My knees buckled, and I collapsed into a heap of sobs and shivers. I pressed my wet cheek onto the cold cement and prayed to the gods to release me from Aldric’s hold.
Ten
The linking ceremony of Nectunt was old magic from the Sang Magi, a sacred text that we were lucky to have back in our possession. To use it here, in the ceremony room at the Hall of Secrets, required pure intention. Light magic. With darkness rising in me like the tide, I was unsure if this would even work.
I walked through the halls in a trance-like state. Everyone was waiting for me, counting on me to pull it together. The thought of cutting my link to Aldric made me sick, like I was about to cut off one of my own limbs. How does anyone prepare for that?
I chewed on a piece of willow bark to ground me, but it didn’t feel like it was working. My heart was unsteady, and my hands trembled as I made my way to the ceremony room.
I hesitated at the door. With everything I had been through, all the different magic I had ingested, who would I be at the end of this? I took a deep breath and tried to push those thoughts away. The covens were depending on me. That is what I would cling to. Saving our world…what was purer than that?
The Keeper stood in the center of the room, dressed in white. A feeling of déjà vu struck me as I entered. It was familiar, but different. Instead of Aldric’s sparkling blue eyes gazing back at me, an unusually nervous Dragos stood at the altar, his fingers trembling.
The magnificent oak tree stretched out and beyond the opening in the ceiling while dozens of fireflies lit up the room like tea lights. The air was calm and still, just like before. I forced a smile and moved to join them.
The Keeper faced me, and I let out a tiny gasp as he reached over and removed my Crescent necklace. It was the only thing I had that belonged to Aldric. A symbol of our link. I had grown accustomed to its weight on my chest. The absence of it now was a shock to my system. I bit my lip to keep the tears from forming.
Dragos gave my hand a light squeeze. “Are you all right?’
I nodded. “Yes. Sorry. That’s the first time I’ve ever taken it off.”
He winked. “We’ll just have to get you something else to replace it.”
My heart ached. If only it were that simple. Before I could finish my thought, The Keeper reached over again and fastened a new necklace around my throat. It hung down a little lower than the crescent had. I looked down to see a bronzed sun with a lyre etched on it. It was the symbol of Apollo, the father of Dhampirs. I wrapped my hand around it and said a silent prayer.
What came next was a blur. The Keeper chanted in twisted tongues while the wind whipped around us and fireflies buzzed in our ears. The steel dagger sliced open our hands as they were joined together and wrapped in muslin. Aromas of sage and lavender filled my lungs and a fiery oak branch sealed the link right before our hands were plunged into the sacred waters beneath us. What I wasn’t prepared for was the pain.
My body lurched forward as the magic coursed through my veins, burning my insides. It stretched and pulled at every cell, reworking them like a machine. My head swelled to the point of bursting as magic scratched at my throat and rushed through my blood. I cried out and threw my hands out in front of me. My body twisted in agony as my Narcissus magic raced through every crevice, merging with the new blood.
Dragos groaned next to me. He writhed onto his back and pounded his fists into the ground. Through blurred vision, I crawled over to him and grabbed his hand. The Keeper’s chanting grew louder. Were my ears bleeding or just wet from the sacred waters splashing up and over us?
Every bone in my body stiffened as my blood turned cold, icy and sharp like it was shredding my insides to pieces. Was it supposed to feel this way? The contents of my stomach rose up in my throat as the room began to spin around us. Still gripping Dragos’s hand, I dunked my head into the water to keep myself from getting sick.
Another sharp pain seared through my head. I drew in a sharp breath and held it. Then everything went still. The room, the water, the wind were as quiet and calm as before. Another gold leaf fluttered to the ground and once again the ceremony was complete.
I closed my eyes and searched my blood. He was gone. There wasn’t a single trace of Aldric left, but it didn’t hurt anymore. I let out a sigh of relief. I turned a corner in my mind and saw Dragos. He was in my bones, deep like the roots of the oak tree. An effervescence spread through me like wildfire.
