It seems like an eternity passes as the bond settles, but when it does, the white light fades and my vision adjusts.
Gabriel is the first thing I see. He’s gazing at me with a mixture of awe, reverence, and love, as if he can’t believe this has truly happened. I don’t blame him. That day in the woods when he gave me his “gift,” I never would’ve imagined we’d end up in this place.
The Hunter turns our joined hands over, keeping our fingers laced, and exposes the soft centers of our palms.
The cuts are gone, replaced by glowing swirls that are imitations of my Mark. They sit in the center of our hands, bright blue markings inked into our palms.
I glance at Evelyn in question, and the corners of her eyes crinkle as she smiles.
“Now, you are twice Blessed.” She steps forward, touching my forehead. “Here, where everyone can see that the gods have chosen you.” She places her hand on the edge of my palm. “And here.”
“What is it?” Gabriel asks.
“These markings belong to both of you.” Evelyn taps my palm. “No one else save your bonded partner can see these. They are between you and the gods. But as long as the marking is there, you will know that your bonded remains on this side of the Veil.”
After having lived my entire life with the Mark on my forehead, I can easily say that this one sounds much better. Especially since it connects me with Gabriel.
My lips twitch as I contort my thumb, rubbing my newly inked hand. “I?—”
A raven caws, and the sound pulls on something inside me. I lift my head on instinct, searching the sky for the source of the sound.
It’s not long before I see it. A black bird is flying directly towards me, its eyes shimmering silver—just like Mist’s.
Murmurs ripple through the crowd as the raven’s wings slow. Then the oddest thing happens. The raven lands on my shoulder, perching as if it belongs there.
Another call from the raven, and the sound sends an odd wave of warmth through my chest. There is the strangest feeling inside me, like my bond with Gabriel, but different. Not as solid or as tangible, but still present.
Evelyn’s eyes are wide as she stares at the raven, and she lifts a trembling hand, making a religious gesture across her chest.
“May the suns have mercy on my soul. I never thought I’d see the day. Thrice.” Her words resonate around us. “You have been thrice Blessed.”
It’s then, as I look at the Hunter and the familiar at his side, that I realize what’s happened. Somehow, in the course of a single day, I’ve had my sisters returned to me, sealed my bond with my mate, and gained a familiar.
Nothing has ever felt so right.
48
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
GABRIEL
By the time Wren and I make it back to our cabin, early morning light is streaking across the sky. We climb the steps, and once we reach the landing, the raven finally leaves its perch—it’s been on her shoulder since it arrived at the end of the bonding.
After getting over the shock of seeing the raven, Evelyn explained that in rare cases, the gods will bestow a Blessed with a familiar. The bond is not unlike the one I share with Mist, although this one is not forged. According to the seer, it was formed the moment the raven chose Wren. The familiar is a third gift from the gods, a partner to help Wren in the times ahead.
Something about the seer’s words, along with the raven’s appearance, unsettled me. The feeling remains even now, hours later. Why would the gods send Wren a familiar if she’s out of danger’s path?
My stomach twists. Something is coming, I’m sure of it. Mist feels it, too, and we’re both on edge. Our bond is strumming with anxiety, and she went out a few hours ago to patrol the woods, hunting for the source of our unease. Even now, my gaze sweepsthrough the forest, searching the shadows. I don’t see anything amiss, but that doesn’t mean trouble isn’t imminent.
My gut is never wrong.
The raven’s wings flap as it flies, settling on the edge of the roof above us. Its silver eyes meet mine, and I swear the raven nods before ruffling its feathers, getting comfortable, and peering out into the forest.
As if it were keeping watch.
Wren studies the raven for a long moment before she turns to me, rubbing a fist over her sternum. “I can feel the bird, right here, next to our bond. Is that... normal?”
“I think so. That’s where I sense Mist.”
