Chapter 2
Author's Note: Warning. This chapter contains the wedding night. There's some plot mixed in there but there be lemons dead ahead. Consider this your final warning.
It didn't take her long to come back with a wreath made of branches with leaves and a few flowers tucked into it. Riddick couldn't help grinning when he realized that she'd deliberately made it as masculine and crown like as possible and scaled to the size of his skull. It had more leaves than flowers and the branches were twisted upwards and around so he wouldn't look like an idiot wearing it.
He set his hands on those slim hips as she leaned forward and carefully placed it on his head. Suddenly the convict was feeling grateful that he'd shaved that morning. Her fingertips caressed his scalp, face and neck before she was satisfied with the placement of the wreath. He watched from behind his goggles as she knelt between his spread thighs and offered him the bowl of wine. Her pretty face was fixed on his as he drank of the wine and made sure he'd had enough that the bowl looked mostly empty. It wouldn't do to say that he hadn't had the wine. The marriage wasn't legal without it.
She was graceful as a willow branch when she rose to her feet. Even in the oversized combat boots. He lifted his hands from his knees and extended them to her. River...and she could move like one, twisting and flowing around the fire, caught his hands in hers and she tugged his knuckles to her lips. Every time her mouth touched his skin he could feel the flames burning higher.
But they were dancing together, around the fire, joining hands, once, twice, three times circling it before he tugged her into his arms and back towards the log with his rifle. "All right woman," He could easily hold her in one arm as he grabbed the rifle with the other. "I think it's time for the next part of this wedding."
"More kissing," Her voice sounded dreamy and he grinned at her. Yeah he was feeling pretty good about the kissing himself.
"Yeah," The big man slung the rifle over his shoulder and scooped his bride up into his arms so he could carry her as tradition dictated. Once they were turned away from the fire he pushed his goggles up to his forehead and was rewarded with a pleased murmur as his bride saw his eyes again.
Unfortunately, once he was within view of her Captain and crewmate, the fella with the goatee and rain stick spoke up. "Hey, Cap'n, what's he doin' with our Moonbrain?"
The Captain in question squinted in a way that suggested he was just as, if not more, inebriated than his gun hand, "Dunno Jayne. Looks like a kidnapping." He looked up at Riddick and stood in an unsteady fashion, bracing himself on the other man's shoulder, "Is this a kidnapping?"
Riddick looked at the taller but ultimately less dangerous man and nearly laughed in his face. "No," He shook his head looking down at his pretty little bride. "Nope, this is my wife. River."
"That's the Moonbrain's name Mal," The gun hand was either less drunk or smarter than his Captain. "Ain't fair that he's takin' her off ta sell. We put up with her crazy for months. Know ya don't hold with slavin'. But iffen anyone gets ta sell her should be us."
Riddick growled furiously and ground the words out from between his teeth. River's arms were wrapped around his neck and she was resting her head against his shoulder. One hand was patting him in what was probably meant to be reassuring but only served to remind him that she was his and no one was going to sell her. Ever. "I hear you talk about selling her again I'll rip out your spine and beat you to death with it. You got me? She's fuckin' mine; no one takes her from me."
"Huh," The Captain was looking at him quizzically. "Can't just take her away. I dunno if the ship could stand the fuss the doc would kick up over her. An' Kaylee'll pout somethin' awful. Guess you're gonna hafta unwed or somethin'."
"Guess you're gonna make room for me," Riddick snarled. "Where she goes I go." He began to push past the two men but then there was Elder Gommen coming up from behind the Captain.
"Ah, Richard, am I to understand you have finally been given a bride?" The Elder was beaming with pleasure. He'd been hoping Riddick would make his base in the village permanent and a wife was a fine way to entice him to stay.
"Just now," Riddick nodded. He looked down at his pretty bride and almost smiled. He was a little anxious to get to 'more kissing' himself. The Elder seemed to have the idea that a wife would automatically make him settle down in one place. The last thing the Furyan wanted to have was a long drawn out conversation, in front of River's people, about whether or not he'd be staying on Triumph. There was no way to miss that the woman in his arms wasn't of the village but hopefully Gommen wouldn't take this moment as the time to comment on River's origins.
River's voice was soft but it still carried to the three men in front of them, "Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried." She leaned up in his arms and pressed a kiss to his cheek before whispering to him, "Please take me to your bed husband. Must consummate the marriage before they think to separate us. By the laws of Osiris no one may part us then."
