“Really, that was our compromise,” my mother clarified, reaching out to grab my dad’s hand with an unexpectedly endearing expression. She was still talking to me, but her tender gaze remained on my dad. “I told them I was going to marry your father either way, and they needed to decide on what stipulations would make them comfortable with the arrangement.” She finally looked at me. “I rejected two of the three demands they made, and they didn’t really have a choice.”
“But what that means,” my father continued. “Is that the one demand she agreed to needs to be upheld no matter what. I can’t get involved in her work as a fons’radix. That includes being around while she’s training a new one.”
My eyes began to sting as I finally understood what they were saying. I couldn’t be with my father and mother at the same time right now, not when a new fons’radix had appeared. I’d have to choose, except that it wasn’t as simple as choosing between them, because Jasmyn was a part of the choice too.
“We don’t have to leave right away,” my mom tried reassuring me. “It’s unfortunate that I sensed someone who might be a fons’radix while I was on my way here, but we can push it off for a couple days.”
I scoffed. “A couple days?” I was definitely crying now.
She finally drew closer and wrapped me in her arms, pressing my head against her smooth shoulder. “You know,” she whispered. “Having you was one of the two conditions I rejected.”
“What?” I sniffled, looking up at her.
“They didn’t want us to have children, but I told them no. You exist because I wanted to have you, and I wasn’t going to let anyone stop me from doing so.”
I wiggled my arm free from her embrace to wipe my eyes, sniffling again. “Why can’t we just all be together though?” I asked seriously. “Jasmyn included.”
She made a face, and looked away before sighing heavily. “Well, I guess if you’re so fond of this Naga, then the least I can do is meet her.”
“Please be nice,” I whispered, uncertain about her tone. “I really like her. And she’s kind of shy, so please don’t hurt her feelings.”
She groaned before rubbing my back in between my wings. “Fine,” she agreed.
“Mom,” I whined.
“Okay, okay,” she replied. “I’ve just never met a Naga I liked. They’re all very rude.”
“Well, Jasmyn’s not rude,” I retorted. “She’s the sweetest person I know. Much sweeter than the humans around here.”
My mom grinned at that, but didn’t respond. I kind of wondered if me calling them humans was why she found my comment amusing, since I had lived my whole life as one, yet suddenly I was speaking as if I wasn’t one.
As we made the last trek towards home, my parents wrapped their arms firmly around each other again, seeming even more desperate to be as close as possible now that my mom had admitted she couldn’t stay long. I walked behind them to give them some space, but they were talking plenty loud enough that I could have heard them even if I wasn’t still a demon.
My mom was reassuring him that she was going to take a break after training this new fons’radix, so we could all live together like a real family for once. My father surprisingly didn’t seem too upset about it, instead just a little sad. I supposed he knew it couldn’t be helped.
However, I also knew they were both much older than they looked, and as far as I was aware, they had spent a lot of time together before I was born, so I wondered if their perception of time was different too. Her being away for longer than usual might be less devastating to him than it would be to a human with a significantly more limited lifespan.
I wasn’t really sure though. It could also be possible he just didn’t want to worry her while she was away by sharing how he really felt.
But one thing was for sure. He wasn’t going to be alone when she left.
Because, while I missed my mother dearly, I wasn’t going anywhere without Jasmyn. And while I loved my parents both dearly, I would leave them both if Jasmyn couldn’t stay too. I still didn’t fully understand when that shift in my feelings had happened, but it was undeniable now.
I cared about being around Jasmyn more than my mom and dad.
Chapter 17: Ritual
When we got back to the house, the first thing my dad did was ask the two guards to leave. While having them keep a lookout was a nice sentiment, it was completely unnecessary with my mom around. Doubtful anyone would be stupid enough to try to attack the demon who had already proven herself to be capable of destroying a small army of human chimeras. And if they did, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
The guards were a little reluctant to go at first, but then my mother stepped out of the darkness and told them sweetly that their services were no longer needed. They gaped at her beauty before stumbling away back into town like they were drunk.
When we got inside, I discovered that Jasmyn had changed back into one of my shirts for the night. It was one that was a little baggy on me, but snug on her because of the size of her unsupported chest.
She was so nervous to be unexpectedly meeting my mom that she started visibly shaking. I immediately wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her tight against my side, trying to reassure her. We were in the kitchen, which suddenly seemed a lot smaller with all of us present.
In response to my embrace, she lowered herself so that our heads were more level, but otherwise didn’t motion to hug me back. Most of her tail was in the living room, since that’s where she had been when we got home. And one of her hands was tightly grasping the ring I had given her, almost as if she was trying to hide it.
“It’s…it’s nice to meet you,” she stuttered. “I’m…I’m s-sorry if I’ve been any trouble.”
I knew why she was saying that. Despite what my mom had promised, her youthful expression was heavily scrutinizing. After a moment she finally spoke up, just before I was about to.
“Wow, I’ve never seen a Naga that looked like you,” she commented.
“Mom!” I exclaimed. So much for not being rude.
She quickly continued. “So you defended my daughter, is that right?” she wondered.
Jasmyn looked at her in surprise, before looking down ashamed. “N-No. She defended me.”
