Chapitre 19

We walked back through the stone passages toward the great hall. Eros had his arm wrapped tightly around me.

"The nomads have some traditions of their own," he said. "First, they'll officially greet us. Just keep calm."

I nodded and hugged myself closer to his warmth. Ilya seemed nice, even though he had never seen anyone.

"Is Ilya the alpha of the nomads?" I asked.

Eros laughed and my stomach tingled.

"No, the nomads don't have a real alpha. Ilya is the best warrior and therefore the leader. When I lived and fought with them, we made a pact..."

Ero's voice trailed off in thought. The hallway opened up and I didn't recognize the room. Torches and dark green garlands of fir trees hung from all the pillars. They were decorated with red bows.

"What exactly is being celebrated?" I asked.

"The winter solstice. Soon they will set camp and move north again in the spring."

The deep smell of roasted nuts and honey filled the air. Many of the nomads had already gathered before a throne carved in the stone.

Ilya sat on it, his legs spread wide. In his hand he held a bronze goblet. His eyes lit up when he saw us. He got up and came towards us.

His war paint was the color of lavender. Straight lines ran from under his eyes to his red hair.

"My friends!" he called, his arms spread wide.

Eros took my hand and led me through the corridor of werewolves to the front of him. The women wore dresses similar to mine, airy and colourful.

My cheeks glowed with delight as I saw a slab of steaming food. I knew where I would be first.

We stopped in front of Ilya and the throne.

"A good friend has returned to us and he has brought his mate! Today we not only celebrate the winter solstice, but also the visit of Alpha Eros and Ephilia!"

A loud storm of cheers echoed through the hall and sent warm goosebumps down my spine. I have never been greeted so friendly. Eros pulled me a few steps closer to Ilja.

"Come closer, don't be shy," he said.

For a Viking that was easy to say. He was as tall as Eros and he didn't hide his muscles either. He reached for a wooden bowl on the side.

The room went very still, allowing me to hear the excited beating of my heart. Ilya dipped two fingers in the bowl and stepped in front of Eros. His eyes lost their lightness as the ritual began.

Ilya began to speak in another language, harshly and loudly. I didn't understand a word, but Eros looked him seriously in the eyes.

The Viking raised his fingers and brushed the paint onto Eros' face. I watched in fascination as he applied the patterns to his cheeks. Then he lowered his hand and looked at me with a serious expression.

I swallowed as he approached me.

My eyes wanted to flick to Eros, but I suppressed the impulse. Instead, I focused on the mark on my neck and the warm feeling of Ero's closeness.

As with him, Ilya got new paint. Then he repeated the words in the foreign language. His fingers stroked my forehead. The color was cool against my skin as I stared into his eyes.

I couldn't understand the words, but I got the meaning. A greeting and a promise. I felt a spark of pride bloom in my heart as Ilya stepped back and Eros stared at me.

A small smile tugged at my lips while his eyes sparkled. He took my hand as we turned to face the crowd.

"And now, let's celebrate!"

Ilya's voice boomed through the hall and caused a fresh storm of cheers. Suddenly, a joyous sound of violins swept through the air and got the crowds dancing.

Without thinking about it, I pulled Eros to the dance floor. He allowed it without hesitation.

"Do you know the steps?" he asked, amused.

I stopped. I hadn't even thought of that. I watched the feet of the dancing couples, which consisted of twists, lifts, and quick steps.

"No," I said disappointed.

Suddenly Eros passed me and pulled me on.

"It's good that I know. Come!"

We came to a halt between the wolves. Eros put his hand on my back and hugged me to him.

"Hold on tight. I won't stop for you," he said with a mischievous smile.

"Wa- Ahh!"

Eros spun me around and began the steps. The floral dress fluttered along, as did my strands. I followed his movement and let him lead. I looked up at him with bright eyes.

Hundreds of butterflies seemed to be flying in my stomach.

It had never struck me as it does now, but little laugh lines made Ero's eyes glow. I had never seen him so carefree as now.

His stern features were a little softer and there was a hint of a beard around his mouth. My smile widened as we moved to the fast rhythm of the song.

Suddenly he picked me up by my waist and spun me around. A surprised squeak escaped me as his hands dug into my waist.

Our roar of laughter mingled with the melody of the music and the beating of my heart. I felt free, carefree, like I could fly.

A wave of happiness grabbed me and swept me away.

My feet moved of their own accord, but I knew it was just Eros. He took my hand and started spinning me around, faster and faster. His face blurred past me, as did his grin.

"Eros, stop! I'm getting sick," I said, laughing bubbling out of me.

"Make me do it," he replied.

The music slowed down and luckily for me, Eros finished filming. If he hadn't caught me, I would have landed on the ground. I lay in his arms and stared up at him.

My cheeks were on fire as I breathed faster. The only thing I could see were Ero's eyes fixed on me.

It was like our hearts were tied together. He was as close to me as anyone has ever been. Instead of being afraid, I longed for it.

Hot blood rushed to my cheeks and lips. Eros lowered his face to mine and an ocean of pure bliss drowned all thoughts. The mark tingled pleasantly.

