บท 3: Chapter 3
Immediately, as if reading my mind, in walked a tall 6’5” dark haired Carson. He didn’t speak but walked with a sense of assurance. His broad shoulders wide and strong. Unwavering. My heart dropped in my chest and for a moment I couldn’t breathe.
Fiona glowed at the sight of him, he was obviously an acceptable choice in her eyes “Mr. Andrews, please let me introduce you to our newest witch and your bonded guardian Everly Danvers.” She waved. Carson’s eyes grew wide with surprise. He froze, his gaze fixed on me. Neither of us could speak. We both just stared across the room at one another. Fiona could sense something was off. “Is there a problem?” she questioned. I finally mustered up the strength to say something “We know each other.” I choked, the words barely leaving my throat.
“Oh! Even better, a familiar and a guardian with a preexisting bond, how remarkable.” She squealed. I held back my urge to faint. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Sage wrapped her arm grabbed my waist to try to stabilize me. Carson was a shifter? And we were about to be bonded together, as companions, and allies… for life? The words didn’t make sense. Caron walked further into the room and stood beside me.
He looked down at me “You, okay?” He asked shooting me a quick glance. “Your heart is racing.” I stopped and turned to him. He could hear my heartbeat? My voice caught in my throat; I didn’t know what to say. “Just breathe.” He whispered.
“Please take your places in the inner circle, so that we may proceed with the bonding ceremony.” Fiona motioned. Behind her Iris was placing two fluffy pillows in the center of the room. Once again, the women of the Coven formed a large circle around us but this time there were others mixed in. Men and women, mostly dressed in street clothes, most I had never seen before. Except one, an older lady, pretty, with long silver hair pulled up high into a messy bun. Luna. The lady that owned the Diner my friends and I always hung out at. She was a werewolf too? Huh, well her name was Luna, I guess it did made sense. It was crazy to see so many people from our town, people that I had no idea were shifters. I mean, I knew they existed, I just never realized there were so many. They almost outnumbered us.
“Please kneel.” Fiona signaled. Carson silently followed her direction. He lowered himself down and offered his hand to help me onto my pillow. I took his hand and knelt. We both turned to Fiona who resumed her place in front us, holding the large book in her arms.
“Tonight at 30 past the witching hour, we consecrate the bond between guardian and new witch Everly Danvers and Lycan skin-walker Carson Andrews as familiar bonds.” She cleared her throat. “This unbreakable bond is eternal and will be honored as such. Each will protect and defend the other against any outside forms of aggression or harm. Each will aid and assist the other in all matters of witch or Lycan origin. Each will protect the identity of all witches and Lycan individuals and will alert both the Lycan Pack leaders and Coven Council of any possible human knowledge to our existence. Each will devote their lives to honing their skill and craft including but not limited to spellcasting, potion creation, wicca and Lycan lineage, and shifting control. Under no circumstances can a Wiccan and Lycan bond be broken. And finally, each vows to never engage in romantic or sexual relations with one’s guardian or familiar. If this law is broken, it will result in immediate death for the Lycan in question, and the stripping of the witch’s powers and permanent banishment.” Fiona’s eyes focused on us. “Join hands.” She instructed. I felt the warmth of Carson’s hand gripping mine. His palms were clammy and damp. He kept his head lowered without making eye contact with anyone. I wondered what he was thinking. “Now…” Fiona called interrupting my thoughts. “I bind you, together, in this life.” She leaned down in front of us and wrapped a long red silk sash around our hands. She placed her hands over ours. “So, mote it be.” She smiled. She then grabbed a small satchel that was tied around her waist and retrieved and fist full of whatever was inside. With a glance at each of us she blew some sort of powdery dust in our faces. I closed my eyes and let the dust wash over me. After a few moments I opened them and looked down at the skin on my arms and chest, it all glowed, a sparking twinkle I had never seen before. I looked over at Carson and his face was covered in the same dust and was also shimmering.
His eyes examined my face, my hair, all of me. I could feel his gaze moving up and down my body as if he were physical touching me. His eyes finally settled on mine. “You’re radiant” he smiled.
“Now stand.” Fiona bellowed. She motioned to us. We both climbed to our feet our hands still joined. Fiona slowly began to unravel the silk sash. Our hands were now unbound but Carson’s hand still clung to mine. And for some reason I didn’t let go if his either. I didn’t want to. I felt drawn to him. Like I needed him. I didn’t know if it was the adrenalin from the entire night, a side effect of the binding ritual, or the spell dust Fiona had used on us. But I just needed to be near him.
“The familiar bonding ceremony is complete. You, Everly Danvers, and Carson Andrews are now and forever spellbound.” The entire room burst into cheers and hollers. People clapped and waved in excitement. My mom had tears of joy brimming her eyes, and Sage sarcastically slow clapped in the background but I could see how proud she was. Even the wolves present hooted and hollered with happiness and pride. Deacon made his way over to us slapping Carson on the back and wrapping him in a big bear hug.
“Now, we celebrate!” Fiona called. The room continued with delight. Somewhere in the distance party music began to play. Iris appeared with trays of champagne and a few other witches pushed carts of hors d'oeuvre out into the large room. People began to dance and celebrate. Not realizing I was still holding onto Carson’s hand I turned to him.
“Sorry, I guess I can give you, your hand back now.” I smiled at him awkwardly. I half expected him to drop my hand without a second thought. I mean the whole night was a level 10 whirlwind, so I just knew he was ready to get of there, and away from me, at least until we could both come to terms with this whole bonded for life thing. But in true Carson fashion he surprised me and did the complete opposite.
“Naw, I’m good.” He replied clasping my hand a little tighter. That was the moment I realized that there was something different about him. That maybe he wanted and needed to be near me as much I wanted and needed him. Everything was different now; we were different. And I felt that nothing would ever be the same, I just no idea how right I was.
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