Chapter Seventy-Four

Marni led them to the small shrine dedicated to the goddess Sera which was located on the palace grounds. Upon entering the shrine, Aalea and Obi-Wan were greeted by a squeal of delight.

Nadira, who had been standing near the altar, ran towards them, her arms outspread.

She threw them tightly around Aalea.

"Jedi Aalea," Nadiar cried. "You have come finally."

She then pulled back and looked at the gown Aalea was wearing.

"Oh, I am so very glad you are not wearing those ugly Jedi clothes," Nadira said. "You look so very, very beautiful."

She then looked over at Obi-Wan and dimpled.

"Jedi Obi-Wan is also looking very nice, I am seeing."

He smiled back at her.


She grabbed them both by the hands and pulled them towards the front of the shrine. King Tahal and Queen Samar stood at the altar, along with Ishan and his parents. Aalea and Obi-Wan bowed.

"Welcome," King Tahal greeted them. His dark brown eyes swept appreciatively over Aalea and she colored fiercely as his gaze lingered on her bodice.

Ishan then rushed over and grabbed Obi-Wan's arms and clasped them warmly.

"I'm so very glad you were able to come, Master Kenobi," he said.

"Thank you for inviting us, your highness."

After everyone had exchanged greetings, the naming ceremony began. Aalea turned as Badalah and one of Nadira's handmaidens entered the shrine. Each was carrying one of the twins who were wrapped in golden blankets.

"Bring them over here, Badalah," Nadira said, "so that they may meet their goddess-parents."

When Badalah reached them, she looked over at Obi-Wan and Aalea.

"I'm so very happy to see you again, my lovely-eyed one," she said to Aalea. She then shifted her gaze over to Obi-Wan, frowned for just a moment, then smiled widely.

"And I'm also glad to see you too, pup," she said with a mock gruffness.

Obi-Wan smiled at her and inclined his head slightly.

Badalah then gently pulled the blanket from the face of the twin she was carrying. Aalea's heart softened. A tiny face gazed back at her. The baby's eyes were a light green with tiny wisps of black hair on its head.

"Oh, how beautiful he, she...?" Aalea looked over at Nadira.

"That is the girl. Her name is going to be Princess Aalea."

Aalea looked up in surprise, but Nadira only beamed at her.

The handmaiden then moved up and showed the other baby to Aalea and Obi-Wan.

"That is the boy," Nadira said, "and his name is Prince Obi-Wan."

Aalea glanced over at Obi-Wan. He smiled broadly as he looked down at the dark-eyed baby.

Aalea turned back to Nadira.

"Really, your highness, I'm honored that you would name your baby after me, but you shouldn't have."

Nadira pouted. "Why not? I am thinking it is a beautiful name for a beautiful baby." She looked over at Obi-Wan. "Are you having trouble with the naming of my son after you, Jedi Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan shook his head.

"None whatsoever, your highness," he said grinning.

Nadira turned back to Aalea.

"Jedi Obi-Wan is not having a problem with it."

Aalea was tempted to poke Obi-Wan in the ribs. He was so full of himself. He then looked over at her and winked as he heard her thoughts. She shook her head, then smiled warmly back.

The naming ceremony then proceeded and Aalea was struck by the solemnity and beauty of it. The babies were consecrated to the goddess Sera. Their names were then inscribed into the archives and Aalea and Obi-Wan were designated their goddess-parents. Afterwards, the whole company returned to the palace for the banquet.

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The banquet had been going on for some time. Ishan's brother, Prince Markus, who had been unable to make the naming ceremony, was there, along with his Sylvonnan wife, a lush-figured blonde-haired woman named Kirissa who, Aalea and Obi-Wan later learned, was the woman who had participated with Markus in the nuptial night orgy with Nadira's parents.

Markus had greeted Obi-Wan and Aalea with his customary exuberance, proudly introducing his wife to them. He had then looked over at Aalea and complimented her effusively on her gown; so much so that his wife finally grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

As the dinner went on Aalea, much as she tried not to, found her eyes returning to Obi-Wan, who was seated next to her. Every time she met his gaze, her heart turned over and a vaguely sensuous light passed between them. Her body ached for his touch and her heart danced with excitement for she couldn't get the image of that huge soft bed that awaited them in their suite out of her thoughts. Then she felt Obi-Wan in her mind.

***I want you too, love***

Would the dinner ever end?

Just then Nadira, who had been covertly watching the heated glances passing between Obi-Wan and Aalea, abruptly stood.

"I am thinking it is time for us to end the banquet," she announced in a high clear voice.

Everyone stopped. Markus' fork was halfway to his mouth as he stared at his sister-in-law.

King Tahal and Queen Samar also stared at their daughter. Then Nadira, as she looked back at them, quickly shifted her gaze between Obi-Wan and Aalea, lifted her brows, tilted her head and rolled her eyes.

Tahal grinned when he caught Nadira's meaning and leaned over and whispered to Samar. Her blue-green eyes widened. She glanced between Obi-Wan and Aalea, then smiled. She stood gracefully up.

"Yes, my daughter is right. The dinner is now over. I would suggest that all our guests retire to their chambers for the night."

As everyone rose from the table, Nadira walked over to Aalea. She took her hands and, reaching up, kissed her on the cheek.

Then she sniffed delicately at Aalea's neck.

"You are wearing the Attar of Love, are you not?"

Aalea nodded. Nadira's green eyes sparkled.

"Then I am thinking it will be a very magical night for you, Jedi Aalea," she whispered. "See the look in Jedi Obi-Wan's eyes."

Aalea looked over and was struck by the tenderness of his gaze. Her heart raced.

Nadira squeezed her hands. "Do not be afraid, Jedi Aalea. He loves you very much. I can see it."

She then walked over to Ishan, took his arm and left the dining hall.

Aalea walked slowly over to Obi-Wan. Most of the guests had gone and only a few servants remained who began clearing away the dishes. Without a word, Obi-Wan took her hand and they left the banquet hall.

To be continued...