Bonded (Soul Ties, #1) (2 page)

G
arr
stood outside the guard post and gestured for another vehicle to pass.  The
steady stream of teleskiffs had not stopped since he and Zisa started their
shift. 

Checking
the occasional clearance, she played with her scanner and stared at her bare
ring finger.  A yellow auranite band would soon be there because she was to be
bonded with two men. 

“Alright
Daroh, entertain me,” Garr said stepping aside.  He picked up his canteen from
its place on the small table, opened it up, and took a swig.  “I want to hear
about the clusterfuck that is your love life.”

She
glanced up at the night sky.  Two moons shown down, one smaller than the other,
illuminating the dark night.  She had been on Retaya for six long years and not
once had she considered bonding with gebeds.  After all their kind was rarely seen
around these parts and now, she had two of them.

“What
do you want to know?”

“So
they asked you to bond with them.”

“Yep.”

“Where
are you guys going to hold the ceremony?” he asked leaning out the door to see
if more skiffs approached.

“At
the  guild's sanctuaryon Tundoloth.”

The
sound of that scared her.  She was born and raised in Border Regions where no
governments ruled and people took the law into their own hands.  After the
expansion of central system rule, only now had society begun to think about
taming it.  And now she was to go to headquarters of the most powerful guild in
the collective and become a life-mate to two of their members?  Was she
supposed to change her views and become just like them?  She became a soldier
to protect the innocent, enforcing Collective Law came with it—becoming a
book nerd synthesizing every codex that came into her hand in the relentless
search for knowledge was out of the question.  She stopped going to school for
a reason, so she wouldn't have to do homework. 

“Are
you sure you want to do that?”

She
had mulled it over in her mind.  She loved them deeply.  She couldn't breathe
without them.  To be without Kellam or Feran would be death for her soul.

“I'm
sure.”

“Okay. 
You know you're my best friend and I'll support you in whatever you do. It’s
just that I don't want you to get hurt.”

“I
know,” she said smiling  Never the one to brag, he always let his modesty and
good sense lead the way.  That's why she considered him a good leader and
friend. 

“But
we've overcome a lot of that,” she replied grateful for his comfort and
friendship.

“I'm
not talking about that.  I know you said that it's in the past, I don't happen
to think it is, but that's for another discussion.”

“What
do you mean?”

“They're
guys.  I don't care how much philosophical training they've had, they’re still
men and there will be trouble.”

“Triune
bonds have happened before.”

“Yeah
but with other monks.  That stuff is dangerous.  That's why the other guilds
won't celebrate a bond like that.”

“I
think you're wrong.  Kellam had a long talk with his doyen as did Feran and
they are certain the guild will allow it.”

He
waved her off, “Whatever but back to my point, you're going to have to give up
a lot.  Think about it.  You are a Tech Sargent.  The youngest in the history
of the security forces, you're even up for a slot at the academy.  That all
ends the day you so 'I do.'”

She
furled her brow in disbelief.  “That's ridiculous.  They know my job, they know
who I am.  They won't stop that.  Plus they'll be gone all the time.”

“Oh
my poor naïve and might I add virginal Zisa.”

She
rolled her eyes.  “What does sex have to do with it?”

“A
lot.  Which explains your lack of knowledge.  Let me explain something,” he
said leaning in close, “you haven't given them any.  That's why they're so nice
now.  But once you do, that's it.  You are there's.  And things will change. 
They will change.  I can promise you that.”

“What
makes you think that?”

“Because
I would.  Any guy would especially if he loves her.”

A
skiff pulled up in front of the booth.  He stepped outside and greeted the
occupants.  She considered his words.  Yes, she had caught a hint of their
jealousy but that was only because they had not known about each other. 
Everything was different now.

“And
there is the whole thing about non-gebed bonding with two others in the
Knowing.  It's dangerous,” he said ducking back inside the booth.

She
heard the rumors too.  She did not know much about the Knowing, only a few
things she picked up from people around her.  All she knew was that it gave
them the ability to synthesize much knowledge taught them how to apply the
knowledge they had.  Including the use of psy abilities.  Not everyone had
access to this gift but those who did were quite powerful.

“So
I've heard,” she said chewing her bottom lip.

“Hey,”
he said leaning in close, “did you hear me?”

“Hunh?”

“I
said I didn't mean to scare you.”

“Oh
I know that.”

“Good
cause I only wish you the best.  By the way, where will you guys live?”

Still
considering the gravity of the situation, she leaned back in her chair. 
Suddenly she was scared.

“I
don't know.  Here on Retaya I think.”

“Excellent. 
At least we'll be able to keep in touch.”

She
glanced at him.  “Yeah, we will.”