The kiss was passionate and fast, like the dance.

The only thing I could feel was Eros and his touch. My heart leapt with joy. I stroked his hair.

He lifted his head and stared at me. Pure lust was in his eyes, as if he wanted to eat me. The longing for more paralyzed everything else in me. I pressed my body closer to his so I could feel all his muscles.

I wanted to be alone with Eros somewhere...

Loud applause brought me back to reality.

He yanked me back to my feet but held me tight to his side. A small spark of satisfaction went through me that he was out of breath too.

"Let's go have a drink," he said, making our way through the crowd.

I had never seen werewolves so free and alive as here. In the cities, people always told each other the exact opposite. How nice that one could be wrong.

We reached the huge table with all sorts of delicacies that I only partially knew. Boiled vegetables, roasted meat and desserts. My mouth watered.

"Here, try it," Eros said, lifting a red fruit to my lips.

Without hesitation, I opened my mouth and chewed. A fruity explosion spread across my tongue and I closed my eyes.

"That is expensive."

Eros handed me a glass of juice. The fresh taste cooled my throat.

"I'll be right back, okay? Eat as much as you want."

I didn't need to be told twice. While Eros disappeared into the crowd, I got down to Nordic food.

I tried as much as my stomach could fit, savory, salty, sweet. Caramelized nuts, juicy meat and soft buns. The north had more to offer than I had imagined.

I would love to write a cookbook about the kind of food you could only dream of in the south. I didn't know how much time had passed, but I was getting restless without Eros.

Immediately my eyes found him with Ilya in front of the throne. I snorted sarcastically. They were the only ones at this festival wearing a serious expression at the moment. Their lips moved in animated conversation as they sipped their wine now and then.

I shook my head.

My gaze swept over the dancing crowds, laughing wolves and playing children. Everything here seemed peaceful, with no worries about the future. The fellowship of the festival drew everyone together, and part of me found something beautiful and sad about it.

For the first time I felt at home here among the fiercest of wolves. Maybe that was the reason why the nomads were like a family here.

The freezing north had forged a bond in which everyone had their place. I watched the children playing tag around the table or dancing to the music.

Suddenly hands grabbed me from behind and I immediately let myself fall into Ero's warmth. My heart felt like it had grown several sizes. Why did I feel at home here, with him?

I turned in his arms.

Eros was so much that I could not put into words.

A strange sentence lay on my lips.

Three words.

Could it be?

"What did you guys discuss?" I asked instead, biting my tongue.

Eros seemed hesitant about telling me the truth. I tugged at his hand impatiently.

"Come on, tell me what's going on."

"I don't want to spoil the good vibes," he replied.

I stared at him in amazement. Part of me wanted to keep asking, but another was content.

"Then I'll ask again tomorrow," I said, chin up.

"I didn't expect less," he replied with an amused expression.

Three words.

"Eros, I..." I began. My cheeks seemed to burst with heat. "I... Thanks for taking me with you."

I bit my tongue again, but the words wouldn't leave my lips.

"There's so much more I'll show you," he whispered in my ear.

***

Eros had wrapped his arms around me from behind and together we watched the crowds. I was full, I was warm and I was wearing a beautiful dress.

It couldn't get any better.

Loud applause pulled me out of my thoughts. The violin music stopped and a huge circle formed on the dance floor. I tried to see over the wolves' heads, but most of them were bigger than me.

"What's going on?" I asked Eros, tugging on his arm.

"The traditional game of the winter solstice," he said.

We made our way forward, where some warriors were getting ready. Eros stood behind me and looked over my head at the participants.

"What game?" I asked curiously.

Ilya descended from his throne and the crowd made room for him. In his hand he held a long wooden box.

"A game of pain and glory," he whispered in my ear.

Then I felt a kiss on my mark and I closed my eyes. I almost forgot where I was.

It became very quiet around us as Ilya entered the circle of spectators. Most eyes rested in awe on the wooden box in his hands.

What was in it?

"It's that time again. Everyone step forward who wants to prove their skills. Whoever holds the baton last is the winner and gets this," Ilya announced.

He pulled out a glass vial filled with sparkling turquoise water. It sparkled in the fire of the torches and drew a reverent amazement from some wolves.

Holy water from the lake.

The Viking put on a black glove and opened the box. Then he lifted the object into the light: a gleaming rod of pure silver, everything reflected in its face.

"The rules are simple," Ilya continued. "Anyone who wants to prove themselves stands in the circle. The baton is passed around. The one who drops it loses. The last one standing with the baton wins!"

An excited cheer went through the crowd. For werewolves, that really seemed to be a sensation.

Glad I was human.

A smirk broke out on my lips and I turned to Eros. He eyed me with an amused smile.

He knew exactly what I was up to.

He leaned down and brushed my lips.

"Be nice to the warriors," he scoffed, pushing me into the circle.

He didn't have to tell me that twice. A cheeky murmur ran through the crowd as I joined the massive warriors who towered over me. I looked at Ilya. An amused expression was on his lips.

We formed a circle and I felt defeated by the muscular bodies looking down at me.

