Ivy's POV
The forest seems more like a place for murder than a mating. The trees conceal the sky, their branches folding over one another until only small trickles of moonlight filter through the cracks. It's quiet, only our footsteps can be heard, which just puts me more on edge.
"Are we almost there," I whisper, looking over my shoulder at the trail behind us for the hundredth time.
"Almost."
I huff, my legs beginning to ache from walking so far. I'm about to open my mouth and complain when we get to a clearing. The trees break away so that the stars and moon are back in sight, seeming so close that I could reach out and touch them. A small waterfall is on my right, glowing from the reflection of the night sky.
"Finally."
I gasp, grinning when I spot Willow with her hands on her hips, a disapproving look on her face. I run over to her and engulf her in a tight hug which she returns with a half choke half laugh.
"Hi."
"Hi." She squeezes me back, pulling away to give me a once-over.
"What are you doing here?"
"We need a witch to perform the ceremony, and we trust her discretion," Leo says, a soft smile on his face.
"Considering this is a time-sensitive mission, you sure took your time," Willow tuts, letting me go and walking over to where she's set everything up.
"We'll have to be quick if we want to finish in time for Ivy to head back before anyone notices she's missing."
She gestures for us to stand by the waterfall, Leo and Owen on one side of her, me on the other. She places a white ribbon in Leo's hand, before opening her book.
"By completing the scared mating bond, you are binding yourselves to each other, a bond that cannot be broken. You offer yourselves to one another, both strengths and weaknesses so that you may become one."
Leo begins to tie our hands together with the ribbon, my hand sandwiched between theirs. The heat of their skin cools my cold fingers and I allow myself to relax.
"Do you promise to protect and honour this bond and in turn your mate, until fate parts you?"
"I do," we say in unison.
"Do you promise to put your mate above all else, especially those that wish harm on them?"
"I do."
"Now, you must all verbally proclaim your vow."
"I, Owen Ruiz, future King of Terra Aurea claim Ivy Solace as my true mate." I gasp when I feel a warm bloom in my chest. Owen's eyes glow midnight blue, like the water next to us.
"I, Leo Ruiz, future King of Terra Aurea claim Ivy Solace as my true mate." Dark tendrils cling to my insides at his proclamation, his eyes mirroring the magic inside me.
I take a deep breath, swallowing my nerves.
"I, Ivy Solace take Leo and Owen Ruiz as my true mates."
Our hands glow beneath the ribbon binding us, the colours of our magic merging together The mate bond feels stronger than it's ever been, like a part of them is now inside me, changing me. It feels strange, but oddly pleasant. Similar to how I felt when I finally unlocked my magic, only now I feel less alone.
"Is it done?" I ask, turning to Willow.
She nods with a grin, helping us untie our hands.
She steps back and gathers her things, giving us a knowing smile.
YOU ARE READING
Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)
Romance"We'll see you soon, little one." I spend my days waiting for the night, hoping I can see them again. They make my skin come alive, buzzing with electricity. But the minute I open my eyes, they fade away. . . Ivy spends her life surrounded by books...
