Chapter 30
Jessiah
The thought of Rummy completing the bond with someone made me dizzy.
Bonding was an incredibly rare, incredibly intimate sacrifice one made in order to strengthen their magic.
Years ago, many people would complete the bond during the final test to enter The Golden City.
But those times were long gone, and the need to bond had slipped away with the old tradition.
My ears rang as Huntyr continued talking. I nearly zoned out entirely until I heard my name.
“What?” I stuttered.
“Absolutely not—” Rummy argued.
“Just listen to me,” Huntyr pushed. “I would complete the bond with you if I could, but I’m already bonded to Wolf.
Jessiah is the most powerful option. He’s an angel, Rummy, and if you really want to take on more magic, if you really want to stabilize your gift so you can use it against our enemies, it has to be Jessiah. Bond with him.”
Holy gods. “I don’t think she wants to—”
“I can’t bond with him.”
Rummy had already been very clear with her feelings toward me. Bonding would mean a more intimate connection than she could even imagine. Bonding would mean everything she’d been avoiding for so long.
She was never going to agree to it.
But Huntyr held firm. She took a long breath. “Then we need a new plan. Letting you walk right into that man’s arms with a power like yours will backfire on all of us. If you aren’t willing to bond, you’re not stepping foot in Pericius.”
For the first time since the Whispering Caves, Rummy looked at me. Really looked at me.
“This is the only option?” she asked.
“Yes,” Huntyr replied. “As long as Jessiah agrees.”
Blood rushed to my face. “It’s not like I can say no, right? It’s for Scarlata, and I’ve sworn to protect Scarlata at all costs.”
“Don’t sound too enthusiastic,” Rummy said.
Huntyr held her hand up. “Then it’s settled. Jessiah, you know the bonding ritual, right?”
I cleared my throat. “I’ve seen it done a few times, yes.”
“Good,” she said. “You’ll bond with Rummy. Tonight. Tomorrow, we plan how to put an end to Cornelius’s reign.”
Rummy and I hadn’t been alone like this since she rejected me. Again. Since I was stupid enough to think she could ever be different.
But here she was, ready to give up her stubborn, raging independence. She would regret this bond. I knew she would. She was never willing to open up to me before, and this? This would make closing herself off impossible.
Our emotions would be tethered. Our magic would be linked until the bond was broken.
“You don’t have to do this,” I breathed, a last-ditch effort to get her to think clearly. “We both know you don’t want to bond with me.”
For the first time all evening, she looked me in the eye. “You’re an angel. You’re the strongest option for me, and Huntyr was right. I need a tether if I plan on wielding more magic.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Her gaze darkened. “I know.” Her boots echoed off the stone floor of the study as she paced back and forth, tugging randomly at the end of her long blonde braid that fell loosely over her shoulder. “I want to do this. Trust me, Jessiah. I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t serious.”
“And you know the consequences, right? You’ll be connected to me. I’ll be able to sense your emotions and I’ll be able to funnel magic through you.”
I’ll be able to sense what’s going on in that messy mind of yours. And you’ll be able to feel me.
I half expected her to back out at the realization. But she just took a long, steady breath. “I understand. Let’s get started, okay? I’m not going to change my mind. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Okay then. I guess there’s no going back.” I pulled the small dagger from my belt and slid the cool blade over my palm. Blood bubbled to the surface, just enough to begin the ritual. “Give me your hand.”
She obeyed without hesitating, and I sliced her skin with the same blade. She flinched, and my stomach knotted.
“Our combined blood is the sacrifice to the goddesses. I’ll recite the words, and the bond will snap in place.” So tell me now if you don’t want this. Tell me now if you’re doubting the bond.
But Rummy didn’t back away. She lifted her chin and nodded, breathless.
This was it.
With our bloody palms held tightly together, I began the chant that had been seared into my memory over the years. The chant that would change our entire lives.
“Arte magica coniuncta, potentia nostra multiplicatur et floret.”
My heart raced. I’d never said the words myself, and I was anticipating a show of power. A sign from the almighty goddesses.
But I felt nothing aside from the fire that burned where her skin met mine.
So I repeated the words. “Arte magica coniuncta, potentia nostra multiplicatur et floret. Arte magica coniuncta, potentia nostra multiplicatur et floret.” Rummy gasped. I squeezed her hand harder. “Arte magica coniuncta, potentia nostra multiplicatur et floret.”
My chest tightened.
My vision blurred.
The line between myself and Rummy grew thin. I was holding her hand, then I was feeling the essence of her like I had known her my entire life, like she was part of me now.
I chanted the words again.
And again.
Until I wasn’t sure I was speaking aloud.
Until my heart doubled in size, nearly breaking.
Until Rummy was the only thing that mattered at all.