“But she killed the boy who attacked me,” I clarified.
“I’m not a hero,” Jasmyn contradicted, tears appearing in her eyes. She was shaking harder now. “If you had been a normal human then you would have died because of me. Because I’m weak.”
“Well, it won’t happen again,” I tried reassuring her.
My mother spoke up again, her tone harsh. “No, it won’t,” she agreed firmly.
“Mom!” I exclaimed again, but she ignored me.
“Will it?” my mom demanded, almost glaring at Jasmyn with her hands on her hips.
My friend looked up at her in shock, evaluating her gaze before finally wrapping her arm around me firmly, pulling me roughly against her side. “No, it won’t,” she agreed. “I’ll defend her next time.”
I looked back and forth between them, wondering when I had missed the undertones of what my mom was saying. And wondering how Jasmyn had picked up on it so quickly.
Was it something my friend understood because she was a Naga? Like a cultural thing I missed?
My mother sighed heavily, before shaking her head. “I’ve never met a Naga I’ve liked, but you don’t seem so bad,” she conceded.
My eyes widened in surprise. Was she really okay with Jasmyn? Just like that?
My friend replied right away, sounding timid again. “To be honest,” she almost whispered. “I’ve never met a Naga I liked either. They’re all very rude and hateful.”
My mother laughed at that. “Okay, I guess you’re alright after all.”
Jasmyn smiled just slightly but didn’t respond.
“So…” I began hesitantly.
My mom sighed heavily. “I’d really like you to come with me sweetie, but she can’t come.”
; “And dad can’t either,” I added.
She nodded slowly with a pout, her dark gray lip sticking out, before taking another deep breath. “So, I’ll just have to make sure we spend lots of time together once I’m finished with this new fons’radix. And maybe if we’re lucky, it will turn out to just be a powerful mage who needs a little bit of guidance, allowing me to come home sooner. I just feel like I’m missing out on you growing up. Another few years and we’ll look the same age already. Time is going too fast.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, letting go of Jasmyn to give her a hug. She met me halfway and wrapped me up in her arms, pinning my wings against my back.
After a moment, she took a deep breath, and pushed me away by the shoulders to examine my face. “Well, are you ready to receive our sigils? And then afterwards your father and I are probably going to go out for a bit. It’s been a while since we flew together, and I’m sure he’s eager to have me ride him.”
My brow furrowed, her grin and tone making me uncertain about what she was implying.
“Anyway,” my dad abruptly announced, “let’s move this into the living room so we can get started.” He then cleared his throat, giving my mom a serious look. “I assume we should do mine first?” he wondered.
She nodded. “Yours is more important, so yes.”
Jasmyn took their cue to slither back into the living room, since she was technically blocking the way for us to get out of the kitchen. She had a confused look on her face, like she wasn’t certain what a sigil was, but she didn’t ask. I suspected she was afraid to speak out of turn with my mom around. My dad was very approachable, but my mom could be a little intimidating with her confidence.
Even just the way she carried herself demanded respect. Granted, after over a thousand years of being one of the most powerful people in the world, I supposed that shouldn’t be too surprising.
As I followed after my friend, she moved all the way to the corner by my dad’s chair, curling her tail underneath her as if she was attempting to take up as little space as possible. My mom then had me stand in the middle of the room while giving me a rundown of what was about to happen, a grimace on her face the whole time. I used the opportunity to shift back into my human form, since I was starting with dad’s marking. I wasn’t sure it mattered, but it made sense to me.
“Your father will activate the sigil’s spell, which is a fairly simple process. After that, we just wait for it to unite with your body and magic,” she explained quietly. “Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do after that. Once it’s begun, we just have to wait.”
I felt like this was supposed to be a happy thing, but they both seemed so down about the situation. Honestly, it probably would have been a happy event if they weren’t worried about it hurting so much, all because I wasn’t part dragon.
“But wait. I thought dad couldn’t use magic.”
She nodded. “Your father has magic in him, sweetie, but he can’t use it like we can. And this isn’t really his magic. It sort of has a life of its own. Honestly, it’s kind of like a parasite in a way, except it doesn’t hurt you. If anything, sometimes it can protect you.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Really?” I asked breathlessly.
She nodded. “It’s rare, but sigils have been known to behave oddly when their owner’s life is threatened, sometimes allowing the user to cast magic they wouldn’t normally be able to use. I’ve even heard of a sigil creating an impenetrable physical barrier when its owner lost consciousness.” She paused, seeming pensive. “This isn’t just a random symbol to mark you as royalty, Alyssa. This is a gift. It’s a powerful ancient magic with somewhat unknown properties. It’s a privilege to own this magic, and it represents a lot more than your heritage.”
“And it can’t completely reject me?” I clarified. “Does that mean it can be given to anyone?”
My father spoke up, prompting me to glance at him. “No, it doesn’t,” he replied grimly. “The reason the sigil won’t reject you is because it should be able to detect the lifeforce inside of you that came from me. It’s just that, with your body being so different than what it would expect, it might not want to unify with you right away.”
