Page 110 of Feral Gods
"We should return," he suggests reluctantly. "Before Ravik sends a search party."
Our companions await at the ceremonial circle, the space transformed through simple yet powerful arrangements. Four stone pillars mark cardinal directions, each adorned withsymbols representing our individual natures Ravik's protection sigil, Zephyr's knowledge glyph, Thane's warrior emblem, my transformation mark. Between these pillars, magical lights hover like captured stars, illuminating the circle with soft radiance that mimics twilight's glow while providing necessary visibility for the ceremony.
At the circle's center burns a small sacred fire in shallow stone bowl, fragrant herbs releasing purifying smoke that spirals upward in patterns too precise for natural air currents. Beside this fire waits crystalline vessel containing water from our valley's central pool—living water charged with the location's unique magical properties.
"Perfect timing," Zephyr greets us, scholarly robes replaced by simple ceremonial garment of deepest blue that complements his slate-colored skin. "Celestial alignment approaches optimal position."
Ravik stands opposite, similarly attired in ceremonial garment of rich amber that matches his intense gaze. His transformed features hold unusual softness as he observes our approach, commander's authority yielding to partner's appreciation.
"The circle awaits completion," he says simply, extending one hand in welcome gesture that contains no command, only invitation.
As Thane and I join them at the circle's edge, perfect quadrangle forms between us—four points of balance creating stable foundation no triangle could achieve. The magical lights respond to our positioning, brightening slightly as energy begins flowing between our positions.
"The binding ceremony requires no external officiant," Zephyr explains, scholarly knowledge providing framework for emotional experience. "We four stand as equal participants, each simultaneously giving and receiving commitmentaccording to ancient pattern predating hierarchical relationship structures."
"Each speaks personal pledge according to individual nature," Ravik continues, amber eyes moving between us. "Order matters less than authenticity—speak truth rather than formula."
"I'll begin," Thane offers unexpectedly, our typically action-oriented warrior volunteering for verbal vulnerability with characteristic courage. He steps forward, entering the circle's center beside the sacred fire, copper-hued form illuminated by dancing flames.
"I pledge protection without possession," he declares, voice carrying through the evening air with resonant clarity. "Strength without dominance. Passion without demand." His crimson eyes meet each of ours in turn, holding gazes with fierce intensity. "Before I knew you, I existed only for battle. Through knowing you, I discovered purpose beyond conflict. In loving you, I found completion beyond imagining." He kneels beside the fire, drawing small copper dagger from ceremonial belt. With quick, precise movement, he cuts shallow line across his palm, allowing three drops of blood to fall into the flames. "My life force freely shared, my essence freely given, my soul freely bound to yours through time and beyond."
The fire flares copper-bright as it receives his offering, magical energy pulsing outward to connect with each of us standing at circle's edge. The sensation resembles physical touch but deeper, more fundamental—essence recognizing essence across conventional boundaries.
Zephyr moves forward next, scholarly composure temporarily abandoned for emotional authenticity rarely displayed so openly. He stands where Thane knelt moments before, turquoise eyes luminous in ceremonial fire's glow.
"I pledge knowledge seeking understanding rather than control," he begins, voice steady despite evident emotion. "Observation embracing participation. Analysis enriched by feeling." His gaze holds the same intensity as Thane's, though expressed through different temperament. "Before you, I studied life without experiencing its fullness. Through you, I learned participation exceeds observation in both knowledge and satisfaction. With you, I discover integration of mind and heart previously deemed impossible." From his ceremonial garment, he produces small crystal blade, using it to create precise incision across his palm. Three drops of silvery blood join Thane's in the sacred flame. "My knowledge freely shared, my discoveries freely offered, my consciousness freely merged with yours through dimension and beyond."
The flame shifts color again—turquoise mingling with copper in mesmerizing dance that reflects their combined essences. The magical connection strengthens, energy flowing between all four positions with increasing intensity.
Ravik approaches the circle's center, transformed features solemn yet suffused with emotion typically kept carefully concealed beneath commander's mask. In the ceremonial fire's illumination, his indigo form seems to radiate power held in perfect, deliberate restraint.
