A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

A few moments later, they were all walking back up the stairs, leaving Nora behind, as she had fallen asleep after Erik had finished with her.

Erik walked at the head with Elora on his shoulder and the Ashcroft sisters behind them.

Emma looked at Erik's back with a bright smile and matching eyes, while Emily looked a little more anxious. She panned her gaze between Emma and the people in front of her before pulling Emma aside.

Emma looked at her big sister with confusion while Emily looked back at her, her black eyes filled with concern. "Are you sure you want to do this, little Em? I know you've been looking for stability and safety ever since London, but… if it's just about that…"

Emily's protective instincts were screaming out to do something, but she knew that was not what Emma wanted.

Erik and Elora naturally noticed the sisters stopped moving but didn't mind and continued on their own. They, especially Erik, wanted Emma to be sure about this.

Emma looked back at her sister with an understanding smile. "It's not just about that, big Em. Although I won't deny it's part of it. He just offers me everything I ever wanted out of life, and so… he becomes my life."

Despite the fact she couldn't understand precisely how Emma felt, she could still see the happiness and purity in her smile, so she could only sigh and nod. "Alright, Emma. Either way, I'll always be with you for as long as you'll have me."

Emma smiled even brighter and hugged her big sister. "As long as I have you and Sir in my life, what more could I want!"

They stayed in each other's embrace for a few moments longer as anticipation for this immense step in Emma's life filled them both. When they were done, they followed after Erik and Elora, hand in hand.

******

When they arrived in the bedroom, Erik had dressed himself again while Elora had replaced her dominatrix outfit with her regular corset and short skirt.

Erik sat cross-legged on the bed and looked at the sisters with a smile. 'I'm surprised at my own excitement for this,' he thought. 'Although I met a handful of women on Söl who thought they loved me, they all failed Elora's test in the end. Even that one… despite her repeated attempts.'

He shook his head to clear himself from memories of that annoying woman before refocusing on the moment. 'Eventually, I became a little numb to it. But with Emma, it's different. I actually believe she can pass. And I want her to.'

As for Elora, she was busy drawing a sigil on the floor, which was required for what she wanted to do.

The sisters went to stand next to Elora as they looked at the sigil with curiosity. Meanwhile, Erik stood up and moved behind Emma, where he wrapped his arms around her. The white-haired girl smiled warmly and turned her head up to look at his face.

Erik leaned down and lightly kissed her before whispering, "I believe in you."

Immediately, warmth filled Emma's body, and she felt ready to take on the world.

Seeing their romantic display, Emily had to fight the urge to roll her eyes and instead turned to Elora. "So what is this test exactly?" she asked, as she attempted to use her limited knowledge of sigils to inspect the one Elora was creating.

story-by-MvLeMpYr

With her brows furrowed in concentration, Elora answered, "It is called the Heartfire sigil. Essentially, it tests a person's convictions and emotions. Although I did alter it a little for my specific purposes."

The fairies of the Radiant Glade had created the Heartfire sigil as a way to test the people they were planning to enter into a soulbond with.

Elora looked up from her work with a sly grin. "In case you were wondering, Erik and I also went through this and passed with flying colors."

In the past, Elora had insisted on using that sigil to prove to both herself and Erik that she truly did love him and had stepped past her obsession to see something more.

As for Erik, he hadn't really felt the need to prove anything, but he did want to know what Elora and other future women would have to go through.

Emily raised an eyebrow in surprise and turned to Erik for confirmation, trusting his word more than that of the fairy. Seeing him nod made her turn back to Elora with some newfound respect in her eyes. "That… was actually something I'd been wondering about, and makes me feel a little better about all this."

Then she narrowed her eyes. "Still, she better not end up hurt because of this thing. I don't like the fire part in this sigil's name."

Immediately, Erik shook his head. "If this sigil were a danger to anyone, I would never have agreed for it to be Elora's test."

Elora nodded in response. "Heartfire just alludes to someone's inner desires and emotions. If she fails, nothing happens. She can even try again at a later date if she likes."

Raising an eyebrow at the implication that something would happen if she succeeds, Emily asked, "So what if she succeeds?"

Chuckling, Elora explained. "That is where my modifications come into play. If she succeeds, a bond will be formed between her and Erik, one that is perhaps not as profound as the one between me and him but meaningful and useful nonetheless."

Emma's face lit up at that information as she turned her face upwards again to look at Erik. "Really?!" she asked, thinking, 'I thought it was just a technical marriage, but we'll actually be bonded!'

Erik nodded and smiled. "Yeah, but that also signifies the permanence of your decision, Emma." Then he frowned, thoughtfully, "You should also know that the Heartfire sigil has a way of pulling on past traumas. If you have any doubts, this is your last chance to back out."

Seeing Elora was done with the sigil, Emma answered Erik's final provocation by freeing herself from his arms and taking a step forward, right into the middle of the sigil.

She looked at Elora, excitement clear in her eyes. "So what now?"