Malakai knew he was different. He was aware of which element had claimed him. It was one he learned to control early on. It was one his shifter kept guarded because it was too powerful if unleashed. He gazed down at his mate who wore the colors of both his Clan and his element. Colors he couldn’t wait to remove so he could see her lush curves. Touch her skin with his hands and lips.
“You were amazing,” Josie said, caressing his biceps. Her fingers ghosted his skin as she trailed them down his arms. “The way you moved was spellbinding. Powerful.” Kai clasped her hands in his. The need to claim her was great, but the celebration had just begun. There would be plenty of time after eating to take his mate to their island home and continue in private.
“I’ll dance for you anytime, Sunshine.” Kai kissed Josie on the nose before leading her to where his father was waiting in front of the buffet.
When Kai and Josie gathered with the others, Ariki held up his hands, and the crowd quietened. “In Samoan culture, drinking of kava comes before whatever ceremony was being performed, but over the years, I’ve come to find I like doing things my own way.” One of Kai’s great nieces was the taupou, the mixer of the tea. She stepped back, and Ariki grabbed a hollowed-out coconut, then dipped it in the tanoa fai’ava. He held up the coconut and saluted them. “La manuia.” Ariki sipped the kava then passed the bowl to Lani. Kai was next who took his own coconut, sipped, then passed the tea to Josie. After everyone had a chance to taste the drink, Ariki took another sip, and the crowd called out “Malo le soifua.”
Kai’s family wasn’t as strict with Samoan traditions as humans in the area. They didn’t frown on someone standing when they ate. They had regular furniture to go along with traditional cushions to sit on the ground. Since they believed in gods and not God, Sunday wasn’t reserved for church. At least not in their village. The humans who worked for them lived in the other villages, and his parents respected those traditions. Other than ceremonies like the one they had earlier or weddings between the mates, there were no gatherings to worship. Spirituality was a singular activity in his father’s eyes. No one, no matter what deity they worshipped, believed the same thing. How could they? Gods were an unseen entity. Teachings were passed down from one generation to the next, and it was up to the individual to interpret the teachings themselves to be the best person or Gargoyle they could be.
Kai and Josie mingled both together and separately. His Sunshine has taken to his family immediately, and Kai could imagine living there in the future. When they had children, he would make sure to return to the island as often as possible so his sons would know where they came from. And yes, he believed the legacy of having seven sons would continue even though Josie was human. Having Henry and Kili around thrilled Malakai. He wished more of his extended family would move to the States, but he understood why most didn’t. Island life was simple. Laid-back. His family was well-off for Samoans, but their wealth couldn’t compare to that of the Stone Clan. If his relatives knew how much money Kai had amassed over the last century, they’d be amazed. What they wouldn’t do was be jealous or ask him to share. That was something he would do on his own if his father ever needed help. But Ariki was a smart businessman as well as powerful King.
When the celebration began winding down, Malakai found his mate and held out his hands. He pulled Josie to her feet. “I think it’s time to take this celebration back to our home.” Josie’s eyes heated, and instead of tossing her over his shoulder like he wanted, Kai placed his arm around her shoulder and ushered her toward their house.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Shouldn’t we say goodnight?” Josie asked, looking back over her shoulder.
“That’s not necessary. Everyone probably expected us to sneak off well before now,” Kai explained, grinning. Josie’s cheeks pinkened, and Kai chuckled. “With the exception of the younger children, most everyone here has found their mate. They remember what their own ceremony was like.”
When they reached the house, Malakai picked Josie up and carried her through the door. “Why, Mr. Palamo, I didn’t realize you were a romantic.”
Kai waited for Josie’s reaction to seeing the bedroom. Teuila petals covered the bed, and dozens of candles lit the room.
“Oh, my. It’s…” Josie choked back a sob, and Kai set her on her feet. He carefully lifted Josie’s headpiece and placed it atop the tall chest out of the way of flickering flames. One by one, he removed the pins holding her long, dark hair in its pretty do.
“When you entered the ceremony with my parents, you were the most stunning vision I’ve ever seen in over four hundred years. You stole my breath.” When the last pin was removed, he carded his hands through her hair and fluffed it around her shoulders. “It took every ounce of strength I possess not to drag you back here then and there.” Kai twisted a tendril around his finger and brought it
