Beltane
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"We do the same thing," the king remarked.
Daine looked at him, startled. "You never jumped over no embers," she accused before she knew what she was saying.
The others laughed. She ducked her head to hide her blush.
"The ruler takes part in all great feasts, to show respect for the gods," Jonathan told her gravely. "Thayet and I do it every year."
- Wild Magic
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"A form of worship to the gods," Jon explained, even though they both knew that Thayet had heard of, if not seen, Beltane celebrations before.
A giggling lady leapt over the dying fire before disappearing into the woods, her hand intertwined with a knight Thayet couldn't distinguish – their forms were black against the orange glow of the embers and virtually unrecognizable.
"It's easy to offend the Gods, if they aren't being worshipped properly," Jon added softly, a hint of suggestion in his voice as his hand sought out hers in the darkness.
Thayet flushed, unable to contribute the heat to the bonfire as the flames had all but died out, and she was much too aware of Jon's breath as he whispered near her ear, of his thumb rubbing over her knuckles. Paying tribute to the gods suddenly seemed a lot more appealing.
She leaned against his shoulder, the night breeze pulling her hair free from its pins and the ends tickling her skin. "Certainly, we don't want to offend the Gods during the first year of our reign…"
Jon nodded gravely, though his blue eyes danced. "Of course. It's for the safety of Tortall."
"For the Kingdom's sake," she agreed seriously, the corners of her lips tweaking up in a smile.
He tugged at her hand, leading her towards the remains of the bonfires. "Such selfless rulers we are."
She giggled and he trailed quick kisses up her jaw line. "My Queen?"
"My King." She tightened her grip on his hand as they broke into a run, kicking their heels and clothes catching in the air.
They grinned when they jumped over the embers, not a king and a queen, but just a man and a woman in love.
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A/N: Oh, so much love for this pairing. Every review will be adored.