Chapter Seventy-Two -  Bonds Restored

Ella

Agony blazed through every fibre of my being as I thrashed against the magical chains binding me to the altar. But it was no use - the dark sorcery in the metal seared my skin like acid, draining my strength no matter how hard I struggled.

I was trapped, forced to endure as River's high shaman carved agonising symbols into my flesh, chanting in twisted tongues as my blood flowed. They were weaving some vile spellwork to bind me as River's mate against my will.

I wanted to scream, to curse them all, but I bit it back stubbornly. I would not give them the satisfaction of hearing my pain. But inside, my spirit cried out in anguished denial as I felt the dark magic taking insidious hold.

No! I belonged to no one but my true mates, Aiden and Jayden! But even as I chanted their names like a talisman in my mind, I could feel the mystical fetters coiling tighter, stifling my soul's light with their corruption.

At last it ended, leaving me limp and trembling on the desecrated altar. I clu