His wants and needs poured through me. Our desires twisted and twirled around each other like a dance. I let out a gasp… His soul…it felt like mine. It was mine. I couldn’t discern between the two. The ache in my chest was gone, like it was never there to begin with.
I looked up slowly to find The Keeper smiling down at me. “How do you feel?”
My eyes widened, and my breath quickened. “Our link…it’s stronger.” I looked at Dragos and I had this uncontrollable urge to wrap my body around his. To touch him and bury my head in his chest. His breath quickened as he stared back.
The Keeper nodded, dumbfounded. “Magic works in mysterious ways. The combination of your blood…I can sense its power.”
I gripped my new necklace tight to my chest, my fingers shaking. Dragos covered my hand with his and a surge of electricity shot through my veins. My heart raced. His eyes were as bright as sunlight. Still silvery grey, but now with flecks of gold, glowing like fireflies.
He traced my jaw with the tip of his thumb. “Do you feel that?” A tingle raced up my spine.
I nodded. “I feel…alive.” Images of running through the trees in Pendle Forest flashed through my mind—the feel of dirt between my toes, the smell of wood and rainwater in my hair. It was more than a memory. I could feel it again, the way it felt to be human.
Dragos smiled and pulled me to his chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck and breathed him in. The scent of clove filled my lungs and soothed me like a warm bath. Tears of joy and relief streamed down my cheeks.
Dragos followed me to my room. Our room. Hand in hand, my skin tingled with anticipation. Closing the door behind us, his lips were on mine the second I turned around.
His tongue explored my mouth—soft and gentle. He tasted sweet and earthy. His hands cupped my face as he pulled back to look at me. His eyes burned into mine, sending shivers through my limbs.
I drew in a sharp breath and whispered, “Esti al meu.”
His eyes lit up and he pulled my hips toward his. “I’ve always been yours, and you have always been mine. We just had to find our way back to each other.”
A warmth spread throughout my chest as I kissed him hard. An urgency kicked in as we clawed each other’s clothes off—desperate to feel each other’s flesh.
He smirked as I slammed him against the wall and devoured his neck. His hands tugged at my hair and pulled my lips up to meet his. He swung me around and pressed up against me. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he hoisted them up.
I let out a moan as he entered. Waves of ecstasy hit me like a stormy sea as we rocked back and forth. Magic coursed through my veins—heightening every touch. I could feel his pleasure and mine. We cried out together as our blood merged and rushed to our loins.
Breathless and in awe, we clung to each other, our chests heaving. Our hearts beating wildly in our ears.
He smiled and gently carried me over to the fireplace. He wrapped a blanket around me and poured each of us a whiskey.
I stared at him, dumbfounded. “We…we’ve done that before many times, but it never felt like that.”
Dragos pulled on his pants, grinning from ear to ear. “I would have suggested linking to you a long time ago if I had known it would feel like this…and I’m not just talking about the sex, although I can’t believe we’ve ever had it any other way.” He smirked and winked.
My heart skipped a beat. “I know. I wasn’t expecting us to feel this whole…this right.”
He took my hand in his. “It was worth the wait.”
I wanted to
bathe in this glow forever, but I knew the others were waiting for us downstairs. Waiting to see what we had become. And waiting to see what we would do next.
I stood up and scooped up my clothes, dreading each layer as I pulled them on. “Now comes the hard part.”
Dragos chuckled. “Leaving this room?”
I smiled but shook my head. “Convincing the gods to help us.”
He nodded and finished getting dressed as well. “Well, we just won’t take no for an answer.” He winked and flashed that wicked grin that I was so used to, his usual cockiness returning.
I took a deep breath and opened the door. He gave me a nod as we descended the stairs down into the main hall while I said a silent farewell to the calm before the storm.
Eleven
Valentina was pacing around the study when we walked in. Her blood red curls bounced around her shoulders, like confetti, and beads of sweat dripped down her brow. She clutched her arms to her chest and froze when her eyes met mine.
