A Curse (The Love Story) GL

CHAPTER XLVII

"Steps of the Soul-Bond"

Celeste's POV

The air shimmered with quiet magic as Ivory and Olivia approached us once more, their expressions soft and reverent. In their hands, they carried silver chalices, each filled with crystalline water that sparkled as if kissed by starlight.

> "Holy water," Olivia said gently, "blessed by the spirits of unity. Drink it, and your souls will begin the ritual bond."

Cael and I reached for the chalices together. Our fingers brushed briefly — a soft, fleeting touch that made my heart flutter like wings against my chest. She didn't pull away this time. But she didn't look at me either.

We drank in silence, and I felt the cool water slip down my throat like moonlight — pure, sacred, and strangely grounding. As soon as the last drop passed my lips, a golden warmth spread through my chest, like something ancient had awakened inside me.

> We were ready.

For the next step.

For the vow beyond words.

Ivory stepped forward, this time holding a large, shallow bowl-like basin crafted from living wood and enchanted roots. It pulsed with soft light and held within it an echo of our world — a sacred miniature of fairyland's oldest tradition.

> "The first bowl," Ivory whispered, placing it before us. "Here, the bride must step ahead of the groom — always leading with heart. And the groom must follow — always guarding with strength. Together, you balance not just your bodies… but your love."

I stepped in first, barefoot, feeling the faint hum of energy beneath my toes. The surface of the holy basin was gentle but unsteady — like standing on moving mist. Behind me, I felt Cael hesitate.

> But then… I felt her hands.

Soft but steady, they found my waist, just above my hips — warm and protective. She was there, behind me, grounding me. Her touch sent shivers down my spine, but I didn't flinch. I leaned into it, heart open, soul braver than before.

As she stepped in behind me, the basin rippled gently, challenging our balance. But she held me. And I stood firm.

> "You're doing well," Ivory murmured from the side. "Now… the second bowl."

Another ritual vessel was placed before us — this one filled with rich, sacred soil from the heart of the oldest fairy tree. It glowed with life and shimmered with strands of magic, like woven starlight hidden in the roots.

> "Together," Olivia said, "you must step into the soil of creation… and plant yourselves."

I prepared to move first — just as tradition dictated — but then I felt Cael's breath near my ear, soft and shaky. She hadn't spoken a word since we began.

I turned my head slightly — only slightly — just enough that the edge of my cheek brushed hers.

> That one touch…

was lightning.

Cael flinched.

She looked away immediately, turning her face so quickly it was almost like she feared what would happen if our skin touched again.

But I didn't move.

I couldn't.

Because her hands were still on my waist.

Because I could feel her warmth — not just in her fingers… but in her silence.

> I reached behind me.

And with quiet certainty… I took her hand.

I felt her stiffen, caught between wanting to resist and wanting to stay. But I didn't let go.

> "With me," I whispered in my heart.

And with her hand in mine, I stepped forward — into the second basin — where the sacred soil embraced our feet, and the earth beneath us seemed to recognize the bond we carried.

> One born in pain.

Rooted in truth.

And now… finally beginning to bloom.

We stood there, two souls bound by shadow, starlight, and something that still had no name.

And for the first time, I didn't feel like I was standing alone.

> Even if she couldn't say the words…

She was standing with me.

And for now, that was enough.

"The Path of Sacred Steps"

Celeste's POV

Step by step, hand in hand, we continued the ancient ritual — walking together through the sacred basins, balancing our bodies and our hearts, until we reached the great gates of the palace.

The air around us shimmered with soft magic. Vines parted gracefully from the stone archway as if recognizing the ceremony we were completing. The mist that surrounded the land had grown gentler, as though it too were holding its breath.

The final basin sat just before the palace entrance — the last step in the journey of unity. We stood in it together, until Cael shifted beside me.

Without a word, she gently stepped forward — lifting one foot out of the basin — and turned to face me.

> Then, silently… she reached out her hand.

There was something quiet and steady in her touch as she helped me out of the basin — her fingers wrapping firmly around mine, her eyes not meeting mine, but her presence saying what her lips could not.

> "I've got you."

As soon as I stood beside her, Olivia stepped closer, a small ceremonial smile playing on her lips.

> "Now, Cael," she said softly, gesturing toward Ivory, "you must place Celeste's toe on the blessing stone."

Ivory held a beautifully carved stone in her hands — pale as moonlight, etched with glowing runes, pulsing softly with ancient energy. This was the final ritual of bonding — the symbolic offering of trust and honor, marking the bride's journey into her new realm.

Cael looked at the stone. Then she looked at me.

And then she groaned.

> "Oly… seriously?" she muttered with mild irritation. "You really want to do this part too?"

Ivory raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed.

> "Do you not honor our traditions, Cael?" she said sternly. "Do you not honor us?"

Cael grumbled under her breath.

> "Ugh. Here we go again. The twin guilt-trap."

She waved a hand dismissively, but there was no real malice in her tone — only the resigned frustration of a sister who knew there was no point in arguing.

> "Fine. Fine. Bring the stone."

Ivory placed it gently on the ground before us, the glowing runes now casting soft light upon the stone floor.

Without hesitation — but clearly without enthusiasm — Cael knelt beside me and reached for my right foot. I looked down at her, a soft warmth blooming in my chest at the sight.

> This warrior — this shadow queen — now holding my foot like it was something precious.

Her fingers were careful, her touch unexpectedly gentle as she guided my toe to touch the sacred stone. The runes pulsed brighter for a moment — a soft hum filling the air — as if acknowledging the bond now complete.

> Cael held it there, just long enough. Then, without ceremony, she passed the stone back to Ivory.

But she didn't stop.

> She reached beside her, lifting a small silver bowl filled with enchanted water.

And without waiting for instruction… she began to wash my foot.

Her fingers moved slowly, reverently — not just performing a ritual, but honoring something deeper. The water shimmered as she poured it gently over my skin, her palm smoothing the droplets away.

> She picked up a clean cloth — one sewn with golden thread — and dried my foot carefully.

Then she stood up with a sigh.

> "There. Done. Or is there more?" she said, glancing at her sisters with playful irritation.

Ivory smirked.

> "One last thing," she said sweetly, walking forward with a knowing gleam in her eye. "To pass into the palace together — into this sacred place reborn — you must give us a nek."

Cael raised an eyebrow.

> "A what now?"

Olivia laughed softly.

> "A gift, Cael. A token of thanks to your older sisters for blessing this union."

Cael groaned again, dragging a hand down her face.

> "You two are so dramatic. Fine. I'll give you both something."

She reached into the folds of her robe and pulled out two small crystal pendants — dark violet and moonlight silver — and tossed them playfully to each sister.

> "There. Trinkets. Now let us in before I change my mind."

Ivory caught hers mid-air with a graceful flourish, while Olivia giggled and held hers to the light.

> "We'll accept your nek," Ivory said with a grin. "And now… you may enter."

The palace doors opened slowly before us, the golden arch glowing brighter with each step we took.

> And as Cael took my hand again — This time without hesitation — I knew:

We weren't just stepping into a palace.

> We were stepping into a life we had only begun to imagine.

Together.

To be continued…