Page 128 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“Oh. Really?”

He gives me an assured nod.

“In Aperion, there are so-called blood bondings or true matings that happen between two people whose threads of fateare irrevocably linked. This type of territorial behavior happens between true mates, though those pairings are exceedingly rare. I did not realize that humans engaged in it, too,” I add pensively.

Though extremely rare, true matings are incredibly romantic. The fates are the ones who assign true mates, and some sources state that every single being in this universe has an assigned true mate—or a linked thread of fate, as others refer to it. But to find one’s true mate, one must exchange blood to trigger the bond. Otherwise, both beings continue to go through life oblivious to their one true mate—which is why the phenomenon is so rare.

Yet once two beings have been blood bonded, they are completely in tune with one another. Accounts differ on how the bonding manifests, with some claiming that each bonding is unique. But the mates are extremely territorial of each other and they can never desire or lie with anyone but each other.

Ah… Blood bondings are as romantic as they are taboo in Aperion, though. Aperites are prohibited from sharing blood withanyone. It is an offense punishable by death if found out. It’s almost as bad as consuming a soul and it’s reported that it has a similar effect in tainting one’s spiritual energy. Perhaps it’s because both things are characteristic of the Sons of Tenebreis—soul sucking blood drinkers.

My own theory is that the Houses prohibited blood sharing because they were afraid people would be finding their true mates left and right. If they did, there would be no more advantageous marriages, no more selective breeding or political alliances. Everything would be left to…fate. And as much as the House of Moirai likes to believe it’s in charge of everything, so do the other Houses like to prove that is not the case.

“But wait,” I suddenly say. “What about those humans at the party? Or those soldiers bragging about the many women they slept with? How can they do that if they are territorial?”

My question throws him off as he scowls.

“I did not say that everyone is like that,” he mumbles.

“But you implied it.”

“I did no such thing,” he counters. “I just informed you of a custom I happen to engage in. And since I aminthis world, then this custom is automatically characteristic of this world.”

I go over his words, growing more confused the more I replay them in my mind.

“What type of logic is that? I did not understand a word of what you said.”

He smiles at me.

“And that is all right, Minnie.” He pats me lightly on the shoulder. “I will guide you. Just remember the main rule—I am the only male you can ever think of, look at, touch, or desire. Ever.”

“That’s more thanonerule,” I grumble.

“It’s a combined rule.”

Once more, I find myself very confused. How did we get here? We were talking about the demon, weren’t we?”

“What happens if I don’t?” I ask innocently.

His expression darkens.

“That is the issue, Minnie. I am doing this for your own good.” He presses his lips together, looking at me with sudden concern in his eyes.

“What?”

“If you don’t follow the rules, then I will be forced to kill any males involved. And you cannot kill humans, can you?” he murmurs sweetly as if he’s reciting poetry, not telling me about his murderous intentions.

“But I wouldn’t…”

“They would diebecauseof you, Minnie. It’s just as ifyoukilled them. And we cannot have that, can we?”

“N-no.”

“Good girl.” He winks at me and ruffles my hair. “Now back to that demon…”

And just like that, he’s back to his previous laid-back self.

Me? I’m more confused than ever.

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