Malakai (Stone Society #13) - Faith Gibson Page 0,105
but just so you know, you look great. As a matter of fact” — Tessa handed him her phone — “don’t take my word for it.”
Trevor’s cheeks turned cherry red at whatever was on her phone. “I can’t believe you sent a picture to Jasper. Well, yes, I can. He, uh…” Trevor cleared his throat when he realized how many women were grinning at him. “Never mind. Is there drink at this function? Because I need one. Or seven.”
“If you will all follow me?” Lani took Josie’s hand and led the group down a pathway through the trees. Night had fallen, but torches had been lit to illuminate their way. When the pathway opened, Josie gasped at the sight before her. They were on a beach. More torches had been placed all around. A buffet was waiting off to the side, but it was the line of males standing in front of her that Josie couldn’t look away from. Seven gorgeous Samoan Gargoyles stood still. Six were dressed in solid red lavalava. They had some type of green leaves wrapped around their necks with the same greenery circling their legs just below their knees. But it was Kai Josie’s eyes came back to. His cloth matched hers, but where his brothers wore greenery, Kai was adorned in golden leaves.
Lani led Josie to be seated front and center with Lani on one side and Ariki on the other. Behind Kai and his brothers were six more of his family standing behind drums, their arms poised in the air, waiting to begin. Ariki clapped his hands once, and in unison, their arms came down, their mallets striking the drum skins. Kai and his brothers began moving as one unit. Their feet stomped the packed sand. Their voices chanted and grunted. Malakai’s eyes only left hers when he turned left or right. She was entranced by the words she didn’t understand. The clapping. The slapping of chests. The pumping of fists. The way Kai’s thigh muscles bunched and shifted as he crouched low, swiveled to one side, then the other. Her cheeks flushed thinking of what was underneath the short lavalava encircling his waist, then she remembered who she was sitting between.
Josie had no idea how long the dance lasted. She could have watched her mate dance all night, but with one last shout, the men stopped moving and the drums were silent. Josie’s face hurt from smiling, and her hands hurt from clapping along to the beat. When Kai strode toward her, she froze. His face was serious. His gaze heated. Shit! What was he going to do to her? Throw her over his shoulder and stomp off into the woods?
Kai stopped several feet away and knelt with his head bowed, one strong arm resting on his thigh with his hand fisted. Ariki rose and helped Josie to her feet. He led Josie to where Kai waited and stood between them. With their backs to the water, Josie faced the group gathered to witness the ceremony.
With one hand on Malakai’s shoulder and the other holding Josie’s, Ariki spoke.
“Legend tells of a mighty male. The seventh son of a seventh son. A male blessed by the gods. Strengthened by the elements. One who has the voices of the Sevens who have passed on from this realm to the next guiding him through his journey. A male who is strong. Kind of heart. True to his word. Yet one who is imperfect until he is united with the other half of his soul. When he left the island nearly a century ago, Manaia was that male. He has returned to us with his soul complete. He is no longer Manaia the male. Now, he is Manaia the warrior. Rise, my son. Rise and join your mate as we welcome Josie to our family.”
Gracefully, Kai stood and faced Josie. Ariki took their hands and joined them, placing his on top and below theirs. “Manaia and Joselynn, may the gods bless this union. May the elements never forsake you. May the voices of the Sevens guide you in your journey together, through this life and the next.” Ariki released their hands and pumped his fist into the air with a roar. The other males responded in unison with their own shout. Kai snagged Josie around the waist and kissed her deeply. Hoots and whistles went up all around them. When Kai finally broke the kiss, Ariki called out, “Now we feast.”