Devil's meadow

Chapter 11- Silver circlets

My heavy eyes forced open. I looked at my bony hand where a syringe was placed into my arm. The sound of the pacemaker blaring in my ears alarmed me, and as i started to move slightly, my body started aching.
Wh-what the f*ck? Why do i feel so weak?!
My hazy eyes locked on to Blaze, his breathing sounded...unsettled. He started flinching, like he was in a nightmare that he couldn't escape from.
"Blaze?"
He moaned slightly, he was uncomfortable, but I couldn't yell, as my throat was throbbing, stinging every second. I was just about to fall back asleep, he gasped and started breathing heavily. The scruffy hair that his head was attached to, ended up being plastered to his forehead as he shot up. His muddy brown eyes raced back and forth, and realising that i was awake, He widened calmed down.
"Hunter?! You're okay!"
"What happened."
"You -uh- nearly died a second time."
"Oh. Is that what this syringe thing is for?"
"Mhm."
"Why does it hurt then?"
"You had a blood transfer 2 hours ago."
"Oh. Who's blood is it then?"
"...."
"Blaze, is there something you're not telling me?"
"...it's my blood."
"WHAT?!"
"Crystal's lieutenants didn't match your blood type."
" Oh god, You do realise, that by you giving me your blood, means that we're soul bound?"
"Soul bound?"
"It's where if someone gives blood to another person, it means they're meant to be together, till death do they part!"
"Oh..."
"I'm not ready to be in a relationship. I just met you."
Crystal never told me!"
"She probably didn't tell you, so that you wouldn't freak out."
"So does that mean that, we'll have to..."
"I sincerely hope not."
My friend hoisted himself up against the bed frame, and as he sighed, Crystal opened the glossy door and poked her head into the room. She looked at us both and smiled enthusiastically.
"Glad to see you're both awake."
"Crystal...?"
"Hmm?"
"Are we soul bound?"
" *sigh* yes. I didn't tell you, because i knew what your reaction would be."
"A scream, I'm guessing."
"Correct."
"Wait, isn't there a ceremony that's held for that occasion?"
"Yes. That will take place privately, in the jewellery room."
"Does it involve rings?"
"...yes, yes it does."
For a brief moment, we both caught each other's attention. As Blaze stared into my blank, cold eyes, he blushed, and swiftly looked away. I glanced into the corner of the room, and blushed a tiny bit.
"Y'know, you two are the first to be soul bound."
"Wait, really?"
"Mhm. We don't actually get any people who have blood transfers come through here."
"Oh."
"That's not bad, it just feels awkward sometimes."
As the clock on the wall ticked, Blaze let his feet dangle over the side of the bed before standing up fully. As the woman's colleagues walked in, my friend was given a small piece of paper with writing lightly scribbled with pencil. The syringe was carefully removed from my arm, and as i stood up, i was draped in a long red cloth made of silk and saffron with patterns of gold and silver. They almost looked like snowflakes, and whilst I glanced over to watch Blaze, two golden sceptres, one with a cross, the other with a dove, were placed into my hands. He was draped in a blue and gold cloth, made of the same material, and was given an orb with an infinity symbol on the top. As we were both heading out of the medical room, lieutenants and on-lookers watched as we gracefully walked by smiling, widening their eyes, some even clapping at the sight of two young males looking like they were about to get married. We wandered into the jewellery room, where lights of blue, red, orange and some hints of yellow gleamed on our faces.  Whilst trudging towards the small alter in front of us, we had a crown of maple leaves and thorn leaves placed upon our heads and as we looked at each other, we both smiled. Crystal went behind the alter, and began the ceremony. She brung two circlets out of a purple velvet box, and plopped them onto a beaded cushion.
"I bless these two souls with the power to connect, thrive and live as one whole flame. After today, the ceremony has officially taken place as these young sparks move onto the next key that unlocks the door between the dead and the living, where the brave shall live forever."
As she lit a black candle, the light alter rang out a comfortable silence that we all embraced together as one. Blaze, still holding the orb, glanced at me and smiled as the silence commenced around us. I smiled back, but something didn't feel right not because I didn't want this, but rather because it felt like the king was watching us, glooming over our shoulders.
"I take these rings that lay beside me, and give them peace, charity, patience, commitment and love. This ceremony connects the abled, the disabled, the rich and poor, of sparking love, of sparking hate. Blessed found our father, in heaven, as all sins are cleared, giving chance at a better life. Blaze, do take Hunter to be soul bound with you?"
"I do."
"And do you, hunter, take Blaze to be soul bounded to you?"
"Yes. I do."
"Then by the grace, the lord, saviour, and by spirit, i pronounce you both soul bound, connecting both your hearts together."
As she rang a bell, the rings were placed on our middle finger, where they glowed for a few seconds. The orb and sceptre were taken away, and the thorn leaf crowns were replaced with a small, steel one, covered in lotus jewels, which glinted in the ambient lights. As we both joined hands, a velvet red cloth was wrapped around our wrists, drooping down to the chiseled floor. A liquid of cloudy water was flicked at our faces, symbolising the blessings of purity and life. As i looked at Blaze, he smiled with beauty, his cheeks turning a light, rosy pink. After a while, the cloth was removed, and we were taken out of the jewellery room and into the lounge room, where my soul bound lover chattered with excitement.
"Exquisite ceremony!"
"Calm down."
"You're right, I'm being over dramatic."
We placed ourselves onto a dark, navy blue sofa, and Blaze got closer to me. It seemed as though he was checking the injury on my shoulder, because he was removing some parts of my torn shirt. I wanted to move away, it didn't feel right, but comfort told me otherwise. I embraced every moment and closed my eyes, waiting for him to finish what he was doing.
"That's healing quite nicely."
"Don't touch the middle."
"Why?"
"It stings."
"Oh, I won't touch it. I'm just taking a closer look."
"Hmm."
As Blaze moved away, he stared into my eyes, glowing with affection and compassion. He shifted his body so that it was against mine and lent himself so that he could have company. My arm wrapped around his shoulder, and as we both proceeded to fall asleep, two lieutenants from the control room walked in.
"We just wanted to congratulate you two on the soul bounding ceremony."
"Thoughtful. Thank you."
"Hmm..."
"Tired?"
"Mhm..."
"We'll let you two have time to yourselves."
"Thank you."
As the perfect door closes, Blaze turns over to his side, and moves closely onto me. I started blushing, and as my breathing slowed down, my love fell asleep.
Sleep well.