Kade watched as I unscrewed the cap and took a sip of the cool water. I winced slightly in pain but the water did help sooth my parched throat. "I bet Marcus is super pissed about what just happened." I placed the cap back on the bottle and looked up at my mate. "I feel like he will never forgive me for what happened."
Kade cupped my cheek with his cool hand. "Do not stress over Marcus. He has always been a stubborn wolf." He gave me a gentle kiss before taking the forgotten breakfast and handing it to me. "Now finish eating. Once you are done I will teach you how to make a blood bond."
I choked on the food that I had just shoved in my face. Managed to swallow it then looked over at Kade in shock. "You want me to blood bond someone?!"
Kade nodded. "It will mean that you will have another protector you can call at any time. It would make me feel better knowing that there is someone with you when I cannot be there."
What Kade said made sense but I still didn't like the idea of taking away someone's freedom. "Who?"
Just as the question left my lips a familiar face walked into the room.
"It would be my honour to become your blood bound protector." I heard Jiro's familiar voice rumble through the room as he bowed before me while I had meat juices running down my chin.
I quickly wiped my face with the back of my hand then waved in embarrassment at Jiro and motioned for him to stand. "Please Jiro you don't have to bow to me." I pleaded.
"I must insist." He replied as he stood to his full height.
"Why would you want to do this?" I questioned.
"Because the Lord has asked me to, and it is my duty to serve him and his mate."
I shook my head in disapproval at that. "No, I will not take your freedom from you." I stated as I crossed my arms over my chest.
Jiro looked over at Kade who gave a slight nod before he looked back at me. "It is my choice to do this. I was a stray that Lord Kade took in, I owe him my life."
That made me pause and think for a minute as I looked from Jiro to Kade. I could feel the sincerity and the loyalty coming from him. I knew this was something that was important to my mate and I didn't want to disappoint him. "Alright." I sighed in defeat. "I will do it."
"Thank you Little Wolf." Kade whispered as he pulled me in for a quick hug.
"Now what do I have to do?" I asked as I was pulled onto Kade's lap once I was finished eating.
"You will need to cut your palm and place it onto the sigil I will draw on Jiro's shoulder blade. Then you will take blood offered freely from Jiro." Kade explained.
Jiro had already removed his shirt and was kneeling on the floor with his back to me as Kade used one sharp fingernail to carve a complex sigil into the massive man's shoulder. Surprisingly there was little blood spilled from the action and Jiro did not wince or show any kind of discomfort as it was happening.
Once Kade was done he picked up one of my hands and used a small blade to slice it open. "Now place your hand over the sigil and push your intent into it. You will feel a connection form."
I did as Kade instructed and placed my bleeding hand on the sigil. I closed my eyes and focused my thoughts on creating a connection, a thread that would forever link Jiro and me.
As I pushed my will into the sigil I felt as the magic flared to life and a warmth spread from my hand throughout my body. I felt a new connection form in my mind, a faint echo of Jiro's thoughts and emotions. I could feel his loyalty, his determination, and a deep sense of peace.
"Now the last step." Kade's voice cut through my concentration.
I opened my eyes and saw that Jiro had turned around to face me. He took my free hand in his and used the same blade to cut a small gash in his palm. He then offered it to me.
I looked at the offered blood, hesitating for a moment before I lowered my head and drank. The moment the blood touched my lips I could feel the bond settle permanently in my bones and my very soul. It was different from my bond with Kade, more of a whisper of thought and feeling, a knowing of where he was but there was no love or affection through this bond, just an unwavering loyalty.
I pulled back and licked my lips clean as I looked at Jiro. The sigil on his back was now gone and the skin had healed over completely leaving behind no scar.
"It is done." Kade stated as he gently took my injured hand and started to clean it. "From this day forward you are bound to protect him with your life." He said to Jiro.
"He will be safe My Lord." Jiro replied as he stood up and put on his shirt.
"Now that is done we need to talk about what you will be wearing for tomorrow night's dinner." Sebastian clapped his hands together as he came into the room.
I looked down at my borrowed clothes and sighed. "I don't have anything nice to wear."
Sebastian let out a small laugh as he motioned for me to follow him. "Oh I think you will find that I have taken the liberty of procuring a few things for you."
I followed Sebastian out of the room and down the hall to a room that was filled from floor to ceiling with clothes. "Your new wardrobe."
My jaw dropped as I looked at all the clothes that had been arranged in the massive closet. There were everything from casual jeans and t-shirts to expensive looking suits and formal wear. "I can't accept this." I stammered as I ran my hand over a soft looking sweater.
"Of course you can." Kade chuckled as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. "You are my mate, and I take care of my family."
"But this is way too much, I could never wear everything in this room in an entire lifetime." I stammered as I leaned into Kade's solid body.
"Well it's a good thing you now have multiple lifetimes to enjoy with me." I felt Kade grin as he placed a soft kiss on the top of my head. "I will leave you in Sebastian's care while I finalize everything with the council."
After hours of fittings and alterations Sebastian was finally satisfied with the garments chosen for the council dinner. I was then sent off to my room with a selection of casual clothes and a promise that more would be delivered to my room later. I groaned at the comment as I made my escape and shuffled back to my room.