Page 139 of House of Malice
“Shh,” Val shushed her. “In the presence of the blood moon, we are here to ask the Mother and the Father for their blessing to form a coven.” She then walked up to Andro. He had to duck for Val to reach the top of his head. “May the clear spring water make our minds clear and void of distractions.”
Next was Blaze’s turn, and then it was Alecto. The cool water sent shivers down Alecto’s back, and she suppressed the desire to shudder. Goose bumps skittered all over her skin, and her nipples hardened.
Val poured what was left of the water over herself and then picked up the birch brushwood. They all stood patiently while she circled them, using the birch brushwood to hit them lightly.
“May the birch bathing brushwood open our senses and cleanse our bodies, making them fully receptive to receive the energy around us. Fuel us with your might, and we will accept it with grace,” Val said.
The branches of the brushwood were harsh against Alecto’s hips and thighs, but she shuddered from pleasure.
Lastly, Val whipped herself, and then she took the sage and pine smudge stick and lit it. She made another lap around their group, the air around them filling with the delicious scent.
“May the sage and the pine cleanse our souls and open them to the things our eyes might not see,” Val said.
She took her spot in the circle, still holding the smudge stick.
“Mother and Father, we ask for your blessing to form a coven,” Val said, and they repeated after her. “We wish to be bound through your gifts.”
They repeated the words, again and again. Soon, the air around them cooled, and the wind picked up, caressing their naked skins. Alecto’s chest was light, and every breath she took filled her lungs to the brim.
She closed her eyes, swaying to the sides. Her arms rested by her body, and she flipped her palms up. Despite the wind, she felt warmth from within her, and she smiled.
Once the wind died down, Alecto opened her eyes. Her left wrist tingled, and when she looked down, she saw a newly formed birthmark in the shape of a five-point star.
She brushed a finger over it, admiring the pink-brown symbol that she would carry with her for the rest of her life.
“It’s official, bitches,” Val said with a smirk. Mischief danced in her dark gaze. “We are bound for life.”
Alecto smiled. She liked that idea, of belonging to someone, to something. Being part of a group she could call her family.
55
Amonth later
She looked absolutely stunning tonight. Blaze couldn’t stop staring at her, he didn’t care if he looked like a fool.
For the ceremony, Alecto wore a bloodred dress that was see-through. He could make out the curve of her breasts and the slope of her waist through the material. Her thigh peeked through the slit at the front, and the loose straps fell down her lean shoulders.
Her hair was long and untamed. Just the way he liked it.
“You look otherworldly tonight, baby,” he said quietly, so only she could hear.
Alecto smirked and arched one eyebrow. That mischievous smirk promised things that made Blaze’s knees weak.
The flames from the flickering candles were mirrored in her stark blue eyes. It only made them more mesmerizing.
Blaze didn’t think it was possible to be more in love with her. It was borderline painful.
Whenever he looked at her, he would get dizzy. And when he touched her, even for a very brief moment, his whole body went haywire.
She was meant to be his sangi. Blaze was sure of that more than anything in his life.
They chose to perform the binding ritual at the Old Church, only in the presence of the Inner Circle and Leigh. Andro had managed to convince Val to let Gael join the Inner Circle, so their numbers had grown.
Jolene walked up to Alecto and handed her an athame.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Jolene asked Alecto. “It’s not too late, girl. Think long and hard if you truly want to bind yourself to this witch version of Dorian Gray.”
“Thanks so much, Jolene. I appreciate you trying to talk my girl out from being with me,” Blaze deadpanned.