Riddick looked down at his slender little wife and wondered again why he was doing this. Why was he getting married? Why this woman? But he had and she was his now and damned if he cared why anymore. The Animal had been interested in her from the moment he'd set eyes on her and when they'd kissed it had nearly take the top of his skull off. He wasn't giving her up. She wanted him. All of him. No one ever had. No one had ever touched him like she did. She made life interesting. Her scent tugged at him like hooks in his skin. She smelt like Home.
She was the what and who Shirah had been murmuring about for weeks. And that settled that question. As if it had ever really been a question at all. Remnants of his worries and doubts weren't going to get in his way. Not in hers either from the looks of it. He grinned down at her and her blood heated sending a blush to her cheeks again. "No argument here. Elder Gommen, we'll see you in the morning."
The old man nodded and from what Riddick could hear was spoke to Mal for a bit while he strode away as fast as he could without running. Gommen was pretty good at smoothing over little issues. And as drunk as the two men were it was likely that they'd forget all about Riddick and his bride, at least until tomorrow.
The small cabin on the edge of the village wasn't much. It had been abandoned for a larger place and offered to him when he'd arrived. It was one room with a combination toilet and sink in a corner, a stove, a chair and a bed. He didn't need much and hadn't cared to accumulate a lot of possessions.
River was giggling as he carried her over the threshold though and proclaimed that step one of the marriage process was begun. When he'd started to ask what she meant her fingers hand stroked over his neck and scalp teasingly. "Does he really wish to hear an accounting of her native marriage customs?"
"Fuck no," He tore off his goggles and tossed them on top of his one chair. She was still giggling as he dropped her onto the bed. The rope supports to the mattress creaked and she tilted her head at the sound. Riddick watched as she leaned over the edge of the bed until her head was inverted and she was peering beneath it. "'S a rope net beneath the mattress." He began to strip off his boots and clothing until he was nude.
"It is structurally sound but it will echo any movement," She announced after a moment. He heard the creaking again as she righted herself and knew the minute she saw him at the sink. He'd been out hunting, sweat and dust was not what he wanted his new wife to smell on him. He'd figured a new bride at least deserved a clean husband so he was washing off the grime of the day. "Oh my..." Her tone was more than slightly impressed, and she smelled like desire. The escaped convict turned to look at her.
"That approval?" He wondered as she stared at him. He guessed it'd been a while since she'd seen a naked man. Hopefully she wouldn't be too put off by all his scars and the handprint on his chest. That had been described more than once as 'weird ass' by women he'd taken to bed in the past.
She nodded; her eyes were adjusting to the dark room, glued to his body as he moved towards her on the bed. Those dark eyes of hers were roving over his body as if she couldn't get enough of watching him. Like she was convinced he'd disappear if she looked away. As he watched, her fingers reached for her boots and she began to unlace them but she wasn't quite up to the task without pulling her eyes off him. Riddick couldn't help the wicked chuckle that spilled from his lips. "Guess I should be a good husband; help my little wife get undressed?"
"Please," She nodded. "My appendages are uncooperative. Not reluctant...merely... awed." He could see that her hands were trembling. Her tongue kept sliding over her lips and her eyes seemed glued to his body. He guessed she didn't mind how he looked. In the next moment her words confirmed his supposition, "He is magnificent." She murmured in appreciation. "What a piece of work is a man? how Noble in Reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a God."
He grinned and tugged the boots off her feet and set them on the floor near the foot of the bed. The skirt and sweater were next and he groaned as she shimmied out of her panties and unhooked her bra. Once her clothing was off it was obvious that she was a full-grown woman with beautiful slender curves. "Swear I'm gonna be fightin' the men offa you," He muttered. "Fuckin' gorgeous. Look at you." His dark hand cupped her shoulder and slid to her neck a stark contrast to her pale skin.
"She is whiter than a fish belly," River's soft voice was trembling as he knelt next to the bed and set her clothing near his. "And she is skinny. A dancer, not build for physical affection." It was obvious in her scent that she believed what she was saying. She didn't think she was pretty, not really. But to him… so slender, a woman made for him with spirit and truth in her eyes. True her curves weren't huge, overblown but she had strength in her. Despite how much smaller she was than him, which he liked no matter what she thought, she had the look of a warrior about her.
