Sang Sacré

Chapter 11

Warm light filtered through light-colored curtains that blew in the summer breeze drifting through the open window.

Hermione stirred, sighing sleepily as she buried her face deeper into her pillow. She felt like she had both just ran a marathon and been soaking in a hot spring. Her body simultaneously ached with exhaustion and relished in the warmth easing the tension in her muscles.

Her eyes flew open at the realization that her pillow, in fact, had arms that were wound tightly around her frame. She held her breath as she listened for Draco's, determining he was still asleep, and relaxed into his arms again. Without moving, she glanced around the room and took in what she could see.

The room was pretty bare; the walls lacked any pictures or personality, the gray paint made the room feel cold and detached. They were tucked into the most comfortable bed she'd ever laid in with silky dark sheets and a fluffy duvet.

A deep exhale from Draco drew Hermione's attention back to her current situation. She was laying with her head cuddled into his chest, her leg strewn over his waist. His arms encased her entirely with his hands weighing down her lower back.

The rhythm of his deep, even breathing calmed her enough to reflect on their situation. They were soul-bonded. She was soul-bonded to Draco fucking Malfoy. Last night he had held her close to him, his blood smeared across her face, and looked into her eyes as he claimed her as his.

"You're mine now."

The words echoed in her mind as she remembered how he looked standing there, her own bloodied hand on his cheek, and the moonlight overhead making him appear almost luminescent.

Last night in the mountain they'd been able to physically see their bond, which to Hermione's knowledge was extremely rare. While other bonds like an Unbreakable Vow allowed for quick periods of observation, she had never heard of a manifestation of a soul bond before. She glanced down at their chests as carefully as possible and was slightly disappointed that the bond was no longer visible between them.

She closed her eyes, nuzzled into Draco, and searched for a remnant of their bond within herself. She found her magical core almost instantly, a consequence of repeated practice throughout the years as she wielded stronger magic. Her core was weak but in the process of recuperating from all of the exertion from yesterday.

Tiberius had explained that if she was to be paired she would never feel exhaustion like she would in the days following. His pairing had been so draining that he and his wife hadn't left the bed for nearly a week, the physical exertion of even sitting up was too much.

She had never felt like this before. Her body ached, reminiscent of the familiar ache one becomes accustomed to after months on the run, but she felt a comforting presence surrounding her as well.

It felt like a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea after walking miles in the freezing rain. At the same time, it also felt like a shield. A barrier that did not care if she came or went but would keep everything else out. She followed that feeling until it plucked the string tying them together, and her bond with Draco vibrated like a guitar string in the space between them. The unfamiliar sensation caused her to shift, grimacing, and she tried again with more patience.

It was as though she were tip-toeing around their bond. It felt raw, vulnerable, and a little sore. The smallest of attention was amplified tenfold in its vicinity, and while it was not a painful sensation it was certainly unsettling.

The further she traveled, the more comforted and carefree she felt. The bond hummed and preened, extremely pleased with her attentions, and rewarded her with further relaxation and security. As she focused on the bond, her eyes followed the movement of her fingers ghosting over Draco's chest until she traced across the skin at the collar of his shirt and she jolted.