“You don’t have to do this,” I breathed, a last-ditch effort to get her to think clearly. “We both know you don’t want to bond with me.”
For the first time all evening, she looked me in the eye. “You’re an angel. You’re the strongest option for me, and Huntyr was right. I need a tether if I plan on wielding more magic.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Her gaze darkened. “I know.” Her boots echoed off the stone floor of the study as she paced back and forth, tugging randomly at the end of her long blonde braid that fell loosely over her shoulder. “I want to do this. Trust me, Jessiah. I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t serious.”
“And you know the consequences, right? You’ll be connected to me. I’ll be able to sense your emotions and I’ll be able to funnel magic through you.”
I’ll be able to sense what’s going on in that messy mind of yours. And you’ll be able to feel me.
I half expected her to back out at the realization. But she just took a long, steady breath. “I understand. Let’s get started, okay? I’m not going to change my mind. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Okay then. I guess there’s no going back.” I pulled the small dagger from my belt and slid the cool blade over my palm. Blood bubbled to the surface, just enough to begin the ritual. “Give me your hand.”
She obeyed without hesitating, and I sliced her skin with the same blade. She flinched, and my stomach knotted.
“Our combined blood is the sacrifice to the goddesses. I’ll recite the words, and the bond will snap in place.”So tell me now if you don’t want this. Tell me now if you’re doubting the bond.
But Rummy didn’t back away. She lifted her chin and nodded, breathless.
This was it.
With our bloody palms held tightly together, I began the chant that had been seared into my memory over the years. The chant that would change our entire lives.
“Arte magica coniuncta, potentia nostra multiplicatur et floret.”
My heart raced. I’d never said the words myself, and I was anticipating a show of power. A sign from the almighty goddesses.
But I felt nothing aside from the fire that burned where her skin met mine.
So I repeated the words.“Arte magica coniuncta, potentia nostra multiplicatur et floret. Arte magica coniuncta, potentia nostra multiplicatur et floret.”Rummy gasped. I squeezed her hand harder. “Arte magica coniuncta, potentia nostra multiplicatur et floret.”
My chest tightened.
My vision blurred.
The line between myself and Rummy grew thin. I was holding her hand, then I was feeling theessenceof her like I had known her my entire life, like she was part of me now.
I chanted the words again.
And again.
Until I wasn’t sure I was speaking aloud.
Until my heart doubled in size, nearly breaking.
Until Rummy was the only thing that mattered at all.
Chapter 31
Rummy
Istaggered backward as the bond snapped into place. Jessiah’s pure essence rushed through my veins. More power than I even thought was possible fueled me until my heartbeat was the only thing I could hear.
Jessiah still held on to me, and even though I squeezed my eyes shut against the outside world, I could sense his presence. I could sense everything about him, actually. Jessiah’s magic was unlike anything I could have imagined. He did not need to draw upon his blood or the earth for his powers, but instead, every single ounce of him was touched by this gift.
Angelic power. The strongest gift in the world.
