The Blind Witch
Chapter 25

I loved him once. I thought he loved me. But I was just fuel for his ambitions. Nothing more.

Clarissa sat on a cushioned window seat overlooking the front of the palace. She was hidden behind a curtain from the inside, hiding away from everyone. From her seat, she could see dozens of people entering the palace. There were so many colors, so many auras.

She hid away, overwhelmed by all that was to happen. Today was her bonding ceremony with Aiden. Many of the world's leaders were invited, and most accepted the invitation. It was not often that the King of Kings held events at the palace. This event was not only about Clarissa and Aiden, but it gave many a chance to talk politics. It was a time for negotiations, for peace and treaties, and for future relationships.

Clarissa pulled her knees up to her chest. She sighed as she watched as more people continued to arrive. There seemed to be no end to the guests that were coming. She closed her eyes as she leaned her head back against the wall.

After several minutes, the curtains that hid her slowly opened. She could see a bright aura ease into her darkness. Ophelia had been walking by, but she had caught sight of bits of Clarissa’s dress that hung below the curtains.

“What are you doing?” Ophelia whispered, trying not to give away their hiding spot.

“There are many people here,” Clarissa replied, returning her gaze to the window. “It makes me worried.”

“The Requiem would not risk doing anything with so many others here,” Ophelia reassured her.

“Are they here?” Clarissa questioned. “Are the High Priest and Priestess from Requiem here?”

“Yes,” Ophelia nodded with a scowl on her face. “But we had to invite them. All leaders were sent invitations. We could not risk showing favoritism.”

“Will I need to speak with them? With all of these people?”

“No,” Ophelia chuckled. “You just stay with Aiden the entire night. Some will greet you and give you congratulations. But you are not required to talk to any of them.”

“How much danger is Aiden in? I know that Azrael is dying, but I cannot help but wonder how many of the people that are coming today would not hesitate to attack him.”

Ophelia reached out and took Clarissa’s hands in hers. Even though there was a darkness that loomed over her, even though another god sought her, all that she cared about was Aiden. She cared about his safety above all else. But there was no denying that Azrael continued to inch closer to death. There was no denying that many here today would not hesitate to kill Aiden if given the chance. Many here wanted the throne, but many would also die to protect him.

“Come, child,” Ophelia said as she stood from the window seat. “It is nearly time. We need to get you down to the great hall.”

Clarissa did not protest. She rose to her feet, her hand gripping tightly on Ophelia’s. The two went down the corridor and the main stairs. Clarissa could hear people whispering when she passed them. She could feel their gazes bore holes through her. But she kept her head high, never looking down to hide her face.

Aiden stood in the great hall alongside his uncle. He wore a lavish outfit that was primarily gold in color with white trim. His facial hair was trimmed short, and upon his head was a crown made of gold. Aiden spoke with a few of the Alphas and Lunas who had come for the ceremony.

“When you and the princess are settled, my Luna and I would love to host you two down at the Amber Sky Pack.” One Alpha said to Aiden.

“If my uncle could spare me, I would be delighted to visit,” Aiden replied with a smile. “I have wanted to visit a pack and let Cyrus free for a bit.”

“I am excited to see what powerful children you two shall make,” one Luna said excitedly.

“With more witch in their veins, perhaps their wolves shall be able to use magic?” Another added.

Aiden smiled at the thought, but then his attention went to the door. The guards howled, announcing Clarissa’s arrival. He stepped away from the group and walked to the middle of the room. He had not seen Clarissa all morning. He had been instructed not to go near her as she prepared for their ceremony.

The crowd split in half, allowing Aiden to see Clarissa directly. He held his breath as he looked at her. She wore a long white dress with gold threaded accents. Her wavy red hair was tamed in a braid that hung down her back. Upon her head was a small, thin crown made of gold. He watched as her gaze found him. She smiled; the nervousness that had tormented her faded away. All she saw was Aiden; all she wanted was him.

The two of them walked to one another, meeting halfway between them. He took both of her hands as he continued to look into her eyes.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

“I’m sure you say that to all the girls,” she teased as she tried to hide her blushing.

“Are you ready?” He asked as he pulled her closer to him. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

“I want to be with you,” she asserted firmly. Her hands tightened around his.

Aiden leaned in, kissing her cheek gently. He led her down the end of the great hall, where Craigen and Anneliese from the Lode Star stood. Everyone in the hall began to move forward, all trying to get a good spot to watch.

Craigen sprinkled a jar of cedar ash around them, making a circle. Clarissa sniffed the air. Sage and rosemary were being burned around her. Anneliese walked over with a large bowl.

“Lavender water,” she said as she held it between them. “Cleanse yourselves. The water should touch any exposed skin.”

