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“This bond that you speak of?”
“Precisely. Shana, you and I share a mating bond.”
“A mating bond?” I exclaim. “What on Aerasak is a mating bond?”
“Something that I’ve been denying for far too long,” he states, squeezing my hands in his.
“Carus, what’s gotten into you?” I ask, bewildered. I question if it’s even the same dark elf who caused me to break all of my vows to Karona.
“Many things, Shana, the most important of them being the realization that we’re destined to be together.”
“We’re what?” I blurt out.
“The mating bond bounds us by fate to be a loving couple in this lifetime,” he tells me. “Think about it. You’re not happy here after experiencing being with me. You can leave this life behind, and together, we can run away and be who we really are! You don’t have to hide anymore with this… façade of yours!”
“Mating bond?” I whisper. “Bound by fate… Carus, I…”
The thought of spending the rest of my life with him is an idea that thrills me, but that would mean changing my entire identity. I let go of his hands and gently push him away, my heart shattering into pieces as I watch sadness fall over his face.
“You don’t want this?” he asks with a mournful voice.
I stutter in my reply. I had a feeling this day would come, but it’s proving to be so much harder than I thought.
“I’m grateful you rescued all of us, Carus, but I’ve broken so many of the temple’s rules already. To run away and mate with you would be the ultimate sin in the eyes of Karona.”
“So you’re still valuing her over me, despite her showing her true nature…”
His words taste of bitter truth. Each step that I back away becomes heavier as I drag my feet along the ground.
“I can’t just walk away from my life,” I mutter. “Carus, I’m so sorry, but you should just go. Leave me and never come back again.”
I spin around, fighting back tears as I march inside the temple. I don’t know how I can manage walking away from Carus, but it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
I think of his words, wondering if our separation is another way that Karona is testing my dedication to her cause. My hands shake as I cover my mouth, trying my best to remain calm.
I step into the temple, leaning against the closest wall. There, my legs buckle beneath me. I sink to the ground, questioning what I’ve just done and if it was really in my greatest interest.
Did I go through all of that just to return to my old life? To worship a deity who would replace us within a week?
A tear breaks free and falls to the ground with an almost silent splash, dissipating and soon to be forgotten. Maybe just like I would be to Karona.
“Rise, child.” As if I called her, Karona’s voice booms, startling me as it rings through the walls.
I quickly get to my feet, glancing towards the portal mirror hanging in the entryway. For a moment, I think she’s heard my thoughts, that I’m to be cast out for thinking of how cruel she seems to truly be behind her façade of grace and kindness.
Where then would I go? I’ve already rejected Carus. Everything I do works against me.
“Welcome home, my dear Priestess of Painting,” she greets me with an unusually warm tone. “You were valiant and brave in your captivity, and this is something I shall never forget.”
I bow and quickly move on, heading toward the healing room to check on Calindra. I couldn’t bring myself to care about whatKarona had to say to me in the entryway, her cold words during the negotiation still too fresh in my mind.
I push aside the hope that her words earlier might have been fake, choosing to focus on my injured friend instead. I silently pray that Karona will heal her, if Karona cares at all.
Days have passedsince my uncomfortable return to the temple. Things haven’t been the same, not for me or any of the handmaidens, namely Calindra.
Even our best magic was useless in the attempts to heal her of her wounds. Part of me hoped that Karona would make a divine intervention after seeing what we went through. In the end, she certainly had her say, but it was far from what we were all hoping.
It was I who had to deliver her decree, words that I will forever regret saying to my best friend of many years.