"Bullshit," Riddick climbed onto the bed and covered her body with his. He wasn't a poet but he'd prove to her how gorgeous she was to him. Length to length they pressed together perfectly. He braced himself up on his elbows so he wouldn't smother her with his weight before he kissed her again. So gorram hot under him, her mouth open to his and devouring him right back.
He groaned as she squirmed under him and panted with desire as their lips fought a war for control. It didn't matter who won. The murder felt her body shivering, smelt her desire, warm flesh, slick juices coating her thighs and the tension singing through her muscles. She smelled so good, sweet, hot, like lust and affection. Her hands were tentative, as if she wasn't certain what action was allowed her. "May she touch him," Her voice was a moan threaded plea.
"Fuck yes," He groaned into her mouth. "Wanna feel your hands." Riddick shuddered and looked down at her a moment, staring into those wide dark eyes. She would change everything. Change him. Even now he craved her touch like he had no other. His wife. His. And it was time for him to give in to what the Furyan needed. No more arguing with himself. No more wondering if he was doing the right thing. Time for him to be hers. He took her mouth again and poured everything he was feeling into that kiss.
She could count on him. Trust him. He'd never betray her or harm her. He'd give her everything that was inside him. It was time. Time for him to come home. Home to her. He groaned into her mouth wishing for the first time in his life that he knew how to say all the things that he wanted. He'd never felt like this. Never found home in another person before. Never trusted immediately like he did with her. Shirah had been right. She was his home, his little wife. He'd never be alone again. Never wonder if there was any understanding to be had while he wandered through his solitary life.
"Yes," She whispered against his mouth. "Please yes. My Riddick. Husband. Neither of us, ever, neither of us alone again." Her hand touched his cheek, her eyes staring up into his and he realized that words weren't necessary for her. She would always tell him her thoughts. And she would always hear what he didn't know how to say. It was like a gift.
He had nothing to give her but himself. No traditional bride gift of a wedding shawl or a ring. When he opened his mouth, with no idea of what he'd say, her fingers on his lips stopped his words. "He is her gift. She needs nothing but him," She whispered. "Richard Bledig Riddick is everything she could ever wish. She is blessed that he sees her with true eyes." Her lips curved in a wicked smile, "And she is impatient for her husband's body. If kisses are so pleasurable…" A shiver chased over her skin and her scent grew hot and spicy with increased need. "Please…no more worries. No more thoughts. Only the two of us. Husband and Wife."
Riddick nodded. His body was near rioting to be inside her. He couldn't quite believe his thoughts had led to conversation in the middle of sex. That was not his usual way of things. But at the same time, he was glad. He wouldn't have thought he'd ever need reassurance of that sort, but she'd known. Known and been glad to provide it. But she was right. It was time he claimed his wife completely. The blood pounding through his body and away from his brain made it easy to succumb to that need. He dipped his head back down and let his lips caress hers, deepening the kiss until she was moaning into his mouth again.
Her hands were stroking his back and shoulders, more confidently now, cupping his skull and holding his mouth to hers desperately. When she was trembling with need, he pulled back and began to kiss his way down her body until her breasts were hot and full under his mouth. With leisurely thoroughness, he covered the soft swell with kisses until he reached her nipple. It was curled tight, sweet and firm against his lips and he laved it with his tongue drawing a low moan from her throat. Finally he surrounded the sensitive flesh with his mouth and carefully started to suckle. Her cry of need was one of the most satisfying sounds he'd ever heard.
When he'd spent all the time he could on her breasts River was moaning and trying to force his body to move up on hers. Her ankles had locked around his thighs and she was rubbing her slick wet mound against his cock. She felt too good, impossibly so, like sin on a Sunday.
Riddick took his cock in his hand and wondered when he'd last felt so ready. It didn't matter. He nudged her slit with the head of his cock and felt her body give a little around it. Slick, wet heat was all he felt on his skin. Best to do it all at once rather than draw it out, make any pain she'd have quick.
He drew back and pushed home, careful so that he wasn't rushing her but he couldn't stop at this point either. So fucking tight and slick with need. It was insane, but fuck she was tight. Riddick buried his face in her hair, breathing deeply. He didn't dare look at that expressive face. He'd lose control completely. He groaned and River shivered under him, her breath caught sharply as he seated himself fully inside her. Convicts, murderers, like him weren't supposed to care about their women. But this woman…his woman… She shuddered and shifted and he slid deeper until she cried out. He stilled and thought he needed to give her a moment to get used to him but she bucked against him and wrapped her legs around his waist.
