Chapter 164

Bastian led her out of the litter and into the rain. They were greeted by the sight of a temple. He breathed in a long breath at the vaguely familiar sight. An image of him strolling up the stairs behind the Tlataoni, women wearing nothing but beads going along with him. It had been sunset in the dry season. He recalled the warm, muggy breeze.

He'd thought it would be the time of his life. He scoffed at his old self. But now that all of these memories were recalled, he understood that what he'd witnessed had changed him into who he'd been. Who he'd been before Hydrangea.

Firelight was shining from beyond the entrance to the temple. They both rushed in and out of the rain, no sunset or muggy breeze to lighten the dark, dismal atmosphere.

Hydrangea squeezed his hand and he glanced down at her. Her black hair was dripping wet and clinging to parts of her neck, her pale skin was speckled with raindrops and her lashes darkened by the water.

He rather enjoyed his wife all wet. His eyes darkened as his thoughts wandered down forbidden places. He inaudibly sighed and forced himself to think of other things.

"The Sovereign of Cadarama and Queen Hydrangea!" A loud, boisterous voice proclaimed and Bastian looked down the stairs before him that led down into the main body of the temple.

The temple was constructed of sanded stone painted a pastel orange, a few vines creeping in from the windows and crevices to add a hint of green colour. A large hole in the tall domed ceiling let in more vines and the rain, which fell onto a dais in the centre of the circular room. The dais had a thin moat around it that Bastian knew was for more than just catching the rain.

The room was bordered by tall walks that rounded the walls, where one could catch a glimpse of the dark jungle through the windows, the glowing fire squid could almost been seen lurking in the trees. Below these walkways and level with the dais was where the main event would take place.

The dais was surrounded by Selvans stretched out on pillows and rugs. Bastian could smell their narcotics in the air. They were no doubt burning them in the fires that were placed amidst the people. Some Selvans were engaged in an act of eroticism, others were staring at them in a stupor of alcohol or piziet.

He spotted the Tlataoni—finally—hidden in a pile of women. Their bare skins glinted in the firelight as they intoxicatedly danced for the leader of the Sun Followers or simply touched him.

Bastian's jaw set as he looked over the scene below.

Hydrangea stepped closer to him and he became even more worried for his pure wife. This was not something he'd ever wanted her to witness. Her fingers that were intertwined with his flexed and he squeezed back, his heart pounding in unease.

"Come!" The same voice that had called before, the Tlataoni, called again. "Sit and drink before the festivities begin."

Bastian cooled his face before he plastered on a relaxed smirk, one that he used to wear in situations like these.

"Gladly!" He called back and the Tlataoni returned his attention to the nude dancers before him. The beads that draped around their necks and waists moving as they moved. He glanced at Hydrangea and saw that she was watching the ground.

He wished he could protect her from such things. His mind naturally went back to her when he'd first seen her. She'd been so full of fire and passion, though she had been afraid of him. He hadn't cared. But it was her strength and words that had caused her to dwell in his mind, and she dwelt in it ever since.

He wished that that fire and that ignorance of these things could be guarded. He didn't want to see it wane, even though it had already begun to do so.

Bastian led her to sit on the low pile of cushions next to a fire. She should be warm here, he thought as she sat down with her knees bent and tucked beneath her.

He lowered himself next to her and felt himself relax as she moved closer to him. He turned and whispered in her ear, "Just keep your eyes on me." He loved her reaction; the fine hairs stood on end at the base of her neck, an attractive rosy blush appeared in her cheeks and her breath hitched. If only he could go further…

His thoughts wandered as his eyes trailed down the graceful curve of her neck and down to her shoulders that he could only catch a glimpse of. Her poncho was covering the rest of her delicate, smooth skin.

He wanted to see that skin on a clear night with the full moon shining down on her. She would be enchanting…

"Is that…?" He shook his head slightly and rolled his eyes. Not the best thoughts to have at the moment, he told himself, although that image of his wife was now engraved in his mind. But he focused on her words and then turned his head to look beyond the nude dancers to where Hydrangea was looking and saw a naked man who was hung by his wrists in a doorway.

He swallowed. The human sacrifice.

"I can only assume." He whispered back. Her eyes were pained and he wished to soothe that pain. And thought he cursed Timir-mask for her cursing him, a part of him was enjoying having to be creative in different ways to show his love. And he certainly enjoyed the fact that Hydrangea had kissed him that day.

He glanced to a table with a few platters behind her and spotted something he hoped she would enjoy. He reached his arm to the object in mind and successfully distracted Hydrangea. He smiled lightly as he set the clay bowl on his lap.

"What is that?" She asked, her eyes on the delicacy.

"This, Hydrangea, is 'choclatche'. Or more simply, chocolate." He beamed as he lifted the bowl to her and she hesitantly drew one of the small kernels into her hand.

He remembered chocolate being a very important part of the Selvans' culture. They would drink it, eat it and worship it, using it in all of their ceremonies. It was seen as a precious gift from the Sun.

He watched her slowly inch it towards her mouth. "I eat it, right?"

He cracked a smile, "Yes. I remember it being quite good." He didn't recall actually eating the kernels though. He strained his mind as he tried to bring the vague memory back.

"Ohhhh."

He looked up to see Hydrangea's eyes wide and shining as a moan left her lips. He gulped.

"That tastes so good." She exclaimed softly and he chuckled happily.

"Then you may eat as much as you want."

Her lips spread into a wide smile, that had him momentarily stunned, and she selected another piece of chocolate.

They relaxed momentarily, breathing in the scents of piziet and other narcotics burning in the fires. Hydrangea happily snacked on the chocolate as he kept his eyes cautiously on their surroundings.

"Sovereign!" The Tlataoni called from his seat next to then, "Wise of you to give your wife the choclatche. I noticed before that she was rather stiff. The kamodipak will help, no doubt."

Bastian's eyes slowly widened as the memory returned to him. He closed his eyes recalling how he'd previously eaten the chocolate, he'd eaten it out of the mouths of all the women that had… attended to him. It had acted as a stimulant for both him and the women.

And he'd just given some to Hydrangea.

(Author's Note: Kamodipak is the Cadaraman word for aphrodisiac)