And I was supposed to Bond her.
I didn’t even know her fucking name.
Itching settled just beneath the surface of my skin as I thought about the Bonding Ceremony and what would have to happen directly after the ceremony, in the presence of my True Bonded, no less. Not that I didn’t want Ilyas here—his company settled some of the restlessness that was aching to be released, but I still wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about me Bonding a second Vessel.
Sensing my tension and agitation, Ilyas placed one strong hand on my shoulder and squeezed tight. I covered his hand with my own before pulling away so the acolyte could make the necessary cuts and marks.
“What is your name?” I murmured as the acolyte slashed my left forearm before drawing runes on the Pain Vessel’s right with my blood.
Her light-brown, almond-shaped eyes leapt away from the blood mark on her skin to my face.
“Sasori,” she intoned, her voice smooth and lilting like the whiskey of her eyes.
“That’s a beautiful name,” I said, and she smiled with a slight bow of her head.
“You’re Lex, and your Bonded is Ilyas,” she stated, and I nodded my head, even though it wasn’t a question.
“True Bonded,” Ilyas added unnecessarily, and I internally cringed.
Managing two Bonded might be more than I bargained for.
Sasori simply hummed as the acolyte proceeded to slash her own arm and draw the corresponding rune on my right forearm. As soon as the marks were complete, I felt the Bond snap into place again. But this time it felt . . .wrong. Completely foreign. Like it wasn’t supposed to be in my chest at all. I rubbed at the spot as my brows creased. The Bond felt heavy and cumbersome, even a bit sluggish. Like pulling on it to draw magic would take time and coaxing, rather than the instantaneous leap from Ilyas.
“What’s wrong?” Ilyas asked, instantly sensing my distress. I shook my head, waving him off.
“Nothing, just different,” I explained, not wanting Sasori—my new Bonded—to feel inadequate or like her Bond was somehow inferior to the connection I had with Ilyas.
Using her as a Vessel was going to take some practice and time. Two things I wouldn’t be afforded.
“I don’t think I need to tell you what comes next at this point?” the acolyte deadpanned with a slight tilt of his head as he wiped the blade on its leather binding.
“No, thank you. I understand my obligations,” I intoned. With a nod of his head, the acolyte left, clicking the door shut behind him.
Instantly, Sasori rolled from her side of the bed so she was straddling my hips. I jumped in shock and Ilyas growled a low warning.
While I’d been able to move past the crippling fear of the physical act of sex, Ilyas and I still took things slow. Whenever we were intimate, he always—always—let me initiate and set the pace. If I ever started having a flashback—which happened on more than one occasion—we stopped completely and talked about it. No hesitation, no guilt.
That was simply Ilyas.
Somehow, though, I knew that wasn’t going to be viable for Sasori. Where Ilyas was all rounded curves and bearhugs, shewas sharp points and stinging nettle. Perhaps, in time, I could grow to love and appreciate her in her own way.
This, though?
This right now was just a fuck. Just sex to seal something that we apparently both needed.
“It’s okay, Ilyas,” I said softly, my hands falling to Sasori’s waist. “This feels . . . right.”
Ilyas’ sea-green eyes sharpened before he grunted.
“It’s different. But I think it needs to be,” I admitted, imploring him to understand. Eventually, his face relaxed and he gave a sharp nod before taking a half-step away from the bed. Out of Sasori’s immediate sight, but still within reaching distance if I needed him.
My constant protector.
Sasori’s sharp gaze pinged from Ilyas to me and back again, before settling on my face. Her eyes searched for something, like she was trying to piece a puzzle together.
“This is what we have to do to seal the Bond, right?” she asked succinctly. I nodded my head in affirmation.
“Okay,” she said as she ripped her top off and rose up onto her knees to undo the laces of her pants, shucking them just as quickly. She was completely bare underneath, and I sucked in a breath. Sasori simply shrugged before lowering her now bare pussy to my pants. “I read about Bonds and wanted to be prepared for what sealed them.”
