Chapter 5 The Forced Union

Leos's room curtains let in evening light, which left the walls in long shadows. It had been a day of insomnia. She had tried to force herself to sleep and pretend that nothing was going on downstairs.

Leo sat on her bed, edge, the day's burden like a vice pressing down on her chest. She had long feared the union and now she had managed to escape it.

Nothing could calm the tight knot of fear that twisted in her stomach despite her best efforts to mentally prepare herself. She was not under the impression that everything would go as planned. Charles was coming for her today and the idea of the forced union and ceremony made her stomach turn.

She was not prepared to give up. Not as of yet. But with each hour that went by the pressure from her mother, the elders of the kingdom and Charles himself increased.

She was powerless to avoid it. There are repercussions. Although she had a strong will it was insufficient to prevent what was about to happen.

Leo was startled when he heard a loud knock on the door. As the door to her quarters was yanked open she hurried to her feet, her heart pounding. She knew immediately who it was without having to look.

" Leo..." he said in a deep irate voice akin to a wolf's growl before it charges." Put an end to this bullshit."

With clenched fists by her sides, L eo refused to back down."I've already told you C, harles. I'm not going to marry you. I refuse to do this."

His jaw tightened as he took a step toward her, a menacing gleam in his eyes." That decision is not yours to make. No longer."He hesitated, his mouth forming a smile that stopped short of his eyes." I've been extremely patient. It is now time to take action."

Leo was about to reply when the sound of boots reverberated through the corridor. Her room door flew open once more and two of Charles's guards strode in with stern expressions.

Charles said to them," Get her ready" in a sternly authoritative voice.

Leo's chest constricted in fear and her pulse accelerated. When she tried to retreat one of the guards grabbed her arm.

"No, Charles," she said in a gasp. "I'm not going to do this."

"Please .o n't fight it, L,eo" Charles had an almost pitiful tone, but it was clear that he was being cruel." You are now at a loss for options."

She was jerked roughly toward the middle of the room by the guard. In an attempt to break free, L,eo staggered b, but the man's hold was firm.

With a shaky voice, he glared at Charles." You imbecile, you believe that you have won, don't you?"

Charles grinned wider." Leo Y, you'll see soon enough. You'll understand once we're wed."

Leo spat back," I'll never understand," her hands shaking as she struggled against the guard's grip.

Charles stepped forward, his voice lowering to a low growl." Enough of it. Make her ready. We don't have the whole day."

Leo's mind quickly searched for a way out but there was none. Without his guards present she couldn't fight her way out of this situation. She was unable to outrun him or seek assistance from her mother. The walls seemed to get higher by the second, and everything was closing in.

Leo gasped, C harles, please" The separation in her voice was clear. "You are not allowed to do this. This is not your preference. It's not love; it's power. "

Despite knowing it was pointless, she couldn't help but try to reason with him. He did not respond right away. Instead h, he studied her for a long time with icy eyes as though he was considering his options.

He finally spoke after that." Leo wWh, when it comes to power l, it is irrelevant. It was and always has been."

Leo's voice broke as she shook her head." It must not be. Humans are more important than thrones. More than money. . . . People don't matter when kingdoms fall"

"Leo !"Charles called icily." I'm taking the required action. You'll see that in due time."

She was forced to sit on the bed by one of the guards who grabbed her shoulders before Leo could react. When she attempted to resist, her body shook, but she was too weak to succeed.

With icy eyes that never left her face, Cha, Cha rules stepped closer." Leo this cannot be stopped. You no longer hold the reins of power. With a mocking tone, he said, "Yo,u never were."

Her voice was barely audible as she whispered "I'll never be yours."

For a second, Cha,rCharles'sn wavered, but he soon steadied himself." You are correct. I don't want you. No? yet ,However, it won't be long."He glanced at the door over his shoulder. "Go get the priest ."

Leo's heart pounded in her chest as she realized what was going to happen as she heard heavy footsteps retreat from the room. The wolf priest, the priest,t he one with the ability to unite souls in a bond as strong as copper.

Someone who doesn't give a damn about her feelings or will. This seemed to him like just another ritual to follow and another agreement to uphold.

With her breath caught in her throat L eo,m uttered," No...This is not taking place,t his will never happen"

With his eyes darkening as he watched her struggle against the guards, Charles appeared to enjoy her fear.

"No matter how hard you try Leo, nothing will change. I will explain things to you shortly."

As if on cue ,rtheoroom'sdoor opened again ,and, he wolf priest eencountered ark robes trailing behind him like a shadow.

There was no warmth in his eyes, just the piercing cunning gleam of someone who had witnessed too many forced unions to be concerned about the repercussions.

" Is she ready?"The priest asked in a gravelly voice that sounded as though he were speaking from a cavern that had been forgotten.

Charles curtly nodded.," Go ahead. Now the ceremony starts."

Her stomach dropped when Leo's heart fell. Her voice cracked with the intensity of her fear as she begged ," You can'tdo this.. I'll do anything for you. Don't pressure me into this ple,ase. "

Charles took a step forward with an unyielding expression. "Leo, you have already made up your mind. You're just not aware of it yet."

PBefore Raiscould raised moreobjections, one of the guards approached her and pressed her against the bed. She had no way out because the other guard was standing by the door.

She was stuck. tIt'stotally confined. As the priest held up his hands the room became unusually cold. A feeling of dread grew as Leo realized what was happening and her skin prickled.

She would always be bound to Charles by this enchanted bond which went beyond a simple marriage. She would be his entire being. The priest started chanting in an old language and the room echoed with the dark power of his voice.

Though she lacked the strength, Leo wanted to scream and hurl herself at the guards. She was suffocated by the ceremony's power as the priest's words became louder.

Charles took a step forward, his icy hand extending to take hers. She flinched but he forced her to turn to face him as his fingers tightened around her wrist.

"You're mine now, Leo" h e,said in a low ,menacing whisper. "And you won't have an option but to comply once this is over."

Leo could feel his words pressing down on her like a thick blanket. He was invading her body and mind with his power. An invisible chain was tightening around her heart and she could feel the bond being formed.

The priest's hands went up and his voice grew louder and more demanding. As Leo's breath caught she felt a sudden intense pain in her chest as if a branding iron had been placed against her spirit.

Her body jerked as though she had been struck by lightning,,andgshe asped. The bond was finished. Both the marriage and the contract were final.

"No!" Leo exclaimed, listening to her voice." This isn't right!"

With his hand still in hers, Charles took a step back, his grin only growing. "Leo it's right. Now you are mine."

The weight of the bond weighed heavily on Leo's bones causing her vision to become blurry and the room to spin around her. Its strength felt like chains-cold, merciless and unbreakable.

She wanted to lash out to scream but she was unable to do so. It seemed as though the bond had sucked the life out of her leaving her body numb and depleted of all vitality.

Charles said now in a triumphant icy tone. "Bring her to my room. We'll seal this properly"

Her mind was racing while Leo's heart thumped in her chest. She made an attempt to stand but her legs felt weak and like jelly.

As the guards advanced swiftly, she,w as forced to follow them tak, itakinghesitant and slow steps as they led her out of the room. She was powerless to reverse the bond which was now an unbreakable connection.

Aside from one aspect. She would figure out a way even if she didn't know how yet. This was far from over...not by a long shot.