� �� After the heated night, Ries woke up the next morning to sounds of Bella pecking at the window. He was grateful for the wards Ava had placed around the room the night before, else it'd be a very awkward morning. Ava was still asleep on his chest, her little snores were adorable. He felt different somehow, more connected to her, more attuned to her and he wondered if it was the same for her. He guessed he'd have to wait for her to wake up to know but in the meantime he was more than happy to watch her sleep. He could hardly believe how heated things had gotten. It was their first time but it was the first time for him too and nervous as he was, it was like he just knew what to do. Ava finally woke up to the sight of Ries watching her sleep with a warm grin on his face. He seemed to be lost in thought until he noticed she was awake. "Ave, amica mea," he greeted her with a warm smile and a soft kiss on her lips. The sound of his voice and the pet name brought back memories from the night before and Ava felt a rush of heat run through her body, pooling at her core. Her face flushed and she averted her gaze, her cheek resting back on his chest. "No need to be shy, deliciae, I was thinking about it too," Ries chuckled, his voice ringing with a familiar huskiness. Just then, he tilted her chin up towards him, kissing her deeper this time as his hands roamed down her body. Goddess, she loved how he felt, she loved him. Before she could get lost in her thoughts his kisses were traveling down her body, his mouth finally settling between her thighs. She was glad she'd put up the wards up around her room, she wouldn't be able to face the others knowing they'd heard the sounds coming from her heated sessions with Ries. Ries and Ava made love a couple more times before finally getting up to get ready for the day. Ava didn't dare bring down the wards until they were cleaned, dressed and ready to go downstairs. It was Dies Reliquum so they didn't really have work to do and given her soreness, she was grateful for it.

� � �� Ava put on her best poker face as she headed downstairs. She and Ries had agreed to go downstairs separately. She wasn't ready to deal with the questions that would bring. When she got to the dining room she found it empty so she went into the kitchen to find her mother cleaning up. "Ave, sweetheart! How was your night?" Eva asked looking back at her from the sink with a sly grin on her face. Suddenly Ava wasn't such a fan of the whole telepathy thing as her face flushed. She kissed her mother's cheek and offered to help with the clean up if only to avoid any awkward questions. Ries joined them in the kitchen just as they finished and Eva greeted him with the same sly grin she gave Ava. "I have to go to the garden before I meet up with your father at the Fanum," Eva started drying her hands with a cloth. "You two should have some breakfast, I'm sure you must be famished," she added with that same sly grim and a wink before she darted out of the kitchen. Ries's face flushed and Ava covered her face in embarrassment. Somehow this was more embarrassing than having the sex talk with her mother.

� � � After breakfast, Ava and Ries took to the tunnels underground and headed to the River Lumen to commune with Lucia and Lucjan and the ancestors. Lucjan showed Ries what was to come, giving him instructions on how to aid and support Ava best in the battle that was to come. Ava sat floating on the river, her ancestors blessing her and increasing her power. When Ava and Ries left the tunnels they headed to the Fanum to meet up with the Lucians and Angelina. Angelina was waiting for them outside the Fanum when they finally approached, a warm smile on her face and a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Finally you two love birds decide to show up," she chuckled, making both Ava and Ries flush. "Come, we must speak," she said leading them to a secret room within the Fanum where the Lucians were waiting. "Our Goddess has spoken, it is time for you, Ava and Ries to soon take your rightful position as the leaders of this community," the high priestess spoke seriously. "We believe it is time for you both to have your Unio ceremony first. Are you two ready to take that step?" Janan asked. "Yes," replied both Ava and Ries in unison, turning to each other and holding hands affectionately. Eva clapped her hands, tears brimming in her eyes. "Wonderful! We must begin the preparations. How about we set the ceremony two moons from now?" She asked cheerfully and they all agreed. "I'm sure you've both felt your connection deepen, your union will increase the connection of your feelings, thoughts and magic even more. It is time you both learn how to hone your connection for what's coming," Angelina said, pulling Ava and Ries aside. "We will meet here at the Fanum everyday for a few hours for your training, we begin tomorrow," she concluded, clasping both their shoulders.

