Chapter 50 #2
I clear my throat, stirring as much bravado as I can muster.
“Um. Well. S?las and I are also Fated mates, as it turns out. Wild, I know. Anyway… he has already accepted the bond. And, in a unique turn of events, in a Savaé-only kind of way, I accepted the bond, partially. Which means… if I reject it now, we can both die. So, no pressure or anything.”
I slump in my chair with an exasperated sigh, bracing for the swift slap I know is coming.
Kivi and Atlas’ eyes both narrow, pinning me to the spot in a crumpling mess. I dare say they even show a hint of disappointment on their typically calm, collected faces.
“A simple solution is obvious: accept the bond. We cannot risk losing you both. Not with your powers and your dragons.” Gearin adjusts his golden glasses. His logical brain leaving no room for emotional understanding. Sometimes I wonder if he’s more Rune Tech than Fae at this point.
“It’s not that simple. She deserves the right to choose,” S?las says cooly, but his grip on my thigh tightens. He doesn’t like where this conversation is going, and neither do I.
“She already decided, accepting the bond partially. Her choice affects the entire Zenith. So just finish it, and let’s be done with this.
Her commitment issues don’t need to be our problem.
I must say, this finally explains the way you two have been acting lately.
I guess that means your distracting pheromones in class won’t be changing anytime soon.
Fan-fucking-tastic,” Eko says, crossing his arms.
S?las tenses at his words. I squeeze his hand, sweeping it into my lap. “I am okay. Everyone has a right to their own opinions… even if they’re not very good ones.”
“Don’t be such fucking males. Yes, this affects all of us, but it doesn’t mean we force her into something she’s not ready for.
No matter how much I think S?las needs to get laid.
” Seraph winks at me. My eyes roll in response.
With a smug smirk, she continues, “As long as you don’t reject the bond, we don’t lose either of ya, right? ”
“Yep. That’s the theory, per Scáil and Calais.” I nod at Seraph for the support.
Juniper and Fenwick nod at each other. I swear those two can read each other’s thoughts.
“We agree. No one should ever be forced into things. Especially something as rare and special as a Fated mate bond,” Juniper chirps, springing her dark forest hair over her shoulder.
Pip perches on her head, joining her chirp in agreement.
Juniper giggles, blooming a flower in her hand as a gift to him…Which, of course, he eats, painting a smile across my lips.
“I don’t think my ancestors, Gildora and Raeya, would be in support of us forcing a bond. Their love is what inspired the Rune Tech artificial wombs, so no couple was limited. Forcing anything can lead to unforeseen strife and more harm than good,” Fenwick chimes wisely.
“I see the points of both sides. However, if the roles were reversed, I would not forgive you all for forcing me into a lifelong commitment of suffering.” Kissa rolls her eyes with a sigh before her fangs are ripping into a piece of meat.
“Why would she suffer? They clearly like one another,” Eko snips, rubbing his temple, appearing utterly annoyed this is still up for debate.
Highin’s feathers ruffle at Eko’s remark, talons tapping on the floor. Surprise sweeps our attention to our reserved feathered friend. His quiet nature makes even shy Flint look like a socialite in comparison.
“Aetherhawks mate for life. Distant magic from the original Celestial-blessed Fated mates live on in our bonds. This bond tethers a piece of your souls together. It craves closeness; being separated for long periods of time can cause physical harm, draining their magic, even to the point they can waste away. They can sense one another’s emotions, always feeling their presence.
They will never be able to truly love another being, the bond making it extremely painful.
” His hand lifts, weaving into the rust-colored feathers dusting his chest.
A muscle in Highin’s jaw ticks, hand dropping.
Clearing his throat, he continues, “According to our shamans, if their bond has the strength of the ancient ones, they can hear each other’s thoughts and wield magic as one, enhancing their abilities and being able to draw from one another.
They are two halves of a whole soul. To force this could cost Savaé her life, and thus S?las’, causing the very outcome you are hoping to prevent.
The Fates play fickle games with their sister, Karma.
We should not intervene in things we do not fully grasp.
Especially when all-powerful beings are involved.
” Highin’s sienna feathers around his neck setting back into place as he finishes, wings tucking tight behind his shoulders.