“Right,” my mother agreed. “The part that can’t be seen is the part that matters most. Although, there are different types of sigils. Mine could theoretically be passed on to anyone who had enough magic, but not very many mages could accept it – you have way more magic than what is common, mainly because you’re my daughter. There are different qualifications for each sigil.”
I focused on the symbol on my mother’s chest as she spoke, examining the intricate pattern. My brow furrowed again. “But wait, I’m not taking the sigil away from you, am I?”
My mother shook her head. “No. As your father mentioned earlier, there are a few rare sigils that will only accept one owner and can’t be replicated, essentially. Usually those are given to the sovereign of each magical race, with the elves actually having a sigil that chooses their ruler. But most others can be passed on so long as the appropriate qualifications are met.”
I took a deep breath and nodded, realizing I was delaying a little. I sincerely was curious about all this, but I also wasn’t looking forward to the pain they said I’d never forget.
“Ready?” my mother asked.
I nodded again, prompting my dad to come closer.
“I have to place my hands on your skin,” he explained, reaching underneath my shirt from the side.
“That’s fine,” I replied, lifting up my elbows as his warm hands slid underneath my clothing to rest on my upper chest and back.
“Ready?” he asked this time.
I took another deep breath, bracing myself. “Ready.”
He didn’t say anything else, but I knew it was happening, because suddenly it felt like someone held a flaming torch up to my chest and back.
Like, actual fire, being held right up to my skin.
I started to scream, falling to my knees as he let go, only to realize I wasn’t the only one screaming. I looked up in horror, my vision trailing a ribbon of purple light leading away from me…to Jasmyn. She was writhing on the floor, looking like she was in a thousand times more pain than I was, as if someone had thrown her into a bonfire and she was burning alive. She shrieked at the top of her lungs as her tail began writhing around, knocking over everything in sight.
“What’s going on?!” my mother shrieked at the top of her lungs, before answering her own question. “They bonded?!” she exclaimed. “Axel!” she snapped when he didn’t answer her immediately.
I had never heard my dad sound afraid before, but his voice was terrified. “Y-Yes! I didn’t know that mattered!” he retorted.
“Of course it matters!” my mom yelled at him.
“How was I supposed to know?!” he yelled back. “I’ve never passed this on before! And I’ve never seen the process with someone who had bonded with another! It happens too rarely!”
They continued arguing as I slammed my head into the floor, the pain only increasing – spreading – running down my back and into my gut. But even worse than that was the earsplitting sound in my ears as Jasmyn continued shrieking at the top of her lungs.
‘No,’ I pleaded in my thoughts. ‘No!’
She couldn’t accept this. I didn’t know why the spell was affecting her too, but she wouldn’t be able to accept the sigil. She didn’t meet the qualifications. The horrifying pain she was in only reinforced that fact. It hurt me so badly, and yet it was hurting her so much worse.
I was on fire, but she was in hell, stuck in the center of a volcano.
I fell to my side, beginning to writhe around in agony as the spell really began to sink in. Jasmyn’s shrieks only grew in pitch, her tail destroying everything in sight now. I tried to look at her, my eyelids refusing to obey me, just barely being able to see the ribbon of light connecting us. It was purple on my end, but in the middle it turned bright white, before transitioning into a brillia
nt yellow as it entered into Jasmyn’s chest.
I had to do something. I didn’t know what, but I had to do something.
‘Please,’ I begged, trying to speak to the magic now. ‘Please accept me. Make it stop.’
An intense wave of agony washed over me, shattering my thoughts for a few moments. I realized I was screaming again once I could think, but my pitch couldn’t hide Jasmyn’s shrieks.
‘Stop hurting her!’
I reached out towards the ribbon, shocked to discover I could touch it. I grasped it tightly in my hand, trying to pull it away from her. Trying to break the bond, but it wouldn’t work. It was like the ethereal ribbon had no limit to its length, or rather I just wasn’t pulling it at all, even though I could touch it. My hand felt like it was tugging, but nothing happened. It continued to waver in the air like a flowing stream, refusing to become taut no matter how hard I tried pulling.
‘No!’ I shrieked in my thoughts. ‘Accept me!’
I let go and slammed my fist into the floor as hard as I could, hearing something snap in my hand as a bone broke. And yet, the agonizing pain in my body was so intense, I didn’t even notice any pain in my hand. I punched the floor again, combined with another snap.
‘Accept me!’
I gritted my teeth together as something stopped me from punching the floor a third time, struggling fiercely at whatever unseen force held me tight.
‘No!’ I shrieked at the sigil in my head. ‘You WILL accept me! You will accept me NOW! My father is a dragon!’
I freed myself from whatever was holding me back and slammed my head into the ground again.
‘I…’
I clenched my jaws together, feeling a prickling sensation all over my body, like someone was stabbing me with a thousand knives.
Stabbing me in the throat. Stabbing me in the jaw. Stabbing me in the hands, in the arms, in my shoulders, in my lower back, my thighs, my calves, my feet.
‘I AM…’
I opened my mouth and slammed my teeth shut again, looking up at the ribbon connecting me and my friend. I snagged it again with my clawed hand, rows of amethyst scales running up my forearm.
Magicbound to a Snake Girl Page 22