Love Denied Vol.1 Of The Love Trials Trilogy

Chapter 24 "The binding..."

(Tori's POV)

Hikaru wasn't bad looking, and he wasn't weak. So one way or another, I wasn't going to mind all that much being tied to him. After all, a lifetime-tie to the guy my mate cared about couldn't be that bad.

Right?

I sighed.

I am ready... The damn beast said with a smug voice.

Then I guess I am too. I retorted back.

Hehehe... The beast chuckled and I sent all my resentment to it.

"Okay." I said trying to calm my nerves.

Hikaru stood right in front of me, his eyes stayed on my face. I watched his black eyes betray nothing of his thoughts. So I couldn't help but wonder if he knew exactly what he was getting himself into...

"I am going to tell you the Triple Laws of a Binding." I said casually, "First, there is no room for hatred in a binding, for hatred means certain death. Secondly, shifter and hunter will be one, body, mind, and soul. Thirdly, they will never betray one another!"

For a moment, I caught an expression of doubt cross his face, but it was fleeting.

"Now I have only one question to ask you before we continue." I stated calmly, though on the inside I was filled by dread, "Do you hate me?"

"No, I don't hate you. Heck, I don't even hate your kind! They've never honestly done anything to warrant my hatred." Hikaru stated honestly without a hint of hesitation.

I smiled satisfied.

"Good." I said as I closed the space between us.

He seemed startled, the beast inside of me purred.

"Relax, I won't hurt you. Just like you won't hurt me, right?" I asked, trying to reassure myself.

"Right." Hikaru agreed relaxing himself as my hands traveled lightly over his broad chest.

A black shirt that was cotton covered his chest, then his muscles flexed under my touch. I couldn't help but smile wider...

"Let us begin then." I said with reluctance.

Hikaru nodded watching me with his dark brown eyes.

I started the age-old chant my kind knew for almost as long and ancient as the soul-mate vows...

"With this bind we are one... One in body... One in mind... And one in soul... Through it our very existence lies interlaced..." I rumbled out in a voice combined with my human and beast sides. "For this sacred vow is one of life and death... Hunter and Shifter, side by side... In perfect harmony... That is our vow."

"And so by Treysta's Eye shall it be." Hikaru followed his eyes wide in surprise as the words came out of his mouth.

"My wings, my stripes, and my shape are yours to take, and control as you wish for this is our agreement. In return you will give me control over your sword." I followed through with, "The very weapon used to kill, just as my claws are used to kill." By now, I was feeling a soft power as ancient as the moon itself course through me, "It is simply an equal exchange of power, a balance of sorts..."

Our bodies were intertwined intimately, though I felt no sexual inclination towards him... I felt what I would probably have felt for my brother of the womb. The twin brother who had disappeared long before my life had gone down hill...

"And through Feid's Hand shall it be." Hikaru let out, his body suddenly glowing with interlaced symbol that began to wrap around me.

"This is our vow!"I growled out as the symbols tightened around me, seeming to merge us together until finally they faded into a single piece of thread.

At first it had been a soft course of power through our bodies, but now it was a full-blown surge that caused an unending lash of pain...

My instinct was to fight it, but I didn't. Then I felt Hikaru struggle through the pain, and held on tighter to him. I tried soothing him with meaningless sounds until finally, he calmed.

Then suddenly an overwhelming blackness claimed us...