"I pledge leadership through service rather than command," his deep voice resonates, carrying authority even in moment of vulnerability. "Protection through partnership rather than control. Strength through connection rather than isolation." Amber eyes burn with intensity that rivals the sacred flame before him. "Before you, duty defined my existence—rigid, unyielding, solitary. Through you, I discovered duty best fulfilled through love freely given and received. In you, I found family worth protecting above all other considerations." With deliberate precision, he draws obsidian blade across hispalm, contributing three drops of midnight-dark blood to the ceremonial fire. "My strength freely offered, my protection freely extended, my spirit freely joined with yours through battle and beyond."
The fire responds dramatically to his contribution—amber light weaving through existing copper and turquoise to create complex pattern reflecting their distinct yet harmonious natures. The magical energy connecting our positions intensifies further, creating visible threads of light between the four points we occupy.
My turn arrives with both intimidating significance and perfect naturalness—culmination of journey beginning that desperate night in blizzard conditions when I first stumbled upon their sanctuary. With steady steps, I approach the circle's center, standing where my three mates consecrated our union with blood and pledge.
"I pledge love without limitation," I begin, voice finding strength through emotion rather than despite it. "Trust without reservation. Commitment without constraint." Meeting each transformed gaze in turn—amber, turquoise, crimson—I find perfect reflection of what fills my own heart. "Before you, I existed as possession—defined by others, valued for utility, denied personhood. Through you, I discovered my own power—not granted but inherent, not borrowed but owned. With you, I create family transcending conventional definition—chosen through love, maintained through respect, strengthened through difference." From ceremonial pouch at my waist, I withdraw small silver blade fashioned by Thane's hands from material found within our valley. Three drops of my blood—bright crimson against firelight—join theirs in sacred flame. "My magic freely shared, my heart freely given, my soul freely bound with yours through transformation and beyond."
The ceremonial fire responds immediately—magenta light spiraling upward to intertwine with existing colors, creating harmony from four distinct magical signatures that shouldn't theoretically combine but do so perfectly in practice. The energy connecting our positions flares with blinding intensity, visible manifestation of bond already existing between us now formalized through ritual intent.
What happens next transcends verbal description—magical resonance creating temporary consciousness merger where four distinct individuals maintain unique identity while simultaneously experiencing complete unity. Through this ceremonial connection, I perceive my mates with unprecedented clarity—not just their thoughts or feelings but their fundamental essence, their core identity beneath physical form and personal history.
Ravik's structured brilliance organizing reality into protective patterns, perpetually calculating threat assessment and defensive positioning—not from fear but from profound love that manifests as shield against all danger.
Zephyr's kaleidoscopic mind perpetually categorizing and connecting information across disciplines, creating knowledge frameworks that enhance rather than limit understanding—curiosity driven not by academic ambition but by genuine wonder at existence itself.
Thane's passionate intensity experiencing every moment with warrior's complete presence, sensory information processed with predator's precision yet tempered by surprising tenderness—battle-joy transformed into life-joy through connection with chosen family.
And they perceive me likewise—not the broken slave who stumbled into their sanctuary but the woman who awakened them, who matched their transformation with her own, whocompleted their triangle with essential fourth point creating perfect balance impossible in previous configuration.
The ceremonial connection gradually recedes, individual consciousness re-establishing normal boundaries while maintaining newfound awareness of essential unity beneath surface separation. As the sacred fire returns to normal coloration, we four find ourselves standing together at circle's center rather than at separate cardinal points—physical positioning reflecting spiritual reality without conscious movement.
"The binding is complete," Zephyr confirms, scholarly assessment colored by evident wonder. "Unprecedented efficacy in my experience—theoretical maximum integration achieved without identity dissolution."
"Perfect balance," Ravik agrees, amber eyes reflecting ceremonial fire's diminishing glow. "Each maintaining individual nature while creating composite entity stronger than sum of components."
"In other words," Thane translates with characteristic directness, "we're officially mated for life and beyond." His crimson eyes gleam with satisfaction and barely contained desire. "Traditional celebration seems appropriate."
