Her Mortal Mate

Chapter Sixty Seven: War Paint

Adam

At least I wasn’t in something completely ridiculous.

When Yennifer first handed me the little plastic bag, I had been afraid it was going to be something that would make me look like a peacock. And I wanted nothing more than to just disappear in the crowd. Being the center of attention wasn’t my thing.

The clothes, thank goodness, were very similar to what I usually wore. Khaki shorts and a white button up shirt. As I started doing the buttons, I heard Jadea’s appreciative intake. “Well don’t you just dashing,” she purred from the doorway. Facing her faced, I paused allowing her a moment to appreciate the sight. My shirt was only halfway buttoned, my khakis hugging my hips, my hair—wet from a shower—was combed back away from my face. I’d taken the time to neatly trim by beard. My feet were bare. I was only halfway put together.

My mouth went dry the instant my gaze landed on her, though. She was in black sport yoga pants that ended mid-calf. The pants themselves had an intriguing dark grey mesh slit curving down each side of her outer thighs and legs, giving a glimpse of her creamy skin underneath. She had on a thick sports bra, leaving her solid midriff on display. Her sexy grin set my heart pounding, because I’d seen that look before.

My gaze darted to the bathroom, disappointed she hadn’t found me sooner.

Her chuckle rushed through me. “There will be plenty of opportunities for more bath time shenanigans.” Her hands grabbed the open ends of my shirt, dragging me to her so she could smash her lips against mine. “As much as I may want to do unspeakable things to you until you are yelling my name and are embarrassing yourself again,” she smirked against my lips, recalling the time I’d been introduced to bath time fun, “the celebration is about to begin. I was sent here to collect you.” Planting one last kiss on my lips, she deftly started unbuttoning my shirt.

“W-wait!” My nerves got the better of me and I caught her wrists. “J-Jadea, will I b-be expected to participate in the games?” I had no idea how they fought: if it was hand-to-hand combat, swords, arrows or some other form. Regardless, I knew I would be out of my depth.

“No. Your job is to watch and have fun. To learn a little as well and to look forward to what you will be able to do once you are turned. Because, once you aren’t quite so fragile, you’ll be able to join the fun.” Her lopsided grin doing strange things to my insides.

“Fighting is fun?” I asked curiously.

“I know, it sounds weird but there are even mortals who like to fight.” She pointed out.

That was true. I guess it just wasn’t my thing.

“Way back in history, these games determined strong alphas or immortals in general. It helped sway loyalties to those who were more capable in a fight, because back then it meant survival. These games aren’t meant to hurt, maim, humiliate or kill, they are more so a way to find out who is the top dog.”

“Very punny,” I chuckled at her choice of words, relaxing a little at her reassurances.

“Now, I will warn you this shirt isn’t going to stay white for long.” She reached between the open ends and ran her palms down my bare skin. I could feel my heart racing and my body reacting to her touch.

“Why does it have to be open?” I asked.

Her eyes fairly sparkled with mischief when they met mine. “Back in the day when the games were involved with a turning, it was tradition to mark every participant with war paint. Don’t ask me why or where this tradition started. Anyway, every warrior who participates gets to put a painted mark on you. It signifies acceptance and is said to help activate the spiritual powers within the one who will be turned. Truthfully, I’m surprised Yennifer gave you the shirt to begin with. Normally, men go bare chested. So, I presume we are compromising because I know how you feel about your body, even though there is nothing wrong with it.”

I could feel the heat creeping up my neck as I thought about all those other immortals and how their bodies must be chiseled to perfection like Jadea’s. Firm. Muscular. Strong. Sexy…

I was none of those things.

My athletic build was softening. I’d never had a six pack. I considered myself of average strength, but I wasn’t significant.

She kissed me one more time, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Just because I agreed to you playing the dominant role for the moment, doesn’t mean I can’t rescind that agreement. You are worthy of being seen and loved for who you are, Adam. You will be the only one judging yourself out there. The only thing they will see is your kind and loving soul. They have already accepted you.”

I nodded a bit numbly, forcing the emotional tears to stay at bay. I still wasn’t used to being accepted like this. I had a family—my son and my daughter—but I never had this kind of family. A mature family. A grown family. Partners in crime. Adults who loved me for me…

“C’mon vanilla, we should go before they send Garret to come get us.” She took my hand and led me into the garden. I stared in awe at the transformation. There were garlands strewn everywhere: around the trunks of trees, strewn between branches, and placed as decorations along makeshift tables. Strands of fairy lights—for when the sun set—were strung about the garden. Round paper lanterns and ribbons tied everything together. The colors had been carefully picked in varying shades of blues and greens. Other decorations were carefully placed around the outer edges. The center of the garden had been left wide open and that’s where everyone was gathered. I saw them passing around shallow wooden bowls each filled with different colors of paints. Some were marking themselves, others were making masterpieces out of their counterparts.

“Where’s your war paint?” I whispered to her as we drew nearer.

“I didn’t know if you wanted to paint me.”

“I can paint you?”

