Chapter 2 The Marriage Ritual

Elira was in front of the dark mirror. Something deeper changed beneath the storm-tossed exterior, but her reflection stared back, wet, bruised, and uncertain. A silent, persistent query: What did you just consent to? They signed the contract. The ink had turned gold from her blood being punctured and sealed with Kieran's. No attorneys. Not a witness. No way out. She ought to have left. She didn't. She was unable to. In the ritual chamber across from her, Kieran Vale stood calmly and silently in a fitted midnight suit, his dark hair tousled just a bit.

There was a beauty tinged with danger in the shadows of his face that made her stomach turn, and he appeared more like a fallen prince than a billionaire. Or perhaps the magic was humming like static in the air. Since she signed, he had not spoken. He raised his right hand now and said something in an old language. The chamber answered.

The torches came alive with a deep blue flame that was devoid of warmth, rather than fire. The air became dense. They were locked in place by a sigil that was carved into the stone floor surrounding them. The glass ceiling above changed from black to a shimmering blood-red. Elira's voice was dry as she remarked, "You said we'd stage a marriage." "This doesn't seem phony." Her eyes met Kieran's silver ones. This is the ceremony for binding. No one in the magical world will recognize our union as legitimate without it. Not the council, in particular. "I don't belong in your world." "You are now."

He moved forward and extended the ring box once more. The ring was no longer dormant; this time it glistened with gentle fire. It beat in time with her heartbeat. Elira remained motionless. She said, "Put it on me." Kieran's forehead raised. "You want me to-" "I'd rather not touch it." His face flashed something-respect? amusement? Heat shot up her arm like lightning as soon as the band kissed her skin after he placed the ring on her finger. She let out a gasp.

A chilly, whispering voice reverberated in her head: "Sealed in fire, bound in oath." The person who breaks it will burn. Her knees gave way. Kieran caught her with powerful, unexpectedly cool arms. She hissed, "What was that?" "The ring," he murmured. It's a soul-forged anchor. It makes the contract enforceable. It shields you, too-from my foes. as well as myself. "You said it wouldn't talk." "I didn't say it would bite either, but it might do worse if you remove it before the contract expires or lie about me in public."

She frowned as she struggled with the cold. "Vale, this is more than just a show. I'm shackled by you. He held her up. "You voluntarily signed." "Because I was blackmailed by you." His mouth moved, but not amusingly. You continued to sign. You're not the weak woman you act like. Elira remained silent. She felt unbalanced, as if her center of gravity had moved due to the weight of the ring. Kieran pointed to the wall that was mirrored. "Come on over."

A lengthy hallway dotted with silver torches was revealed as the wall glistened and disappeared like mist. The temperature dropped. The quiet became deafening. They didn't talk, but they walked in unison. Elira became more perceptive. This was a place of ancient, restless magic. She sensed it observing. They arrived at a set of doors made of black iron that were written in a language she didn't understand. The doors creaked open as Kieran pressed his hand against the sigils. There was a circular ceremonial hall inside with silver-veined marble floors. A woman in crimson robes stood next to an obsidian pedestal in the center. The celebrant.

Elira blinked, startled. The woman was blind. The priestess's voice sounded like corroded chains as she yelled, "Bring the bride." Elira paused. "Is this really necessary?" Kieran avoided eye contact with her. Through her eyes, the council observes. The contract will be null and void if we don't finish this. "And you'll pass away." Now he turned, his eyes cool. "Yes." Both arms were raised by the priestess. "Start." They moved to the pedestal. Elira put his hand on it as Kieran did. She sensed the magic whirling around them, like a net of threads drawing tight. The priestess started chanting. "Do you voluntarily enter this bond, Elira Dane?" She wanted to yell "no," rip the ring off her finger, and flee. However, she responded, "I do."

The priestess looked at Kieran. "Do you tie your legacy to this woman, this vessel, this flame, Kieran Vale?" "Yes, I do." A pause occurred. The priestess's voice then faltered, tinged with an unnatural sound. "Then let her be accepted by the fire." Between them, a column of flame burst forth. It didn't burn, but Elira screamed as it ate her. She was searched. questioned her. saw her. It caught her lying. Her history. She felt guilty. Her suppressed memories. Behind her eyes, a vision appeared: a young girl in a white dress, yelling as a city was torn apart by magic. The voice of her mother. The roar of a dragon. Then there was darkness. The flames went out. Elira collapsed to her knees, trembling. Kieran grabbed her once more. She slapped his hand away, though. "You were aware," she muttered. "You were aware that I was unique. You picked me for that reason. His gaze wavered. "The blood debt wasn't the only thing." Elira's heart was racing as she gazed at him. "Vale, what am I?" However, the priestess gasped in choking and fell before he could respond. It was too late when Kieran hurried to her. Silently, her mouth moved. With her hand still glowing from the ritual, Elira knelt next to them. The priestess whispered her last words while holding her wrist with superhuman strength. "He is not the one who is cursed. You are.

Although the marriage ceremony is finished, Elira is the real source of something ancient and dangerous because her long-dormant powers have been reawakened, and someone who has been watching from the shadows now knows she is alive.