S
mooth
stone floors and elegant yet muted décor were the hallmarks of the sanctuary of
the Guild for Applied Gnosis.  Gebeds clothed in their characteristic dark grey
robes called rhasons passed by speaking to each other in muted tones.  Beings
of all races and species walked their hallowed halls. 

Kellam
delighted in showing Zisa the place where had been schooled and raised.  She
had been quite since their arrival, undoubtedly taking it all in.  He hoped
that it would not overwhelm her but thought it only fair to give her a tour
before their bonding ceremony.  Perhaps its beauty could explain why he had
chosen to stay in the Life for all these years. 

He
glanced at Feran who was at his side.  His friend since childhood he was
grateful for the ability to share his life with him as well.  It seemed only
right that he be a part of it for they had loved each other for years. 

Wearing
a a simple tunic and trousers Doyen Weythat stood looking out the window.  His
short frail frame gave no hint to the powerful mind and spirit that still lived
within him.  A father to him, he offered counsel, moral support and above all
love.  But today he sought his tacit approval for this momentous step he sought
to take in his life.  Kellam hoped he was pleased with his decision.

“I
can feel your nervous energy,” Weythat said not looking hisway.  “From the both
of you in fact.”

“Yes,
doyen,” Kellam replied standing beside soon to be husband and wife.

“Why
do you fear?  Am I that harsh of a person that you fear my judgment?”

He
turned slowly and smiled.  “Do not.  I am always proud of you.  ”

Kellam
nodded respectfully barely able to contain his love. 

Weythat
approached them in a slow manner, his gait slow and measured. 

“Feran
it is good to see you...”

“Thank
you doyen,” he replied bowing.

“Please
sit.”

Zisa
and Feran followed him to the sofa.  With much discomfort, he watched as his
mentor walked to a chair across from them.  Sitting down slowly, he turned his
attention to Zisa.  Though no one knew his true age, Kellam guessed him to be
at least one hundred and fifty.  Very long for a human but not for one so
deeply connected to the Knowing.

“Young
lady I hope you understand how much he loves you.  How much they both do. 
Originally, I did not approve of this relationship for obvious reasons.  For
these two have always been ruled by the passions of their heart.  It is a trait
they must contend with, for the rest of their lives.  And yet they are wise
gebeds, skilled in the Knowing.”  He sat back in the chair and continued. 
“They are like brothers bound from birth it seems by an invisible tie that no
man can break.  In spite of my efforts to keep them apart as children.  Why did
you involve yourself with both?”

“It
was not my intention originally,” she replied sounding nervous.

“But
yet here you are.”

“Yes,
I admit at first—,” she hesitated.  “It was an accident.  But now, I know it
was meant to be.”

“They
said you were spirited.” He smiled then his expression grew serious.  “Do you
love them?”

“I
love them more than I thought capable from myself.”

“You
will need that and more to remain with them.  A gebed gives of his life and
self fully to his mission.  His duty it is...to serve others.  It is how they
are raised.  It is what they know.  They will be gone for great lengths of
time.  Unable to contact you, how will this affect you?”

She
paused, “I have to admit it will hurt but it is something I'll have to deal
with.”

“Deal
with?  You must live with it.  There is no other option.  This is their life. 
Can you handle that?”

“Yes.”

He
relaxed and fell silent.  The tension eased out of him as he heard Weythat give
his tacit approval.

“You
are welcome here any time,” he said sitting back in the chair.

“Thank
you.”

“You
may also visit your child at any time but you must not interfere.”

Placing
his hands in his sleeve, Kellam glanced at Feran who stroked his beard.  They
knew a prophecy when they heard one.  It only confirmed the visions he'd been
having.

“I'm
sorry Doyen Weythat. There must be some mistake—.”

“No
mistake.  It will be,” he hesitated, leveled a heavy gaze upon Kellam, and
chuckled. “intentional.  You are a determined man.  Still headstrong after all
these years.”

He
stood with effort, “Kellam a father.  It's as if it was only yesterday that I
had to scold him for not cleaning his room.  Zisa perhaps you will calm that
rebellious heart.”

“Thank
you for the compliment, Doyen,” Kellam replied receiving the critique with a
humble heart. 

“As
always my son, I speak the truth to you.”

“I
know.  I know.”

F
eran
placed his hand on Zisa's back gentling guiding her into the elevator.  The
doors closed in front of them giving them some privacy.  With Kellam away
making the reservations at the hotel, he had Zisa all to himself.

“You
are silent,” Feran said to her placing his hands in his sleeves.  He had sensed
her fear since their arrival on Tundoloth.  It was at its height upon meeting
Kellam's doyen.  Now that they were on their way to meet his, he noticed that
it has returned.

“I'm
just taking it all in,” she replied sweetly.

