Page 46 of Tino

Wilston, Silver, Tino, and Altair stood to the other side, giving us their blessings. The council leaders didn’t bother with bonding ceremonies unless it was for someone in the council, so luckily, we wouldn’t be doing this all the time, just those special occasions where our magic was needed and welcomed for blessing the bonded couple.

“You look good enough to eat,” I whispered as I stood next to Niam.

He grinned, then whispered, “Just wait till you see what I’ve hidden under my suit.” He winked, which was almost enough to make me groan again. Sporting a boner in front of our friends and family wasn’t in my plans for today.

Nujik stepped forward to address us. “We’re here today to confirm the bonding between our council leaders Xarius and Niam. Will you hold out your hands and join us in front of our council, as well as your family and friends.” I was glad we’d decided not to use our last names, it felt more intimate this way, which was what we aimed for with our rule. We wanted these mages to feel like they could approach us. Not fear us like with the previous leaders.

I followed Nujik’s lead and Niam followed Willow’s, then, hands clasped together, we stood facing everyone as we poured our magic out in a small showcase of our combined powers. I made leaves which we flew around the room, adding rain and small fire orbs, too, creating a beautiful wave of magic as it surrounded everyone in its path. Combining magic was something only bonded mages could do, but if you had a strong connection with someone, like a friendor a family member, you could lend them your power to become stronger together. This thing we just made was for bonded mages only, showing all our elemental powers.

Everyone stood from their chairs and clapped, celebrating we had in fact bonded. Not that anyone had any doubts, but this was tradition. Next up was the others’ blessing of our union, which they’d kept secret from us. I didn’t like not knowing what they’d planned, but considering they also had to get their blessings from us to look forward to, I figured it wouldn’t be too bad.

Silver and Wilston went first, both smiling at us with fondness. We kneeled in front of them as Nujik and Willow stepped away, leaving the four of us in the center front. We had to look down at the floor as they blessed us, meaning we had no way of knowing if they were going to douse us in water or whatever they had planned. But I could still feel their emotions and they were happy, not gleeful.

Suddenly I felt a weight on top of my head. Something was moving around my hair, not unpleasantly, just touching me as whatever it was got formed. The weight got heavier, not too heavy, but I knew something was on top of my head without a doubt.

“You may rise,” Willow said. I looked at Niam first, not able to stop myself from checking on my bonded. He was wearing a beautiful golden crown. It was almost like leaves had been dipped into gold and then woven into a circle. Looking closer, I found small gemstones scattered around the crown, making it shine as the sun hit it.

“Beautiful,” I said in awe.

Niam smiled. “Yours is, too.”

“What does mine look like?” I knew it probably wasn’t important at the moment and I could easily take it off myself to look, but I was too curious to let it go.

“Golden leaves with different colored stones,” he replied. “Mine?”

“Same,” I grinned, then looked at Silver and Wilston. “Thank you.” They bowed slightly as they stepped back to allow Tino and Altair to step forward. We kneeled on the floor again as they took their place before we looked down again.

This time, I felt a tickle around my neck, then a weight was added. They’d made us a necklace. I was genuinely surprised by their blessings. From what I had gathered it was customary to be sprayedwith water, or buried in leaves or grass. It all seemed to depend on what elements were at play. But these blessings? They were perfect. Something we would treasure forever.

Niam

The ceremony had ended just as quickly as it had begun, and damn did my man look fine in his outfit. Sure, the amazing pair of pants he tried to wear, which showedEVERYTHING, those were fine too, but my man’s dick was for my eyes only. I didn’t believe Xari even knew his dick was on display. He was likely too busy looking at his ass. Which, I really got. He had a fine ass and those pants showed just how fine it truly was. But the dick on show was a big no-no. Leah had texted me and warned me Xari was up to no good, but it wasn’t a surprise really. I’d seen him try on different options over the last month. My favorite had been the deep purple ones he wore today. Ibet it was Leah who’d steered him towards it once the skin tight suit was discarded.

My mother and father had once again tried to weasel their way in, but we had amazing guards, who, by now, knew to make them disappear. I hadn’t spoken to them after we got our thrones. They’d tried on numerous occasions, but each was thwarted before they’d even come close to me. I wasn’t over what they’d put me through when I grew up. Not to mention my father on the day of my banishment. I guess I never would get over it completely. How someone could blame their child for how they were born, that would always be a mystery to me.

Willow and Nujik were the closest thing to parents for all of us, even Xari who had his parents’ love and understanding from the start. Tino and Altair, too. We were one big mismatched family, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Ready?” Xari grinned. We’d just showered,thoroughly, and were now dressed. It was the day after our ceremony and Xari had planned our first destination. Now that we could create portals like it was the easiest thing in the world, I had no idea where we wereheaded. But I trusted Xari. Wherever he led our portal to would be amazing.

I matched his grin. “Always.”

He created the portal with our hands clasped. The doorlike portal came together before our eyes and we stepped through it together.

The air around us held the distinct smell of fall. I breathed in deeply and sighed. It was my favorite scent in the world. I smiled over at Xari who watched me closely. “We’re on Sutiner, right?”

He smiled tentatively. “Is that okay?”

“Of course!” I hadn’t told him just how badly I wanted to see Jerry and Betty again. Maybe we could visit them while here.

He breathed out in relief. “Good. I was afraid it was too lame. But I knew you wanted closure.”

“Closure?”

“Yeah.” He pointed to our right. The portal had led us to a forest and I could see a road through the trees in the direction he was pointing at eagerly.

“So… that way?” I laughed.

We walked the few steps it took to escape the forest and that was when I realized where we were. “Jerry,” I said, feeling my excitement grow.