CHAPTER TWELVE #2
“In attaching the souls and creating a Bond of their hearts, we find Allore’s reflection in creation.
The Children of the Creator were charged to bring his balance, to embody his power and beauty, to create as he created, and to reflect the resources of life, his holy frame.
Upon the Bonding, we find strength and unity unlike any other.
The Creation divinely wrought is brought into ultimate sanctification, a portrait of our holy father and his majesty.
It is not without a fully completed crown of unified bodies that we can see the purest image of his might. ”
Evylin set the book down, the ponderous text swirling in her head.
She took a sip of tea, then picked the book up again, fighting to remain attentive and comprehend even a fraction of what she read.
She’d only made it three pages by the time Ilain returned, and she thought she understood perhaps a handful of lines at best.
As Ilain entered, Evylin closed the book. She watched as her friend moved through the space, putting away the toiletries. “Ilain,” she called as the woman began to rummage around in one of the parcels, “why are we doing this?”
“Doing what?” Ilain asked distractedly.
“This,” Evylin said, gesturing to the room. “We’re leaving in the morning. We’re pressed for time. And yet, we’re taking hours to prepare for this ceremony as though . . . as though it’s a wedding.”
Ilain crossed the room, a brush in her hand.
“Look forward,” she said, guiding Evylin’s gaze toward the wall.
Then she took up a small section of hair, swiping the brush across it as she began to reply.
“We are doing this, Evylin, because Bonding is sacred. It is a hallowed act in which few Mages or Warriors ever have the chance to partake.”
Evylin picked at the cover of the book, uncomfortable with all the religion associated with the ceremony.
“In fact,” Ilain continued, “you and Jonn are the first to Bond in well over five centuries.”
That caused Evylin to freeze. “How is that possible?” she asked.
“Bonding was lost to us,” Ilain said. “As is much about our history. The Mages of Auld wiped out the Warriors, making Bonding impossible for a time. Further, they destroyed much of the texts regarding it out of spite, and while some have been recovered through the years, many of the core tenets of its tradition remain a mystery. Even that,” Ilain motioned to the book, “we only have because the Alliance found it in the rubble of the old palace in Aulton. Thankfully, I was able to convince them to give it to me, helping me become the foremost expert in Bonding in this era.”
“You’ve read it, then?”
“Many times.”
“Really?”
Ilain chuckled. “It isn’t the easiest to read, is it? But it is important, so I’d suggest you and Jonn make time for it.”
“Tonight?” Evylin asked with worry.
“Of course not tonight,” Ilain said, amused. “But soon. Hand me that oil, would you?”
Evylin did as requested. “Ilain . . .”
“Yes?”
Playing with the tie of her robe, Evylin stared at the wall while Ilain ran her fingers through her hair. “You’re married to Ethenn,” she noted.
Ilain paused, then resumed her work. “I am betrothed to Ethenn, which is a provisional marriage in Wauld.”
Evylin smiled. “I’m happy for you.”
After another pause, Ilain thanked her softly.
“Last we spoke,” Evylin continued, “you thought you loved him. I take it that you’ve determined you do?”
Ilain picked the brush back up, working silently for a time. “As I said before, I’m not altogether certain what love feels like,” she admitted quietly. “But . . . yes, I think . . . I think I’m starting to understand it enough to say definitively that I do love him.”
“That’s wonderful!” Evylin turned and took Ilain’s hand. “And he admitted his love for you?”
“He did,” Ilain said as though in awe.
“Then you’re getting everything you ever wanted,” Evylin said. “A Warrior whom you love and the chance to Bond.”
Ilain’s small smile grew, a light pink wash coming over her cheeks. She looked younger than Evylin had ever seen her, bashful like a teen in the midst of her first crush. “It seems too good to be true,” she said softly. “I can’t help fearing that it is.”
Seeing the sudden well of tears in Ilain’s eyes, Evylin gripped her hand more tightly. “Ilain, what’s wrong?” she asked.
With a sweep of her free hand, Ilain waved her concern away.
“Nothing,” she said. “I’m just emotional.
After all these years . . . I’ve wanted to be Bonded since I was sixteen.
Now, nearly thirty years later, it’s finally going to happen.
I’m betrothed to a man who loves me—whom I love and will Bond with in a year’s time.
Or sooner if we can get Allund in order.
Yet, all I can think is . . . What if something happens?
We still have a month of travel to get the rest of the Relics.
We have fights and trials to face. We will have to come against Blount himself, whether with three Relics or four.
And through it all . . . What if we die?
Worse, what if, in that time, Ethenn realizes that he doesn’t love me? I’ll lose everything.”
Evylin rose, knowing those exact fears intimately. She’d faced them herself only days ago.