Fuckin' hell she felt so good under him. He shifted slightly over her and felt her open further for him, her thighs spread wide around his hips. She'd crossed her ankles so her heels rested on his ass and with a tightening of her thighs pulled him closer to her body. Her low moan was one of pure pleasure as her body began to adjust to his and Riddick lifted his head to look down at her.
Her skin was hot and her eyes had fluttered shut, lips parted in a silent cry of pleasure as his cock pressed completely home. She was the most erotic, beautiful sight he'd ever seen, painted in deep purple, black and white and writhing under his body, arching up to him. He wanted to see her eyes, see her know that it was him, her new husband. As if she'd heard his thoughts her dark eyes flew open and she stared up at him.
Riddick rotated his hips and watched the pleasure chase across her face. She knew, he could smell it on her, she knew it was him. She wasn't seeing another man in her thoughts, wasn't thinking about some core boy she'd met or the gun hand or Captain. She was only seeing his face, feeling his body as he took her and made her his. A slow withdrawal and an equally slow surge forward and she moaned, a near cry of frustration. Her heels pressed down and her hips tried to push up to him. Riddick groaned and brought his mouth down on hers. He knew. Knew what she wanted, it was what he needed.
He found her hand around his neck and slid her fingers into his mouth, sucking on her slender flesh before tucking it between their bodies. When he pushed her own fingers against her clit, she moaned into his mouth. After a few hesitant tries, she managed to stroke the hot needy bud between her thighs, in rhythm with his thrusts. Riddick let go of her hand and slid his own beneath her body. His palm cupped her ass to help her body move in tandem with his.
The murderer had a half second's thought that if anyone interrupted him he'd give new meaning to the term justifiable homicide. River's slick flesh was flexing and growing hotter and tighter around him as he began to fuck her in earnest. She was moaning and gasping for breath as their bodies moved faster. Riddick shuddered and groaned into her mouth before he tore his lips from hers and found the soft skin of her neck. Her pulse was right under his teeth, fluttering frantically beneath his lips as she stiffened in erotic rigor and screamed when her orgasm crashed over her as every muscle spasmed.
It was like being born, her body seemed to trigger his, jerked his seed out of his cock and he slammed home, as deep inside her as possible. He felt her body part slightly around the head of his cock and she screamed again, a cry of his name as another round of explosions rocked her body. And it was like blood and death and light and perfection as he emptied his balls into her tight sweet body.
Her hands were stroking over his shoulders and skull when he took a breath and pushed himself up so she could breathe. He could smell his own blood, felt the marks of her nails down his back where she'd clawed him in desperate pleasure. He stretched and felt the scrapes twinge pleasurably, a perfect reminder of his new bride's passion and need for him. Riddick licked his lips and tasted blood before he looked down at her neck. He'd bitten her, hard where her shoulder met her neck, that slender curve bore the marks of his teeth. He couldn't be sorry even as he hoped it didn't hurt her much.
"He did not hurt his wife," Her voice was smug with pleasure and he grinned against her neck. "She finds his actions very pleasing." Her lips pressed against his scalp and she flexed her body under his, reminding him that he was still deep inside her and he could easily go all night. "Can he?" She wondered. "Statistically males believe they have a higher recovery period than they actually possess."
Riddick growled and rolled off her before he grabbed his new wife by the hips and made her straddle his very ready body. "I break statistics wife," He sat up and shoved a pillow behind his back so he could look at her gorgeous body clearly. "If I can't do something I say so. But there hasn't ever been anything I can't do."
She was looking at him again, her hands fluttering indecisively and he took one in his and laid it flat on his chest over the palm print Shirah had left on his body. "He is the last of his kind?" Reading him again, he guessed. With a mental shrug he guessed that was for the best. He wasn't exactly talkative, though if it turned out she liked to chatter he could listen real good. And he'd make an effort to talk more if she wanted conversation. It wasn't like she hadn't warned him that he was marrying a Reader.
"Yeah," He pulled her closer and let his hands wander over that white body. "So how're you feeling? Hurtin' any?" Riddick slid his fingers between her thighs. He knew the minute he touched her hot little clit from the way she shuddered over his hand.
