Chapter 24. The Binding

The next morning, Eva was woken up early. After a long bath, she was helped into a long white silk dress. Her hair was twisted into an elaborate design that looked like a crown.

The ceremony itself was all done rather quickly. She didn’t see Edward halfway through the ceremony. For the binding part, both of them were taken to a location that was beyond another gateway. There, in the middle of the landscape, was a huge tree with a fountain underneath it.

The elder took them by their hands and guided them towards the fountain. He took out a silver cup and a golden knife. Knowing what comes next, Eva prepared herself. The elder first placed the knife in Edward’s hand and the cup in Eva’s. Edward cut himself a bit and let some blood flow into the cup. Afterward, he gave the knife to Eva and took the cup himself. After dropping some of her blood into the cup, she gave it to the elder. He took the cup and chanted something in the ancient tongue. Finally, he put the cup with th