“We’ve only just made it in time,” the Duke breathed to them, keeping his voice low. “I shall stay with the two of you during your Announcement and speak for you to His Majesty during your formal Introduction. Simply do as all the others in line ahead of you are doing and keep your mouths shut and we shall all make out splendidly.”
“Of course,” Elli murmured and Roke nodded. As they spoke, the line moved forward and she realized that another couple had walked through the arch and were being introduced to the Crown Prince, who was sitting on the thRoke.
Now that they were a little closer, Elli was able to make out what was going on a bit better. As the man with the feathered hat brought each couple through the arch, they both bowed low before the thRoke and then the man dropped to his knees before the woman and did…something. It was hard to tell what, since the woman of the couple she was watching was standing with her back to them, hiding the man’s actions.
“What are they doing?” she whispered to the Duke, motioning to the couple on the other side of the arch. “After the man with the hat introduces them, I mean. Why is the man kneeling like that?”
“Oh, it’s simply part of the Formal Introduction,” the Duke murmured back. “After the Grand Vizier introduces a couple, the male must kiss his mate’s breasts, sex, and mouth to show that they are truly each other’s Heart’s Companion.”
“He what?” Elli gasped, apparently more loudly than she ought to, because eyebrows were raised in her direction and the Duke scowled at her.
“Have I said something that is unclear, Lady Ellilah?”
“No, but—” she began.
“But our people usually don’t do such things in public.” Roke took over smoothly. “We consider kissing—especially of the breasts and sex—to be a private activity.”
“That’s all well and good when you’re among your own people,” the Duke sniffed, frowning at them. “But here in the palace you are on Tenebrian soil. You must observe our customs if you wish to be welcomed into our Court.” He looked at Roke. “So you must kiss your mate’s breasts, sex, and lips when you are introduced to the Crown Prince. Do you understand?”
Roke didn’t answer but only shot a sidelong glance at Elli and she remembered that he had promised not to touch her again in any way unless she asked him to. But surely she couldn’t ask him to do this—could she?
“What if you don’t have a mate?” she asked the Duke. “What do single people do in this situation?”
“Single people?” The Duke’s frown deepened. “Why, no one is allowed to be without a Heart’s Companion in Tenebrian society, except the Crown Prince himself! There is my own dear mate as we speak, waving at me.”
He motioned to the right side of the ThRoke Room where a tall Tenebrian woman with milky white skin, wearing an elaborate pale blue dress which matched the Duke’s frock coat, was waving languidly with one slender hand.
“I see…” Elli murmured as the Duke waved back affectionately.
“No, I don’t think you do.” The Duke dragged his attention away from his wife and looked down at Elli. “Are you saying that this male—” He motioned to Roke. “Is not truly your Heart’s Companion? Because if he isn’t, then I’m afraid you shan’t be allowed through the Arch of Introduction to meet His Majesty, the Crown Prince.”
“Oh, uh, no! I mean yes—yes of course he is,” Elli said quickly. She looked up at Roke. “He’s my…my Heart’s Companion.”
“Of course I am!” Roke put an arm around her shoulders and drew her close to his side. “We’re just not used to such, ahem, public displays of affection. But we’ll manage, won’t we, sweetheart?” he asked, looking down at Elli searchingly.
As their eyes met, Elli knew what he was asking. Did she want to do this?
You shouldn’t—you know you shouldn’t! You’ll be breaking your vows all over again! whispered a guilty little voice in her head. But surely she was doing it for a worthy cause, Elli thought. Wasn’t saving the life of the sweet old Priestess Superior worth breaking some rules?
Yes, it is! she told herself. I’ve come this far and I’m not going to let anything stop me now. I’m going to do whatever I have to in order to get a piece of that Healing Lattice!
Lifting her chin, she nodded at Roke.
“Yes, darling,” she heard herself saying. “We…we’ll manage.”
“Good. I’m glad that’s all settled.” The Duke seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Glad we could accommodate you,” Roke said dryly. “But if you don’t mind me asking, why doesn’t Tenebrian society allow anyone to be without a mate?”
“Well because one must have a Heart’s Companion! Otherwise one has no one to Mirror with around the Royals.” The Duke sounded exasperated. “My own mate and I have been together since the age of five cycles, when our parents betrothed us. Of course, we did not consummate our union until the age of approval,” he added.