"She feels delicious," River shivered happily and he grinned up at her.
"Delicious huh?" He pulled her closer, his hands grasping her hips until she was straddling his shoulders and his mouth was pressed to her belly. "Why don't I see that for myself little wife of mine?" Riddick eased her down until she was laying on his body, his cock rubbing against the back of her head and long hair. "Now you just use the muscles I can feel in these pretty thighs to keep your little clit right where I want it," He instructed her. When her legs tightened over his shoulders obediently, the man glided his huge hands down to the perfect half globes of her breasts and palmed them.
"Oh..." Her gasp of surprise at the sensation of his palms on her breasts was a gorgeous little symphony in itself. And then he grinned and lowered his mouth to her clit. Long, gentle, careful licks of that sensitive flesh with the flat of his tongue had her shivering. He wanted a slow burning fire to consume her body until she was writhing and near begging for him to fuck her again. "She will beg now if it will give her his body inside again," River's voice was strangled with bliss and Riddick chuckled evilly against her clit.
It was a helluva lot more fun his way, he thought a while later as she shuddered and moaned, her hips bucking up to his mouth as another orgasm flooded her body. If he'd had half a brain he'd have done this before he fucked her. But he'd been consumed with the thought of getting inside her body, of making her his. Now he was gonna prove that he could be a decent husband in more ways than bein' her stabilizing element. She was limp with ecstasy and Riddick grinned before he surrounded her clit with his mouth and began to suck on it like he had her nipples and tongue.
When she was moaning and crying out with need and he was ready to explode, the Furyan pulled her body off his and rolled her under him again. Another time he'd show her how to ride him. He'd take her every way he'd heard of and a few that he'd thought up on his own but right now... He slammed home, her body perfect and hot and so goddamn tight around his cock he nearly came right away. And his wife screamed his name, bucked up for more and came around his madly thrusting cock until he roared his own satisfaction and emptied himself inside her again.
Her voice was sweet and low as she murmured his name, "Richard Bledig Riddick."
"River Boadicea Tam," He grinned against her skin, her shoulder under his mouth.
"She must say the words please. He must repeat them in turn," His new bride told him softly. "Osiris rites. Needed."
"'S'all right," Riddick lifted her so she was sitting on top of him. His ready body rubbed against hers. "You go ahead." She looked beautiful, straddling his body, her curves gleaming to his eyes, her hair and eyes like shadows. Words were easy; controlling his need for her was the problem.
"I, Woman of Osiris, Daughter of my House, choose this Man. I shall be his luán. This Man is my fèng huáng. We are joined and bound. We are luán fèng." River's scent was changing as she spoke, uncertainty fading into strength as she stared down at him. "His body in mine binds me to him. Soul and Heart and Mind. One with each other." Her dark eyes were luminous as she gazed into his and Riddick smiled when she nodded.
Repeating the words back to her wasn't too hard, a mental adjustment of genders and he was ready, "I, Man of Furya, Head of my House, choose this Woman." He began and trailed his hand up to rest on her belly. Light began to pulse faintly from his mark and bathed her in the glow of the Wrath, transforming them both. "I shall be her fèng huáng. This Woman is my luán. We are luán fèng." Riddick stared up at her and watched as her skin began to glow under his fingers. Her moan was hot with need as her skin warmed. "My body in hers binds me to her. Soul and Heart and Mind. One with the other."
His wife moaned with pleasure and her hand pressed his to her belly, "Solitude is no more. For He will be with me for Eternity. I am His and He is Mine."
Riddick groaned as River undulated against him in need, "Solitude is no more." He echoed her words. "For She will be with me for Eternity. I am Hers and She is Mine."
As he spoke the words, her slender body rose and began to slide down his cock. He ached with need as she slowly and deliberately took him inside her and spoke again as their bodies joined completely. "His jīng will bring life to my Womb. My Body quicken with His Child. We are One. We are Bound. As it was in Ancient days so shall it Always Be."
His voice was a growl of need as he repeated the words, his cock throbbing desperately inside her. "My jīng will bring life to her Womb. Her Body quicken with Our Child. We are One." He ground up into her and groaned. "We are Bound." Her moan echoed around him and Riddick thrust up into her again. "As it was in Ancient days so shall it Always Be."
