Daska's jaw tightened. He drew the flint across his thumb in one swift motion, not flinching, and blood welled dark and bright against his skin. Then he took my hand gently, cradling it in his, and pressed the edge of the flint to my thumb.
"This will hurt," he said quietly. "But only for moment."
The pain was sharp but brief, a quick sting that made me suck in a breath. Blood pooled on my thumb, warm and wet, and Daska lifted our hands so they were level, so our blood touched and mingled.
The pack was silent. Watching.
Rivik spoke again, his voice carrying over the drums. "Blood to blood. Life to life. What the spirits have bound, no one can break."
Daska lifted his bloodied thumb and pressed it to my brow, dragging a slow line down my temple, across my cheekbone. The touch was deliberate, claiming, and his eyes never left mine.
Then he took my hand and guided my thumb to his face, tilting his head slightly in permission.
I hesitated, my hand shaking, and then pressed my thumb to his brow. His skin was warm beneath the blood, and I traced the same path he'd marked on my temple to cheekbone feeling the shape of his face beneath my touch.
“Now what?” I whispered.
“Now I mark you as mine. I’m sorry, this will hurt.”
He slid his arm around me, pulling me close against him, and brushed my braids off one shoulder. I felt his warm breath as his lips danced over my skin, sending shivers through my body.
“Daska, what are you…” Surely he wasn’t going to mark me in public, that was crazy. That was-
I felt the sharp sting as his teeth bit down hard, breaking my skin. There was a burst of pain, and then heat that rushed through my body like a tidal wave, pooling between my legs. I was burning, I was… shit! An orgasm more powerful than I’d ever experienced exploded inside me. I grabbed his arms, holding on and he took my weight immediately as my knees gave way. I gasped for breath, my face on fire as I realised the whole pack had witnessed my climax. Daska’s tongue smoothed over my skin, licking away the blood, and then he was pulling back, pressing a small pad of soft leather against my throat. I just stared up at him in shock, but then the bond flared and this time it wasn’t heat that engulfed me, but Daska. I could feel him, his earthy, brown essence, like deep roots in soil and pebbles in a stream. I could feel every emotion that he was feeling right now, and I opened my eyes with a cry.
"I feel it too," he said quietly, his voice strained. His pupils were blown wide, his breathing ragged.
"Like... like fire in veins."
"Yes," he whispered. "Exactly like that."
"You are mine," he whispered, so low only I could hear. "And I am yours."
When I lowered my hand, we stood there marked and bound, our blood drying on each other's skin, and the drums exploded into a frenzy of sound.
Rivik stepped forward again, gesturing for us to face the pack. Daska kept his hand at my waist, anchoring me, and I leaned into him without thinking, needing the support.
"The bond is sealed! Daska and Ellie are one hearth, one hunt, one path!" He turned and to my surprise, hugged Daska briefly before stepping back, and fading into the background as the pack erupted. Voices rose in ululating cries, the sound wild and joyful, and the drums pounded harder, faster, driving the energy higher. People surged forward and hands reached out to touch our shoulders, our arms, our cloaks in blessing.
"May your hearth burn bright!"
"May the spirits bless you with strong children!"
"May your bond never break!"
The words washed over me in a tide of warmth and goodwill, and I felt tears streaming down my face again, unstoppable now. Daska's arm tightened around me, pulling me close against his side, and I felt him press a kiss to the top of my head.
Dev hobbled over to us, reaching out to give me a one armed hug as he leaned on his staff. “You go, girl. Congrats.”
“Thanks, Dev,” I whispered, trying not to cry.
Kessa appeared in front of us, her eyes wet, and pulled me into a crushing hug.
Sira was beside her, smiling at me. "I wish you both many blessings. Now, go. We will feast in your honour while you bond.”
I frowned. “Go?” I asked, turning to Daska. “Where are we going?”
To my surprise, Daska’s cheeks reddened and he glanced away for a moment.