“Who knew we had a bonded-mate expert in our midst? We should have shared this sooner. Our dragons could only offer speculation.” I regret not trusting my Zenith sooner, pledging to myself not to make that mistake again.
“We offered what knowledge we could,” Scáil sighs over Calais rumbling in the background of our shared bond.
“I know. Thank you,” I respond. Aetherhawks are an extremely secluded culture; I doubt even Atlas knew about this.
Highin’s cinnamon eyes swirl to me. “It’s natural to seclude this treasure to yourselves initially.
Discovering a new bond is a sacred time.
Our community supports new mates by allowing them an undisturbed period to be together.
Making the choice is a life-altering event and a very overwhelming experience.
I do not envy your circumstances; trying to navigate all this during the rigors of our curricular requirements is incomprehensible to my kind. ”
He sweeps his hawk eyes over the rest of our Zenith before setting on Atlas. “Savaé and S?las’ struggle deserves our patience and utmost support, if we are to be a successful team. We are one or none at all.” Highin raises his wing and arm across his chest to honor us in salute.
Flint smiles, his hand landing on Highin’s shoulder, while his other arm mirrors the salute. “I agree with his wisdom. You have my su-support.” His shy smile is always full of light. I return one in kind.
Vex twirls a black curl framing her vermillion face.
“I’m just here for the gossip. Tyranny is going to lose her ever-loving mind when she finds out S?las is off the market, without a doubt gaining Queen Auntie’s attention.
No wonder Winx was out to burn you alive, S?las.
If she thought you’re a threat just because you’re a Bloodline pairing…
she’ll have a whole new level of determination to end you if she finds out her prized Savaé hasn’t fully accepted the bond and thinks there’s a chance. ”
Cinder rolls his amber eyes. “As far as Tyranny and the Queen are concerned, leave that to me. Flint can talk with his cousin, Winx.” His irises flaring bright as heat waves warp the air around him.
He’s awfully disgruntled by a responsibility he volunteered for.
For someone so broody, Cinder has a knack for being connected to everyone in power.
Freckle-dusted fingers drift over his chin.
“But Vex’s comment brings up an important point.
What happens if S?las dies with Savaé only partially accepting the bond? ”
“I believe the trauma I survived as a child fractured my soul, allowing me to separate my mind from my heart. My heart accepted the bond without my mind being ready. Scáil’s theory is that this likely renders the magic unstable, unpredictable.
S?las’ death could kill me, I could survive, or something else entirely could happen to my soul.
As Highin said, our souls are linked. This power is a combination of deity magic: the Celestials and the Fates.
The latter do not favor disruption to their treasured gift. ”
Atlas’ hand rises, our leader signaling his decision. As our Savant, he must consider every possible scenario. His Probabilities Magic is unparalleled in this role, guiding us to the most favorable outcome.
“We will not tempt the Fates. They see all eventualities. To gift a Fated mate bond for the first time in nearly half a millennium suggests there’s more at stake than we can possibly comprehend.
Savaé is evidently a key component to their plan with her ancient magic and woven gold markings that have never been seen in recorded history.
And S?las’ unprecedented power with an unknown bloodline being her mate.
The Fates’ games of endings and beginnings, the very balance of light and darkness, are undoubtedly at play.
” Atlas’ resolute tone settles Eko and Gearin, who both lean back in their chairs.
“I, of course, am in agreement with the wisdom of Atlas. I did sense a disruption in Savaé’s life source when I healed her. Her conclusion is likely correct,” Kivi hums.
I’m almost in shock with how surprisingly well this conversation is going. I must admit, my fear was unjustified, giving strength to my vow to face my fears instead of running away or avoiding them altogether. Maybe not all problems need to be stabbed away.
Orion is causally leaning against her chair, looking bored.
She’s the only one who hasn’t voiced her opinion.
All eyes shift to her. The silence finally causes her red irises to drift up from fiddling mindlessly with her candy-red nails.
Her lips curl into a feral smile. Light shimmers over her teal scales as her head tips back, blotting the air with a smug laugh.
The rest of us look to one another, confusion pinching our faces while we wait for Orion to gain her composure.