“Don't
be frightened.  Soon we will be bonded and we will start our life together,” he
said hoping she had not changed her mind.

“I
know.  It will be wonderful,” she stumbled over her words.

Caressing
her cheek, he gazed at the woman who stole his heart long before he met her. 
How was he to tell her that she had nothing to fear for he had foreseen many
years ago? 

As
the elevator made the swift rise to the seventy-fifth floor, he pulled Zisa
close and kissed her.  Her body melted into his arms as their mouths met and
opened, allowing their tongues to swirl together.  It had been sometime since
they kissed so intimately.  Because of their eminent bonding, Kellam insisted that
they remain chaste until after the ceremony when they could give themselves to
each other fully.  Reluctantly, he agreed. 

Feran
pulled away and smiled.  “Feel better?”

“Yes,”
she said with a glow he had not seen earlier. 

The
door opened.  Guiding her out, they stepped into the hallway where he once
played as a child.  Now at the ripe old age of thirty-four, he felt like a boy
again asking for permission to marry the girl of his dreams.

None
of this was a written rule for those in the Life. It was an unspoken one you
offered in gratitude to the one you cared for and respected.

“What
if he says no?” Zisa asked stopping.  “What if the Quorum says we can't bond?”

The
Quorum's silence over their request concerned him too.  Yes, gebeds were
permitted to bond, with other gebeds.  But for those outside of the guild, the
code insisted on a loser tie of civil marriage, leaving out the binding of
minds and souls to those experienced in the knowing.  Feran wanted to be more
than a husband, sharing a civil contract.  He desired to be life-mates
withthem.  Joining his soul with theirs forever. 

“We
are meant to be.  Nothing will stand in our way.”

Though
confident that Quorum would give their blessing, there was a chance they could
disapprove.  It was not the first time a mixed marriage had taken place within
the guild, but it was the first one in recent memory.  Concerned, he wondered,
if they did not allow it, would he go against their decision?  And marry her
anyway?  He gazed at Zisa.  The answer was obvious.  He would. 

Feran
placed his palm in front of the lock to his doyen's quarters.  It slid open
immediately.  Stepping inside, the deep burgundy colors of the floor and
furniture transported him to his boyhood.  Many times, he stared out the window
dreaming of the day when he could go on adventures in service to the
Collective. 

“Please
sit,” he said to Zisa.

She
sat down on the sofa while he remained standing. 

“Feran,
you are here,” a gentle voice said in the other room.  It's light tone always
made him feel secure. 

“Doyen
Efar, I would like for you to meet my espoused, Zisa.”

A
short woman with black hair and almond shaped eyes walked into the room with
his hands behind his back.  A great smile lit up her expression. 

“Good
to meet you Zisa.  He has spoken highly of you,” she said sitting in a chair
across from them. 

“Thank
you.  He has said only good things about you and it is a pleasure to meet you.”

She
chuckled.  “You are kind.  Feran, she is beautiful and very sweet.  You have made
a wise choice.”

“Thank
you doyen.”

“I
have spoken to the Quorum on your behalf and reluctantly they have agreed to
allow you and Kellam to bond with her.  But only on one condition.”

“What
is that?”

“You
must not abandon your life here.  Meaning you must maintain a residence in the
dormery here and continue your life as committed.”

“We
will,” he said with a sigh of relief.  “Thank you so much for doing this.  It
means a great deal to me.  To us.”

“My
son, for you it was no effort.” 

****

W
ater
splashed against stone in the distance.  Zisa felt calm, serene knowing this
was where she was suppose to be.  To be committed to two the people she loved
most for the rest of her life, was right.  She sighed and closed her eyes.

“Join
hands,” the healer said to the three. 

Zisa
smile and grasped Kellam and Feran's hands.  They squeezed reassuredly making
her smile, alleviating the flutters of her stomach.  Knitting their fingers
together, they nodded towards the healer. 

A
shiny amber colored  stone  called a Light Core rested on a stand in front of
her.  Translucent and shiny, it appeared to glow from within.

The
healer raised her arms and held her hands over their heads. 

“Let
the Knowing bind your lives together.”

Radiating
like fiire, she closed her to keep from being blinded.  Suddenly unable to hear
the healer or feel Kellam's or Feran's grip, she panicked.  Then a strong
comforting presence surrounded her mind. 

Sweetheart
we are here.  Do not fear.

It
was Kellam.  She heard him but was not sure if she heard him in her mind or
with her ears.

Then
an image appeared in Zisa's mind.  Three dots joined by a circle.  As the light
from the ring grew, she felt a jolt of electricity go through her body. 
Suddenly she felt Feran's anxiety and Kellam's quiet certainty.  Their feelings
were hers and she knew hers were theirs.