Sofia awoke the next morning with a huge grin on her face. She almost could not believe the events of the previous night. Now she was expected to roll out of bed and be present for the eliminations of the day. There was no need for drawn out deliberations after the concert. It was clear who would be moving on: Demosthenes, the first lute player and Alexarius.
Alexarius.
Sofia shivered at the thought of his name. She began to ready herself for the day and think about the priestess's choices. Obviously Alexarius had performed the best. His improvised piece was gorgeous and unparalleled. The only performance that came close was that of Demosthenes. Even so, his song had been bolstered by Alexarius's playing. Sofia suspected the first lute player was chosen because he was the more attractive of the three left. She unraveled her slightly kinky black hair from the cute but functional style from the night before and rebraided it tighter. She then dabbed fragrant oil on herself, put on the day's garment and swished out to meet the high priestess.
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Alexarius knew that today, he would be one step closer to becoming Sofia's consort. After their rendezvous the night before, he was anxious to see her. He was also anxious for all the other men to be exiled. He knew it was unlikely they would send all four back down the mountain today, but a part of him hoped the high priestess would announce him the chosen one and he could take his beautiful brown bride in his arms that very instant.
None of the men had come to him to inquire about his whereabouts the night before. Alexarius was cautiously optimistic that everyone had been asleep, and that he had gotten away with practically fondling a divine being. As the men stirred and milled about, Alexarius ran his hands through in his hair in an attempt to look somewhat handsome for Sofia once she arrived.
The high priestess came out, flanked by a few lesser priestesses and Sofia trailing behind her. She looked regal. She was wearing a soft pink dress that was slightly too long. It trailed behind her, and her tiny feet peeked out from the bottom of it. Her hair was the same as the night before. Alexarius was enamored of her and looked with rapt attention as she entered. He saw her smile back and discreetly change her course as to brush past him. Alexarius smiled to himself when she approached. She was trying not to look at him directly, so no one else would know she was doing something naughty. As she passed him, Alexarius breathed in her scent. It was as if she moved in slow motion. Her foot caught on the train of her dress and she began to falter.
Then she was falling.
"Whoa there," Alexarius said, acting quickly. He grabbed her by her hip and her arm, stopping her from hitting the ground. His body reacted to their proximity. The last time they were this close his tongue was in her mouth. He felt his cock begin to harden, something he did not need at that moment. He propped Sofia up and perhaps held on a little longer than necessary. To anyone other than the two of them, it would not be noticed.
"Thank you," Sofia said shyly. She smoothed her dress down and walked away from him. Alexarius relished the chance to touch her whenever he could. Especially in public. He felt that he was secretly establishing that Sofia was his. He watched her glide over and sidle up next to the high priestess.
"Today, two of you will be eliminated. The remaining three will be put to the last test. Out of those three, the goddess's consort will be chosen," the high priestess stated. Adrenaline coursed through Alexarius's veins. He knew that Sofia was not allowed to choose her own consort, but he had proven himself to be her mate. She was divine, all-knowing, and had told him last night that she knew he was meant to be hers. This final test was merely a formality.
The high priestess then announced that two of the men who played the lute would be eliminated. She wished them well as the lesser priestesses helped them gather their things and ushered them out of the temple. After they had taken their leave, the high priestess continued her speech.
"This last challenge is one that will prove who the consort is," she said. Sofia smiled warmly for all the men. Alexarius believed that smile was just for him.
"As the goddess Athena created the olive tree we subsist on, so too must all of you create. In making the tree, she fashioned something that was functional and beautiful. Each one of you will ask Athena to work through you in this manner to make something for her earthly incarnation," the high priestess said. She gave no more instruction, and ushered Sofia out of the room.
Alexarius was at a loss. He would have to make something? Would it serve Sofia, or would it just need to be beautiful and functional in general? He sat and thought, and then it came to him.
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Almost two weeks had passed between the high priestess' announcement and the presentation of the creative goods the men were to present. Sofia was not particularly excited to see any of it. She was extremely sexually frustrated. She had been unable to steal any moments away with Alexarius. She missed him and was ready for everything to be over. She still had not shared her revelations with the high priestess, as not to skew their final decision.
She had not made time to worry that Alexarius would not be chosen. She had been sure of it for so long. Yet, the time she spent waiting started to gnaw at her. She began to wonder if his final presentation would disqualify him. The high priestess had purposely left the final test vague. This way, the true consort would present himself in a way that was unmistakable. The men had been running around asking for materials for the past two weeks. They huddled in remote corners working. Today, everything would end.
Sofia swept into the throne room and got seated. The men would come in one by one and present their creations. If the priestesses felt it was appropriate, one would be chosen. She was informed that the lute player would go first, then Demosthenes and Alexarius would go last.
The lute player came and presented a belt that he had fashioned for Sofia. In her opinion it harkened too much to something Aphrodite would wear, but she was flattered nonetheless. No doubt he spent a lot of time on it. It was beautiful, but perhaps not functional.
Demosthenes appeared with a small piece that he had woven. Sofia was greatly impressed. It was rare to see a man who was practiced in the art of weaving. He was quite good, and some of the priestesses murmured after the fact that it was a sweet way to pay tribute. However, once again it was beautiful and without function.