Aiden guided Clarissa’s hands to the bowl. She dipped her hand in the chilled water. She rubbed it over her hands, fingers, and forearm. She then cupped a little bit and splashed it on her face. She rubbed some water down her neck and on her exposed chest. Aiden did the same, washing his hands, face, and neck. Anneliese passed off the bowl and then offered a towel.

Once she stepped back, Craigen stepped forward.

“Why do you enter the circle?” He questioned them.

“For everlasting love in this life and the next,” Aiden and Clarissa answered simultaneously.

“We cast this circle to bond these two in their minds, in their bodies, in their souls!” Craigen announced loudly so all could hear.

Everyone in the great hall cheered and clapped as the ashes around them caught fire. The flames were small, but it made the gold and white of their outfits sparkle brightly. Craigen held up a large goblet. Within it was wine. He lowered it, placing one of Clarissa and Aiden’s hands on the goblet.

“Drink,” he instructed. “Then make your offering to the gods in the heavens above!”

Clarissa drank first from the goblet. The wine was sweet, but it burned the back of her throat. She had not consumed alcohol before and never saw a desire for it. Tea and water were her preferred beverages. Aiden smiled, holding back a chuckle as he watched her. He knew she found the wine awful, but she dared not spit it out. He drank after her, replaceing the wine smooth and warm. He then took the goblet and poured the contents into the sacrificial bowl. The wine that they drank and bonded over was their offering to the gods.

A young child then walked over to Craigen, holding a pillow. On top of the pillow were the circlets for Aiden and Clarissa. Craigen handed each the circlet that they were to give one another.

“Princess Clarissa, place your incantation upon the circlet, then put it on the Prince,” Craigen instructed.

Aiden watched as Clarissa held his circlet within her hands. It was made from black tungsten with gold designs throughout. The gold had the symbols of the witches, wolves, humans, and vampires. The four creatures that he would eventually rule over. As she whispered, she placed the circlet on his left wrist. He could feel it grow smaller, but it was not tight against his skin.

Once his was on, he held up her circlet. The palladium sparkled against the fire and lights. He whispered as he placed it on her left wrist. Clarissa could see the magic that clung to the circlets. Even after they were in place, she could still see the magic lingering.

Aiden lifted her chin, pulling her away from her thoughts. He leaned down, kissing her on the lips tenderly. There were sparks in their kiss, sparks that warmed them and made them yearn for more.

As they broke the kiss, the fire on the ashes separated, allowing them to exit the bonding circle. Aiden led Clarissa over the ashes as the crowd cheered again. Aiden wrapped an arm around Clarissa and pulled her close to him as they walked out of the great hall. They led the crowd into the eating hall, where a feast awaited.

Aiden and Clarissa sat down at a long table at the end of the room. Azrael, Ophelia, and Victor joined them. Clarissa did not have much of an appetite, but at Aiden's insistence, she nibbled on some of the food. Several people came to their table throughout the night, greeting them and passing along congratulations.

Clarissa was cordial with everyone, though she was uncomfortable with the attention. But she frowned when she noticed silver-skinned people with dark orbs approaching them.

“Good evening, Your Royal Highnesses. I am Dray, the High Priest of the Requiem Coven,” He said as he gave them a bow. “And this is my High Priestess, Teresa. We wanted to come and tell you how happy we are that another witch shall soon be Queen of Queens.”

“Are you excited?” Clarissa questioned as she looked up to his face.

“I cannot lie; I am disappointed that you do not belong to my coven,” Dray replied honestly. “You could have cultivated the dark magic within you while under our care.”

“Do you think my dark magic is weak?” She inquired with a scowl.

“That is not what I meant,” Dray replied as he did his best to hide his irritation. “I was simply stating that my coven deals mostly with witches of dark magic. We do not fear it; we accept it with open arms. You could have perhaps learned more.”

“I am sure that I would have learned more in a short amount of time,” Clarissa said as she nodded her head. She could sense something on him. An aura, no, an essence that lingered on him. “But both of my parents are members of the Lode Star. Craigen and Anneliese have been nothing but nice to me.”

“Though you may belong to another coven, you are still more than welcome to visit us at the Requiem,” Dray said as he smiled slightly. “We shall always welcome you, princess.”

As Dray and Teresa walked away, Aiden took Clarissa’s hand. She was trembling, and she was warm to the touch.

“It is late,” Aiden noted as he gently rubbed her arm. “Why do you not retire? Go to our room, cool off, and relax. I shall join you shortly.”

Clarissa nodded, feeling exhausted from the day’s events. Ophelia helped to guide her from the eating hall, taking her back to Aiden’s chambers.