Xiran’s jaw hung open in bewilderment and he blinked several times at her, the words sinking in and registering the fact that he already deep down had an inkling about.

"She indeed is special," he confessed while covering himself and fastening the belt that held his chiton together.

"You should keep her protected. Someone who can onset the emergence of such power is rare and can put a target on her back," Moiga instructed, as she poured some silverish liquid into a small container from the shelf.

"I will, no one can harm her," he was determined to never let any hurt come to her. She was his and solely his.

"Here, drink this. It will help you better channel your powers in future and facilitate you in training and getting them under control without blunders," Moiga handed over the container and Xiran suspiciously stared at her without making an effort to accept it.

"Take it, this will help," Sulran reassured him and Xiran collected it from her hand with an appreciative nod. He opened the lid and gulped it down, the silverish liquid had a bitter flavour as it travelled down his throat leaving an unsavoury taste in his mouth.

Xiran’s nose scrunched up and his lips twisted in displeasure from the taste. Sulran and Moiga lightly chuckled seeing his reaction to it.

"Yeah, the flavour is not that flavoursome but it does the job," Moiga heartily laughed.

"I think it tastes like puss not that I know what puss tastes like but it seems like that," Xiran handed the container back and his words were followed by more laughter.

"Moiga! We need you to perform the bonding ritual. I will keep in contact and once they set the date, I will inform you," Sulran informed her and she graciously nodded.

"I will wait then and make preparations. Will they be needing the elixir?" her eyes darted between Xiran and Sulran.

"We will let you know soon," Xiran stated, he didn’t want to decide for Aselia.

"Very well then. Kindly send the package I requested," Sulran asked her before they decided to depart. She knowingly nodded at him.

Xiran and his uncle offered their gratitude and then took their leave from her and flew back. It was almost night when they arrived. So everyone gathered for the night meal.

Xiran and Sulran shared the details of what Moiga had revealed. While everyone else was overjoyed, Aselia was stunned. This explained why his markings always came to life under her touch.

Xiran gently squeezed her hand and she felt her heart brimming with the unconditional love she held for the man beside her.

"You should cherish her forever, Xiran. Your Sernera is very special," Grandma Asfarla’s wisdom-filled eyes were elated with the joy she was experiencing while learning all these new secrets about her grandson.

She had spent the whole day with Aselia who answered all of her intriguing questions about their world. Not for a second did Aselia give the impression of getting tired of the old lady.

"I will, Grandma," Xiran answered, but his hand remained intertwined with Aselia’s. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"You people should go for an outing tomorrow. Like a small picnic, where you can discuss your upcoming ritual and all the tiny details relating to the ceremony. What you would like to wear and every other matter. And I know the perfect place as well," Sulran suggested while cutting into his food. The room echoed with the sound of cutlery.

"I would love that. This planet is so beautiful that I wish I could see every inch of it. And yes it would do us good to sit down and plan this event," Aselia respectfully answered. Her heart fluttered at the idea of binding herself to this compassionate man.

"Please!!! Pleaseeeee, let me arrange your dresses for the ritual. I promise I won’t disappoint. But let me do it," Sayla requested with imploring eyes, clasping her hands in front as her pinkish lips quivered, her action made everyone laugh.

"I am no expert in clothes and I was always going to ask you for help. So that department is yours," Aselia reassured her and she rushed to Aselia and desperately hugged her.

"Thank you! Thank you!" she excitedly exclaimed, "You won’t regret your decision," I promise. Nirjla also wanted to be part of the fashion brigade, so Aselia happily signed away the rights.

"Can we discuss some ideas, like right now?" Sayla requested and Aselia gave into her enthusiasm. Xiran had to unwillingly let her go. He had hardly seen her the whole day and they had kidnapped his Leia again. He unknowingly wore a scowl as the three women sauntered away, happily discussing clothes and jewels.

Sulran and Asfarla chuckled at his reaction.

"Wait, till you go through the ritual. Every second apart will be excruciating," Sulran teased and Xiran had to sheepishly smile in return, embarrassed at being caught.

"There was something I needed to discuss with both of you. Do couples exchange rings at the ceremony? Or any other piece of jewellery?" he asked, not knowing how that went.

"No, we don’t exchange any jewellery but the tradition is to put a single braid in each other’s hair and bind it with a ribbon. So couples exchange ribbons and it’s traditional to keep that ribbon with you forever," Sulran explained and showed the one he had in his braid.

"Nirjla gifted me this and I have worn it since that day, it has been 21 years now," he recounted with a sense of pride, making Xiran exclaim in delight.

"I see, that’s a beautiful tradition and I would love to do it with Aselia. But, for tomorrow I need a favour," Xiran’s heart thumped in excitement. He wanted to do this right and follow the traditions of here and of his planet as well.

"Anything, tell me what you need," Sulran was more than happy to help his nephew out so Xiran informed him of what he needed and Sulran promised to deliver it early morning before they would leave for their day out.

After the meal, Xiran bid goodbye to his uncle and grandma. He helped her settle into her resting place, kissed her good night and headed for his room. Aselia hadn’t returned so far. Xiran changed into his night attire and waited for her.

Aselia arrived, the door opened and she stepped inside, almost beaming. Xiran could tell she had been genuinely happy from the moment they had arrived at Tromalius as if a burden had been lifted from her turbulent heart.

Getting away from Altair had done her good and he wondered if it was her innate desire to get away that had brought them here.

With what Moiga had revealed it seemed more than likely.

She needed a break from all the killing and bloodshed, she deserved a break and the peace she sought was here. No vampires to hunt here. It had been almost two days since they arrived and not once did she mention returning, although both of them knew their loved ones would be worried back home.

"Hey! Let me change and I will join you," she cheerfully stated, an affectionate smile etched on her ruby-hued lips.

Xiran propped himself on one elbow and watched her, returning her smile.

"I am waiting!"

Aselia changed and soon climbed onto the soft bedding. Xiran laid on his back and pulled her on top of himself. She rested her chin on his chest and crossed her hands below it, watching him with a tender gaze. Xiran placed his hands on the small of her back and stared back at her.

"Was your meeting fruitful? Did you decide on the dress and jewellery?" he tenderly asked, his eyes roaming on her alluring face and her puckered lips.

"It was. I wanted a sea green dress but they don’t have this colour so I settled on white and silver. But I was thinking, we are doing this without our other family and friends," she spoke tilting her head a bit and slightly pouting.

"We will hold another ceremony according to Elven traditions once we return to Altair and we will invite all our loved ones. Don’t worry about it," Xiran consoled her, making her nod in agreement.

"They will be worried sick about us by now. A part of me wants to return and a part of me wants to stay here, I am so conflicted Xiran," she shifted the hem of his nightgown and began drawing circles on his bare skin.

"I know, I understand. Sulran offered me a permanent stay here but we have to return at least once. We can’t just abandon everyone and everything like that. This is a life-changing decision and we need time to come to an ultimate one," Xiran’s hands slipped inside her silky tresses and he began to finger-comb them.

"Oh! It’s so tempting to stay here but in the long run, we can’t. We will terribly miss them and with the time difference, some of them will age rapidly," she was thinking about Yurian, Esma, Razian and Rony.

"I understand my dear, I do. We will think and sleep on it tonight and tomorrow we will take final decisions, sounds like a plan?" he gently asked and she nodded before leaning closer and placing a tender kiss under his collarbone.

"You are my light bearer, Leia, therefore I am going to light up your whole body," he rolled with her and pinned her underneath. She chuckled at his action and soon their lips found each other and their intimate dance began only to last for hours.