Bride of Elim

CHAPTER 7

**THE MORNING RITUAL **

I was woken by someone shaking me. I groaned. Arg! Seriously..... Can't a girl get some beauty sleep. I squinted my eyes to adjust to the light, a figure stood next to the bed." it's time to get up child." what does she want?I thought as I sat on my butt. "Quickly put something on, we are going to miss the auspicious time." the granny stated as she reached out and grabbed the night robe for me.

In a matter of seconds we were out the door heading to heaven knows where. Everything was fast-paced I didn't even get a chance to ask what was going on. We walked farther into the homestead, to my surprise it was still dark outside. After a few minutes the houses in the premises were all behind us. I was getting a little impatient being dragged around not knowing where I was going.

"Granny, where are you taking me?" I finally asked but the old woman didn't give me an answer instead she told me to keep up because we were getting late. We were now walking in a small path with high grass everywhere. The houses weren't visible anymore and honestly I was getting tired. Soon a hut came into view, there were lamps out side.

It was almost dawn when we got into the hut. There was barely anything inside except two big clay pots and a rug. The door was closed and the other granny who was already inside when we got there told me to strip. "What??" I asked not sure if I heard her correctly. "Child strip or the time will pass." Oh my Goodness, time for what? Wait..... Are they going to feed me to the lion? I need to get out of here. These thoughts crowded my head.

"Little girl take off your clothes time is not on our side." I was pulled out of my trance by an impatient voice. "Oh no no no..... You guys are not getting rid of me like this." fear creeped in, I was anxious and on the verge of breaking out. The old lady I came with scoffed. "Meera... you are our Queen, tell me why would we want to harm you?" I blinked uncontrollably contemplating on what the heck was really going on. "If you have any concerns we will address them after this, for now let us do our part." she continued helping me out of my robe.

Soon I was naked and kneeling on the the rug on the center of the room. " lift your hands up." the granny commanded. I lifted my hands up."what now?" I inquired. I was embarrassed enough kneeling butt naked in front of them and now I had to wait there, hands up like a dumb b*tch. Sigh! They surely practice strange rituals. I was startled when a bright light suddenly glowed on the other side of the room. "First light" the grannies said in unison. But what shocked me most was not the sunlight that came from the c***k on the wall rather the glow that come from my body the moment sunlight Kissed my skin.

"what the f*ck???" I cursed still in a daze. What the heck was happening? I was too dumbstruck to notice that the grannies where kneeling and ululating. "You can get up now child" I got up and took my clothes but then I was told to only put the robe on. The grannies led me into the forest where there was a spring. The water was beautiful and so was the surroundings. "You need to take a bath in these waters, it is the your first thing you need to do as the bride of Elim."

'Bride of who? Am I not marrying Malik? Oh my God, what if they marry me off to the lion? Oh wait, Malik is the lion right?' I was still in thought when the granny spoke up." I told you if you have any concerns we will address them after the ritual. " I snapped out of it and gave her the look that says "you're not tricking me, are you?" but her face remained nonchaly. Ah fine! Though I'm not a big fan of lakes and springs etc. I still got in and took a quick wash, the water was so damn cold.

"This ritual symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings. You entered the water as Meera Johnson, daughter of Johnathan and Susan Johnson. May you rise from it as the Queen in the south, mother of your people and a Dignified mate of Elim. May you live long and prosperous. " After saying those words she signaled for me to get out and so I did. She handed me the robe." See, now your mark is visible." she grinned pointing at it. I followed her finger and find that she was pointing at my rip cage.

I bent my neck as low as I can but the so cold mark wasn't visible enough. All I saw was a few specks of nothing really, I couldn't make out what they were. Ah whatever! I was tired and famished. Honestly waking up before dawn is pure torture. "yeah, I can see that. Now can we please go back? it's cold out here." I blutterd out. She snickered and led me back to the hut.

I was dressed in a traditional attire of some sort, it was nice and I fitted me perfectly showing of all the curves In my body. I have to admit I looked great, elegant even. I'm not a dress person but that mermaid tail dress made me feel like a queen, of which I was. I guess.

As amazing as I looked I still had to walk back to the palace which by the way was a total drag. I was dog tired and those grannies took their time walking back. I was going to complain but I figured since they were elders, I needed to make a good impression. Which is why I bite my tongue and dragged my tired *ss back.

I threw myself on the bed upon entering. Ahh! Finally some peace and quiet. I turned faced up and heaved a sigh of relief. I was startled by a familiar voice from the far side of the. Aunt Liza. When did she get here.i snapped my gaze to her direction. "Aunt, when did you get here?" she walked toward me and sat on the bed. "A while ago kiddo, I trust everything went well." She beamed and held my hands.

"I guess so. I'm just really really exhausted right now." she giggled. "I know baby but unfortunately there isn't much time to rest. " 'she didn't just say no rest' I thought glaring at her. "But Aunt, those grannies had me wake up at night and dragged me to the forest then made me have a bath In a freaking cold spring water after having me kneel butt naked for some crazy ritual. " my aunt smiled softly then said."you are not even supposed to talk about that. " I internally rolled my eye at her. 'Duh.... That's not important right now.'

"Okay I get that but my point is, I'm exhausted and very hungry and I need at least 10 hours of sleep after walking all the way there and back. So there is no way in the hell that I'm getting out of this bed." She got up and gave me that look that says "Don't start. " she knew a tantrum was on the way and she was having non of it I guess because she got some breakfast from where she was sitting and started feeding me until I was full.

After that it was make-up touching on my face and girl, I looked great. Forget that I looked like I was hangover I was smashing, nothing a few make-up tricks and food can't fix right. After that I was being dragged to the garden where people where sitting and chatting, they immediately quiet down the moment they spotted me.i wasn't familiar with most of them though. My attention was quickly grabbed by the ridiculously gorgeous man who was standing in what I assumed was an altar. "Aunt, what's happening? "

"It's a binding ceremony. " she kept her eyes fixed on mine. "Binding what? " why did they have so many ceremonies any way?"The two of you. " She looked at Malik then back at me. "it is not safe for you to go out there unbinded, I know I should have told you yesterday but I couldn't risk having you disappear at night" my face literally dropped on the floor. What is she talking about? "Huh? " She took both my hands. "Meera, I promise I'll explain everything to you as soon as you complete this one. "

'Hah! There we go again. Why does everyone keep saying they'll explain later? Why can't they tell me now? And what did she mean I'm safe? She should at least explain that part.' I was brought back to earth by my aunt's voice. "Hang in there kiddo. " kiddo, why would she put her "kiddo" through this. I was about to say something when she let go of my hands and went to sit down.

It was then that I noticed that everyone was seated and I was the only one awkwardly standing there. Right then I fixed my posture and stood straight. I was already there anyway, even the dumbest person could tell this was a wedding ceremony. No matter what they sugarcoated it to be, I knew better not to think it was a simple ceremony. The least I could do was not make an embarrassment of myself. "Aunt this is me trusting you. " I secretly cheered on myself.