The Blood Maiden

Chapter 27 | Unbound

Elaire's POV

The first step of breaking a beloved's bond: consultation.

Sa gitna ng study, mayroong sofa set kung saan ako kasalukuyang nakaupo. Nasa kabilang dulo ng sofa si Prince Mirev habang nasa magkahiwalay naman na mga upuan sina Lord Anselm at 'yong spellcaster.

"How long will this take?" tanong ko. It was still early in the morning but— "Admiral Sienna is already waiting for me at the training grounds."

The prince and I sat far apart. Nakaupo ako nang nakatuwid ang likod at nakapatong ang mga kamay sa magkadikit kong mga hita. Prince Mirev, meanwhile, had his one leg up on the other. He leaned over the armrest, kung saan nakatukod ang kanyang siko. Hinagod-hagod ng kanyang nakaangat na kamay ang kanyang panga habang pinagdidiinan din ng tingin ang spellcaster.

Pinaningkitan naman kami ng spellcaster. He was an old man dressed in purple and gold layers of fabric. A spellcaster is required because every soulmates' bond is unique. They are the experts in creating magic circles and casting spells that is needed for the bond to break.

"Are you seriously just going to stare at us?" naiinip na tanong ng prinsipe.

"I am reading the both of you, Your Highness," paliwanag ng spellcaster. "I am reading the color of your eyes... your hair... I am reading your face, your body..." Bumaba ang kanyang tingin sa aking mga kamay na maingat na nakapalagay. "Your hands... your fingers..."

"You're gonna have a hard time reading the both of them." Nasa kamay ni Lord Anselm ang isang libro. Lumipat siya sa kasunod na pahina. "They both have the habit of suppressing their feelings."

"I can see," sang-ayon ng spellcaster. "His Highness was raised to be that way, while you..." Tumuon siya sa'kin. "You went through a lot, have you?"

Then, he laughed. "Napakahirap niyo nga namang basahin. Kayong dalawa." Bumalik-balik ang kanyang tingin sa'min ng prinsipe. "You both are very good in keeping your emotions to yourself. You both are strong and reserved." Pumilig ng kaunti ang kanyang ulo, namamangha. "The heir and his guard..."

"Enough with the side comments," The prince said. "Do what you must."

"Well." Tumayo ang spellcaster. "Since I cannot seem to read what is inside your minds, let us proceed to reading your past. Your previous incarnations."

He summoned a magic circle in between the Prince and I. Sabay kaming humarap dito, sandaling napasulyap sa isa't isa bago tumuon sa lumulutang na bilog. The magic circle was made out of golden mist. Ngayon ko lang nakita ang mga hugis at mga simbolong nakaguhit dito. It looked complicated, and powerful.

"Please hold your hands above the circle," tugon ng spellcaster.

I sighed, as I reached out to the prince's hand and held it. Nagmistulang maliliit na lubid ang gintong mist nang palibutan nito ang magkasalikop naming palad. Hinigpitan nito ang aming kapit sa isa't isa, making my heart skip a beat, and making the prince hitch a breath.

Something started to build inside me. Nagsimulang lumalim ang aking hininga, dahil sa libo-libong sensasyon na nagpadama mula sa aming pagkakahawak sa isa't isa. Napalunok ako. His scent— Tinignan ko ang prinsipeng nakatingin din sa'kin, nagpipigil ng ginhawa. His sweet, warm, inviting scent was overwhelming me.

"In order for this to work, you must resist the temptation of blood and desire—"

Desire.

Something snapped.

Hinatak namin ang isa't-isa at pinagtagpo ang aming mga labi sa gitna.

My soul seemed relieved by the touch of his lips, and it wanted more. He held my face and I held his, while tasting each other's tongue, indulging in each other's scorching heat. Tinugunan ko ang lalim ng kanyang halik at nakapikit na dinama ang mga kislap sa aking tiyan, na unti-unting sumiklab sa pagnanasa.