� � � Ava and Ries were just headed to the backyard when they met Hilarid and Myla, greeting each other warmly. "We have wonderful news!" Myla announced. "We are going to have a baby, the high priestess just confirmed Myla's pregnancy this morning," Hilarid spoke, his eyes lovingly set on Myla. Ava and Ries congratulated their friends with elation. "We have news too, we'll be having our Unio ceremony in two moons," Ava announced. "Congratulations!" Hilarid cheered, embracing them both warmly. "What do you say we both have our Unio ceremonies together?" Ava asked with hope in her eyes. Hilarid and Myla were only too happy to agree. Favian and his beloved Arrden joined the two couples, congratulating both upon hearing the wonderful news. "Would you two agree to be our adsertores honoris?" Ava asked. Favian and Arrden were elated at the honor bestowed upon them, both embracing their loved ones warmly. The three couples had a private celebration in the backyard, with Ava conjuring delicacies as they sat on the luscious grass one of the willow trees in the backyard of the Fanum, chatting and exchanging playful banter with one another. They eventually all went to the Lucian mansion where Angelina had joined Eva and Janan to give them the great news.

They celebrated together, tears of joy and pride were shed. The Lucians and the high priestess couldn't have been prouder of the young couples, of how they'd grown and the happiness they'd found in each other.

� � �That night when most of the group retired to their rooms, Ries went upstairs to find Ava seated on the branch of the willow tree nearest to the window of her room. "Not too fast, is it?" He asked. "No, it's perfect," Ava said with a warm smile, knowing exactly what he meant. They held each other for a moment and then took to the skies, enjoying the cool air of the night. Regardless of the threat of war, their future looked bright and they each knew they'd do whatever it took to protect that future. The following days were busy with training and arrangements for the Unio ceremony, going by in a blur. Soon it was the night before the ceremony and Eva was with her daughter while Janan was with Ries. "I knew you two would make a wonderful couple," Eva mused. "How?" Her daughter asked as she brushed her hair for the night. "I'm a seer, remember?" Eva chuckled. "You two are destined for great things, greater than you know," She added. "Mom, do you think we'll make it? I mean with the war and all?" Ava asked, worry washing over her face as she looked up at her mother's reflection in the mirror. "Sweetheart, you were born for this and I know that there's nothing you have set your mind to that you've failed in. Remember, our ancestors are with you and their strength runs through your veins, and I'm always with you, even after my time to transition comes. You have nothing to worry about. Just focus on the now, do your best to do what you can to prepare and the rest will work out," Eva said, gently grabbing her daughter's shoulders and turning her around to face her. "You are more capable than you know," she said, kissing her forehead. "And now I must tell you a family secret. It has been our tradition for generations to consummate the union with our beloveds in the River Lumen and tomorrow night, after the ceremony, you and Ries will go to the river to do the same," Eva added, sitting down with a serious look on her face. "Wait, we're not going to come together in front of our ancestors, are we?" Ava asked worriedly. "No, it'll be just you two," Eva said laughing out loud at the expression on her daughter's face which smoothed out as she let out a sigh of relief at Eva's answer.

� � � On the other hand, Janan sat with Ries in his room. "You know son, I knew you were special when you came into our lives and I know you love my daughter, which is why I must tell you this," Janan started, "our family has always been a matriarch and as the men in this family it is our duty to do whatever we must to protect our beloveds and our children, to give them the love and the comfort that will empower them, to trust in their judgment and to stand by their side and work with them no matter what." Janan reached in his pocket and took out a golden medallion with an eagle on it, handing it to Ries. "This will help you see what you need to see to keep your family safe, it will show you any dangers before they arrive and help you find the strength to thwart them. Remember, you and Ava will have more secrets from each other, honor your bond for it will be your greatest strength and your greatest defense," he added, clasping both of Ries's shoulders and embracing him warmly. "Welcome to the family."

