29. Chapter 29

Before the feast began, the Vissigroth of Syalm would perform Niara and my binding ceremony. Since both of our fathers were dead and Niara’s brother was human, as the oldest Vissigroth in our group the choice fell to him.

It was still hard for me to believe that I had found my querilly, that I was getting bonded. From the start I had felt an unfamiliar pull toward Niara, unlike any I had ever encountered before. She had drawn me in like no other.

What astounded me the most was though, why I hadn’t known from the moment I had first laid eyes upon her who she was? Why had it taken weeks upon weeks before I recognized her?

Because she is different in each lifetime and you have to get to know each other first , a soft voice whispered, nearly bringing me down to my knees when I recognized the goddess Fraysa.

I felt as if someone had embraced me with their warm breath, I felt incredibly light and loved.

“It will be my honor,” the Vissigroth of Syalm, Wyltham said, bringing me out of my momentary out of body experience .

“Thank you,” I bowed my head in respect to him and he blessed me by placing his hand on my shoulder. “It is always good to see two young people finding each other again.” He smiled, caught up in his own reflection.

His vissy hadn’t come, I heard she was ill. “I hope Vissy Lynna will be better soon.”

“The gods’ willing,” he acknowledged.

Most partners in a bonded relationship died soon after they lost their querilly. Mallack was one of the exceptions and I had never quite appreciated his sacrifice like I did now. I didn’t think I would make it one minute after the gods decided to take Niara away from me—selfishly I prayed I would be the one to go first—a wish I knew deep down in my bones wouldn’t change even after we had spent many decades together.

How Mallack had survived all these years without his Daphne was beyond me, but my respect for Myccael’s father grew. Even though he wasn’t Myccael’s sire, he had raised him believing he was his son. Their relationship had taken a blow when they found out about Myccael and Thalia, but now it seemed stronger than ever before and Myccael had grown into a well respected male.

“Ah, your querilly,” Wyltham’s face lit up and my gaze found Niara as she entered the great hall.

She was a stunning sight to behold. Dressed in one of the garments I had ordered for her she looked like a goddess herself. The gold shimmering dress intricately stitched with red thread brought out the highlights in her hair. Her eyes shone as they met mine and her lips parted into a radiant smile, only meant for me .

My cock twitched and my heart pumped harder as each of her steps brought her closer to me.

“Niara,” I rasped, taking her outstretched hand.

“Myles,” she sounded just as breathless.

“Nothing gives me more joy than to reunite two lovers with their whole life ahead of them.” Wyltham spoke out loud, gaining the attention of each guest in the great hall.

He had already prepared a small side table from where he now cupped a golden chalice to fill it with spirits before handing it to me.

"From now on, you will drink from one cup."

My eyes never wavered from Niara’s as I took a sip, before handing it to her.

Reverently she too drank from the chalice.

Wyltham then reached for a loaf of bread, broke it in two and handed me one half. "You will eat from the same loaf."

It was customary for me to take a first bite, but it didn’t seem right to me. Niara always came first, always. So I broke with tradition, pulled a piece of bread off and lifted it to her parting lips, still gazing into her grey eyes.

Her lips closed over my fingers as she pulled the bread into her mouth and my cock pulsed in my pants. Gods, she was a temptation. Mostly because I didn’t think she had any idea what she was doing to me right then.

The sound of Wyltham clearing his throat made me withdraw my fingers, albeit reluctantly .

I didn’t taste anything and just swallowed the whole piece of bread I stuffed into my mouth next.

Then Wyltham pulled his dagger and I offered the palm of my hand, still staring into Niara’s eyes. The cut Wyltham made felt almost good, turned my attention from my throbbing cock back to the great hall.

Niara was already reaching for the cloth Wyltham offered her, “I will care for your injuries,” she intoned, despite having no knowledge of this ceremony. It was only known to Leandars.

Her hands trembled slightly as she wrapped the cloth around my aqua bleeding hand.

“With my blood I promise that, from now on I will keep you safe from injury and protect you with my life,” I intoned the next words, taking them from Wyltham’s mouth.

I pulled Niara by her hand still holding mine against my chest. Her face lifted and I planted a triumphant kiss to her welcoming lips. MINE!

Her arms flung around my neck as she responded just as hotly to my kiss.

“Yours,” she whispered when the cheer of the crowd rose and brought us back to our senses.

“Your vissy! Vissy Niara!” I pulled her hand up in mine into the air and every voice in the hall shouted her name. All except one I noticed, standing there, leaned against a pillar, Sarissa looked amused and disapproving at the same time. My gaze moved over her, returned back to Niara. Sarissa wasn’t worth my time contemplating, not right now .

“Let’s celebrate!” I called, leading Niara to the head of the table while our guests found their seats, raising their cups at us now and then in congratulations, while all my attention moved to where it was supposed to be: my querilly.

The feast didn’t last long, not as long as a bonding feast usually did, but we were going to battle tomorrow and needed a clear head for it. I soothed my mind that tomorrow night, after our victory, we would hold another feast, one deserving of the occasion.