Bella Vita (31 page)

My fingers traced the Celtic knot design
that was drawn on my forehead. The fine black lines danced down my
cheeks in elaborate spirals and knots. Whatever Quinn had done for
makeup, had made my eyes luminescent, my lips glowed a warm
welcoming blood red, and put the slightest amount of color to my
pale complexion. I looked the part of the blushing bride.

“Thank you! What do the
designs mean?” I looked to Sheehan.

“Ancient symbols to bring
luck, fortune, love, happiness, and well-being to the wearer. And,
of course, we added in a little protection as well.” Her beautiful
bronze fingers followed the complicated artwork.

“Thank you, thank all of
you.” My eyes teared up; I quickly blinked away the
moisture.

“Now we leave you. When
you hear a gentle gong sound, you'll leave this room and walk back
into the main one- down the aisle and to your beloved.” Sheehan
gave me my instructions as her sisters came to her side.

“Goodbye, Emma Hutchinson,
may the path you walk never be so dark that you lose faith.” Quinn
kissed my cheek and left through a small entry on the
right.

“Goodbye, Emma Hutchinson,
may you come to realize that all isn't always what it seems.” Duffy
kissed my other cheek and retreated through the same
door.

“Goodbye, Emma Hutchinson,
know that the path you walk will not be an easy one, however, when
all seems lost, know that you're never alone.” Sheehan's words
echoed in my mind as she kissed both my cheeks and departed from
the room.

“Goodbye, Fates.” I didn't
know what else to say.

Their words etched
themselves into my mind. I realized then that I would never forget
them and when my moment of need came, these words would be the
thing that got me through.
I would have
faith.

I sat in silence, waiting for the sound that
meant I was to take my steps toward my destiny.

It turned out that I
didn't have to wait long.
Booonnnngggg
. The sound was gentle
but somehow out of place in this barn.

I rose and went to the door. The handle
turned without even a hitch. I slowly followed my path to the
entrance. To my left was the outside world, still with night; to my
right was the aisle my destiny told me to follow.

I stood there a minute
before I walked toward Mike. He was wearing old-fashioned groom
wear. His face was covered in the same markings as mine. He looked
like a Celtic warrior or god or something.
How do I even compare to that?

My steps slowed as I began
to doubt myself.
Would I be good enough
for Mike, especially when I couldn't be with him?
My heart felt like it was going to drop out of my
stomach as it bounced back and forth between my tummy and throat. I
watched Mike's face for any sign of doubt, but I couldn't find any.
I decided that if he had any before they were long gone by now. I
steadied myself once more and walked with my head held
high.

I stopped next to him. He took my hand, I
could feel the sweats mix and stick our hands together.

A robed figure stepped forward. I couldn't
tell the gender until he spoke. “On this night, the night of the
new moon, we come together to bind two souls as one. The ritual of
blood fasting isn't taken in light, and once it is performed there
is no going back. You'll be bound together through the spirit
itself. Your very souls will mix and forever will some of you
remain with each other. If you have doubts at all then this isn't
the ritual for you. Only a truly certain heart can proceed. Once
you're certain please step forward and we will begin the ritual.”
His voice was worn with age, but held the vitality of youth.

My breath caught as I instantly stepped
forward. I realized that Mike had done the same. We were both on
this path now and no longer had any doubts. I knew I was doing the
right thing.

“Good. We can proceed
now.” He gestured for me to step to his left and Mike to his
right.

Once in position, the man turned and began
to pull a table in front of him. On it laid a wickedly sharp
looking dagger, two goblets, a bowl with several herbs mixed up in
it, a small chalice of water, and an incense burner- which smelled
like it was burning Nag Champa. I breathed in deeply.

The robe man turned back
to us. “In life we choose to take one path over another, you two,
of different worlds, have chosen a path that binds you forever to
each other. Michael O'Shanold, please place the rings into the
water.” Mike obeyed the command quickly and I watched the
Claddagh
rings drop to
the bottom. “These rings will be the physical reminders of the
oaths you have sworn to each other. In moments of doubt, they will
help to guide you on this path you have chosen.”

The man took hold of the chalice and turned.
He poured the rings out onto a burn plate behind him. Around the
outside he sprinkled herbs and said some words I couldn't hear or
understand. A match was struck and slowly lowered down to the
plate. Instantly the herbs caught fire and burned a ring around the
jewelry. The flames changed and licked a rainbow of colors at the
now glowing rings. Once the fire had burned itself out, the man
placed the rings on a black satin pillow and moved it back to the
table.

“With the fire of the gods
and goddesses, and the knowledge of the Fates, these rings have
been blessed and this ritual has been accepted as the destined path
for you to tread upon. Although your worlds will force you apart
from each other, and you have vows of marriage to others in these
worlds, there will be
nothing
that can change or alter this binding. You will
not appear different to those around you, nor will you feel
different, but you'll be marked by the way your blood will tastes,
and a mark will be placed above each of your hearts. As time tests
your faith in each other, the marks will darken- until one day they
will be black and there will be no further tests. Please step in
towards each other now.” The man gestured with his hands as if to
bring us together.

Mike and I stood facing each other, less
than a foot away from each other. “Now, Emma Hutchinson, take this
dagger in your right hand.” He handed me the tool and I did as I
was told.

“Place the blade against
your palm; then slowly slide it down. As you do this, say 'In light
there is darkness, just as in life there is death.'” He motioned
for me to do it.

The edge caught the light and shone in a
frightening manner. I didn't even blink. I took it and slid it
across my palm, “in light there is darkness, just as in life there
is death.”

