The Promised Of Elaria

The Mother's Advance

The Mother stood at the entrance of Ethan’s tent, her hands lightly brushing against the smooth fabric. She had waited patiently, observing the hesitation and uncertainty in Ethan’s responses to her women. But now, it was her turn.

The air in Elaria was calm, and Ethan found himself sitting on the edge of his bed, his mind still unable to process the whirlwind of events that had led him to this strange realm. The weight of being the "Promised One" pressed heavily on his shoulders, a role he never asked for but could not escape.

His thoughts were interrupted when the soft rustling of fabric caught his attention. He looked up and saw the Mother, standing gracefully at the entrance of his tent. Her presence, always serene and composed, seemed to carry an added air of mystery tonight.

“Ethan,” she said, her voice low and intimate. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

He shook his head, though the intensity of her gaze made his heart race. “No, not at all.”

The Mother moved closer, her movements fluid and purposeful. Her robes shimmered faintly in the dim light, and the way she looked at him made something stir deep within him. Ethan couldn’t deny that she was beautiful regal, commanding, and yet... there was something soft about her tonight.

“I know this must all feel overwhelming,” she whispered, sitting down beside him. “The expectations, the weight of it all.”

Ethan’s throat tightened, and he glanced away, trying to avoid her piercing gaze. “You could say that.”

Her hand reached out, lightly resting on his arm. “You’re not alone in this, you know. I am here to guide you... in every way.”

He felt a shiver run down his spine as her touch lingered. The Mother wasn’t just offering guidance; there was a deeper intent behind her words, something primal. She slowly rose, her fingers tracing his arm as she slipped off her robe, letting the fabric fall away.

Ethan’s breath caught in his throat.

The Mother stood before him, her body illuminated by the flickering candlelight. The softness of her skin, the curve of her figure it all stirred something in him, something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel since he arrived. He felt the pull of desire, strong and undeniable. For a brief moment, the thought of giving in crossed his mind.

His eyes roamed over her, and he imagined what it would be like to let go, to surrender to the role they expected of him. The thought was tempting, and he found his pulse quickening. His body reacted, his breathing shallow, but as the Mother leaned in closer, her lips hovering just inches from his, something snapped inside him.

This isn’t right.

The voice of reason broke through the fog of desire, and Ethan’s hand moved before he could fully process what he was doing. He grabbed the sheet from beside him and gently wrapped it around the Mother’s shoulders, covering her bare skin.

The Mother’s eyes widened in shock, her lips parting in confusion. She had expected desire, submission, but instead, he had shown restraint.

“Ethan,” she whispered, barely able to hide the tremor in her voice. “Why?”

His breath was still uneven, his body still humming with the desire he had fought to control. “I don’t know… I just....I couldn’t do it. It didn’t feel right.”

Her composure faltered for the first time as she clutched the sheet tighter around her. She had never been refused, never been met with anything but reverence. And yet, here was the Promised One, resisting her advances.

Hurriedly, the Mother pulled the sheet close to her body and backed away, her face flushed with embarrassment. The vulnerability she felt at that moment was unlike anything she had ever experienced.

“I....I’ll leave you,” she stammered, her voice shaking. “I didn’t mean to… impose.”

Before he could respond, she turned and fled the tent, her graceful demeanor replaced by hurried, faltering steps.

In the temple, the Mother paced back and forth, her mind spinning. She had never anticipated that the Promised One would resist her. She had assumed that his desires, once ignited, would overwhelm him. That he would embrace his destiny without hesitation.

But Ethan had hesitated.

She stopped in front of the grand statue of the gods, her fingers trembling. The gods had chosen him. He was supposed to be the one to save their realm, to father their future. But now, she wasn’t sure. What if he wasn’t ready? What if something inside him couldn’t accept the role?

The door to the temple creaked open, and Mira, one of her trusted women, stepped inside, her head bowed respectfully. “Mother?”

The Mother turned sharply, her face still flushed with emotion. “What is it?”

Mira stepped forward, her voice soft and uncertain. “The women… they’ve noticed your distress. Is everything all right?”

The Mother swallowed hard, trying to regain her composure. “I… spoke with Ethan. He’s… not what I expected.”

Mira frowned, her confusion evident. “Did he refuse you?”

The Mother hesitated, not wanting to admit what had truly happened. “He did not refuse. But he did not… give in.”

Mira’s brow furrowed as she exchanged glances with the others who stood outside the temple. “What does this mean, Mother? What will we do?”

The Mother clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing in determination. She couldn’t let her people see weakness. She couldn’t let them doubt the future the gods had promised. “We will be patient,” she said, her voice regaining its strength. “He will come to us in time.”

The women nodded, though uncertainty lingered in the air. The Promised One was not what they had expected, and now, neither was their future.

As the women left the temple, the Mother stood alone in front of the statue, her mind still reeling from Ethan’s unexpected restraint. For the first time in her life, she felt unsure unsure of her power, unsure of her place, and unsure of how to move forward.

But she knew one thing: she would not give up. She would find a way to make him understand, to make him accept his role. And if that meant suppressing her own desires, then so be it.

For now.