Joyce followed Clint to the altar.
Clint extended a hand, signaling her to place her hand on his. Joyce hesitated but complied; standing there in front of everyone was not an option. She had just resolved one issue and did not want to create another.
They ascended the altar. From this height, everything felt more sacred.
An elder in ceremonial robes held a colorful flag in one hand and a branch in the other, dancing. Behind him sat a row of musicians playing ritual tunes. The elder sang in an ancient language that Joyce did not understand.
Clint stood motionless on the altar, his face serious. Joyce felt out of place in her casual clothes, adding to her discomfort.
After a while, the elder took a basin of water and sprinkled it into the air, chanting in the ancient language with each sprinkle. He then signaled two boys to bring basins of water to Clint and Joyce.
Clint, clearly familiar with the ritual, washed his face and hands gracefully. He glanced at Joyce, indicating she should do the same.
Joyce muttered, "Why do I have to participate in your country's ritual? Just let me watch."
Clint shot her a cold look.
Joyce sighed and decided to go through the motions, washing her face and hands quickly.
Two girls then approached with trays holding towels for drying their hands and faces. Clint dried himself first, and Joyce followed suit.
The cleansing ritual concluded. The elder lit seven candles around Clint and Joyce. Though it was daytime, the candle flames flickered in the wind.
Next came the incense lighting, accompanied by another dance from the elder.
Finally, he recited a long prayer or incantation that Joyce could not understand. When he finished, he poured water from his bottle into two golden cups. He handed one cup to Clint and the other to Joyce.
"Please drink the holy water, Your Highness, for divine protection and blessings," the elder said respectfully.
Clint took his cup, and Joyce reluctantly took hers. Clint raised his sleeve to shield his cup as he took a sip, noticing Joyce had not moved.
He frowned. "Why aren't you drinking the blessing water?"
Joyce frowned back. She didn't need any divine blessings. "I'm afraid it's poisoned," she snapped.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Wrong marriage and sweet love (Joyce and Luther)
If this is the ending of this story the story then I wish I hadn’t started reading it doesn’t even end right has not closure. To bad these writers don’t put much into their endings....
When will the new chapters come I can't wait any longer...
Very strange ending, is Joyce pregnant again or does she still have remnants of the devil with her. Christian should have apologized and made up with Luther and Felix. Too much violence and twists and turns, once settled, everyone should be happy and healthy....
Omg… can’t you just let Luther and Joyce live in peace with their children….another controversy doesn’t add to the story....
Not again, ugh … just get rid of this disgusting despicable woman...
Hopefully the underground bio lab East523will be found soon and Luther will make a full recovery, Lily will be reunited with the family and all will be good. Otherwise this will be a very disappointing story....
Please don’t make more trouble for Joyce and Luther, they need to have their children and be happy...
Looking forward to Joyce shooting Otis where it will hurt him the most and end his disgusting ways with women. He’s a pig, deserves to lose his “unit”....
Just tell him you’re the one that saved him , not the evil woman and find your beautiful love story together. Quit being a wet blanket, too smart for that....
I hate it when the hero and heroine are made out to be fools for the evil people that wish to steal their lives and live. Hopefully Charlotte is found out quickly and removed. Why should a villain with an illegitimate child reap all the rewards. Terrible....