I Became an Ant Lord, So I Built a Hive Full of Beauties

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When the preparations were done, Luna asked Kai to change into something worthy. He washed battle grime away, donned a vest of midnight chitin plates polished to mirror sheen, and cinched a cloak woven from Blueloom’s cast off scales. Luna approached him with a coil of moon vine, its heartsap luminous.

"We braid two loops," she explained softly, deft fingers weaving the supple stalks. "One rests on my wrist, one on yours. When the aura vows seal, the vines root into living bracelets, nourished by our pulses. We will become husband and wife."

Kai extended his arm. Luna wrapped the loop thrice, whispering ancient syllables: "By crescent’s curve and midnight’s hush, tether spirit to spirit, heart to heart, soul to soul."

A tingle of cold-sweet sap seeped into his skin where the vine touched.

Then he bound hers. The vine shimmered pearls.

They emerged onto the terrace as a hush fell. Clouds parted, unveiling the moon like a polished silver coin slipped across the velvet table of night. Crickets chirred in the distant forest, a lone night wind stirred Kai’s cloak.

The seven subordinates knelt in an outer semicircle, shoulders squared and antennae respectfully downcast. Shadeclaw served as witness, his predatory eyes gleaming.

Luna took Kai’s hands and stood upon tiptoes so their foreheads touched.