A Court of Blood and Courage

Part 14

Helion was gone during the day for the next three days in search of how to wake me up with the mating bond. At night, he would tell me all about the research and how excited he was. It was getting closer, he said that the more he read, the more he learned about the true magic between them. He told me he would tell me all about what we could do with the bond. Helion also told me that he was having a dress made for me for the High Lady ceremony. My heart beat in excitement at the hope in his voice. We could be together again.

"I found it!" I hear the shout echo through the walls of the Day Court palace. Running footsteps grew louder as Helion neared my room. "Carina I found it! I need to get some foxglove and then we will be good. Zavian is going to stay with you and keep you safe while I go." His fingers brush against my head, "I will be back." He kisses my head then takes off.

Zavian fills the void with dirty jokes and tales of his new lover. I get too many details of his 'raven haired prince'. If I could roll my eyes I would or I would cover my ears. What happened in the bedroom was between me and Helion, I didn't need more details from my friend. I was definitely going to make him pay for his stories.

"So I saw my raven haired prince walking through the halls and I walked right up to him. I shoved him against the walls and got on my knees..." the door slams open interrupting the next words that would have scarred me for life. "Helion! You look like Hell! -ion," that was met with a disgruntled growl.

"I've got it." it sounded like Helion was staggering towards me. A thump sounded beside my head. Then lips pressed against my own. I longed to open for him but I couldn't. Helion's tongue slid along my teeth and a coppery, earthy taste filled my mouth. Finally, I could open my mouth to him. My eyes fluttered open but closed again as my arms wrapped around Helion's head, weaving through his hair. Helion let out a low growl as he got on the bed with me.

"So I will just go then." Zavian says with a laugh. Helion let out a roar at Zavian who laughed and closed the door behind him.

"Helion." I sobbed.

"By the cauldron, I missed you saying my name." He moaned. I pulled away far enough so our noses touched.

"Just saying your name?"

"Mmm...that wicked mouth." he chuckled.

Helion helps me get my strength back as I rejoin the world of the waking. He was always by my side, kissing me and murmuring soft words. We hadn't talked about what happened in those days I was tortured but he could tell that it haunted my nightmares. My body had healed fully but I was full of scars. My nails had grown back but I was still missing a finger and a toe. It didn't do much to hinder but it was still weird to not have those digits. We sat at the dining table, all three of us were together again.

"So Zavian how's your raven haired prince?" The grin on my face had Helion laughing and Zavian choking on his food. "You know when Helion fucks me, he likes to take his time. I am the dominate one. It seems like you could use a harsh reality check. I can make my mate roar loud enough to shatter the windows. Can you? He likes to start out licking you know? Its infuriating and amazing at the same time. Then he adds his-"

"Why are you telling Zavian about our sex life?" Helion was bright red, I didn't even know he could blush. I grin as I take a bite.

"Just repaying the favor, right Zavian?" I grin at him wickedly. Zavian lets out a low laugh as his eyes meet mine.

"I feel like I am missing something." Helion says.

"Zavian liked to tell me all his secrets. Didn't know I could hear you, did ya?"

"I admit, I did not know."

"Well, let's get off this topic." Helion says, clearly uncomfortable. "So when are we going to finalize our mating bond and your High Lady status?"

"Whenever you want, my love." I smile at him.

"Next week then!"

"Maybe we should talk about what happened though. I don't want to go into this new life without clearing this all up. I also...I can't stand the idea of being a child-bearing figurehead. I am a fighter Helion. I can't be that for you. If you want that, I am sorry but I can't."

"I understand. You will never have to have a child, you can be a warrior. I want to help you. Whatever you want, you will have it."

"I want to be a part of the guards. I want to teach females how to fight. I want to make my own elite force. Helion, I want to fight for my people."

"Then I will help you, my love. I am so proud to be your mate." he smiles at me.

"Oh, I am going to throw up now." Zavian laughs.

That night Helion and I lay in bed, his hand making small circles on my hip as we stare into each other's eyes. I run my thumb over his cheek, steeling myself so I can get this weight off my chest.

"Helion," I start.

"Hmm," he hummed.

"I need to...I just need to tell someone about what happened. You're the only one I trust enough."

"Say whatever you need too."

"They tortured me...for six days I believe. Every morning at daybreak, Drevon took me out and would go to work on me." I still was unable to show Helion my body, my scars. "I lost my pride and my hope, but I held onto to one word. Helion. I repeated your name like a prayer. Like you were the only thing in the world that could keep me from falling off the edge. Once I got out, I took everything you had told me about spells and used it to open the spell. When I was going to end it I stumbled across a building. It was full of females, all chained to the same slabs I had been. I didn't have the time or energy to save them, so I took off. Leaving them there, it broke my heart but I knew what I was doing would save them. I prayed that my sacrifice would help them and inspire them. I need to keep this inspiration up, I need to show females they can be strong." Helion never said a word as he held me, gently running his hand over my head. Comfort was all I needed tonight. So we curled up and fell asleep together. Finally, I felt weight lifted off of my shoulders. We could be safe and happy.

Helion dresses me in a gown of bronze that shines and clung to every inch of me. The top part is shear and had flowers of gold covering my breasts and trailing down my body. I felt half naked in my dress as I examined my clothing. My strawberry blonde hair was thrown up into a high ponytail, weaved into a braid down my back. A crown of what looked like sunrays atop of my head. My wings had gold plates tipping my wings as I pulled them into my back. Looking in the mirror I didn't recognize the female staring back, she was radiant and a High Lady. I smooth the skirt down and take a deep breath, the ceremony was about to begin. My High Lady ceremony and officiating my mating bond with Helion. Doubt and fear weaved through my heart as I stood alone in my room. The door opens and Helion comes in. He looks gorgeous in his tunic that matched mine, well, along with a sunray crown like my own. I smile at him and he returns my smile with a bright smile like the sun. He holds his hand out to me and I take it. Hand-in-hand, side by side, we walk to the throne room.

The doors are thrown open as we walk in. A collective gasp comes from the faes around the room. We walk in and up the stairs to where two thrones sit. Nerves run up and down my body and Helion leans over and kisses my neck to calm me. Once we ascend, we turn to each other. A high priestess comes over and asks us to recite some words and white tattoos flow over the arms we have clasped together and I feel something settle between us. With shining eyes, we step back from each other to face the crowd as Helion lets me go to sit upon his throne. I stand before the high priestess and she asks me to kneel. Reciting words to swear me in, she makes a complicated gesture and that's when I feel power swell within me. A gasp escapes me as all the power fills my body.

"Please welcome your new High Lady,l." the priestess says. An applause echoes throughout the throne room as I stand, smiling.