The Bond by Nikki Prince Shyla Colt Read Free Book Online Page B

isn’t going to know what hit him, which is saying
a lot. The eye sex the two of you constantly engage in makes me forget my age.”
She fanned her face.
    Sanura laughed and shook her head. “You aren’t that old, Aunt
Charmaine.”
    “We both know I am, but I’ll take the compliment.” Stepping up
behind her, Aunt Charmaine fluffed her hair. “You look so much like your mother
right now. She would’ve loved this dress too.”
    Sanura sniffed, fighting back the tears that rushed to the surface.
“I wish she was here too.”
    Wrapping an arm around her, her aunt smiled. “She is. Enough of
sadness, this is a celebration.” Straightening out, her aunt stepped back. “Are
you ready?”
    “Yes.” She nodded her head and lifted her skirt up.
    Together they walked out of the room they’d dedicated to getting
ready to the females who waited below. Tradition said she’d be accompanied by
the women of her mother’s tribe. Aunts and cousins filled the foyer of the
building up the road from the field where they’d set up the tent.
    “Let’s honor our people in the ways of all our ancestors before us,”
Charmaine called out. The rattle of beads and the thump of drums rose up into
the air. The language of her people filled her ears.
    “We’re here to offer up our requests that the great father shower
our future leaders with wisdom, strength, and love. Today we dance for them. As
the eldest, I’ll lead the procession.”
    She moved out in front, and they all descended the stairs, Sanura in
the middle. The woman spun around, their beads clacking on their wrists and
ankles. The drummers kept rhythm and the others danced, spinning and leaping,
their slender bodies as fluid as water.
    Her heart raced, and excitement built inside her. Power began to
build. Her eyes tingled, and she knew they’d changed to cat form. With one foot
in the human world and the other in the animal, she would bind both halves of
herself to Rafael. The symbolism made her smile. They stopped in front of the
tent, and then her Aunt pulled back the curtain and she entered the dim
space.   The women remained outside, their
offerings still rising up to the heavens.
    The scent of sage and incense tickled her nose along with that of
old leather. The Elders all stood in the front along with her father and
Rafael. She locked gazes with her lover, and the rest of the world receded. A
low hum came from the Elders’ throats. Brilliant colors rose, swirled in the
air, and twined around one another like fish in the water.
    The display took her breath away. This was very different from what happened between us at the hotel. Her
Aunt Charmaine placed a hand on the small of her back, goading her into action.
She locked gazes with Rafael. Their connection roared to life. His joy, love,
and excitement flooded her, calming her nerves. A gentle smile tugged his lips
upward, and she beamed. Finally they would live the life that was meant for
them.
    She came to a halt a few feet away. The Elders stopped humming, and
the colors flew toward them, wrapping them in a circle. The multi-colored
display stunned her. She’d never been to a bonding like this before. A Chief
married to his Queen was a rare and protected ceremony.
    “The ancestors are pleased.” Her father stood outside the colors,
pride shining in his eyes. “They honor you. It’s not every day a bonding is so
colorful. Each hue is a testament to your compatibility, strength, and accepted
offerings. They too seem to think this Pride is long overdue for a change. Link
hands and stare into each other’s eyes. No matter what happens, do not let go
or look away.”
    No pressure.
    They did as he asked. Heat spiraled through her. Rafael gasped. Her
father began to sing. Sweat beaded on her brow, and their mental link was opened.
His emotions threatened to drown her. Her chest heaved, and her lungs burned.
It was like she’d run a marathon. His hands twitched, gripping tighter, and he
grunted.
    A cold burn