ICILIA WINTERS

You were wondering about the mating ceremony, weren't you? Even if you weren't really pondering on it, I'm sue it was at the back of your mind. Curiosity is part of human nature after all. Also,  we really didn't explain much about it to you, did we? 

The mating ceremony is not like the werewolves' mating ceremony - well, it kinda is but not completely. Werewolves find their mates during the mating ceremony and both of the mates know that the other is their half as the mating bond is already present. Well here, it's sorta different. Lemme explain why.

Fayth and Treznor are werewolves while Sanya and Darin are vampires. Vanessa and Regi are actually shadows. Well, not real shadows but they belong to the shadow realm. They have shadows who they can talk to. Like werewolves have their "inner wolf," similarly, shadow people have their "outer shadows." The shadows work just like the wolves.

Now, Zoran and I . . . we are a whole new, separate case. We cannot be categorized in any group. Seriously. Apparently, we are a mix of werewolves, shadows, vampires and some other supernatural creature. But that doesn't mean we have fangs and "inner wolf" and "outer shadow" and all that stuff. We have our own creature and our own specialties which I will get back to later.

Getting back to the mating ceremony, we are two of a kind but that doesn't mean we have to be each others' mates. Anyone from any supernatural realm as long as they are from Qrison Vlesa, can be our mate. But here comes the different part. Others know they're mates as I've mentioned before, the mate bond already exists. They look into each other's eyes and fireworks go boom, sparks fly and bam, they know they're mates. But for us, we surely won't know the other knows we're mates till we tell each other or kiss - doesn't have to be, you know, a kiss-kiss but it can be like a peck on the cheek or hand or something because the mate bond doesn't pre-exist and hence, we don't feel a pull. I mean yes, mates pre-exist but not mate bond. The mate bond forms only when we kiss.

Confusing? It was confusing for me too.

In simple, let's call my mate A. I know A is my mate and A knows I'm his mate, but I don't know for sure if A knows I'm his mate and vice versa until and unless, A pecks me on my cheek or hand or something or we kiss or I tell A or A tells me which will then form the mate bond and then we will feel a pull towards each other. We'll need to confirm it by that kiss thing - again, doesn't have to be a kiss-kiss. You'll get it when we get to that part. I'm not a very good ex-plainer, if that's even a word, in case you didn't already realise that.

Wondering how I know so much even though Zoran and I are a completely new case? Well, apparently, this had happened like a century or so ago and all that happened then was stored as information for future references in Qrison Vlesa's ancient Archive Atheneum. "Archive Atheneum" is a library. I know, fancy name for a library isn't it?

And so now, we're back in my house where my mother is forcing me to wear an itchy, silk gown that I absolutely hate. She is also putting make-up on my face. I'm not against make-up, but wearing foundation and concealer will make my face very heavy. So, as usual, I protested. After hours of protesting, she finally agreed to leave the conditioner and concealer off and stick with the good old eye liner, mascara, lip gloss - not lipstick, some blush and eye-shadow. Thank you, Lord!

"Are you done mom?" I asked.

"Almost. There. Done," my mom said. "Zoran's gonna have a hard time keeping his eyes off you tonight. You look absolutely stunning!"

"Mom," I whined. "I don't like Zoran like that and neither does he like me like that. We're just friends. Actually, we're frenemies."

"Whatever it is, I'll bet you fifty vlesas that you and Zoran are gonna turn out to be mates," my mom said, admiring her work, also known as, me.

"You're on, mom," I shook hands with my mom, sealing the bet. Yup, my mom and I were more like best friends. 

"Can we go down now?" I asked, slowly and carefully standing up so that I don't mess up my hair, make-up or dress. Don't get me wrong, I would love nothing but to do that but my mom would kill me if I did. And my mom, when she's scary, is someone you definitely don't want to face.

"Yes, we can go down now."

My mom and I walked down the stairs, slowly getting the attention of everyone present in the room. My dad came forward and gave one of his arms to mom and the other to me. We each held his and walked down the last few steps. "You both look stunning," my dad said, giving us a peck on the cheek.

"Oh please, dad! I'm pretty sure you think mom looks way more beautiful than me. And don't deny it 'cause all of us know that's true. After all, she's your mate," I winked.

"Okay, okay. You caught me red-handed. Mrs. Winters looks much better than Miss Winters. Happy?" my dad said sarcastically.

"Very," I nodded. "Don't you agree mom?"

"Oh, yes. A hundred percent," she laughed.

"In all seriousness though, you look beautiful, Icilia. For the first time in a long time, you actually look like a girl," my dad joked.

My mom and I slapped his arm. 

