The last streaks of sunlight disappeared under the oncoming darkness, and the Silver Flame fountain glowed like a beacon.
At a certain point, Evanora stood up. "It is time for the ceremony. Let us gather next to the fire." Her voice was not loud, yet every witch in attendance left food and chatter, and moved toward the fountain.
Seeing that everyone was going there, Talia also followed.
Yasmin and Axel stood in front of the fountain and held hands, and Evanora and Cornelia were with them. All witches circled the area while leaving space for the four people.
"Come here…", Evanora gestured to Talia to stand next to Axel.
With Talia in place and Cornelia next to Yasmin, Evanora stood in the middle and turned to speak to the witches gathered.
"Yasmin has been blessed with a soulmate. I am happy that her man is determined to take good care of her and won't leave her behind..."
Talia glanced at Axel questionably, and his confident expression told her that he had this discussion with Evanora already. Talia regretted not having the mind-link because she would ask him about the details, but she had a feeling that it went well.
Evanora spoke about two people living in harmony with nature, and then she turned to face the fountain.
"Bless your children and guide them through life…", Evanora spoke solemnly, and witches burst into the murmurs as the fountain's flames danced more wildly.
Ripples of silvery light increased their pace noticeably as they pulsated from the middle of the fountain toward the edge, and the light reflected on the statue of the woman and the wolf, making it appear like they came alive.
"Step inside.", Evanora instructed Yasmin and Axel, and Axel scooped Yasmin into his arms and walked over the edge to step into the water.
Yasmin smiled dreamily as she slid down Axel's body to stand next to him, the delicious sparks that prickled her skin wherever they touched made her giddy.
Yasmin loved how strong Axel was. They made love for hours and he did most of the work, yet he still carried her like she weighed nothing. She was proud that such a man was hers.
Axel gazed into Yasmin's eyes, with his brain still high on the love-struck sensation, unsure if this was really happening, but he was confident that he didn't want to snap out of this daze because he was never so happy.
Evanora continued murmuring chants in an ancient language, and witches burst into excited murmurs when ripples in the water started breaking and moving toward Axel and Yasmin to converge and reassemble around the couple.
It was magical.
The silvery light reflected on Axel and Yasmin, climbing up their skin, and making them glow. Literally.
The two of them held each other and looked like ethereal statues.
"The heavens accept your union.", Evanora said with a hint of sadness in her voice. "I hope your lives are blessed and full of happiness."
Axel and Yasmin smiled at each other and then Axel leaned while Yasmin got on her toes, and their lips met into a long and sensual kiss that made witches giggle and sigh.
"The ceremony is over!", Evanora exclaimed at the witches. "You can return to your tables and resume feast until morning."
The witches started dispersing in a good mood, chattering excitedly about the event they just witnessed.
Axel and Yasmin stepped out of the fountain, their skin still shimmering in silvery light.
Cornelia and Talia were still there, and Evanora turned to Axel and Yasmin. "I have something to say. I hope you cherish what you have and always put each other first." Evanora turned to Axel. "As my gift to you, I announce that our deal is completed. A mate for a mate. Take care of my daughter, Axel."
Axel looked at Evanora's extended hand, and he reached for a handshake. The moment their palms touched, white light burst upon contact, and Axel felt like some shackles that were around him disappeared.
"You made a deal with my mother?", Yasmin asked under her breath. She obviously didn't know about that. "A mate for a mate?"
Axel looked at Yasmin guiltily, but she was not looking at him anymore even though her hold on him tightened.
"What were you thinking?", Yasmin asked Evanora. "He is my soulmate. What would happen if I didn't come to your office last night, if we didn't meet in time, if we met too late…?"
"What's done is done.", Evanora snapped.
"No, mother.", Yasmin said, her voice breaking into sobs. "Even if Axel is not my mate, he would be someone else's. You can't make such deals."
Evanora narrowed her eyes at Yasmin. "That's what we do, Yasmin. We are witches. We make deals. The same rules apply to everyone. If you only take without paying the price, you will find yourself on a path filled with darkness. Besides, it's not like I forced him, he offered himself."
Yasmin turned to look at Axel. "You offered yourself?"
Axel really didn't know what was the big deal. "My sister is here because her mate is under the effect of black runes. I owe her a lot and I thought that paying in her place was the right thing to do." That was the short version.
Since they met, Axel and Yasmin were mostly engaged in carnal activities, and they didn't really talk. Now that he thought about this, Axel realized that he should tell her about his family situation, about the pack, and… so many other things.
"Don't blame him.", Talia said to Yasmin. "Axel is a good man, always ready to help, even if that might harm him. I hope you will be by his side from now on to stop him from doing reckless things."
Yasmin relaxed a bit at Talia's words, and she took Axel's hand, tugging him away with, "We need to talk." Talia wondered if Axel was in trouble, but then she saw him scooping Yasmin into his arms who giggled while wrapping her arms around his neck. He was walking away from the party, and toward the area where rooms were. Yup, they won't be talking much.
"Thank you for freeing Axel from the deal.", Talia said to Evanora who was still there with Cornelia by her side. "I don't know about Axel, but I plan to leave as soon as the potion and spells are done."
"That will be after breakfast.", Evanora said. "You will need to learn the spells."
"I will do it tonight." Talia had no intention to sleep.
"Yasmin expressed her desire to follow Axel through the portal.", Evanora said. "I believe they will join you." She turned to look at the fountain. "By bringing the flames back, you brought life to this coven. Everyone is hopeful. We didn't have this atmosphere in a long time. You also opened the portal, pulling us out of isolation. As a thank you, I will grant you a wish."
Talia blinked when she realized that Evanora was waiting for her to speak up about that wish.