� � � The Unio ceremony was held at the Fanum with Angelina as the high priestess. Eva walked Ries and Hilarid to the altar first and Janan walked Ava and Myla down the aisle to meet their beloveds. Favian stood behind the grooms with his partner behind the brides as they said their vows. The Fanum was overflowing with the townspeople and magical beings alike, bearing gifts, in celebration of the union of the two couples. Once the ceremony was over, the newly united couples went back to the Lucian mansion to celebrate. It was tradition to open the gifts the next day after the Unio ceremony before leaving for the honeymoon. Somewhere in the middle of the party, Ava took Ries's hand and led him down the basement to the River Lumen. This time they did not conjure the ancestors or the deities, it was just them. Ava unzipped the front of her golden gown, sliding it down her shoulders and hips.

"They're not going to be watching, are they?" Ries asked as he looked at her with love and lust heavy in his eyes as they darkened. "No amica mea, it's just us," Ava said laughing, remembering her worry the night before. Ries took off his clothes in a flash and pulled Ava's naked body to him, kissing her passionately. Ava returned his affection with just as much passion before slightly pulling away to lead him into the river.

� � � The water was warm to the touch, glowing ever brighter as they stepped in. "I love you, amica mea. I promise to always be by your side and take care of you," Ries said as he cupped Ava's face, his eyes piercing into hers. "I love you too, always and forever," Ava said, her eyes glistening with tears of joy as she smiled up at Ries. Ries captured Ava's lips once again in a heated kiss like a starved man, one of his hands at the back of her long curls to hold her to him and the other wrapped around her waist. "I'm going to touch you now, deliciae," he mumbled into her mouth as their tongues danced together. Ava moaned out loud as his mouth latched onto a sensitive spot on the curve of her neck, his hands cupping and gently kneading her supple breasts. He pressed and flicked her taut nipples with his thumbs, occasionally pinching them as he massaged her breasts, making her pant with pleasure and arch her body into his. He loved how well she fit into his large hands. His mouth returned to hers and he reached his hands around her down to her full cheeks, grabbing tightly, spreading them apart as he pulled her closer, grinding his hips into her, his thick shaft pressing against her abdomen. He used his leg to gently push her legs apart, sliding his fingers along her wetness causing her to hiss and shudder at the sensation. She was already so wet for him. Ries ground his hips harder against her as he inserted a thick long finger into her opening then adding another.

� � � Ava groaned and bucked against him, craving more friction. Ries moved to stand at her side, wrapping one of her arms across his broad shoulders as his hands reached for her, his lips never leaving hers. He used one of his hands to reach down her abdomen to her sensitive bud while his other hand slid in between her thick cheeks, his middle fingers going into her once more. Ava held onto him for dear life as her knees weakened from the pleasure he gave her as he swallowed down her moans. Ries thrust his fingers into her hard and fast, lifting her to the tips of her toes while he expertly rubbed and flicked at her sensitive bud. It didn't take long for Ava to scream into his mouth, her body shuddering and her sex clenching and pulsating wildly around his fingers as she found her release, making him groan into her mouth as she did. "I'm not done with you yet, deliciae," Ries rasped as he pulled his drenched fingers out and lifted Ava to sit at the very edge of the riverbank. He kissed her lips softly, his mouth traveling down her body to her breasts as he ground his hardness back and forth her wet folds as he held her against him. His cock twitched and jerked in appreciation as he slid against her, her wetness dripping all over his thick shaft.

