AN: No Piarari key needed this time. Be sure to drop some comments as you read. Enjoy!
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Nova, Aries, and I stood in the Temple on Crescent Reef the next day. We'd left the mansion early with Farryn, Idris, and Slater in order to give Rosanna and Cyris time to prepare the twins for the ceremony. It was a temple built in honour of Allora, the Goddess of Magic, and Nymus, the God of Friendship. The two of them presided over the familiar-magic user bond. Ancient power flowed through this place and I could feel it coursing through my veins. It was incredible.
Aries was looking around in awe and I ruffled his hair affectionately. I really hoped he'd be bound to one of the twins today. The Priestess was standing at the altar, lighting torches and drawing a circle on the floor in chalk. The doors of the Temple opened and Rosanna and Cyris walked in. Marcellus and Catryn were trailing behind them. The two of them looked around in awe and I couldn't help but notice how adorable the twins looked in their ceremonial clothes. They were both dressed in dark blue.
The twins seemed stunned by the number of changeling clans present and I didn't blame them. Every changeling clan with a child old enough to be bound was here today. And they were each hoping that they'd be lucky enough to be bound to Marcellus or Catryn.
The Castellan family approached the altar and stopped in front of it.
"Welcome to the Temple of Allora and Nymus," the Priestess greeted the Castellans. "Magic and friendship call this place their home, but both are important in the bond that exists between a familiar and a magic user. Tell me who amongst the Castellans will be bound today?"
"Crown Prince Marcellus Ondreus Castellan and Princess Catryn Ilaria Nerida Castellan," Cyris replied.
The Priestess nodded. "Ancient magic is the lifeblood of Crescent Reef and runs through the earth here, making this land sacred. And that is exactly what the bond between a mage and a familiar is...sacred. A familiar protects their mage in battle, offers them comfort, and on occasion, guides them. In return a mage offers their familiar, a home, lifelong friendship, and protection when necessary." The Priestess turned to Cyris again. "Which of the twins was born first?"
"Prince Marcellus."
The Priestess nodded again. "Crown Prince Marcellus Ondreus Castellan was born first so he will be bound first."
Marcellus gasped as the Priestess said his full name and hid behind his mother's leg. Rosanna placed a hand on her son's head and gently guided him out of his hiding spot. Cyris crouched down in front of the small boy and looked at him.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, little one. Today you and your sister will be given a special gift. A special friend that will always be by your side, even when Mommy and Daddy can't be there," he told him softly.
Marcellus fidgeted with his hands and glanced up at Rosanna, wanting reassurance.
"It's alright little snowman," Rosanna assured the little Prince. "You're just going to make a new friend, one that will help keep you safe and help you learn more about your powers." Marcellus still looked a little hesitant. "Go on, little snowman," Rosanna coaxed. "It's okay. Mommy and Daddy are right here if you need us. We're not going anywhere."
"Come forward Prince Marcellus," the Priestess called.
Marcellus looked back at Cyris and Cyris gave him another smile. Then patted his head gently. Cyris stood up and softly pushed Marcellus forward.
"Go on," Cyris told his son.
Marcellus shuffled forward until he was standing in the ritual circle in front of the Priestess.
YOU ARE READING
Storm's Rapture | Storms Series: Book 1 (This is a Co-Write)
Romance"The past haunts you, flowing through your veins like water..." Cyris Castellan is a young man with water magic and royal blood. When he was a child, his home was attacked and destroyed by gruesome magic users. They killed his family, orphaning Cyri...
