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.

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

brushed my thumb

eyes opened, soft, tired, and full of worry. "Levi?"

fine," I said. "He’s still

gaze searched mine. "You

smiled faintly, even though it

shakily, her lips trembling. "I just... want

closer. "And you will. But

eyes softened, and I could see the trust there, the blind, innocent

leaned down. My

slow and tender, like she was saying thank you without

felt her body

Her breathing slowed.

gripping my arm, slipped weakly to

eyelids fluttered,

"I’m sorry," I whispered, brushing a strand

door.

on the table beside her and nodded once. "We’ll take what

in the doorway, his face pale and drawn. His voice shook. "Levi, she’ll hate

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

I said softly. "But if this

silver blade in the glowing

single drop of blood rolled down

healers stood in a circle around him, their hands raised, their lips moving in silent chants. The sigils

the center, setting

warned quietly, "you must not stop. No matter what

nodded beside me, pale

floor. "Step into the

feel the bond stirring under my skin, the link

after me," the

finger into the blood and drew a mark over my heart, a burning line that seared through my shirt and skin. I

speak her

blood and bond," I echoed,

what chains the dying

"I reject what chains the dying to

jerked once, a violent, involuntary movement that made

name," the sorcerer

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