clan overwhelmed her. A thousand feet stomped. A thousand warriors cheered.
They cheered for her.
The infant in her arms shifted and fussed. Axil didn’t like the noise. She bounced him and cooed.
Paax beamed, carrying a fussing Drake.
He led her to the center platform. There was no podium, no water basin or other prop. It was just their family on display. She felt the weight of all those warrior eyes on her.
A male approached, older with silver shot through his dark hair and his horn an iron grey. He held a cylindrical device in his hands. He bowed and held out the device for Paax’s inspection. This must be the tattoo artist.
He nodded. The male joined them on the platform.
The crowd fell silent.
Mercy scanned the audience. Within the last year, she had met or spoken to most of these warriors. She went out of her way to greet all the females. She knew only a handful well, only a dozen or so names, but they all knew her.
Stage fright did not begin to cover the emotions within her.
Paax leaned and pressed his lips to her ear. “The naming ceremony is not complicated. Normally it is for family only and is private.”
“But since you’re the warlord—”
“Yes. The clan demands a spectacle. It will be over fast.”
She nodded. She could handle fast.
“Female,” Paax said in a loud, booming voice. She recognized it as his warlord voice, the one with unquestionable authority. “You have given me a treasure beyond compare. What do I call this warrior?”
Mercy peered down at Drake, face flush and dusky pink. His complexion grew more like Paax’s every day but reverted to pink when he cried. His bright blue eyes were screwed closed and his mouth opened, emitting a passionate wail.
Of course Axil had to join his brother. They were a team that way.
“Drake Nawk,” she said, placing a kiss on the crying babe’s head. He calmed at his mother’s touch.
The male pressed the barrel of the device to the infant’s chest. Mercy held her breathe. Paax said the tattoo wouldn’t hurt but he wasn’t above a fib…
A brief flare of light and it was done. The male removed the device and revealed a spiral tattoo, no bigger than a coin. Drake’s crying remained the same, unaffected by the tattoo. It glowed, silvery against dusky skin.
“Drake!” Paax lifted him high, presenting him to the clan.
The crowd erupted in cheers, drowning out Drake’s cries.
When the crowd stilled, Paax turned back to Mercy. They exchanged their bundles with practiced efficiency.
“Female, my star and mate, you have given me yet another treasure. I am unworthy of your consideration.”
Mercy smirked. “Yes you are,” she whispered, only for his ears.
“What do I call this warrior?”
She kissed Axil’s head. “Axil Nawk.”
The scene repeated, both infants crying with displeasure. Their cries only seemed to amuse the warriors in the crowd. She caught shouts of “strong lungs” and “fierce battle cry.” Mahdfel priorities, she guessed.
The crowd filtered by them, each one stopping to greet them, murmur admiration and knock horns with Paax. Axil and Drake liked this much better, gurgling and displaying how good they were at shoving feet into their mouths. This was their family and their place in the universe. A year ago she could not imagine such happiness. While their marriage was far from perfect, it was good. Solid. Time would only make them stronger. They might disagree with each other occasionally but they always loved each other.
This was her place in the universe.
She loved the person standing with her.
She glowed with joy.