Lysaa’s POV
We had spent a wonderful couple of days in the Blue Bell Pack, and though I had initially been hesitant about the trip because of the hostility they previously held against Calvin and our Pack in general, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. The people of Blue Bell had been warm and accommodating, far beyond anything I had expected.
At first, I had feared that my blindness might make things awkward, that people might treat me with pity or act like I was completely helpless, but that hadn’t been the case at all. From the moment we arrived, they treated me with respect and kindness, as if my blindness didn’t make me any different from anyone else.
And I had Luna Rmonica to thank for much of it.
She’d gone out of her way to make sure our stay was comfortable, sparing no expense to ensure that I never felt out of place. Whether it was helping me navigate the grand halls of the palace or making sure that someone always described the decorations, the festivities, and the scenery to me, Rmonica had been a constant, supportive presence.
It wasn’t just her, though. The entire pack had welcomed me with open arms, and by the time we left, I felt like I’d made lifelong friends.
But as much as I had loved our time in Blue Bell, there was no place like home.
As soon as we crossed the border into Obsidian Pack territory, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The familiar scents of pine and fresh earth, the cool breeze rustling through the trees, the distant howl of wolves patrolling the borders-it was all so comforting, so grounding.
“This feels right,” I murmured, leaning into Lorien as the car drove through the forested path leading to the main packhouse.
“It does,” he agreed, his arm tightening around my waist. “As much as I enjoyed Blue Bell, there’s something about being home that just… fits.”
I smiled, nodding. I couldn’t see the towering packhouse in the distance, but I could picture it in my mind-its sturdy brick walls, the tall windows that let in the sunlight, the sprawling gardens surrounding it.
Alighting from the car, Lorien guided me towards the front steps and I could already hear Luna Dowager Marlana fussing over her grandchildren and asking Kamrynn and Calvin how the trip had gone. I couldn’t hold back my smile; this peace, this familiar serenity, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“We’re home,” I whispered.
“Yes, we are,” Lorien replied, his voice low and warm.
He led me inside, his hand resting protectively on my lower back as we navigated the familiar halls. It felt good to be back, to hear the familiar sounds of pack members bustling around, to smell the comforting scent of home-cooked meals wafting from the kitchen.
Once we reached our room, Lorien gently guided me inside and helped me settle onto the bed.
“Rest for a bit,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “You’ve had a long trip.”
“What about you?” I asked, reaching out to grab his hand.
“I’ll be back soon,” he promised, squeezing my fingers gently. “I need to gather the materials for the ritual.”
I tensed slightly at his words, my heart skipping a beat. The ritual. The one that might change everything.
“Are you sure you have everything you need?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Almost,” he replied. “There are a few rare ingredients I still need to collect, but I know where to find them. It shouldn’t take long.”
I nodded, swallowing hard.
“Don’t worry, my little fire,” he murmured, leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
I took a deep breath, letting his words calm me. “Okay,” I whispered. “I’ll be waiting.”
He kissed me again-this time on the lips, soft and lingering-and then he was gone.
***
Lorien had been gone for hours, and though I trusted him completely, I couldn’t help but feel a little anxious. The ritual he had described to me was ancient and powerful, something straight out of Draconian lore. And as much as I wanted to believe that it would work, there was a part of me that still worried it might be too dangerous, too risky.
But despite my fears, I knew one thing for sure-I wanted this. I wanted to see again, to experience the world the way I used to, to look into Lorien’s eyes and see the love I knew was there.
And if anyone could make it happen, it was him.
I must have dozed off at some point because the next thing I knew, I felt a familiar warmth near me-the gentle pull of Lorien’s presence.
“Lorien?” I murmured sleepily, sitting up on the bed and rubbing at my eyes.
“I’m here, Lysaa,” he said softly, his voice soothing and full of affection.
I could hear him moving closer, his footsteps light and purposeful. When he reached me, he sat down on the bed beside me and took my hands in his. His skin felt cool against mine, though I knew that beneath the surface, there was always a quiet hum of Draconian heat.
“I’ve gathered everything we need,” he said, his voice low but steady.
I swallowed hard, my heart picking up speed. “So… it’s time?”
“It’s time.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself.
“What happens now?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
“We’re going to perform the ritual right here,” Lorien explained, his hands tightening around mine. “I’ve already prepared the space. All you have to do is follow my lead.”
I felt him stand, gently pulling me to my feet. He guided me to the center of the room, where I could sense that something had changed. The air felt different-charged, almost electric-and I could smell something earthy and sharp, like herbs and ancient incense.
“What did you do?” I asked, curious.
“I set up the ritual circle,” he said. “It’s drawn in Draconian runes. I also brewed the potion we’ll need. The last step is the blood oath.”
My breath hitched at that, but I nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Lorien led me a few steps forward until we reached the center of the circle. He took both of my hands in his, and I felt his thumbs gently brushing over my knuckles, grounding me.
“We’ll be holding hands the entire time,” he said softly. “That’s important. It keeps the bond steady as it forms.”
I nodded again, squeezing his hands. “Got it.”
Truth is, I needed this, the feeling of his warm hands or I’d be too nervous.
He let out a slow breath, and I could feel the tension rolling off him. He was calm on the surface, but underneath that, I knew he was nervous too.
“Are you ready to begin?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said firmly.
“Alright. I’m going to make a small cut on your palm,” he explained. “I’ll do the same to mine, and then we’ll combine our blood in the potion. After that, we’ll recite the vow.”
“What vow?”
“It’s an ancient Draconian vow. It binds our souls for all eternity.”
I nodded, my heart pounding. “Okay.”
There was a brief pause, and then I felt the cool touch of a blade against my palm. It was sharp, and though the cut was quick and clean, it still stung. I hissed softly, but Lorien was already holding my hand, his thumb gently brushing over my wrist to soothe me.
“It’s done,” he murmured.
A moment later, I felt his hand shift, and I knew he was cutting his own palm. He didn’t make a sound, but I felt his muscles tense slightly under my touch.
“Now, give me your hand,” he said, his voice low.
I reached out, and he guided my hand over a bowl. I felt warm droplets of my blood fall into the liquid below, followed by the steady drip of his.
The scent hit me immediately-strong, metallic, and sharp, like something pulled straight from the heart of the earth.
Lorien murmured something under his breath in a language I couldn’t understand, and I felt a soft pulse of energy ripple through the air.
“It’s ready,” he said quietly. “Now we recite the vow.”
He guided me to face him directly, our hands still clasped together.
“Repeat after me,” he said, his voice taking on a formal, almost ceremonial tone.
I nodded, my throat tight.
“For now and all eternity, I bindeth mine soul to thine,” he began in a domineering voice.
“For now and all eternity, I bindeth mine soul to thine,” I echoed, trying to keep my voice steady.
“By blood and by spirit, by breath and by flame, we art made as one.”
“No force of earth, nor heaven, nor hell shall sever this bond forged in sacred fire.”
“As thy heart beats, so shall mine. As thy soul burns, so shall mine. As thy breath doth stir, so shall mine.”
“For thou art mine, as I am thine, and together we shalt endure beyond death, beyond time. Forevermore.”