He slid a hand down my back and murmured, “Yes…but it’s not related to the ceremony per se.”

Confusion painted on my face. And then it clicked. I breathed, “Oh…you mean the pain…because it’s my first time.”

He nodded and gathered me tight against his chest again, burrowing into my hair. “I promise I’ll be gentle.”

A shiver of excitement and pleasure ran down my spine at his tone and words, but I pulled back again. His eyes tightened.

“You said it was your essence. What did you mean by that?” I asked.

Surprisingly, he flushed and ran a hand through his hair, looking away for a moment as he...