Page 38 of Accidentally Ever After
I hadn’t known Lady Sorcha held such an official position. From Caelen’s surprised expression, this was news to him as well.
“The Keeper has right of address in matters of bonding,” the silver-winged councilor acknowledged.
King Orion looked displeased but nodded grudgingly. “Proceed, Lady Sorcha.”
She turned to me, her warm eyes direct. “Consort Morgan, while it appears the initial contract was signed without your full understanding, the Covenant also recognizes that bonds may be validated retroactively through affirmative choice. Do you, at this moment, freely choose to be bonded to Prince Caelen?”
I understood the significance of the question immediately. She was offering a legal loophole—a way to validate our bond despite its questionable beginnings.
“I do,” I said without hesitation, my voice stronger than I expected. “I choose Caelen, freely and with full understanding of what that means.”
Lady Sorcha nodded, seemingly satisfied, but King Orion leaned forward, his massive wings shifting restlessly.
“A convenient claim,” he said coldly. “But the human has spent two months under the influence of the bond magic, which, as we all know, creates artificial attachment. His current sentiment cannot be considered truly ‘free.’”
“That is not entirely accurate, Your Majesty,” Lady Sorcha countered. “Bond magic enhances existing compatibility but cannot create genuine affection where none exists. If ConsortMorgan feels attachment now, it is because the potential was always present.”
“Regardless,” the king pressed, “there is precedent for testing such claims. The Ritual of Unbinding would temporarily suppress the bond magic, allowing the human to make a truly uninfluenced decision.”
My stomach dropped. “Ritual of Unbinding?”
“A temporary suspension of the bond’s magical effects,” Caelen explained quietly. “It would essentially… reset you to your state before the contract was signed.”
“For how long?” I asked, not liking where this was going.
“Twenty-four hours,” Lady Ellaria supplied, looking entirely too pleased. “During which time you would be returned to the mortal realm to consider your choice without magical influence.”
The implication was clear: they believed that once free of the bond’s effects and back in my own world, I would choose not to return.
“This is unnecessary,” Caelen protested, his wings now held rigidly against his back. “The convergence at the Festival of Lights proves the depth of our connection.”
“The law is the law,” King Orion said with finality. “If your bond is as genuine as you claim, your consort will choose to return. If not…” he spread his hands in a gesture of false regret, “then the match was clearly not meant to be.”
I looked around the table, reading the expressions of the council members. Some seemed uncomfortable with the king’s proposal, but most appeared to be accepting its necessity. Even Lady Sorcha looked resigned.
“When would this ritual happen?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Immediately,” the king said. “Before tomorrow’s presentation ceremony.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then the legitimacy of your bond remains in question,” he replied smoothly. “The other courts may refuse to recognize it, which would have… significant political implications.”
I understood the threat. Without formal recognition from the other courts, our position would be weakened, possibly endangering Caelen’s standing and certainly derailing our policy initiatives.
I turned to Caelen, searching his face. “What do you think?”
His expression was torn, conflict evident in the rigid set of his wings and the tension around his eyes. “I believe in our bond,” he said softly. “But I would not force you to remain if given a true choice.”
The selflessness in his statement made my decision clear. “I’ll do it,” I said, turning back to the council. “I’ll undergo the ritual.”
King Orion smiled, triumph barely concealed. “Excellent. The preparations will begin immediately. The ritual must be performed at moonrise—approximately three hours from now.”
“I wish to spend that time with my consort,” Caelen said, his tone making it clear this wasn’t a request.
“Of course,” the king conceded magnanimously. “Lady Ellaria will come for you when the ritual chamber is prepared.”
As the council meeting adjourned, Caelen led me quickly from the Crystal Chamber, his wings held so stiffly I worried they might crack. We walked in tense silence until we reached a small garden courtyard, private and empty of other fairies.
