13
RAMYA
The Melokai entered the assembly hall and sat on a wooden bench on a platform at one end, Gwrlain next to her. Her councillors and court flowed in and perched around the outside of the room on benches like hers. In the middle was placed a large circular bed covered in orange cushions and soft blankets.
Gwrlain hummed, picturing who was in the room. She took his hand and grinned. There were a few glares and tuts from her court, usually the only males in the room were Chaz and the pleasure givers picked for the occasion, but the Trogr came with her everywhere, as certain as her own shadow. Change is good, nothing stays the same forever.
“Welcome to this Deflowering Ceremony! Let’s begin,” she announced.
First the musicians started up, a pulsing drum beat, bells and pipes. In
