16 Bonding

"Aghhh!"

I destroyed an entire tree. I had to punch something hard, so hard. Why? Why do I care so much about that man? Is that the way the villain felt in the novel? I already refused to be her. I can't end like her.

"Lucia."

How did he find me? 

He was behind me again with his deep blue eyes looking at me with such anxiety that I could hear his bumping heart. Why is he looking at me like that? I don't understand.

"What are you doing here?"

"Please, let me explain."

"It's not necessary. I know everything, you stabbed me and wanted me to die. I didn't, but I won't go anywhere near the man who tried it twice."

"Please, let me explain. I thought that the one beside me was you, I thought it was you… please, believe me, Lucia, I beg you." His eyes looked sincere and maybe that was the truth but my heart was already in shatters.

"No."

"Please…"

"No!"

You didn't look for me after all this time, you didn't even try.

I turned around again and was about to leave when a sudden power forced me back. It was like an invincible wall stopping me.

"What is this?!" I punched with all my strength but it wasn't moving.

"I had no choice, you didn't leave me another choice, my love. I am so sorry"

"What are you doing?!" I punched again but it wasn't enough. I was desperate.

"I can't let you leave, not again…"

A big circle of light surrounded us, then Sir Elton and Sir Greyson, and two others appeared carrying some bright stones, creating a formidable barrier. The old man with a long beard and blue robes started whispering some words I didn't understand and the stones lighted up even more. Suddenly, I realized who he was, he was a magician, a powerful one. My strength couldn't do anything to defend me against that power, my shadows feared that light. I've never felt so insignificant in my life. At that moment I was weak and trapped again.

"What is this?" I turned to look at the man that was imprisoning me for a second time.

"A bond enchantment."

"The one from before…"

"No, this is different, my love. The one from before was incomplete."

He looked guilty and I sad… and then again I finally understood, or more like I always knew.

"That was… You lied to me… You really wanted my power, it was supposed to be a 'soul bondage', and if I got hurt you will too, but you didn't… you lied to me."

I felt so much pain. I always thought it was strange. In the book, they shared the pain and injuries, their lives and deaths, but he wasn't harmed that day. I thought the book was mistaken. I wanted to believe that. Why is he doing this? I've never hurt him, I wasn't the Lucia from the book, I've never caused damaged to him or his dear Rose. Why is he doing this?

"Lucia, I'm sorry… please, I beg you, forgive me, that time I didn't know I would fall for you so much…" His hands tried to reach me but it was too late. "Please, Lucia… believe me."

"You are a coward… I hate you."

No more tears, I cleaned them up with my sleeve and I looked at him with so much resentment and hatred I've never felt before.

"Do you want my power? Take it, I never wanted this curse, take it, and leave me alone. I don't want to see you for the rest of my life."

"No! You don't understand!"

He walked inside the circle and took my hand forcibly. His eyes were filled with fear.

"I am bonding to you, I am giving you the reins of my soul, I will make up for my mistake for the rest of my life, even after death because… because you are the one, Lucia." He pushed my hand to his heart and I could feel it, it was beating so fast. "You understand? You are the one, Lucia. Even if you don't want to marry me now, I will not leave your side anymore. So, I am sorry, my love, even if you hate me, I am bonding my soul to you. I will share my life with you and my death will be in your hands."

His words stunned me. I was shocked and confused. But it didn't last long when the circle lit up again but more powerful this time and I felt something being attached forcefully to me.

"It hurts!"

"I know, just hang on my love."

I was getting weak on my knees, he had to hug me to support my body from falling but I knew he was also weak. His breath was difficult and we ended lying on the floor. However, he never stopped holding me, then I passed out.

***

I felt so weak, and my eyes didn't want to wake up.

"Lucia, open your eyes."

I tried but they were so stubborn.

"Miss Lucia?"

Dear Irina, is that you? I felt hungry and tired. Did I run out of blood? 

However, at that moment another voice appeared in my mind. The voice of the one I thought I would never see again.

"Lucia, please darling, wake up."

The duke's voice, why is he haunting me again, even in my sleep? Wait, this hand, I know this hand. My eyes finally obeyed me and opened their lids at last. I could see a group of people looking extremely anxious and Irina crying by my side on the bed. Then a big hand almost crushing mine pulled me into a hug. It was the Duke's. Then I felt a pull and I landed on his arms.

He was hugging me so tightly. "I can't breathe."

I said weakly and he let go of me slowly but not my hand, he kept grabbing it while caressing my skin. I wanted to pull it but I was too weak.

"What happened?"

"The enchantment was too powerful my lady, you almost stop breathing, you gave us such a fright." Sir Elton said without minding the angry faces around. The others were throwing daggers at him. What a funny dude.

"Miss Lucia, are you okay?"

"I am fine."

I looked around trying to avoid the deep blue eyes that were so piercing and begging for attention. The others took notice and went out. However, they almost had to drag Irina with them.

"Let go now." I tried to shock my hand from his, but he held it stronger.

"No."

"It hurts."

"I am sorry."

He looked at me with guilt and care and loosened a little, but he still had my hand hostage.

"Yesterday…" I didn't know what to say. I could feel his soul attached to me. I don't know if he has mine attached to his.

"Yesterday, we completed the first part of the enchantment, but…" Again those eyes, those amazing eyes trying to attack me with all his feelings. Then he kissed the back of my hand and I couldn't stop a little tremor, my heart wasn't prepared for this, even after all this time. "I am giving you the choice to complete the second part. When you are ready to forgive me and… when you accept me as your husband."

"I… I won't." I couldn't help but blush. This man, is he aware of what had he done? He gave me the power to control his life. I can even kill him at this moment.

"Lucia, please…"

"I… I won't."

"I understand. I will wait for you, my love."

He looked at me with sadness and I didn't know what to say, I was so confused, what should I do? This was not part of the novel, what happened to Rebecca?

"Lucia?"

"mmm?"

"I will be living here." He said in all seriousness. Is he nuts?

"What?!"

"You have my soul. I should be living here with you."

"No, you can't."

"I have to, the first days of the enchantment are difficult for me. I can't be separated from you."

"We can reverse it."

"No, we can't, and even if there was a way, I will never agree, you will have to see me die before."

"You!" This stubborn man!

"Lucia… please."

This man is so… so pushy. Where is the cold indifferent man from long ago?