Ries couldn't hold back his groans as he increased his pace before suddenly setting her back down on the bank and moving his head down between her thighs. He didn't want to cum just yet. He sniffed her sweet musk then darted his tongue out to grace her folds with short licks from her bud to her opening and back up. Ava moaned, her hips edging forward towards him as he licked her. Ries gently pushed her back down on the bank, lifting her calves over his shoulders, his hands going up to play with her nipples as he dove into her. Ava gripped his shoulders hard, crying out as his open mouth enclosed over her core, covering it completely as he sucked and pushed his tongue into her at the same time. He moved one of his hands down to her swollen bud as he focused on driving his tongue as deep into her as he could in sharp thrusts. Ava's writhed and bucked, finally trying to bring her legs back down as the pleasure overwhelmed her. "Don't run, deliciae, take it, take every bit of pleasure I have to give you," Ries's husky voice commanded, his arm holding Ava's hips down as he pleasured her until he shuddered against him, her sex clenching around his tongue. Ries moaned and groaned into her sex as his tongue thrust into her, his thumb flicking and pinching her swollen bud, intensifying the sensations that ran through Ava's body and pushing her into another orgasm as she came into his mouth. He lifted her legs higher, moving his hand down from her breasts and inserting and curling his fingers into her as his mouth went lower to her other opening, his tongue swirling and pushing into the tight opening there. Ava was dizzy with pleasure as another roaring orgasm ripped through her at his meticulous ministrations.

� � � Ries finally lifted Ava from the bank, his mouth finding hers so she could taste her arousal on him, his hands going to her full cheeks as he held her with her knees hanging from his thick arms. "Let me in, amica mea, I'm going to fill you up," Ries muttered into her mouth as his thick weeping tip started to push into her opening. They moaned into each other's mouths as Ries brought her down onto him, his grip on her tightening as he wiggled her around on him, stretching her until he was fully sheathed in her. Ava could feel every vein on his hard shaft as he withdrew, lifting her and then slammed forward, his hands pushing her down onto him, nearly knocking the wind out of her entirely. Ava screamed into his mouth as he leaned back slightly, thrusting deeply into her fiercely with his hands pushing her onto him, deepening his thrusts even more. Ries withdrew slowly until only his tip was at her opening, lifting her as he did only to push her onto him hard as he slammed forward, grinding into her once he was fully sheathed only to repeat the movement. "Good girl, take me deliciae, take all of me," he moaned into her mouth as he gave her all of him. Ava tightened her grip on him, holding on for dear life as he ravaged her. Ries's last sliver of control slipped as her sex clenched and pulsated almost violently around his thickness. His thrusts grew faster and harder, pushing a finger softly into her other opening as she gushed around him, his cock growing painfully harder as he slammed and ground into her, his growls matching her screams. Finally his cock jerked violently and the warmth of his released sprayed into her as he held her to him, grinding himself impossibly deeper shifting his hips from side to side as he came, sending another orgasm through her. Ries held his forehead to hers as they gasped for breath, unable to speak, floating in the water. A bright golden glow shone between their bodies and around them and they felt as if their minds, hearts and magic were merging into one. It felt like some sort of electric current was running through their bodies, from one to the other and back.

Ries and Ava must've made love in that river and then the bank almost all night because when they finally came back up, it was close to dawn. They could tell from the chirping of the birds.

� � � They silently made their way to Ava's room trying not to make a sound, finally collapsing into a fit of giggles on her once they were safely locked and warded in the room. Ries was the first to slide off the bed and go into the bathroom, preparing a bath for them and retrieving Ava from the bed, placing her into the now full tub. They made love a couple more times as they washed each other. Finally they dried themselves and settled into bed to get some rest before they had to get up for the gift opening. Thanks to their magic they didn't really have to worry much about packing. When the two love birds finally woke up, prepared and emerged from the room it was almost midday. Eva and Janan were cuddling in the living room, giggling to each other as they spoke in hushed tones while Hilarid, Myla, Favian and Arrden sat in the dining room having delicious creamy cakes and tea. Ava and Ries made their rounds greeting everyone before serving themselves some breakfast and settling down at the dining table. Once they were all well fed and replenished, Eva and Janan, joined by Angelina, called them to the backyard where their gifts lay in two piles, one for Ava and Ries and the other for Hilarid and Myla. The backyard was also scattered with their magical friends who no doubt wanted to make sure they weren't left out. Just as the couples thought they were done opening their gifts, Eva and Janan called them to attention, leading them to a field near the Lucian mansion where a beautiful mansion that wasn't there before now stood. "Ava, Ries, we thought you'd need your own space once you officiated your union so we built you a home, fully furnished," Eva said smiling. "Of course, you can redecorate if you want to," Janan added with a smile as they walked in. Ava and Ries were blown away, their eyes brimming with happy tears, gushing at the magnificence of each room as they took a tour of the huge mansion. "Okay, now let's go take a look at Hilarid and Myla's home," Eva said bouncing on her feet. "You didn't think we would forget about you two, did you?" Eva asked at the shocked expressions on Hilarid and Myla. Hilarid had a similar mansion close to Ava and Ries's new home.

