I'm going to be sick
It was ridiculous. She'd spent the last several hour straightening up the little hut and making it liveable for the next few weeks and, while she'd felt a little nervous, it was nothing like this. She'd even been a little excited.
Yes, this was what was expected of her. It was her duty. But it was also a chance, an opportunity she'd never had before to just...connect.
Okay, so she didn't really know how this whole thing was supposed to work. But she was confident she'd figure out. She'd choose her mate, and they'd spend these two weeks together, and maybe she'd have a youngling- and wouldn't that be new and interesting! But even if she didn't, she would at least have someone new to talk to, someone who wouldn't just drop his eyes and murmur her title respectfully at the end of every question or brief conversation.
So she'd been smiling a bit to herself when she stepped out of the hut, imagining what today could turn into. Then she'd seen all the prospective males lined up and suddenly she wanted to run and hide.
What was wrong with her? She was the Opal, damnit, she was used to pressure, duty, responsibility. Her eyes flickered over the males and she took a breath, trying to fortify herself, then stepped closer.
Her gaze was immediately drawn to the large purple, Amethyst. They'd spoken a few times and she gave him a small, friendly smile. He'd be a good choice. She knew everyone was expecting him to be her first pick. Her eyes flicked up and down the line again. Red, red, blue, red, blue, blue...
She didn't...feel anything. Perhaps it was naive, but she'd hoped there'd be...something. A scent, a tickle in her chest, just something to help her make her choice. She had to bite back a sigh as she padded cautiously down the line, ears flickering a bit nervously as her eyes flirted from one male to the next.
She reached the end of the line and turned to make her way back. Her heart was pounding nervously. She had to make a choice, she was taking too long- red blue red blue purple blue, just pick one!
Blue. Not a Sapphire, just...blue. She froze. Slowly, Minala stepped toward the little Ruby with sky blue eyes. She recognized him, knew he was a guard, but she didn't think they'd ever spoken before.
Something clicked into place and she smiled, flashing sharp teeth for a moment, and held out her hand to him. "Red, right? Come with me."