"Do you believe in magic?"
When my mum asked this question, I thought she was going to start telling us a story, since it was the night of my sister's eighteenth birthday. Instead, that question shattered everything we thought we knew about our lives.
Because that night, our world changed.
Now here I am, standing outside the gates of the academy, watching my sister's car disappear down the long stone road.
The academy looks mesmerisingly gothic from the outside with tall towers, ivy-covered walls, and stained-glass windows glowing faintly under the evening sky.
Beautiful.
Intimidating.
Mysterious.
But who knows what awaits me inside?
Wait.
I think I know.
A new magical power.
And a mate.
I still can't believe this is actually happening, even as my sister and her mate, Edrin, drive away after dropping me off at the academy.
The same academy she attended last year.
The same place where everything began.
That night, Mum said quietly,
"We are part of a secret magical society."
At first, I thought she was joking. But the seriousness in her voice made my stomach twist. She then explained about the five coven families who once summoned the Deity of Magic centuries ago to gain powers.
After the ritual succeeded, the covens unanimously agreed that the Thronecrest family would rule over them for generations to come.
Ever since then, the Thronecrests have presided over the magic system.
Every year, on the anniversary of the day magic was first summoned, they invite the next generation who have turned eighteen to bind themselves to the magic system.
And to their soulmate.
Last year, my sister attended the academy.
She gained her magical power of awakening — the ability to conduct ancient and powerful spells.
She also found her soulmate.
Edrin Ashcroft
Perfect for her in every way.
Which makes me wonder…
Will I find love like that tomorrow?
On the Celestial Binding Day?
I slowly trudge inside the academy, dragging my suitcase behind me.
The building smells rustic and woody like old books, forests, and herbs. The entrance hall is enormous, with high ceilings and long corridors stretching in every direction.
I walk over to the noticeboard to find my room number. After scanning the list twice, I finally spot my name.
AMETHYST RAVENCROFT — ROOM 318
Third floor.
Since luck seems to be on my side, I get a room on the third floor of a four-storey building.
Disappointing.
At least it's not the fourth floor.
I sigh and begin dragging my suitcase towards the staircase.
"Amy!!!"
Only a few people call me Amy, even though my name is Amethyst.
I turn around just in time to see Eira Valecroft running towards me with a ridiculously oversized suitcase. Her dark curly hair bounces wildly behind her, making her look effortlessly beautiful like she stepped straight out of a film.
Before I can react, she throws her arms around me.
The air gets knocked out of my lungs.
But I don't care.
It's been two years since I last saw her.
We became close friends since our houses were next to each other. As kids, we used to climb the fence between our gardens and sneak biscuits from her kitchen at midnight.
We spent nearly every waking moment together.
Until her parents sent her away to boarding school.
"I missed you," she says, squeezing me again.
"I missed you too."
I ask her to check her room so we can walk upstairs together.
Turns out she's even luckier than me.
Her room is on the second floor.
Of course.
We both decide to unpack and freshen up before meeting an hour later to explore the academy.
The next hour passes quickly.
We eat, laugh, and wander around the academy's winding hallways.
Eira tells me stories about her boarding school the strict teachers, midnight gossip sessions, and the time she nearly got expelled for sneaking out.
Meanwhile, I update her about my sister.
About the academy.
About everything Mum revealed that night.
It feels good to catch up.
Even better knowing I'm not going through all of this alone.
Later that evening, we try on our dresses for tomorrow.
Mine is an elegant halter-strap gown with delicate embroidery across the corset and a long flowing skirt in my favourite colour.
Amethyst purple.
Because we share the same name.
Eira's dress is a soft pink gown with a deep square neckline that somehow makes her look both innocent and sophisticated at the same time.
We spend far too long discussing hairstyles, jewellery, and shoes.
Eventually, exhaustion wins.
We fall asleep in the same bed, still talking.
The next day arrives far too quickly.
By the time we wake up, eat brunch, and manage to get lost twice inside the massive academy, it's already time for the most anticipated event of the day.
The ritual.
TheCelestial Binding.
We help each other get ready in nervous excitement before heading towards the grand hall.
The room is breathtaking.
A massive chandelier hangs above us, easily large enough to fill my entire bedroom. Along the stone walls, beautifully crafted fire lamps flicker softly.
At the centre of the hall stands a raised altar.
A large bonfire burns in its middle.
Neither of us really knows what tonight's ritual involves.
So, we're completely blindsided.
The room gradually fills with students from all five covens.
Some look excited.
Some terrified.
Some whisper nervously about who their soulmate might be.
Suddenly, a tall man, easily over six feet, steps forward towards the altar.
He is dressed entirely in black, with a hood shadowing part of his face.
"Silence."
His voice cuts through the room instantly.
The murmurs vanish.
"I am Xylos Thronecrest, and I will be initiating your binding to our magic system."
Even without a microphone, his voice echoes clearly across the hall.
"I will now add rare sage to the fire. This will heighten your mate-bond senses so that you may find your soulmate within this room."
He drops herbs and fine powder into the fire pit.
The flames crackle loudly.
Slowly, the fire begins to change colour.
Orange.
Violet.
Deep glowing purple.
My adrenaline surges.
My heart starts racing.
I grab Eira's hand tightly.
But suddenly,
She begins walking away.
My senses begin to fade.
The room blurs.
The sounds dim.
Until I can feel only one presence.
One person.
Somewhere across the hall.
My legs begin moving on their own.
Step by step.
Towards him.
Then suddenly,
I collide with someone.
Not someone.
Him.
Slowly, I tilt my head up.
And for a moment, the entire world seems to disappear.
His dark eyes lock onto mine, intense and unyielding.
He studies me carefully — my dress, my neck, my lips.
Like he's memorising every detail.
Meanwhile, I take my time studying him.
His dark hair is slightly tousled, falling over eyes so dark they almost pull you in like a prisoner. He looks… exquisite.
But looks can be deceiving.
Especially when it comes to men.
His custom-made suit reeks of money.
Black and deep violet.
Strangely matching my dress.
That small coincidence makes me smile.
When our eyes meet again, something electric passes between us.
We both move at the same time.
Our lips crash together.
I've kissed before.
But never like this.
When books describe a soul-wrenching kiss, I used to wonder what that actually felt like.
Now I know.
His hand slides behind my neck, tilting my head further back as the kiss deepens.
He tastes faintly of smoke and something sharp...
I grip the front of his coat, holding on as if letting go might break whatever strange magic has pulled us together.
"Raze Thronecrest and Amethyst Ravencroft."
My heart stops.
Raze and…
Me?
Raze fucking Thronecrest?
My stomach drops.
The name alone is enough to make memories rush back.
The youngest son of the Thronecrest family.
I used to know him.
We were friends once. When we were little, we used to play together in the park near our houses.
That was until one day he pushed a girl from the top of the slide.
She fell hard onto the sand and started crying.
When I asked him why he did it, he simply shrugged and said,
"I just don't like her."
We were only five years old.
I told my mum and sister what had happened, and from that day on they never allowed me to play with him again.
After that, he disappeared from my life completely.
I never saw him again not in town, not at shops, not even during festivals.
Until today.
And now I can't believe I didn't recognise him.
Raze looks down at my shocked expression and smirks, like he knows exactly what I'm thinking.
Then he casually raises his hands in mock surrender towards his elder brother.
Feigning innocence.
But everyone here knows he is anything but innocent.
And HE IS MY MATE?!!
I walk beside him towards the altar for the next ritual.
While my sister's warning echoes in my mind.
"Stay away from Raze."