I knew it was Stella on the other end of the call.
I turned, my eyes landing on the list of ritual artifacts on the table. The initial preparations had been completed over a month ago.
On the day that list was finalized, Robin hadn't come home. He’d told me he was patrolling the border, dealing with intruders. Looking back, I realized he had been with her, making arrangements for a ceremony that was supposed to save her bloodline.
It proved my permission was never part of the plan. They were just waiting for the right moment to inform me because they had never intended to ask in the first place.
All this time, I had been eagerly anticipating my bonding ceremony. I had yearned to take Robin’s hand and stand with him on the Altar of the Moon Goddess. Now, all that excitement, all that joy, had vanished without a trace.
It was all gone. Wiped clean.
Just then, the hum of a communication crystal pulled me from my thoughts. The voice belonged to Maya Chen, a senior of mine from the Rune Heart.
"Elara, I know you're about to be bonded, but I have to ask one last time. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider joining the sanctuary?" Maya pleaded.
"You're the most talented student Professor Alistair Finch has ever taught. He's always wanted you on his core research team. He even agreed to let you take two weeks off every two months to accommodate your bonding, so you could still spend time with your mate."
Alistair Finch, my former mentor, had started a research project at the Rune Heart in Laran. Six months ago, he had reached out, inviting me to join his rune research team.
Joining meant being isolated from the outside world for long stretches, anywhere from a month to over a year.
Back then, I couldn't bear the thought of being away from Robin for so long, so I'd declined. But now… now Robin was already the future father of another woman's child.
Since he hadn't considered me or our future before making his choice, there was no reason for this ceremony to happen.
"I've made my decision, Maya. I'll join the sanctuary. And I don't need any breaks. I can commit to the project's schedule completely," I said, my voice steady.
"That's fantastic! Professor Finch will be thrilled!" Maya exclaimed, surprised. "When are you thinking of coming? How about a week after your bonding? You could still have your honeymoon."
"There's no need for that. I'll fly over on the day of the ceremony," I replied softly.
My gaze fell to the calendar on the desk. I had circled the tenth of next month in silver ink. It was meant to be a joyful countdown, a way to organize my final preparations.
Now, it was a countdown to my escape. In fifteen days, the connection between Robin and me would be severed. Forever.
