"This is unprecedented." The judge looked to Kagan.
Giselle clapped and cheered behind Kagan, who looked flummoxed.
"So does this mean that in our trio I am Prime?" Providence asked.
The judges and even Kagan nodded slightly, looking confused.
Madhava and Dagaa looked from Providence to each other, then back to her again. According to the strict rules of the competition Providence had earned the position of Prime. But the thought of Providence being THEIR Prime was beyond unprecedented. How was that supposed to work? It was their duty to be her protectors not the other way around. No female had challenged and won this right ever.
"I think the council needs to discuss what this truly means since it has far-reaching implications." Kagan said.
Providence shrugged not at all affected by her feat.
"I think we have some serious things we need to discuss with Providence when we get home." Dagaa leaned into Madhava and said.
As they walked into their small house Madhava's thoughts swirled. What did this mean if he attempted to bond with Providence?
"I need to go wash the pond scum off." Providence said as she sashayed up the stairs before either Madhava or Dagaa could stop her.
"I don't even know where to begin." Dagaa said in frustration and confusion.
They were both at a loss as to how to proceed.
"I was so afraid when I saw her up there. We have to talk some sense into her. Providence can't go risking her tail like that." Madhava frowned.
"We are in agreement on this." Dagaa mirrored his mood. “Neither of us may be her Prime but tradition be damned. There is no way I can set aside the part of myself that demands I protect and shelter her."
"I know how you feel. She is a very capable female and I pity the creature that challenges her, however until a week ago all she knew was her planet and species. Cadi is unknown to her, and she has already been hurt by those nasty reptiles." Madhava growled.
"She is a fiery little warrior. It makes me proud that she defended herself so well." Dagaa smiled. "But even the best warrior is vulnerable at times. It is why a Prime chooses a Second in the first place, so if something happens his family is cared for."
"Dagaa before we talk to her you and I need to discuss some things between us." Madhava paced the living room. "Dagaa, where do you see this going with Providence? I know why I challenged you, but why did you accept?"
Madhava saw himself bonding with Providence. He wanted what he saw with other bonded pairs. He wanted young someday, and all the joys that went along with having a family that he'd been denied.
More than that, Madhava wanted to nurture the connection he felt with Providence. The way she looked at him turned his world upside down. All she had to do was walk into the room and everything brightened.
"I think I am falling in love with her." Dagaa admitted as he sat on the settee. "I've been fighting the urge to mark her. What about you?"
"The same." Madhava sighed.
This was a difficult position to be in, two males vying for the same female.
"I am sorry my friend, for how I've been acting. When I was a young warrior, I found the female I thought I would bond to with another. I shielded myself against facing that again, then along comes our fiery warrior. It's no excuse for being such an ass, but my feelings for Providence are so strong I feared losing her." Dagaa rubbed his hands over his face.
"Then we are quite the pair. You with an abundance of females but no love and me with a lack of females and still no love." Madhava shook his head. "You know Dagaa, you are like a brother to me. You accepted me when other warriors doubted my intentions. I never want to lose our friendship. You have no idea how valuable it is to me." Madhava walked over and clapped Dagaa on the shoulder.
"I feel the same my friend." Dagaa smiled.
"Now how in the name of Kali do we approach Providence? Do you think it's even possible that she could want or even handle what I think we are proposing?"
"Our fiery warrior is full of surprises. I think just maybe we have met our match my friend." Dagaa's grin broadened.
"Well then we better go hunt our Prime down."
It felt strange referring to Providence as their Prime, and yet it felt right at the same time. She was after all quickly becoming the center of their world.
Providence
Providence hid at the top of the stairs with a smile on her face as she listened to the two men. She thanked her lucky stars that Dagaa and Madhava were making up.
What surprised her though was the level of affection they both seemed to feel for her. If she wasn't mistaken they were suggesting that they both would mate, no bond with her. Providence still didn't quite understand what bonding meant, but she knew what love meant.