Lysaa’s POV
With every word, I felt the air around us grow thicker, heavier, like the room itself was holding its breath. There was a strange, humming energy in the air, and I could feel it pressing against my skin, wrapping around me like invisible threads.
When we finished reciting the vow, Lorien brought the bowl to my lips and I drank its content. It tasted absolutely awful, like every nasty thing I could think of thrown into a pot and boiled into one hot, disgusting mess but I drank it anyway. Trying to ignore the acrid taste on my tongue and the way it stung the inside of my cheeks.
Lorien drank the rest and after that, there was a long moment of silence. It was deafening. The air was thick, crackling with unseen energy, and for some time, nothing happened.
I stood there, holding Lorien’s hands, my heart racing as the weight of the vow we had just taken settled over me. Was that it? Had we done it correctly?
“Lorien…” I whispered, panic beginning to creep into my voice. “Did… Did it-”
Before I could finish the question, something slammed into me-a gust of raw, unearthly power that knocked the breath from my lungs.
I gasped, my knees buckling as an overwhelming sensation rippled through my entire body. It was like invisible hands were crawling over my skin, seeping into my bones, my blood, my very soul. It wasn’t painful, but it was so intense, so visceral, that I couldn’t stop the soft cry that escaped my lips.
“Lysaa!” Lorien’s voice was filled with concern, but he didn’t let go of my hands. His grip remained steady, grounding me even as I felt like I was being pulled apart and put back together all at once.
In my mind, I heard Lyra howl-a sound of triumph, of joy-as the bond locked into place.
And then… it happened.
My senses exploded.
The first thing I noticed was the scents. They hit me all at once, sharp and overwhelming-the earthy smell of the herbs Lorien had used in the ritual, the tangy metallic scent of our combined blood, the subtle vinegary scent of what little remnant of the potion left in the bowl. I could smell the faint traces of smoke clinging to Lorien’s clothes, the warm, musky scent of his skin, even the distant fragrance of wildflowers drifting in through the open window.
It was too much. My head spun, and I staggered, clutching Lorien’s hands as I tried to make sense of the onslaught.
“Breathe, little fire,” Lorien murmured, his voice calm but firm. “Focus on me.”
I nodded shakily, taking a deep breath-and immediately regretting it as the scents hit me even harder.
“Everything smells so strong,” I gasped, pressing a hand to my nose.
“It’ll take time to adjust,” Lorien said gently. “Your senses are heightened now. You’re feeling the bond.”
Before I could respond, another sensation hit me-this time, sound.
I could hear everything. The faint rustle of leaves outside, the crackle of the candle’s flame on the table, the distant footsteps of someone walking down the hall. I could even hear the soft, rhythmic sound of Lorien’s heartbeat, steady and strong.
It was overwhelming, maddening, and I clapped my hands over my ears, trying to block it all out.
“It’s too much,” I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut. “I can’t… it’s too loud.”
“Shh,” Lorien soothed, pulling me into his arms. “I know it’s overwhelming, but you’re strong, Lysaa. You’ll learn to control it. Just focus on my voice.”
I nodded again, taking another shaky breath as I leaned into him, letting the steady rise and fall of his chest calm me.
And then, just as I was beginning to get a handle on the heightened senses, a new sensation hit me-a sharp, burning pain in my eyes.
I cried out, my hands flying to my face as the searing heat spread through my sockets, like molten fire flooding my vision.
“Lysaa! What’s wrong?” Lorien’s voice was laced with panic, but I couldn’t answer. The pain was blinding, all-consuming, and I felt tears streaming down my cheeks as I struggled to breathe through it.
It felt like an eternity, but finally, slowly, the burning subsided, leaving behind a strange, tingling sensation. I blinked, trying to make sense of what had just happened-and then I froze.
Because I could see.
At first, it was blurry, like looking through a foggy window, but as I blinked again, the haze lifted, and everything snapped into focus.
I gasped, my hands falling away from my face as I took in the room around me-the flickering candlelight, the intricate runes drawn on the floor, the gleaming vials and discarded bowl on the table.
“I… I can see,” I whispered, my voice shaking with awe.
Lorien stiffened, and I saw his crimson eyes widen in shock. “What did you say?”
“I can see,” I repeated, louder this time, my voice filled with wonder. “Lorien, I can see!”
Before I knew what was happening, he had pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly as he laughed-a deep, joyful sound that echoed through the room.
“You did it,” I whispered against his chest, tears streaming down my face. “You actually did it.”
He pulled back just enough to cup my face in his hands, his thumbs gently wiping away my tears.
“Let me see you,” I murmured, my heart pounding as I tilted my head up to meet his gaze.
And when our eyes met, I stopped breathing.
He was… beautiful. No, beautiful wasn’t a strong enough word. He was magnificent, otherworldly, like a piece of living art that had been crafted by the gods themselves.
Lorien was tall, far taller than I’d imagined, with broad shoulders and a graceful, almost regal bearing. His long red hair was woven into a sleek braid that fell over one shoulder, and it gleamed like molten fire in the candlelight.
But it was his face that left me breathless. His features were sharp, almost delicate, with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and full lips that curved in a soft, awed smile as he watched me. His skin was smooth and pale, with just a hint of color in his cheeks. And then there were his eyes-those stunning, serpentine eyes, glowing crimson like twin embers burning in the depths of his soul.
He was the most breathtaking creature I had ever seen.
“You’re staring,” Lorien teased softly, his lips quirking into a playful smile.
I blinked, realizing I’d been gaping at him, and felt a deep flush spread across my cheeks. “I-sorry, I just-”
“Do you like what you see?” he asked, his voice low and laced with amusement.
“I-yes,” I stammered, still trying to find my voice. “You’re… you’re beautiful.”
His smile softened, and he reached out to gently tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “And you’re crying,” he murmured, his thumb brushing away a tear I hadn’t realized was falling.
I laughed shakily, wiping at my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m just… it’s overwhelming. You’re overwhelming. I can’t believe this is real. I can’t believe you’re mine.”
“It’s real, little fire,” Lorien said gently, taking my hands in his. “I’m right here. And now, you can see me.”
That simple truth hit me harder than I expected, and more tears spilled down my cheeks. “I didn’t think it would work,” I confessed, my voice cracking. “I wanted to believe it, but it just seemed so impossible. I thought… I thought I’d always be in the dark.”
Lorien’s expression softened, and he pulled me into his arms again, holding me close as I sobbed quietly against his chest. His hand gently stroked my hair, and his other arm wrapped securely around my waist, anchoring me.
“I know,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “But you’re not in the dark anymore. You never will be again.”
I sniffled, trying to regain my composure as I pulled back slightly to look up at him. He was smiling at me, his eyes shining with love and pride.
“How do you feel?” he asked softly.
“Like I’ve been reborn,” I said honestly. “Everything is so bright, so vivid. It’s… it’s like I’m seeing the world for the first time.”