Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 457: The Ritual

Levi’s POV

"Fine," I said quietly, my chest tight. "Let’s do it."

Louis looked at me sharply, his eyes wide. "Levi, are you serious? If Olivia finds out?"

"She’ll hate us," I finished for him. "Yeah, I know. But I’d rather she hate me and live... than die loving him."

Louis didn’t speak. He just looked away, his jaw clenched.

The sorcerer nodded slightly, stepping closer. "Where is she?"

"She’s asleep," Louis said.

"Good," the sorcerer replied. "Then we keep her that way until the ritual is done."

He reached into his robe and pulled out a small glass vial filled with golden liquid. It shimmered faintly under the light.

"What’s that?" I asked, the sweet smell already filling the air.

"A sleeping charm," he said calmly. "Strong, but harmless. You must drink it first. Once it’s in your system, go to her and wake her gently. Kiss her. When she tastes the charm on your lips, it will take effect. She will fall into a deep sleep, long enough for us to draw her blood and perform the ritual."

My stomach turned. "You want me to drug her with a kiss?"

The sorcerer’s eyes stayed cold. "It’s the safest way. The bond trusts the touch of a mate. Any other attempt will wake her, and then she’ll fight us. And if she fights, the ritual fails."

I hesitated, staring at the vial. The scent was sweet, like honey and crushed flowers.

Louis’s hand brushed my arm. "You don’t have to."

"I have to," I cut him off. "Lennox would have wanted this."

I took the vial and drank. The taste lingered, sweet and warm, almost comforting.

"Now," the sorcerer said softly, "go."

The halls were quiet as I walked back to my room. The sound of my heartbeat filled my ears.

When I pushed open the door, the candlelight flickered faintly across her face.

her side, her hand clutching the blanket near her chest. She looked peaceful for once, but even in sleep, faint tear tracks glistened on her

sat beside her and brushed my thumb

lashes fluttered. Slowly, her eyes opened, soft, tired, and full of worry. "Levi?" she murmured. "How...

I said. "He’s still fighting. You need to rest,

nodded weakly, though her gaze searched mine. "You

though it hurt.

"I

whispered, leaning closer.

we just stared at each other. Her eyes softened, and I could see the trust there, the blind, innocent trust that cut deeper

and leaned down. My lips brushed hers, warm and

tender,

her body relax,

Her breathing slowed.

had been gripping my

eyelids fluttered,

"I’m sorry," I whispered, brushing a

turned toward the door. "She’s

sorcerer entered with two healers. He set a silver bowl on the table beside her and nodded once. "We’ll

and drawn.

looked at Olivia one last time. Her face was peaceful, unaware of what we were

if this

small silver blade in the glowing potion

single drop of blood rolled down and fell

carried the bowl of Olivia’s blood back to Lennox’s chamber. The air inside was heavy, thick with the scent of burned herbs and power. Seven healers stood in a circle around him, their hands raised, their lips moving in silent chants. The sigils on the floor glowed faintly,

the center, setting

"you must not stop. No

nodded beside me, pale and

sorcerer gestured toward the floor. "Step into the

the bond stirring

me,"

a burning line that

and bond, speak her will,"

and bond," I echoed, my

reject what chains the dying

swallowed hard. "I reject what chains the

around the circle flared brighter, throwing long shadows across the walls. Lennox’s body jerked once, a violent, involuntary movement that made my stomach

the

throat tightened. "Olivia," I whispered, then looked at Lennox.