� � � Once they were done with the tour, Janan turned to Favian and Arrden. "Since you two are also part of the family, we also prepared a surprise for you," he said clasping their shoulders and motioning for them to follow him. "We thought you'd like a home close to your family, close to home, especially because you already spend a lot of time around. So here's your home," Janan said as they came to a clearing a few yards from Hilarid and Myla's home. Before them stood a mansion, similar to the other two. Favian and Arrden stood wide-eyed and slack-jawed as the others joined them. It was much bigger than the place they had in town, more privacy and like the other homes in the large compound, their new home also had a garden near the backyard and on the side. "Sir Lucian, I- I don't know what to say," Favian stuttered, struggling to find words. "Do you like it?" Eva asked as she wrapped her arms around both Favian and Arrden's shoulders. The couple silently nodded, still taking in the moment. "Well it's already fully furnished in case you'll want to move in right away after the honeymoon," she added cheerfully. "Honeymoon?" Arrden turned to her with wide eyes. "Why, yes sweetheart! We know you two didn't get to go for a honeymoon after your Unio ceremony so we arranged for your three couples to go together," Eva explained. Ava and Myla were holding their mates' hands tightly, tears streaming down their faces as they watched on. They knew how much this meant to Favian and Arrden. Arrden opened and closed his mouth a few times as if trying and failing to find his voice before he simply threw his arms around Eva and then Janan, tears streaming down his face and Favian followed suit. "You two have loved us like your own since you met us, we are eternally grateful," Favian spoke through his tears.�

� � � The other two couples and Angelina took turns warmly hugging the huge boys, crying and giggling in excitement and joy. Both Favian and Arrden had both come into Ortus as refugees, having lost their parents in Venator attacks. Now they had found a family in the Lucians. Angelina couldn't stop crying, she had helped and raised many of the refugees who came into Ortus as children since she was just a priestess. She had had the pleasure of watching all three couples who stood before her grow up into wonderful young adults, and the honor of sharing in their journey. She couldn't have been prouder. She hugged her friends, the Lucians, who were also her family. No words were needed between them. The magical beings that had watched over and worked with the group for ages stood around cheering happily.

� � � After the emotional moments, all four couples and the high priestess went back to the Lucian mansion for a meal and some wine before the three young couples could set off for their honeymoons. The magical beings were floating around, playing music and shooting fireworks into the sky as they did. Soon it was late afternoon, just about time for Eva, Janan and Angelina to send the young couples off. The young couples went to their rooms and gathered what they needed. All they knew was that Eva had told them to pack for both heat and cold, and to pack some beachwear. Soon, they all met in the backyard, all ready and set. "Don't worry about the gifts, we'll make sure they're well organized in your homes while you're gone," Eva said as she, her husband and Angelina took turns hugging the young couples. "And know that we are always with you. If you need us, we're just but a whisper away," Lyra added as the other magical beings nodded and hummed in agreement. "Wait, where are we going?" Ava asked. "You're going to a beautiful island called Ubertas, there are no mundanes there. It's a wonderful place for a vacation for the Donatus. We already arranged a wonderful resort for you, this portal will lead you directly to the reception," Angelina said with a broad smile as she waved her hand, opening up a portal. "See you in three moons," Janan said as the group hugged once again. "Ava, you already know how to open a portal back when it's time," Angelina added as she hugged her goddaughter. The group said their farewells and the three couples excitedly stepped through the portal with their luggage, Angelina closing it behind them.