"Watch what you're saying dad," I scowled. "Just because I wear jeans and not these itchy dresses doesn't mean I don't look like a girl."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that," my dad raised his hands in surrender. "I meant that you're actually wearing make up and heels - which you never wear."

"Oh that. Courtesy of mom," I waved my hands. "Thank your wife."

"Thank you, my dear wife for making my daughter look more of a lady," my dad said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Dad," I whined and slapped his arm - again.

"I'm joking hon," he smiled.

"I know. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to hit you," I smiled back very sweetly.

"You violent child," my dad accused me.

"Where do you think I got that from?" I questioned.

"Your mom?" my dad answered.

"Excuse me," my mom butted in our conversation, hands on her hips and a glare plastered on her face.

"Nothing honey. Absolutely nothing. Our daughter got the violent streak from me and the beauty from you," my dad defended himself. Quite poorly might I add.

As soon as mom looked away, he let out a breath and looked at me with a look that said, "Can you believe her?" and I just raised my eyebrow indicating if he wanted me to tell her that. He quickly shook his head and gave me pleading look. I just smirked and nodded.

I looked at the vintage watch I was wearing and saw that it was five thirty in the evening. There was half an hour left before the mating ceremony would begin. 'Where were they?' I thought. "They" being my friends. As if on cue, my friends entered my house. As soon as they arrived, we were ushered to the joint backyard we shared with Zoran's family. Unfortunate, I know.

"Where's Zoran?" I found myself asking.

"Wanting lover-boy already?" Regi smirked.

"Oh please! If he isn't here, the mating ceremony won't begin," I remarked.

It's true. Because Zoran and I were born on the same say and with only a few seconds apart, the mating ceremony couldn't be held without either of us absent. Both of us had to present for it to take place. Also, because of our few-seconds-apart birthdays, many people in Qrison Vlesa thought that we were gonna end up being mates. I sure hope that was wrong.

"I don't believe that excuse for a second," Vanessa said.

"Well you should because Zoran and I are just frenemies. Nothing more," I repeated each word slowly, trying to get that through to their think skulls and into their brains.

"Not yet," Sanya muttered.

"I'm sorry what was that?" I asked, feigning to be deaf.

Before Sanya had a chance to answer, Zoran burst in, dressed in a back suit. "I'm here. Sorry, I'm late."

Zoran looked amazing! Seriously. His tux and tousled hair looked freakishly good on him. I bet you a thousand vlesas he spent a huge amount of time on his hair. His eyes sparkled and his jaw line looked defined better today. Damn! Nonetheless, I still despised him.

"Oh no! Whatever happened?" I fake gasped. "Surely nothing to do with your hair right?"

"Well.." Zoran rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Actually.."

"Do not continue if you don't want me to murder you. Because of you, I would have to miss the chance of meeting my mate. I'd bloody kill you if you had come in even a second later and let your mate be mateless. I'm sure she'd or he'd rather be mateless than spend the rest of their life with an annoying brat like you," I said, cracking my knuckles and smirking.

"I'm not gay," Zoran protested.

I shrugged, "Could've fooled me."

"I pity the person you're gonna have as a mate," Zoran sympathetically said.

"Are you that cheap? Really?" I put my hands on my hips. "You don't just go and copy someone's dialogues. There is something called a brain inside every living being that is used by them to think. Apparently, you were born without one if you can't think of an original dialogue."

"I didn't copy your dialogue," Zoran scowled.

"Yeah you did. Directly or indirectly, I don't care. But you did," I simply said.

"Okayy," Fayth butted in. "Before you guys start arguing.. again. They're calling you up on the stage."

"What for?" Zoran questioned.

"Dumbo," I shook my head, slapping my palm on my forehead. "The mating ceremony's about to begin."

"Oh," Zoran made an 'o' shape with his lips. "Right."

"Zoran Summers and Icilia Winters, can you come up the stage please," Zoran's father announced.

Zoran's mother slapped the back of her husband's head. "Ladies' first, darling," she smiled sickly sweet, implying that her husband should re-announce in the right order.

"Of course honey. Icilia Winters and Zoran Summers, come up on stage guys," he waved us over.

I walked ahead of Zoran and reached the stage where my father gave me his hand and Zoran's mother held Zoran's arm. I accepted my father's hand and walked up on the stage, Zoran and his mother following my father and I. They made us stand next to each other.. so very closely next to each other. I shivered - the bad kind of shiver as in I-don't-want-to-stand-next-to-him- because-we-despise-each-other-and-it's-become-very-awkward-ugh kinda one. I noticed he shivered the exact same way.

"Today Icilia Winters and Zoran Summers," Zoran's father started looking pointedly at his wife who nodded in appreciation, "turn eighteen. Today is the day they find their mates. The day they enter adulthood and start taking on responsibilities. They have a long way ahead of them and for that, I wish them all the very best."

