The temple district sits in the heart of New Solas, where the marble spires gleam white against the endless blue sky and the air itself seems to hum with residual magic. I guide Senna through the winding streets, my hand firm on her lower back, feeling the nervous flutter of her pulse through our incomplete bond.
She's dressed in one of my shirts—a simple linen thing that hangs to mid-thigh on her smaller frame—and a pair of trousers we had to roll several times at the ankles. Not exactly temple-appropriate attire, but we'll fix that after.
I couldn't wait any longer.
If she notices the curious glances from passersby—xaphan nobles and merchants who like to look down on others—she doesn't show it. Just keeps her eyes forward, chin up, like she's steeling herself for battle.
Brave. Even now, after everything, she's so fucking brave.
The Temple of Solis rises before us, all soaring columns and arched doorways carved with prayers in the old tongue. Sunlight catches on the gold inlay, making the whole structure glow. I've been here twice more this year than I go most.
I hate crowds. Hate the pageantry of it all. But this... this feels different.
This feelsright.
I push open the heavy wooden doors and guide Senna inside. The interior is cooler, quieter, with shafts of colored light streaming through stained glass windows to paint patterns on the polished floor. The scent of incense hangs in the air—something floral and sweet that makes my head feel lighter.
"Lorenth!"
Serai appears from behind one of the massive stone pillars, white wings spread wide as she practically bounces toward us. Her pale gold skin seems to glow in the filtered sunlight, and those unsettling white irises fix on us with unmistakable glee.
"And you brought—" She stops short when she sees Senna, her grin widening. "Oh, the pendant found her! I knew it would. Iknewit."
"It did." I nod, keeping my hand on Senna's back. Grounding her. "We want to complete the bond."
Serai's entire face lights up like I've just told her she's won every nodal in New Solas. "Yes! Oh,yes. I could feel it the moment you walked through those doors—the bond is there, waiting,achingto be sealed." She clasps her hands together, prayer beads clinking. "When? Now? We should do it now."
I glance down at Senna.
She's looking up at me with those storm-gray eyes, softer now than they were at my house. Not afraid, exactly, but... uncertain. Timidly excited, like she's testing the edges of this new reality and isn't sure if it'll hold.
Something in my chest tightens.
I don't want her timid. Don't want her uncertain or afraid or looking at me like she's waiting for the other boot to drop. I want herhappy. Want her to know—bone-deep and without question—that I won't hurt her. That I don't want to own her or control her or cage her the way that piece of shit in the village did.
I want her safe. Protected.Free.
"Senna?" I keep my voice gentle. "You ready?"
She takes a breath, steadying herself, and nods. "Yes."
Serai makes a delighted sound and gestures for us to follow. "Come, come. We'll do it in the sanctuary—it's quieter there, more private. The bond ceremony doesn't require witnesses, just the two of you and Solis's blessing."
She leads us deeper into the temple, through a series of corridors lined with murals depicting the god Solis in various forms—sometimes winged, sometimes wreathed in flame, always radiating light. Finally, we emerge into a circular chamber with a domed ceiling that seems to open directly to the sky. Sunlight pours down in a concentrated beam, illuminating a raised platform at the center.
"Here." Serai gestures to the platform. "Stand there, facing each other. Hold hands."
I step up first, then turn to offer Senna my hand. She takes it without hesitation this time, her fingers small and warm in mine as I pull her up beside me. We turn to face each other, and the sunlight catches in her dark curls, making them gleam like polished obsidian.
Fuck, she's beautiful.
Serai moves to stand just outside the circle of light, her wings folding neatly behind her. "The bond is already forming between you—I can see it, a silver thread connecting your souls. All we're doing now is sealing it. Making it permanent. Unbreakable." She looks at me, then Senna. "Are you both willing? Freely given, freely accepted?"
"Yes," I say immediately.
Senna's voice is quieter, but no less certain. "Yes."
Serai smiles, and begins to chant.
