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

her and brushed my

lashes fluttered. Slowly, her eyes opened, soft, tired, and full of

steady. "He’s fine," I said. "He’s still fighting. You need

weakly, though her gaze searched mine. "You promise

though

exhaled shakily, her lips trembling. "I just... want to see him

closer. "And you will. But

eyes softened, and I could see the trust

cupped her face gently and leaned down. My lips brushed hers,

and tender, like she was saying thank you without

her body relax, the tension

Her breathing slowed.

my arm,

fluttered, then closed

brushing a strand of hair from

turned toward the door. "She’s asleep," I said

set a silver bowl on the table beside her and nodded once.

pale and drawn.

Olivia one last time. Her face was peaceful, unaware of what

know," I said softly. "But if this saves

in the glowing potion and pressed

single drop of blood rolled down and fell

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.

sorcerer moved to the center, setting the bowl beside Lennox’s

quietly, "you must not stop. No matter

nodded beside me, pale and

floor.

took a deep breath and stepped forward. The air shifted immediately. I could feel the bond stirring under my skin,

after me,"

heart, a burning line that seared through my shirt and skin. I clenched my jaw as pain

and bond, speak her will,"

blood and bond," I echoed,

chains the

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 twist. His chest rose, then fell

the

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