Her eyes grew wide with wonder. “I can’t believe it. You both look…different.” Her eyes darted back and forth between me and her brother.
Dragos raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you okay with this?” He motioned toward me but kept his eyes on his sister.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Are you kidding? I’ve wanted this for you for so long. I’m more than okay with this.” She giggled as she wiped her cheeks.
I let out a sigh of relief. Valentina had always tried to push Dragos and I together, but linking was a higher level of commitment and loyalty. A part of me was worried that she might be jealous of our bond. Seeing her reaction, my doubts vanished into thin air. I darted to her side and pulled her into an embrace.
She sighed in my ear. “It was meant to be. I’m so happy for you.”
The Keeper cleared his throat. “I hate to break up the celebration, but we have important matters to attend to.”
His tone brought me back to reality. “We’re heading to the Harpy Forest in a few moments. I just need to grab some blood bags for Aldric.”
Dragos’s eyes flickered, the realization hitting him that Aldric was unlinked and would be back to craving blood again. He nodded in agreement.
There was no telling if the Harpies were prepared to deal with a blood-thirsty Dhampir, and I worried about what state he would be in. The linking ceremony to Dragos was painful. I could only imagine what it felt like for Aldric to have a link severed without any magical protection or guidance. I didn’t trust Iris. For all I knew, she might have thrown him into a cell with Nadia. I had to get to him before that happened.
With Dragos and Valentina on board with a case full of blood bags, we set sail for what I hoped would be the last trip to that miserable forest.
I expected to hear blood curdling screams and find Aldric on a rampage, but the forest was as calm and peaceful as it had ever been. The stone bench was empty as we approached.
Within minutes, Aldric emerged looking fresh and well groomed. He stiffened at the sight of me and Dragos standing side by side. His eyes lingered on Dragos’s arm resting on the back of my waist.
He was just as handsome as ever, but there was a distance between us that prevented me from feeling anything more. Like he was a stranger who I had met only in my dreams.
I threw the case of blood bags at his feet. “I brought you these, but it looks like you don’t need them.”
Aldric pursed his lips into a tight smile. “I appreciate it, but no, I don’t. Iris planned for it.”
I gritted my teeth. “I’m sure she did.” I couldn’t hide the bitterness in my voice. Despite everything, I still loved him. Not like before, but in the way a human carries around nostalgia and sentimental attachments. The severing of our link didn’t change the fact that he used to be mine.
I heard the flapping of wings before I saw them. Iris and Nemesis landed with grace, their sharp talons digging into the dirt to anchor them.
Valentina tapped her foot. “Play time is over. Gray did what you asked. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Iris smirked. “Well, hello to you too.” She surveyed each of us like we were candy, admiring our coating and deciding which one of us she wanted to eat first. “You have kept your word. This pleases me. As promised, I will keep mine.”
I let out the breath I had been holding. “Good. Let’s get going. I don’t know how much longer New Orleans can stand.”
Iris laughed. “Not so fast. Your friend with the blood eyes stays here with my sister. I don’t need to worry about her stabbing me in the back.”
Valentina shot me a look and clenched her fists. “When I decide to stab you, you’ll see me coming.”
I raised a hand to silence her. “Dragos and I will be fine. It’s better you stay here and keep an eye on Nemesis anyway.”
Dragos leaned in and whispered in her ear. “If anything goes wrong, slit her throat.”
Her eyes flashed red as she nodded. “With pleasure.”
Iris clapped her hands and giggled. “Splendid. It will be like—what do the humans call it? A double date!”
Aldric shifted his feet and looked down at the ground.
Dragos snickered. “Feeling a bit guilty, Bannister?”
His eyes flashed white. “You have no idea what I’m feeling.”
Dragos wrapped a protective arm around my waist. “Well, your loss is my gain. Nobody here cares what you’re feeling anymore.”
I rolled my eyes. “We don’t have time to argue. Let’s just get this over with.” The thought of traveling to Elysium with Aldric and Iris made my stomach turn, but she wasn’t going to let me go any other way.
