Chapter 14 #2
It’ll be okay.
Have faith.
Anger into faith, faith into action.
I can do this.
We can do this.
I grabbed the goblet, having already been cleansed earlier, and held it above my head, calling the four elements to assist us as I walked around the fire. I called to the ancestors and the ancient spirits of this land.
“Hail, and welcome,” I said.
“Hail, and welcome,” Atlas and Wes repeated.
I came back to the altar and held my hands out to either side to grab onto my warriors, and they clasped palms opposite me, completing the triangle. The wind picked up, the trees rustled louder, and the cicadas buzzed fiercely in the background, echoing over the drums and deep vocals of the music.
“Gentle spirits, we call thee here to witness the binding of our blood. A sacrifice made so our magic may flow. We ask for your blessing, or let your disagreement be known.”
I focused on the candles and listened to the earth, reading the signs in the flames. They danced and flickered in the wind for only a moment, indicating initial hesitation. But then the fire glowed brighter, bursting with energy and willingness. Our sacrifice had been accepted.
“Here we go,” I murmured, picking up the knife and turning to Wes on my right. I turned my corresponding hand up and carved a triangle into the fleshy part of my palm opposite my thumb.
“By thorn and chain, by ash and rod, by serpent’s breath, by raven shod.
I bind thee fast, I bind thee near, to walk with me through flame and fear.
” I handed the knife to Wes, who gently cupped my left hand and carved a triangle into the same spot on my palm.
I winced as the blade pierced my skin, but held firm through the spell, knowing it was a test of my strength.
Then I walked to the altar and squeezed my palms over the herbs, letting my blood drip onto our sacrifice as the candle flames glowed brighter, welcoming my magical essence.
Wes repeated the incantation as he carved the design into his right hand before turning to Atlas, holding the knife out, and gesturing for him to repeat the carving on his left.
He added his life’s essence to the altar, and I watched as the crimson swirled together, sizzling and rippling with preternatural energy.
Atlas went next, saying the words as he sliced open his right before holding the knife out to me to do his left. His fingers shook as I held them, but I stared into his eyes, hoping to reassure him that it would be okay. We had the ancestors’ blessing.
We’re doing the right thing. This is the only way.
Atlas added his blood to ours, and once he stepped back, we took hands again, our wounds sealing together with warm, sticky liquid. A surge of power went through me, dense, potent electricity cascading from me and around me and into me.
It’s working.
“Blood to blood and bone to bone, what is ours shall be ours alone. Breath to breath and soul to soul. Thy will be yoked. Thy spirit be whole.”
The guys repeated after me, echoing the spell as the world faded away, leaving the three of us holding hands around the altar.
We said the next part together, reading from Constance’s book, reciting the old words as magic danced from the ground, ricocheting up my legs and into my torso, spreading out to Wes and Atlas on either side.
“By fire that burns black and red, by the realms that hold all the dead, by water deep, by air that flies, I claim thee now with eternal ties.”
Wind swirled around us, but the flames held steady. The clouds brushed over the moon, casting an ominous shadow on our work, but we kept going. I steeled myself against the ecstatic vibrance burning through my veins, remembering what I’d told them earlier.
Let it flow. Open yourself to it. That’s the only way this works.
“Come shadow, come serpent, come raven, come crow. Witness the vow and the binding we sew. Let no man break it or spirit undo. This chain we weave is permanent and true.”
As we said the last word, a visible blast went through us, blinding white and nearly scalding.
I gasped, sucking in the essence of both of them.
Atlas’s raging fury mixed with Wes’s calm demeanor and forced itself into my lungs.
It was almost as strong as the original ceremony, almost as potent. We were nearly there.
The energy died away, leaving us all wide-eyed and panting.
I looked at Wes, who raised his eyebrows and grinned, and then at Atlas, who seemed as shocked as I felt.
I broke our hands and grabbed the knife again, knowing what would come next.
It would be the most challenging and most tender part of this ritual, but it would seal our words and our vow.
It was the third mark. Right over the heart.
Stepping toward Atlas, I held the blade toward him, gulping as I met his hesitant stare.
“Now’s your chance, witch,” he whispered, raising an eyebrow. “Push too deep and this is all over.”
I scoffed and shook my head. “Quiet, warrior. I promise not to make it hurt too much.”
He chuckled as Wes came to stand next to me.
“By moon that shines, by sun that dies. I bind thy heart. I seal these ties.” I pressed the blade into his chest, right over his heart, and sliced half of the triangle, trying not to let his trembling muscles ruin the design.
This was, after all, meant to scar. Wes took the knife from me and completed the sigil as he repeated the spell.
Then, together, we leaned down and licked the marks, taking Atlas’s blood into our bodies, making it our own.
I closed my eyes against the sweet, delicious taste.
I expected it to be metallic, but oh, it flowed down my throat like ambrosia, and I had to physically force myself to stop.
Atlas balked when I opened my eyes again, and Wes stepped closer, running a finger over my cheek.
“Your eyes,” he murmured.
“Here.” I held the knife out to him so we could do the same to Wes. “Do it quick.”
He seemed surer of the outcome, his torso sturdy and upright. When Atlas and I licked over his skin, the hum of magic grew steadier, settling in my torso, wrapping my heart in comfort and ease like a fluffy blanket on a cold winter day.
Finally, it was my turn. I lowered the straps of my dress and covered my breasts, holding them so Wes could slice the first half of the sigil.
It burned with euphoric fury, pain and pleasure combined, and I grimaced, maintaining my composure as Atlas completed the mark.
And when they lowered their heads to lick the blood from my body, I gasped as pure, unfiltered rapture raced through my nerves.
My head fell back on my shoulders. Bliss erupted over my skin.
The blood tie was almost complete, almost at its height.
And if this was the result of a sigil marking, I trembled with anticipation of what would come once the last word was said.
They stood, lips red with blood, the same blood dripping down my chest, and I tried to hide the shaking in my muscles at the amplification of power connecting us.
They looked magnificent in the glowing firelight.
Fierce and powerful and covered in our life force.
I wished I had a camera to capture this moment forever.
I had never been more attracted to two people with equal ferocity.
And they’re both mine.
When they opened their eyes, I understood what had happened. The iris and pupil were gone. In their place was a sparkling ruby color that filled the entire space.
I barely had time to register that before a blast of magic shot through us like a shockwave, nearly debilitating in how forceful it hit us.
I stumbled back, clenching against it, but when it subsided, warmth and contentment vibrated through my gut, leaving me with the unfettered knowledge of being supported by them.
Them.
Atlas.
Wes.
Mine.
The ritual was complete, but we were far from done.