"Let's do this," I huffed walking through the waist-deep water. Before Aonung and I could become mates I had to pass the last trial. Taming a skywing. I started to tame this particular one for two years before I left. So I had no clue how it was going to react after four years apart. Aonung and Tonaowari held the skimwing as I pulled myself onto its back connecting our queues. 

"You ready?" Aonung asked.

"Let's get it done," I gave him a grin. Then I was off. The number of times I had been thrown, bashed, and almost drowned on the back of this thing was unaccountable. Yet I didn't give up. A whole day had passed when I decided I needed a little break. Floating on my back I breathed deeply watching the damn thing swim around me almost tauntingly. Slapping my hand down on the water I swam over to try again.

"Look here, I'm not giving up so it's just gonna be you and me. Let's see who gives up first," I said looking into his eyes. Pulling myself up again I tried again. I continued to try late into the night before Aonung called it. 

The next morning I was ready again this time with leather straps around my hands. 

This went on for a week till suddenly it was like a switch was flicked. We had a perfect run. I didn't fall off once. I had tamed him. Loak who had been a constant spectator and laughter at my failures cheered from the shore.

"Hahahaha!"  I cheered.

"Thankyou," I said patting the skimwing. Once you tamed a skimwing you were to give it a name.

"Thankyou Nete," I whispered. 

Walking back to the village I chuckled pushing Loak away as he joked about something or other. I had completed the final trial. Now everything could start. 

"Sylwanin," I frowned turning around to see an old face.

"Godoul?" I questioned. If I remember correctly he was one of Aonung's friends.

"How are you? It's been a long time," he said walking up to me with a smile.

"Indeed it has. How have you been?" I asked politely as he stood a bit too close for my liking.

"I've been well. How about yourself?" He asked as I purposely took a step back, being put off as his eyes shamelessly roamed my body. 

"I've been well," I nodded.

"I like the new hair style," he said reaching up to gently tug at one of my braids. I chuckled nervously taking a large step back as Loak took a step forward.

"I'll see you around Sylwanin," he said smiling at me and looking over Loak before moving away. We both shared confused looks before shrugging and continuing to walk. 

"That was weird," he said.

"Yeah," I muttered. Walking through the village I unwrapped my hand flinching slightly at the very small-sized cut. 

"What did you do?" I almost jumped as two hands snaked themselves around my waist Aonung peeking over my shoulder to inspect my hand. 

"Just a small cut," I said dismissively turning around with a wide smile.

"I tamed my Skimwing," I said. He smiled brightly letting out an excited chuckle.

"That is good. But first, let's deal with this," he said holding up my cut hand.

"It's barely a cut," I huffed. It really was beardly a cut, it was very shallow and only the size of a fingernail.

"Come," he said simply turning me around and leading me away by the shoulders. Sitting down in the healer's hut he examined my hands his movement and grip gentle and soft. 

"When did you learn to heal?" I asked.

"My mother made sure I learned," he said without taking his eyes off my hand and he gently bound it. 

"Now no more getting hurt," he said giving me a pointed look.

"You're not my boss," I said simply with a smirk.

"Perhaps not. But I don't like seeing you hurt," he said.

"I'll try not to," I said cupping his cheek and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. 

"Sylwanin!" our heads snapped to the side to see Godoul walking up to us.

"Godoul. What brings you here?" Aonung asked standing and stepping down onto the pathways. 

"I want to speak with Sylwanin," Godoul said gesturing to me.

"About what?" Aonung asked with a friendly smile. After all the two of them had been friends since they were young.

"About my proposal to be her mate," he said gaining a smile as Aonung lost his. 

"What?" Aonung asked.

"I wish to be Sylwanin's mate. I know you've made the betrothal official so I wish for Votoru!" he announced the last words loudly many villagers started to whisper.

"Votoru?" I questioned not understanding the word. 

"Godoul. You are my friend so I beg Eywa that you are joking," I had never heard Aonung so angry before. so threatening. 

"I am serious," Godoul said. A furious hiss left Aonungs mouth as he stepped up to him. 

"Aonung," I quickly rushed to his side holding his back. I was momentarily taken aback by the pure rage I saw in his eyes. 

"So how about it Sylwanin? Me or him?" Godoul asked turning to me with a smirk.

"Him, Always him," I said placing myself between them keeping Aonung at bay. For i knew if I were to let him go there would be a fight. 

"Well we will see after the Votoru. Tomorrow at sunset," Godoul announced. I frowned watching him leave before turning to Aonung. If looks could kill Godoul would be seven feet under.

"Aonung," I whispered reaching up and turning his face down to me. Instantly his fury dissipated.

"What was that?" I asked softly.

"Votoru. He's challenging me for you," his words shocked me.

"What?" I asked.

"The Votoru is a challenge. When two wish to take the same mate they can issue it. A fight to prove who is better to protect. The one they are fighting for chooses between the winner and loser," He huffed as he started to pace slightly.

"If it's just a silly challenge then why are you so angry?" I asked.

"Because it is an insult to you. Too me. And to our bond. With this challenge he is saying that you are having second thoughts, about choosing me as a mate," he hissed his eyes still watching Godoul walk away.

"Oh Aonung," I whispered. 

"There is no choice to make. You know our bond is strong. No silly challenge will prove otherwise," I said taking his hands and stopping him from pacing. He took a deep breath looking into my eyes finding solace in my words.

"He is saying I am not worthy of you," he whispered.

"Do you believe his words?" I asked.

"Of course not," he whispered.

"Then think no more of it," I said offering him a comforting smile. He sighed taking my neck in hand and pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

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