Valentina pulled Dragos and me to the side. “Watch each other’s backs in there. I will hold down the fort out here.”
I nodded and gave her a quick squeeze. Nemesis looked on in amusement as we followed Iris and Aldric down the path toward the gates to Elysium.
The air was crisp and clean and sweeter as we moved past the Harpy Forest and closer to Elysium. I had no idea what to expect. It’s not every day that you get to travel to a sacred realm in search of gods.
My stomach fluttered into a ball of nerves as I glanced at my companions. Aldric kept quiet as Dragos glared at the back of his head. Iris had a spring in her step, pleased with herself for tearing him away from me and causing another rift between us. There was no time to ponder or contemplate it. For the last twenty-four hours I had been pushed and pulled into one strange scenario after another.
Aldric had been my rock, my light, and my anchor to a world once filled with hope. He was the man I had wanted to spend the rest of my life with, or so I had thought. His actions as of late had started to convince me otherwise. I understood his feelings of abandonment and rage, but I could not wrap my head around his need to push me away. I had promised to protect him once, but now I needed to protect myself, and my heart.
Looking at Dragos with fresh eyes, there were so many layers to him that I just needed to pull back. He surprised me every day. Being linked to him now, I could see a side of him that I had overlooked. With all his faults—the jealousy and the obsession—I knew that it stemmed from a place of vulnerability and loneliness. He had been the one constant in my life. No matter what I’d done or said to him, he couldn’t stay away for too long. He’d go off to pout, but he’d always return with even more love in his eyes. As angry as he had made me, I trusted him more than any man I’d ever known. I didn’t know what could be safer than that.
The scenery was ever changing. It reminded me of the path to the Hall of Secrets—the foliage, the flowers, even the sky—shifted like the seasons. Elemental magic. Despite the tension in the group, it brought a sense of calm to me. From the bright blue river on my left, to the emerald green, moss-covered hills on my right, the birds chirped, and the cicadas sang. It was a piece of utopia, sparkling like a gem. Hidden like a secret for only us to find.
Dragos placed a hand in the small of my back. His touch was warm, and I coul
d feel his pulse through his fingers, steady and strong. “It’s easier to breath out here. I never thought such a place existed.”
I nodded. “It’s hard to believe the creatures guarding it are so volatile.”
He chuckled. “Ah, they just want it all to themselves.” His eyes darkened as he continued. “You know…Iris wasn’t always like this. I fear that I did this to her. Made her bitter.”
I squeezed his hand. “We all have a choice. She could have chosen to rise above it. Don’t blame yourself. It happened a long time ago. She needs to let it go.” I said it a bit louder than I intended.
Aldric shot me a look, his eyes drooping at the corners. And for a split second, I thought a tear might fall. Dragos, noticing the exchange, walked up ahead as Aldric hung back with me. They gave each other a slight nod, subdued but laced with a simmering animosity.
Aldric took a deep breath. “My feelings for you haven’t changed. I hope you can understand that someday.”
I snickered. “Someday is a long time when you are immortal, Aldric. You have been a Dhampir for about four months. Talk to me about it again when you’ve had four hundred years behind you.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be insensitive. I’m trying to do the right thing here, Gray. I’m not myself. I don’t even know who that is anymore. I killed my parents. The Consilium cut off my magic because I couldn’t control it. How many other Witches has that happened to? None. Living with this is eating me alive.”
I snapped, “I could have helped you with it. That’s what love is. Being there for each other no matter what. Instead, you pushed me away and shacked up with her.” I motioned to Iris, who was clearly eavesdropping.
Aldric sighed. “Dragos is right. I am weak. I can’t measure up to him or you. I will always feel inadequate. Maybe in time that will change. But for now, I need to be on my own. And I’m not shacking up with her. She’s just letting me stay here until I can figure things out.”
Gods and Demons (Blood and Darkness Book 3) Page 7
