Preparation
© 2022 by Walter Reimer

Thumbnail art by  baroncoon, color by  marmelmm


Unlike Gwath ka-shlal, the largely tropical world of Jurkor wasn’t the sole property of the Imperial Family. The Family only owned one small continent, with private holdings and resorts taking up the rest of the planet.

A pair of ears slowly emerged from the surface of the pool, trailed by a long tail that described sinuous S-curves in the water as the vir made her way to the far end of the pool. Another shlan, a kam, trailed her by less than half a body length.

The vir, her fur a dark brown with lighter patches on her chest and abdomen, swam a final set of strokes and broke surface, panting from her exertions as her hands brushed water from her eyes. She shook her head and turned to see her prospective mate break the surface. “Good race. That was fun,” Varit said when she’d caught her breath.

“Apart from you winning, yes,” Dorvan replied, the Imperial Heir digging a finger into one ear to clear water from it. He gave a sudden yelp as her tail snaked around his genitals and squeezed. “’Ik!”

Varit laughed. “Have to be careful there, Admiral. You almost let me attack something vital.” Her tailspur stroked him, the bony hook teasing, before she released him.

“Aka, it’s not like I can defend it against you,” the kam laughed. He closed the distance between them, his tail gently twining around hers and offering her his left hand. As she took it in hers, he said, “Having second thoughts, Beloved?”

She gripped his hand and drew him closer until they were muzzle-to-muzzle. “I love you, Dorvan. As I told the counselor yesterday, I want to wed you, and live beside you for – aka, for the rest of my life.” It was not an idle statement; leaving a marital relationship or committing adultery without spousal approval was, in ancient times, punishable by death or divorce, with the choice left to the offended party. Mindful of this, shlani who wanted to marry would live together for a time as well as undergo counseling to determine compatibility.

“Lir demef.” He nuzzled her. “If you’re sure, then, because I am, we should let our families know so we arrange the date.”

“I am sure.” They started to get out of the pool, and Varit asked, “Have you ever seen a religious marriage before?”

“I saw a recording of my parents’ wedding.” Dorvan chuckled. “It was interesting.”

“’Interesting?’” Varit’s tail gestured.

“Aka, not like that.” He thought for a moment. “But close,” and he chuckled.

The counselor chosen for them by the Religious Affairs Ministry was a vir, and she smiled as they entered the suite’s living area. “Zogat, both of you,” she said cheerfully.

Varit said, “Zogat.” She looked down at Dorvan, who gestured. “We feel that we’re ready.”

“It is a blessed moment,” the priestess said with a broad smile. “Have you decided upon a date?”

Dorvan replied, “Government Day is only ten days away. Aka, any time after that. And it will take time to get everything ready.”

“Twenty days from now?” Varit asked. The kam thought a moment before gesturing affirmatively, and she grinned at him. “Twenty days, then.”

“Excellent,” the priestess said. “I will notify the High Priest and the Sovereign.”