Upon the Threshold by April Zyon Page B

her hair. “We won’t be far, just in the camp for the day. The female leading the barrage that will come is named Danykia.” He pronounced it Danika. Easy enough to remember. “You will know her easily. She will be the one to spin you around, eye you up and down, and demand you strip so she can see what she must work with this time. Those are most likely the words she will use. Do not take offense. She is very gentle but gruff, though if she gets out of hand I do recommend tears, big ones. It will completely undo her.”
    She laughed. “Right. Usually, I have to wait until at least the second date before someone gets me out of my clothes.” She was teasing him, her grin there for him to see. “Don’t worry. I won’t let her get to me. I know that whatever she does, it’s for the benefit of the three of us,” she assured him. “Go. I know you have much to do.”
    He stared down at her and slowly nodded. “I am never quite sure if you are being fully serious or poking fun. But we will have time to learn all there is to know of one another soon enough.” Leaning in, he kissed her on the cheek, staying there with his lips to her skin for a moment longer before stepping back and tipping his head to her.
    Eli shivered in reaction to the touch of his lips. She was such a goner when it came to this man. She licked her lips and pulled back from him. “I will be okay,” she reassured him and herself as well. “It means a great deal that you would worry about me,” she whispered quietly. “Thank you.”
    “Of course I worry about you. You are very short,” he said. And not even a twitch to show if he was joking, but there was just something in his eyes. “I will check in a little later and ensure you have food to continue surviving the upcoming event.”
    Eli appreciated his sense of humor a great deal. “Thank you. I would like it if you came to check on me often. Who knows when I might need someone to translate for me or something such as that?” she teased right back.
    “Precisely.” He nodded. Leaning over he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Rest, enjoy your day, and we will see you for the ritual this evening.” Drawing back, he went to the door and stepped through. Another glance to her just before the door slid shut, and then she was alone. For now.
    “Sounds good,” she said with a smile. “Until later,” she whispered, and when the door closed she felt her chest constrict in pain. Closing her eyes, she shook her head. She rubbed her chest and walked from the door. After pulling off her shoes, she climbed up into the bed to try to have a small nap before everything began.

Chapter Eight
    A knock on the door had Eli jolting up, disoriented. The sound of the door opening, though, had her waking up a lot quicker. “Elisabeth Washington, you must wake so we may begin to prepare you. There is not much time and much to accomplish so please awaken and join us. No, over there, please, Marya. Yes, that will work.”
    “Are you Danykia?” she asked the beautiful Droushanian woman standing before her. “I’m awake,” she said softly and rolled from the bed. She smiled at the woman and took in a deep breath. “Okay, now what? I have no idea what I am doing. I have no idea what to expect, so will you please help me understand what will be happening?”
    “Yes, I am Danykia,” she said. “And yes, I will tell you the plan for the day while the others finish getting everything ready. We will speak here in case you are easily embarrassed, though you will have to learn not to be with our males. Sit,” she ordered.
    When they were both seated, Danykia began to explain the process. “We will be preparing you for the ritual. This includes removal of body hair or shaping it to a pleasing manner. You will have a massage and several very old oils will be used. They have been anointed since the beginning with all our important ceremonies. You will be attended to in all manners to make you relaxed and ensure