14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Renick

Today is probably the worst day of my life, my father's funeral. The morning of the funeral, Summer and I emerged from our rooms arm in arm, heading toward the common area. My siblings were already there, chatting in low voices with my mother. A small spread of food was on the table, but it remained untouched. I could tell from my mother's face she was just as emotionally charged as I was, and judging by Summer's clammy hand clasping in mine, she was nervous.

My brothers stared at Summer, and I puffed my chest in pride. I introduced her to all of them, but she clung to my arm. Even in mourning clothes, she was a beautiful female.

The white gown clung to her curves in all the right spots, and the delicate string of beading along the cape accentuated her facial features. I watched my mother call Summer over. Though I couldn't hear their conversation, both women seemed to release some tension in the air. My dual hearts thudded when I noticed how similar her gown was to my mothers. Had my mother not accepted Summer, she would have suggested a different gown.

The servants began clearing the table for after the funeral when my uncle arrived. He embraced my siblings, me, then my mother, before turning back to me. "Who is this exotic female?" he asked, staring at Summer.

I introduced them. He leaned in to sniff her neck. "No bonding scent."

"We're waiting until after today. We wanted to properly mourn first, then we will have the ceremony. I wanted to make things comfortable enough by blending our traditions and those of Summer's people."

"Customs first. Their bonding ceremony is next," my mother interjected.

"Wonderful idea. I presume I'm invited?" Uncle Sabulk asked.

Summer looked at me, and when I squeezed her hand gently she replied, "As I'm new to this planet, I trust my mate and his mother will guide me on the customs of your people."

A diplomatic answer if I'd ever heard one.

One of our most trusted servants walked over and pressed an unlit candle into my mother's hands.

"It's time we walked to the flyers. There's room in line for you, Mother. I'll go with Uncle Sabulk," I offered.

"Take your time to further bond with your mate," she said. "I'll fly with Sabulk."

It was a short walk to the field behind the house where a row of flyers waited. Summer and I waited until Mother and Uncle Sabulk boarded the first conveyance. I noticed the flyers all had the customary morning strip of white across the bottom and sides. Summer's brow raised when she saw the changed conveyance, but waited to ask me about it until we were strapped in. I wasn't sure how to answer her inquiry.

"Are the stripes supposed to mimic clouds?" Summer asked. "I think the wavy stripe on the underneath - you know, the one that wraps around the nose of the flyer - looks like moving clouds on a windy day."

"Exactly," I said, proud she understood.

We arrived at a large clearing on top of a mountain with the tallest waterfall in the area. It cascaded down to a lake I swam in many times as a child. Near the edge of the clearing were eight rows of benches overlooking the scenic lake vista. I followed Mother to the first row of benches. We sat at the closest bench to the edge, Mother leading the mourners. I followed, then Summer. My oldest brother, Ivex, sat next to Summer. Warin, my middle brother, sat to Ivex's right, then my youngest brother, Vasry. Uncle Sabulk completed our row.

Before we sat, I leaned over to her and whispered, "You don't have to say anything. Follow my lead."

The sun's rays poured down from the sky, warming those who sat alone. Though the ceremony was long, Summer never once complained, despite the numerous times we stood only to sit again. I could tell her leg cramped a few times, so I made sure to extend my arm to help her up. Once, Ivex noticed Summer struggling to stand. He gestured to her to accept my proffered arm, while he lifted her under her arm, allowing her to keep her dignity, shooting us a grateful look before turning her attention to the holy man. She listened to the holy man's words intently, tears pricking at her eyes when he spoke of love, life, and loss at the end of the ceremony.

When the holy man stepped aside, Mother stepped close to the edge of the mountain where she dug a shallow hole in the ground. She placed the candle in it, lit the wick, then left its flame to dance against the serene waterfall. Mother made her way to the back of the crowd, chin held high. Starting at the back, Mother walked to each person on the benches and handed everyone a white strip of paper. When it was her turn, Summer graciously accepted.

"I accept this in memory of Father," she intoned.

My mouth dropped as my mate, my very human mate, who accepted this planet as her own around a week earlier, recited the ritual used only among close family for a departed family member.

To further my surprise, Summer wrote something in her foreign script on the paper. Mourner after mourner walked in silence to the flickering candle. Each mourner kneeled before the candle and burned their last message to my father. I gasped when my friend Arik took his turn, following the ritual of the Abrane people first. Arik pulled a small knife from a hidden pocket in his sash and cut a lock of his mane. He braided the hair, raised it to the sky and released a battle cry that echoed across the land. He buried the lock of hair next to the candle, standing with a salute.

Eventually it was our turn. My younger siblings went first, taking a few minutes each to say their final goodbyes. Warin, the stoic middle brother, who I had never once seen cry, had tears streaming down his face. Summer kneeled in a fluid motion and murmured something I couldn't hear. She kissed the paper, then watched the ashes consume it. With dignity, she stood without my assistance. The only sign of her strain was her lips pressed tightly together in a thin line. I admired her all the more for her determination. She walked slowly back to her place on the bench. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ivex squeeze her hand and murmur something to her.

All too soon, my turn came to say goodbye to my father. "I'll be alright. Father, you got your last wish. I'm home for good this time. I found someone I love. I think you'd like her, father." I bowed my head. "I'll make you proud," I said, without hesitation. Flames licked at the paper I held in my fingers, sending my message into the sky.

My mother reached out, gesturing for me to move forward. She walked to my brothers, taking them by the hand before returning to the first spot on our bench and reaching out to me. As my siblings and I stood behind my mother, she took Summer's hand in hers. As a family, we walked to the candle without hesitation.

My mother whispered, "Now we are complete with Summer."

Summer, my siblings and I formed a loose circle around Mother, shielding her private grief from the news drones that hovered above. News drones played in the air, recording my father's service, broadcasting it throughout the planet.

The five of us used our bodies to give Mother the moment she needed to mourn Father.

"Summer, are you ready?" Mother asked from the center of our family.

"I am."

I looked at her quizzically.

"You'll see, Renick, Summer and I have a plan."

My brothers scurried to the first row, curiosity dotting their features. I had no idea what Mother had planned, but I knew enough to go along with her.

Mother held both our hands and walked to the center of the gathered crowd. When she spoke, her voice was loud and clear. "I present the citizens of Tenap with my eldest son, Renick, and his mate, Summer Hughes of Earth." She clasped our hands together in mid-air as hundreds of mourners applauded and more watched on vid screens.