A Lycan of Her Own

Bonded for Life

The world seemed to stop in place for me. I heard Mother's loud gasp, I heard the crowd cheer, and I heard as the seer approved immediately. But it all felt like some distant noise, all merging into white noise that threatened to cut off my hearing.

Prince Zidane's eyes were fixed on me, his dark eyes searching the labyrinths of my soul.

"Your Highness! Leilyn is a child of a starless night. She will only shroud..."

He raised his hand, stopping Father. At this point, I was not sure what I was feeling. The dread of having to take Reed's place or the hurt that even my own family think I am some sort of black cloud hanging over their lives.

"There is only one minute to the auspicious time. You can submit your complaints as a petition to the royal house after the bonding."

He suddenly turned to me, causing me to snap back from the reverie I had fallen into.

"Come."

His voice was deep and authoritative, and it took me all I had in me not to succumb. I can't go. That is my sister's place. Not mine. I shouldn't even covet it. It belonged to Reed.

"My sister..." I started to say. "She will soon be back and..."

"I said come!" His voice went lower, but it felt even more threatening as he stretched his hand.

I could see his palm, large, a light shade of red, and the gold band of his ring.

"That is my sister's place."

"Do not force my hand," he said. "Anyone, including you, who finds this unjust, can complain after the bonding. I lack the patience to wait six more years for one maiden when there are two of that household. It does not make a difference, does it, seer?"

The seer immediately nodded. "It does not, Your Highness. You always had a choice between the two daughters. No one owns the place beside you until after the bonding."

Prince Zidane turned to me again. I could feel all eyes on me, maidens who wished they were mee, my parents' spiteful gaze, and Prince Zidane's rather unemotional one.

When I did not move, he covered the distance, the low voice of the seer announcing it to be just a few seconds to the bonding relegated to the background.

I gelt my heart pick up pace as he wrapped his hand around mine, then pulled me out.

"Your Highness!" I heard my mother yell, as she clasped onto the hem of my dress to stop me from leaving.

It instead tore off, leaving a trail of the cotton dress falling to my legs.

Prince Zidane did not stop, despite my powerless protests, till I was sitting next to him.

I turned to His Majesty, and he looked rather relaxed, a small smile on his face as he turned to Her Majesty, whispering something in her ear.

Suddenly, I felt warmth wash over me as Zidane's hand left my wrist, and then covered my palm, bringing me forward.

The seer stood, bringing the sacred bonding water towards us. He said some prayers, then sprayed a few drops over us

I looked up. It wasn't too late for Reed and..

"It will hurt," I heard the seer caution, as he set the clear water beneath our fingers.

"Your Highness. We can reconsider. We can still wait for Reed. I swear, she went to bring a gift for you and..."

"Enough," he said, then urged the seer to continue.

Without a word to me, the seer delicately cupped my hand, then held on to my thumb. He brought a clean, shiny needle, then gently pierced it.

I flinched from the pain, and I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but I felt Zidane's fingers tighten around mine.

He let my blood drop onto the water, staining it a bright red, before he took Zidane's.

He barely made a move when the needle drew blood, and it fell right onto the water, immediately mixing with mine.

I turned to him, my eyes wide.

"Keep your eyes on the water."

I swallowed hard, compelled to do as he said.

I could see as our bloods mixed, then slowly cleared off, letting the water return to its clear state.

"It is a successful bonding!" The seer announced, drawing cheers from the crowd.

I turned to my parents. Father had apparently stormed out, and mother stood there, looking like her daughter had just died.

I looked away, unable to watch it, the heaviness clenching around my heart.

Our reflection looked back at us in the clear water, and Zidane moved his hand, pressing his slightly bloodied thumb to mine.

He then stood up, then raised our intertwined hands, showing it to the crowd. We were bonded for life.

"His Highness, Prince Zidane Dacre, has now been bonded to Leilyn, a daughter of the Levine household!"

I felt like a traitor, a conquest. It should have been Reed. This should have been Reed. Not me. He should never be mine.

I turned to him once more, my eyes wide and glassy with tears.

"The official wedding will be in two weeks, and we will have a crown princess for the lycans!"

Another round of cheers came back, the crowd cheering and clapping, waving torches of light around.

His hand still held mine, coincidentally where Reed's ring was in my finger. The ring she had asked me to keep for her.

"Leilyn!" Came the shrill yell.

I turned sharply, recognizing the voice, and I wasn't wrong. Reed was standing right in front of us, her eyes wide with angry tears and the pang of betrayal, her hands trembling as the black roses, three of them, lay at her feet.