"Are you sure you want to join?" asked the fighter next to me, eyeing me skeptically.

"Wouldn't you all like to give up?" I replied. "You don't stand a chance against me."

Laughter erupted around me as if I'd told the best joke of the century.

"Don't worry, little girl. We also have healers among us."

I huffed in amusement and shook my head.

If you really wanted to take a chance...

"In order! We have eight participants! Let the game begin!" shouted Ilya.

Before I could think further, the starting signal sounded. A hiss filled the tense air as the silver rod touched the skin of the first wolf.

He handed it to his neighbor like a hot potato. I watched calmly as the next one dropped it straight away. The crowd responded with a disappointed groan.

An evil thought crept into my head.

Why shouldn't I take this opportunity to fool the wolves? Apparently they knew nothing about humans, or sun children as they called them.

It was probably about time that a child of the sun gave the nomadic warriors the water, or rather took away than profit.

It immediately went on to the next one. All warriors wore a strained expression, which I tried to imitate. When the staff reached me, I passed it on as quickly as I could.

A storm of cheers erupted when everyone got their hands on the silver without letting it fall. But the wolves' luck didn't last long. One after the other, they couldn't take the pain I could only imagine.

But my neighbor remained stubborn and didn't want to give up. Soon it was just the two of us fighting for victory. He stared at me grimly as if he could make me give up.

But I gave no sign.

"That's enough!"

The warrior immediately clattered the staff to the ground.

I looked at Ilya in confusion. I hadn't noticed the crowd falling into an excited silence. Was it really so mesmerizing to watch two beings pass a staff back and forth?

"You both have proven your skills! We've never had such a good duel," he said, picking up the silver with the glove. "Now we come to the finale. Both of you will hold the baton by one side, no pulling is allowed. Last one to let go wins the holy Water!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd and I shrugged. The warrior didn't seem so composed.

"Ready for defeat?" I asked jokingly.

He scowled down at me and rubbed his hands, which must have hurt. Ilya stood between us and held the staff at the height of my stomach.

"Ready?" he asked both of us, staring into our eyes.

We both nodded and let our fingers levitate under the metal.

"Come on!"

I grabbed it immediately. The cool silver didn't bother me at all, quite the opposite to my counterpart. The hiss of his hand sent a shiver of disgust down my spine.

Why was he doing this to himself? Just for fame and the water? I realized it had healing powers. I had experienced it myself, but I did not understand the determination that condemned the warrior to such pain.

"Let go," he gritted between his teeth.

"Unfortunately I can't. Please surrender, you have a chance against me. I'm a child of the sun."

Smoke began to form from under his hand, as if the metal was etching away his skin. I stared at his grip in horror.

A pained groan escaped him and he had his eyes shut as if it would blind him with agony.

Suddenly, as if stung by a tarantula, he let go and threw his body backwards. He landed on the hard stone floor and clutched his injured hand to his chest.

A loud cheer erupted around us. I stood there, wand in hand, unsure of what to do now. Suddenly strong arms wrapped around me and picked me up by the waist.

A warm tingle spread through me as I saw Ero's eyes light up. I immediately leaned up and pressed my lips against his.

A hot river ran through my body and I only felt casually how Eros took the staff from my hand and threw it on the ground.

Then he set me down and stood behind me. Ilya solemnly approached us with the glass bottle in his hand. It was in the shape of a teardrop and the size of a heart. There were deep laugh lines around his eyes.

"I've never seen anything like this in all my years. Congratulations, Ephilia! Mate of Alpha Eros and Queen of the North!"

Ilya handed me the bottle and bowed his head. The other nomads did the same. Even the defeated warrior bowed.

Sheer pride spread wings in my chest as I gazed upon the wolves, towering over me in strength yet showing respect.

Why couldn't it be like this everywhere in the world?

A mutual respect between all...

The werewolves had broken out of their rigid state. Some congratulated me, others turned back to food or music. The mood was exuberant as the dancing picked up speed.

I looked at the turquoise water and walked over to the warrior who had now picked himself up from the ground. I hesitantly uncapped the bottle and let a few drops fall onto the burned skin.

Miraculously, all signs of the wound disappeared, leaving no mark on the paws that werewolves called their hands.

"That's incredible," I whispered.

Warm arms wrapped around me from behind and I leaned against Ero's chest.

"What is child's play for you is the greatest challenge for werewolves. And it's the other way around when it comes to strength."

I turned in his arms and stared into his bright blue eyes. My eyes fell on his lips. Eros closed his hands around mine, still holding the holy water.

"Can you keep it for me?" I asked. "I would only lose it."

Ero's grin sent a shock through my heart.

"Naturally. And now come. The infinite sea is still waiting for us."

He breathed a kiss on my neck and my concentration passed to the afterlife. I nodded imperceptibly and let Eros take the lead.

We walked to an exit of the hall and I took one last look at the party. The nomads drank, sang and ate untroubled. They didn't seem to notice our absence.

The violin music disappeared further and further behind us as the two of us made our way through the mountain.

New excitement tingled in my joints.

Immediately I was alone with Eros at the end of the world...