Suddenly he wanted nothing more than for River to carry his mark. The spirit of Furya inside him was demanding it. But she was so young, and his mark had hurt like hell when he'd gotten it. He couldn't do that to her. But he needed…needed her to be his…bound by Furyan traditions. His wife moaned as his hand pressed harder to her belly and she nodded frantically, "Yes. She will be his in all ways. Give it to her. Please." River's fingers spread over the back of his hand and pressed it harder to her belly. He could feel his cock moving inside her. She was trembling inside and out.
"I carry the Wrath of an entire Race," Riddick ground the words out. The words and knowledge Shirah had given him. The hope and pain that always haunted his dreams. Endless dreams of vengeance and desperate searching for home. He might never find it but he had found his Mate. She would be his Home. His Wife. "I am Richard Bledig Riddick and I take this Woman as my Mate. I will spill blood for her. I will die to protect our children. She will be Furyan and Mother and Wife. Lover and Friend. My Equal in all things. I will teach and protect her. She will fight at my side. She will be the Truth and Hope of my Race. I will destroy the 'Verse if I fail in this vow."
His palm, his entire hand began to glow a hot blue purple to his eyes until it was almost blinding white against her skin. She was crying out, pleasure filling her scent and moaned his name. "I am River Boadicea Tam," The writhing woman gasped. "And I take this Man as my Mate. I will spill blood for him. I will die to protect our children. I will be Furyan and Mother and Wife. Lover and Friend. His Equal in all things. I will teach and protect him. He will fight at my side. He will be the Wrath and Honor of our Race. I will unmake the 'Verse if I fail in this vow."
Riddick dragged her body down to his, his mouth devouring hers before they both lost control. It felt like the light was consuming them, filling them. "I am Hers," He gasped the words into her mouth. "And she is Mine."
"I am His," River was struggling to speak through the pleasure. "And he is Mine." Her scream echoed around the cabin as ecstasy overwhelmed them both and his animal shout followed her cries not seconds later.
They dozed for a little bit. Riddick woke up to smelling worry and uncertainty from the woman he was still half lying on top of. "Wha's wrong," He muttered into her hair. "Smell upset." He'd shifted so he wasn't worried about smothering her and tucked her slender body against his. Silky skin and soft hair...his hand crept down between her thighs and stroked the curls there as he waited for her answer.
"Should she go?" Her worried little voice was a bit startling. Not the voice but the question. Why in the fuck would he want her to leave?
"Could tie you to the bed," The convict offered half seriously. "Give you another tongue lashing if you think you're going anywhere." Amusement in her scent now but still some worry.
"Wasn't sure if you wanted to keep me in your bed the whole night," She whispered. "Parents shared a bed only on certain occasions. Separate bedrooms for the whole of her life. Never knew why. Not sure what his traditions are."
Riddick sat up and rolled off the bed before he began to drag the quilts back, pulling them out from underneath her slender curves. When he climbed back in, he dragged her close to his body again and pulled the patchwork cover over them. "That answer your question?" He settled her on top of his body and began to run his hands up her thighs.
"Very satisfactorily," She bent down to kiss him and he got to enjoy his wife playing the aggressor under the warmth of the blankets and quilts.
Author's Note: So Wedding Night! Hope you all liked. I'm aiming for a society that is a bit more mystical in some ways. Traditions that aren't entirely understood if you weren't raised with them. I figured if you were raised on Osiris you'd have your own version of marriage vows. Riddick's the last Furyan so he's got his binding ceremony. Now that Zhylaw is dead Shirah is feeding him rituals and culture so Riddick has a lot of stuff stuck in his head that comes up when he needs it. Traditions for things like hunting, marriage, childbirth and suchlike. So we'll be seeing bits and pieces as they are appropriate to the story.
I didn't write this with chapters in mind so I'm dividing the whole thing up now that it's mostly finished. So some chapters will be shorter than others as I find good stopping points.
What do we think?
Chinese Translations:
luán - mythical bird related to phoenix / fabulous bird
fèng huáng - phoenix/firebird
luán fèng - luan and phoenix / husband and wife
jīng - essence / extract / vitality / energy / semen / sperm
Quote Sources:
Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. – Ruth 1:16-17
What a piece of work is a man? how Noble in Reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a God. – Hamlet – William Shakespeare