Page 43 of Bound and Beguiled

“YOU HAVE DONE SO ACTIVELY.” The next band blazed red hot, and I could see angry welts left behind by the fragmented shards. “SELFISHLY.” His third band exploded. “AND WITH ILL WILL.” The fourth and final band snapped, leaving Franklin’s wrists ringed only by blistered flesh.

“FROM THIS DAY FORTH, YOU ARE AS NOTHING. THE BOUND WILL NOT SEE YOU, WILL NOT HEAR YOU, LEST THEY TOO BE FORSWORN.”

Franklin writhed in the god’s hold, fury twisting his face into madness. His mouth moved, no doubt shaping curses.

Ymet chuckled.

I almost wet myself.

“THE LESSON IS NOT YET LEARNED. VERY WELL.” The golden circle that would have been Franklin’s marriage band floated upwards, spinning slowly. “A FITTING SOLUTION.”

The ring shot to Franklin, passing through his robe at hip level. He gave a silent shout, both hands cupping his crotch as he tried to curl protectively around himself.

“A PUNISHMENT FOR YOUR SELFISHNESS. YOU STOLE PLEASURE AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS. NOW ALL YOU WILL RECEIVE IS PAIN.”

Franklin stilled, crumpling to the ground. He must have passed out. Predictable that the loss of his ability to get a boner would be what did him in.

For that punishment I felt nothing but satisfaction.

“BRIGITA DVORAK, COME FORWARD.”

My eyes widened and I twisted, staring as my mother stood, reluctance clear in the painfully slow movement. She took two small steps and stopped. Around her, people scooted away until she stood alone in a ten-foot circle.

“YOU FAILED TO PROTECT AND CARE FOR YOUR CHILD.”

My mother flinched but held her head high as one of her bands snapped, dissolving as it fell. A second snap, and she sucked in a breath, lips paling.

“DO NOT FAIL AGAIN. I WILL BE WATCHING.”

She dropped to her knees, prayers of gratitude and remorse spilling forth, but I caught a glimpse of her face. It was sullen and bitter, and she didn’t once glance my way.

Somehow, I didn’t see a reconciliation in our future.

“TEREZA DVORAK, SEE ME.”

My heart in my throat, I turned back to the god. They looked down at me from the face of their Keeper, unimaginable sorrow and love in their glowing eyes.

“YOUR SUFFERING WAS NOT MY WILL. IT IS NOT MY WAY TO UNDO WHAT HAS BEEN DONE, BUT YOU MAY ASK OF ME ONE BOON.”

Tears flowed unchecked down my cheeks. I had to swallow twice before I could force words past the knot that had formed in my throat.

“My freedom,” I whispered.

“GRANTED.”

The weight of the bands around my wrists disappeared. I stared at the smooth, unblemished skin where they used to sit, and it didn’t feel real. How could something so big happen so fast?

A hand touched my head. It buzzed with power, shockingly intense but at the same time heartbreakingly gentle.

“LIVE WELL, ONCE CHILD OF MINE.”

When I looked up again, Ymet’s presence was gone from the Keeper’s eyes. They stared at me for a long moment, looking lost, then seemed to gather themselves.

“There will be no binding on this day. Everyone, return to your homes. I encourage you to take the rest of the day as an opportunity to meditate on the true meaning of the Covenant. Tomorrow, all are called to gather here. Ymet has seen, and Ymet has spoken. All will hear their word.”

The rest of the Keepers filed out from behind them, and with their gentle but implacable guidance the Bound began to disperse.

It was over.

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