“Of course!” Her beautiful smile blinding me. “What colors would you like?” She asked, intending to retrieve them.

Hmm… I could have fun with this. My inner child suddenly reared his head and I was instantly giddy and excited. “Stay here,” I commanded. “And close your eyes.”

“Okay.” She did as asked. I approached the group and found the first color. Dipping two fingers into the white paint I spread it down the left side of her face. I didn’t go straight down the middle, I stayed further left of her nose and made the bottom of the paint uneven towards her jaw. I made a smaller, uneven round spot on her right cheek and then placed a few handprints on her midriff and one on her right arm. Then I got the blue paint and added three vertical lines over the white paint on the left side of her face, four horizontal lines on the right side. Then, I offset the blue handprints to the white on her midriff. Then, I placed a single blue handprint on her left arm.

While this all seemed so innocent and fun, I found it rather intimate. Not in a s****l way, just the kind of sweet and loving intimacy of sharing an experience with someone you’re close to. “Okay, I’m done,” I announced softly. She opened her eyes and went to admire my handiwork in the large, round mirror that had been secured against a tree for everyone to use.

Her bright, excited smile was everything. “I really want to hug you right now, but the paint isn’t dry,” she said, leaning in to carefully place a kiss on my lips. “I love it! Thank you.”

“It is time!” Constance’s voice suddenly boomed above the ruckus and everyone was in motion.

Jadea dragged me to a spot near the makeshift table where they had set down the bowls. Everyone stood in a half circle before me with the exception of Jadea, who hovered next to my side.

Constance, with her fearsome red, white and yellow paint stepped forward. Gabriel—who was in his demonic form, shirtless and looking far more daunting than ever with the black and red paint over his face and chest—followed behind her. She handed him two bowls and picked up a third before stepping before me. Dipping her finger into the blue paint, she lifted her hand and drew a line down from my hairline to the tip of my nose. As she did this, she said, “I pray you find peace, tranquility and trust in your new life.”

Effortlessly, Gabriel exchanged the blue for the red paint. As she made dots under my eyes, she continued, “May your new life be filled with love and passion.” Lastly, she dipped her entire hand into the white paint and pressed it directly to the center of my chest. Usually, I would have been uncomfortable with such familiarity, but for some reason I was at ease with her. Those hazel eyes of hers held mine intensely, “And with your rebirth, I hope you are cleansed and born in purity and goodness.”

After she stepped aside, others came forward and marked me, some whispering a good fortune for my future, others were silent. By the end, I was surprised to feel confident and in high spirits. Their words and actions lifting me up in ways I had never felt before and I did feel more connected to myself than I ever had.

What kind of sorcery was this!?

And then Jadea’s pack stood before me, bowls in hand and the tears once again pricked my eyes. By the end of the day, I would be one of them. I would officially be a part of their pack, a part of their family unit.

It would finally be real.

Derrick and Briar stepped forward first, with the orange paint in hand. Briar’s bright smile washing over me as she lifted her hand to trace some horizontal lines over my collarbones. “We have waited for what has felt like an eternity to welcome you into our pack,” she started, her voice thick with tears. “We are excited to finally make it official. Welcome, alpha,” she leaned up and placed a kiss on both cheeks. Derrick rested one large hand on my shoulder before following Briar to the side.

Blade was next as he held the black paint. He drew three vertical lines from the base of my neck down to my navel. “We look forward to you embracing yourself, to growing personally and joining us in our goal to protect the innocent and those who cannot protect themselves.”

Garret followed with the green. He pressed matching handprints high on either side of my chest. “We look forward to growing with you as you learn how to balance this new life and all of its aspects and I hope you find harmony as you find your niche within.”

And then there was Jadea.

As she passed by the table, she only dipped her first two fingers into the pink paint. When she was within arms reach, I couldn’t stop myself. My fingers curved around her arms, near her elbows. She reached up and traced a small heart in the center of Constance’s white handprint.

“As you are reborn tonight, all I can wish for is you will place your trust and heart in our hands and allow us to nurture and grow that playful, compassionate and beautiful spirit we have all fallen in love with. I am honored to call you mine, Adam and I look forward to sharing my life and my future with you as we embark on this new chapter together.”

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Colors and their meanings:

Red: Power, strength, energy, heat, love, passion, danger, warning, anger

Orange: Excitement, confidence, encouragement, health, vitality, extroversion

Yellow: Bright, vibrant, youthful, energetic, sunshine, hope, intellect, happiness

Green: Earth, grown, freshness, nature, balance, harmony, money, jealousy, envy, guilt

Blue: Peace, tranquility, loyalty, security, trust, intelligence, cold, fear, masculine

Pink: Happiness, compassion, sweet, playful, immaturity, hope, inspiration, feminine

Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, luxury, ambition, mystery, fantasy, moodiness

Brown: Earth, outdoors, longevity, conservative, honest, natural, reliable

Black: Formal, classic, elegance, power, luxury, protection, death, mystery, evil

White: Purity, innocence, goodness, fresh, clean, easy, simplicity