“However,I have chosen to give you the benefit of the doubt and allow Mah’s decision to prevail, on one condition...”
My eyes flash open. Did he say I’ll live?
“Find two guardians willing to spill their blood for you, and you will be allowed to enter,” he finishes with a low rumble.
“Not one step in our growth is made alone, child. Do you have anyone willing?” Mah’s soft voice is almost a caress.
My heart drops into my stomach. Does that mean I need to sacrifice two others if I’m to pass? There’s no way I’m giving up Seniia and Vilder, even if they do offer, which I strongly doubt they will. They may be loyal, but they don’t wish to die.
“We are willing.” Seniia’s voice, clear and strong, cuts through the jumble of my thoughts.
I spin toward them. “No! Please, you don’t have to do this. We don’t know if it’s safe. I don’t want to risk your lives.”
Seniia holds my gaze steady. “We have made our choice,sister.” Her emphasis on the last word shatters my heart.
“I owe you everything,” I whisper.
“You owe us nothing,” Vilder says. “Except surviving.” He nods for me to proceed, and I turn back to the divine stone statues.
“Seniia Eweel of Riverii and Vilder Aken of Airée are willing,” I say in answer to Mah’s question. My voice shakes uncontrollably, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
“I ask the guardians to step forward,” Mah says softly, “and listen carefully.”
They come to stand beside me, Seniia to my left and Vilder to my right. Seniia briefly squeezes my hand before letting it go.
“A blood offering is required to open the gate of the soul. Are you prepared to bleed for your sister?”
“Yes, we are, Mother,” comes their unified answer.
“Patience is required to hold the gate of the soul. Are you prepared to wait for your sister?”
“However long it takes, Mother.”
“Trust is required for transformation to happen inside the gate of the soul. If you leave your position, your sister will die, her soul forever ours. Are you prepared to offer your trust to your sister?”
“She can trust us with her life, Mother.”
“And if she dies inside the gate of the soul, you will die with her. Are you prepared to give your life for your sister?”
“We are prepared to die together, Mother.”
“And you, my child. Do you trust Vilder and Seniia?”
Silent tears roll down my cheeks. How could I not? They’re risking everything for me. “With my life, Mother,” I choke out, surprised to find that despite everything I’ve been through, there is no fear, no doubt, only a steadfast belief that they would enter the Void with me if that was what was required.
“Then it is done. When ready, take your positions.”
I glance at Seniia and Vilder, then back at the stone statues. “Would you mind if we take a moment?” I ask. Should the worst happen, I won’t see them again. I can’t leave without saying goodbye.
“Be swift.” Closing her eyes, Mah folds her wings.
I turn toward the two of them. “You don’t have to do this.”
“We know we don’t have to,” Vilder says. “Wewantto.” The right corner of his mouth lifts. “There is a difference.”
“Is it...” I can’t believe I’m about to say this. “Is it possible for humans to bond?” I stare at my feet. Something’s changed in me, and I can’t explain it. All I know is that I don’t want to live a day in my life without these two by my side.
“Bond? As in an anam’caeur?” Seniia claps her hands. “Oh, that would bewonderful. But...” She looks to Vilder. “I’m not sure humanscanbond.”