The man reached forward and caught my blood
as it flowed freely from my hand. “Now, pass the dagger to Michael
O'Shanold and he'll do the same, only he'll say, 'just as the Earth
must have rain, I must have your heart and love, as you will have
mine.'”

Mike took hold of the small object and
sliced open his palm, “just as the Earth must have rain, I must
have your heart and love, as you'll have mine.”

Again the robed man caught the blood- mixing
the two in a large bowl. “Please bring your palms together and
recite, 'I've made this path for myself, but I choose to walk the
rest of this road with you. For you're the one that shall shelter
me when I need it, console me when necessary, love me, hate me,
endure me at my best and worst; you shall be the one who corrects
me when I'm wrong, and listens when I need an ear; for you are my
bonded mate, and no matter what else happens, I shall always do the
same for you.'”

Mike and I looked at each other. My eyes
locked on his. We both took a breath together and began to recite
in unison, “I've made this path for myself, but I choose to walk
the rest of this road with you. For you're the one that shall
shelter me when I need it, console me when necessary, love me, hate
me, endure me at my best and worst; you shall be the one who
corrects me when I'm wrong, and listens when I need an ear; for you
are my bonded mate, and no matter what else happens, I shall always
do the same for you.”

I could feel my blood flowing from my hand
and into his, just as his blood did the same to me. My hand warmed
from the contact and the passing of our life forces. Everything was
suddenly open to me about Mike and I could only assume that it was
the same for him.

“Now you'll each take a
goblet and have the other drink from it. No words this time. Merely
concentrate on the growing bond between you two.” He handed each of
us a goblet- now filled with our mixed blood.

I lifted my glass to his lips as he held his
to mine. As soon as the blood hit my tongue, it was like an
explosion. My senses were suddenly more alert than before. I could
feel the power of the spell weave us closer together and I
instantly knew that nothing could separate us- for even in death
our spirits would be linked. I focused on our connection as it
grew. My thoughts began to shift and take on his voice in my mind.
The world began to look as though I was seeing it from another's
eyes. I was certain that Mike was experiencing this as well,
because when he looked at me it was as though he was seeing for the
first time.

“The spell is strong with
you two. Your glow is amazing to partake. Now for the rings. Emma
Hutchinson, you take the ring for Michael O'Shanold in your left
hand, and Michael O'Shanold, you take the one for Emma Hutchinson
in yours as well.” He held up the pillow for us.

We both took the rings in
our left hands. My blood covered his ring instantly, but I could
feel some of my natural power shift into the ring as well.
I hope it protects you, Mike.

“On the right hand these
must go, for truth and the spirit shall guide you on your future
journeys. It is only through your open minds, spirits, hearts, and
lives that you two will flourish under this fasting. For where
there is darkness there must be light, life as in death, and
vampire to werewolf.” The man gestured for us to place the
rings.

Mike took hold of my hand first. His warm
wet fingers held my hand firmly as he slid the ring on my right
ring finger. I then reached for his hand and did the same thing.
The rings glowed briefly before settling down to their silver
hues.

“There is no true end for
things such as this. Only the beginnings. This is the start of your
new path woven together. May it be met with the things you desire
most and happiness for you both. A kiss to seal the spell and then
you must take your first steps together to symbolize this new
beginning.” The man's voice boomed around us.

I linked my hands around his neck, careful
not to let my cut touch his attire, and then I kissed him for all I
was worth. His lips felt hot and urgent against mine. We broke away
from each other, only to step out on this new road together.

I instantly knew that we had made the right
choice- it was like a small hand guided us to this moment and we've
emerged triumphant.

Chapter
seven

The problem with ancient rituals that no one
really practiced anymore was that no one knew the side effects of
such things. Mike and I had no idea about what would happen to us
after the ritual. No one warned us about anything.

We both changed back into our street
clothes. We had decided earlier that we would spend the night
together at his place in the city. The ride home was not a joyous
occasion. Silence fell on us like a thick fog.

I really hope we did the
right thing.
Mike's thought broke through
my empty mind, I looked over at him.

Mike?
I continued to stare out the window in hopes that I was just
making things up in my mind.

Em?
I turned to see his confused expression.

I didn't start this one. I
think it's a result of the ritual.
My mind
hummed with questions.

“
Well, crap. I wonder what
else will happen to us. When are you leaving for Italy?” I listened
to his words and tried to ignore his internal dialogue that was
also escaping.

“
Um, in a couple of days.
It's all I can spare. I'm supposed to start teaching and screening
the school as soon as I get back. I think that you'll need lessons
in shielding now, Mike.” I tried not to sound like a parent to him
about this.

“
You're probably right. We
don't have a need to shield our thoughts, but I don't think that
it'll work between us. Remember, nothing is a secret anymore.
Things are about to change seriously. I guess whatever I know about
you then the other wolves will learn too, unless I learn how to
protect my thoughts. Same with you too, huh?” He was trying to
figure out everything.

“
Actually, I've not met a
vampire who can break through one of my shields. I'm unique in the
vampire world, not just with my ability to transform into a wolf.
But you'll learn it all soon enough I'm sure.” I knew his secrets
would be safe with me, but I wasn't sure if mine would be with
him.

“
So, any idea as to where I
might learn how to do that?” Mike was giving me the chance to say
no to him.

“
Well, if you can be taught
like a vampire I could try... I could also see inside you, to see
if you have any other form of magic at your use. If you'd like
that?” I shrugged to make it seem like nothing.