The gods' temple was in a clearing in the woods. In the middle was a small stream that was supposed to be the sweetest tasting water and was rumored to heighten any feeling you were to have.
I didn't put too much stock into listening to people reminisce about the time they were taken to His temple and shown wonderful delights. I thought they were exaggerating and that the god was just some man preying on the myths and legends of my village.
It was said that he had been looking for a High Priest for quite some time now. Whenever people excitedly talked about the Choosing, I rolled my eyes. I saw no great desire to indulge in the depravities that I heard about. I had a good amount of flings with people, but it just left me bored and unsatisfied.
The night of the Choosing came, and I sat around, hoping that it would be over soon. I had some small conversations with friends and neighbors, but it always centered back onto who the god would choose and whether they would come back like all the others after a few weeks.
I heard my name being called. The talking died down and I stared at the elder.
"What?"
"We've received word that you'll be the next for our God."
"Next? But none of the rituals have been performed."
"The god was very insistent in his letter to us this afternoon. You're the only one who doesn't believe in him."
"He's just some man that's deceiving you! I refuse to be brought to some imposter who's just going to do depraved things to my body and then throw me away!"
I felt hands grab my arms and force me to stand up. The elder walked calmly towards me.
"The God is real and you will go. I have spoken!"
I couldn't grasp the gravity of the situation. The ritual was always performed consensually, with the only people being chosen the ones who placed their name in the lottery. I had never put my name in.
The next few hours were a blur. My hair was teased and pulled, I was bathed and perfumed, and sheer fabric was draped over my body. I was too shocked to do much but let them make me a doll. There wasn't a precedent for the non consensual ritual. And when the elder spoke, his word was final.
A flower crown was placed on my head as the villagers held their torches and the elder spoke the prayer. At this point, all the chosen would be giggling and laughing, imagining what the God would do to them. All I could do was stand there. I knew a lot of people didn't like me particularly much, and I would hear them whisper to each other about how terrible it was that I didn't want the blessings the God gave.
The walk to the temple was quiet. The torches twisted the shadows of the forest, and with each stride I felt dread. When we came to the clearing, the God was standing there, and I stopped.
I had never seen a more beautiful person. His hair was a mixture of curls and waves, and he had a full beard. He seemed to shine, and I didn't know whether it was the trick of the lighting, or something else entirely.
He smiled and I felt as if my heart would burst through my chest. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him. I felt drawn to him, and before I could stop myself I walked forward. I heard the villagers laugh and came back to my senses.
The elder started talking to the God. When he replied back I felt my knees weaken at the sound of his voice. What was the matter with me? The God held out a simple cup. I slowly turned my head up towards him and met his eyes. I felt my heart quicken as I reached out to take the cup. I lifted it to my lips as I stared into his eyes. He seemed so kind.
I drank the entire cup and handed it back to him. His hands touching mine caused my head to spin, my heart quickened, and once again my breath caught in my throat. I felt hot, and then my knees gave out and I started to fall. But he caught me. He held onto me as he got me to my feet.
"Do you consent to kissing me?" I swallowed, my mouth becoming dry.
"Yes." I don't know what possessed me to say yes. But the feelings he gave me were too good, and I had never felt this way.
It was a soft kiss at first. Starting off slow, almost like we were getting to know each other. He pulled me closer and I gasped. The kiss became deeper before he pulled away.