We applauded.

Next, my mother went up to speak. "Icilia and Zoran, I know you guys are frenemies but I know you guys are gonna end up being mates. Even if you don't, you guys share a bond that most of us - mated ones, don't. Hence why I believe you two will end up together."

"Mom," I hissed but she paid no heed. My cheeks were turning red with embarrassment. As if I needed another person to add to my friends' teasing.

"Actually, Zoran's mother and I think that both of you will end up being mates but your fathers don't believe that. I even made a bet with my daughter for fifty vlesas on that."

"So did I," Zoran's mother butted in. "Any of you here who think they'll end up being mates?" Please no. Why me?

All of the people Zoran and I knew raised their hand. I glared and my friends. They motioned to look at Zoran and when I did, he was glaring at them too. Shit! Why? This will just prove to them that we do belong together and might end up as soulmates. F**k.

"See sweetie," Zoran's mother looked pointedly at him and my mother looked pointedly as me as if to say, "I told you so."

Zoran and I groaned. "Can we get on with the ceremony please?" I requested.

"Sure, seeing that we've embarrassed both of you enough," my mother winked. "Let's give it up for Icilia and Zoran guys, who in five minutes will realize that all of us who believe that they'll end up as mates, were right all along."

"Mum," I hissed.

"Calm down darling. In five minutes, you'll find your mate and single life will end soon," my mother said.

"Pfft, whatever!"

"Now, now. Show some excitement, will you?" my mother said. "After all, I'm gonna be a grandmother soon."

"Excuse me," I shouted. "You're not gonna be a grandmother for at least another ten years. And how can I be excited when my single life's about to end? I mean, what if I get stuck with a possessive mate? Or a brainless one like Zoran? Oh, the horrors!"

"Quit being so dramatic, Icilia. You'll be fine. Now, let's get started with the ceremony, shall we?" my mother asked.

"Please."

"Okay then," my mother nodded her head. "Icilia and Zoran, please step forward."

And so we did.

"As you slowly take a sip of this red drink, may you realise everything that lays ahead may or may not be difficult. You will face hardships but you will also face ease. You will have a person by your side who will not only be your strength but also your weakness. They will give you hope and help you up when you're down. They are your equals and your other half. Everything will be shared between the two of you. You will balance each other out. You will protect each other. They are and always will be your soul mates." My mother stepped back now and Zoran's mother stepped forward.

"As we chant these verses, may you know that no longer are you alone. You will always be supported by someone who loves you unconditionally. Someone who will sacrifice themselves for you. Your soul mates await you, my darlings," Zoran's mother stopped and my mother stepped forward to be in line with Zoran's mother.

Then, they both began chanting these verses :

"Alone so far, not anymore. May the Gods and Goddesses look upon you. May they send you your soul mates and tie the both of you together. May the both of you be blesses with prosperity. Your souls are now separated. One half of your soul is yours and the other half is your mate's. You two are bound together - now and forever. Souls have been tied and blessed. Let the moonlight fall upon you and your mates. Let everyone know your mates and you are one. Let the world know! For now, you are one!"

They were done and the moonlight began to fall. The moonlight fell on the mates with a colour that matched the both of them. I was hoping to see two moonlights - one for my mate and the other for Zoran. I waited and waited. I looked around and waited again. It had already been two minutes and I couldn't see the moonlight anywhere in front of me or behind me. 

Had Zoran faced the same problem? Or did he see the moonlight already?

I took a chance and turned to look at him. 

And goddammit! Why Lord, why? The f**k. Shit, shit, shit. Why the hell was Regi right? Why? Why did I have to end up with Zoran as my mate. Wait. Icilia, keep calm. You don't want him to know, do you? Act normal. How could I? I could see a beautiful reddish-silver moonlight around him and me. I couldn't just ignore that. But I had to. I don't want to tell him I'm his mate in front of all these people.. or give him any sign that I know. 

Wait till Regi hears about this! I won't hear the end of it! Dammit! Ugh!

I tried to keep calm and not start hyperventilating. I smiled a small smile and walked towards my mother. "Can we go inside now?"

"Have you found your mate, hon?" my mother asked.

I nodded. She squealed.

"Please keep it down mom," I said, looking around to see if anyone saw or heard, especially Zoran. But thank God, lick seemed to be on my side for it looked like he didn't hear it.

"Who's it?" my mother asked.

"Can't tell you yet, mum. Lemme tell him first," I said.

"Okay. Let's go in then. I'm sure you're starving."

"Zoran, have you found your mate?" I heard Zoran's mother asked him as I walked with my mother towards the backdoor. And I didn't turn around to see his answer.