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.

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

sat beside her and brushed my thumb along her jaw. "Olivia,"

Slowly, her eyes opened, soft, tired, and full of worry.

forcing my voice steady. "He’s fine," I said. "He’s still

weakly, though her gaze searched mine.

faintly, even though

lips trembling. "I just... want to see him

leaning closer. "And you

moment, we just stared at each other. Her eyes softened, and I could see

gently and leaned down. My lips brushed hers, warm

kissed me back, slow and tender,

felt her body relax, the

Her breathing slowed.

been gripping my arm, slipped weakly to the

fluttered, then closed

pulled back slowly, my chest heavy. "I’m sorry," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

the door. "She’s asleep," I

sorcerer entered with two healers. He set a silver bowl on the table beside

and

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

"But if this saves her, it’s

in the glowing

single drop of blood rolled down and fell

burned herbs and power. Seven healers stood in a circle around him, their hands raised, their lips moving in silent

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

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

beside me,

the floor. "Step into the circle,

a deep breath and stepped forward. The air shifted immediately. I could feel the bond stirring

me,"

the blood and drew a mark over my heart, a burning line that seared through my shirt and skin. I clenched my jaw as pain rippled through

speak

and bond," I echoed, my voice

the dying to

reject what chains the dying

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

name," the sorcerer said. "And

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