James was overwhelmed by the surges of desire that swelled within him.
His wolf was stirring and urging him to claim the female that stood in front of him.
James' throat was dry like he crossed many deserts without a single drop of water, and Cornelia was the water of life who could quench his thirst. He really wanted to consume her completely until they meld to become one.
His heart thundered in the rhythm of her name. Cornelia. Cora. His mate. His. HIS!
James was aware that Cornelia was several centuries old, but at that moment her eyes full of concern and love made her appear like an unspoiled delicate maiden who was oblivious of the savagery males were capable of. Males, like him. Would his touch desecrate her beauty?
His whole universe was reduced to the chocolate-colored Goddess in front of him, yet he felt like his world expanded. She was glowing like a beacon that showed him the only way to happiness, and his stomach tightened with the need to merge with her in every way possible.
The chants and winds dimmed to background noise, and James could hear Cornelia's breaths that were in sync with his. She smelled of sweet wild berries, and her slightly parted lips were silently begging him to claim her.
James was absolutely certain that Cornelia's heart, mind, and soul were his. The only thing he didn't claim was her body and an irresistible need overwhelmed him to take that part of her as well because only when she was completely his, he could be at ease.
The chanting stopped and silence blanketed the garden. Out of several hundred witches, no one made a peep as all of them were focused on Cornelia and James who were standing in the fountain and glowing.
Normally, Cornelia's skin looked darker in contrast to James' white one, and her natural melanin made him look much paler than he was, yet now they were both glowing in pulses that matched their synchronized heartbeats. The silvery light enveloped them completely, erasing the distinction between the two and making them appear as one.
James resisted, he really did... but then something snapped.
"Mine!", James growled, and his hand landed at the back of Cornelia's head at the same time his lips crashed on hers.
Cornelia's eyes were open wide in shock as he was never so rough. She wanted to push him away, but the pull was unbearable as she was fighting against her own madness, and he tasted delicious, and her arms moved around him.
James kissed Cornelia hungrily and his free hand caressed her cheek and then moved down her jaw and neck, and he swallowed Cornelia's shaky moan when her body trembled against his.
James pulled away and stared into Cornelia's unfocused eyes that were directed at him. His nostrils flared when he picked up the scent of her arousal, and that was the last straw. He flung her over his shoulder and walked out of the fountain.
James didn't need to growl for witches to make way for them as he carried Cornelia back to her room like she was a sack of potatoes.
Cornelia was unable to react. It all happened so quickly!
Unsure how to face her sisters after being so embarrassingly manhandled, Cornelia buried her face into James' back and pretended that she was unconscious.
"The heavens blessed your union!", Evanora shouted after them.
The witches exchanged confused glances while murmuring among each other, hesitant to cheer and congratulate the couple because they left.
"YEAH!", Yasmin exclaimed while fist-pumping in the air.
The ritual amplified both James' and Cornelia's sensitivity to energies, but Yasmin did it mostly for Cornelia.
When Yasmin found out about the stalemate between the duo, she couldn't believe it.
Did Cornelia really think that James should return to his pre-Cornelia life without her? How could Cornelia make such a decision on her own?
It's not that Yasmin didn't understand Cornelia's concerns, but that kind of reasoning didn't belong between soulmates.
Since ancient times, soulmates were meant to be together. From the moment they recognize each other, soulmates become one, and they stick together no matter what life throws at them because separation will harm them both.
What Cornelia was doing went against nature; as a witch, that was the closest thing to breaking the law!
It was obvious that James was head over heels for Cornelia and only a blind person would miss all the signs they were mates, which meant that the person putting a wall between them was Cornelia.
At first, Yasmin tried to talk some sense into Cornelia, but that led nowhere, so Yasmin decided not to meddle. However, how could she remain a spectator when James approached her to ask for help? But casting spells out of the blue was risky so Yasmin needed to find the right opportunity, and then Yasmin heard that Cornelia wanted to take part in the ceremony, and that was exactly what Yasmin was looking for.
Yasmin carefully prepared a potion and arranged that it gets mixed in Cornelia's and James' wine during the feast. This ritual stimulated the right components to react, and the wheels were set in motion. Now it was up to the mated couple to figure out what they will do with all that pent-up sexual energy.
With this, Cornelia will stop avoiding the inevitable, and if it succeeds, Cornelia will be grateful to Yasmin. Eventually.
"Let's take a short break!", Evanora announced.
"Mother!", Yasmin exclaimed. "Are you alright?" The high priestess looked unusually pale.
"I just need a moment and then we can proceed."
Talia was quick to approach Evanora. "If you are unwell, we can do it some other time." She really wanted the ceremony with Damon, the fountain, silver flames, and everything else called magic, but not at the cost of Evanora collapsing halfway.
Talia was wary because the lovey-dovey moments she planned with Damon ended in a disaster, and she hoped that this won't be one of them. But if Evanora can't complete the ceremony, where will that leave them? With one more bitter experience? Talia wanted this to be perfect. She needed this to be perfect, and if magic and witches can't make it come true, then no one can.
Evanora waved like it was not important. "Nonsense. The moon is in the right position and the mood is right. I just need a few minutes to catch my breath." She turned to one of the witches that were helping with the chants. "Serena, can you bring me a glass of water?"
The witch confirmed and disappeared into the crowd.
Evanora didn't want to disclose how taxing it was to work with the energies from the fountain. Yes, other witches were chanting as well, but as the one leading the ceremony, Evanora took most of the burn.
Evanora remembered the scene when Talia reignited the flames with ease, yet those same energies were too much for the old witch to manipulate for two ceremonies back-to-back. How could Evanora admit to such a weakness and still be considered as the high priestess?
And also, Yasmin stood right next to Evanora, yet she was completely fine.
Was it because of the babies Yasmin carried in her stomach, or… Evanora exhaled sadly while remembering Yasmin's father. It was probably his bloodline that made Yasmin so much better than any other witch, but Yasmin never saw herself as above others.
