Omree awaited them in the lab. He stood between the two capsules that held the male and female Sun Dwellers, his hands clasped behind his back, his face drawn. Troyak's father, Xerell, stood next to Omree, his ever-present scowl carving deep lines in his aged face.

Their attendants positioned her and Troyak before their fathers. They stood side by side, sleeves brushing. She struggled unsuccessfully to stop trembling and looked everywhere but at the intimidating capsule.

"We do this for Sitnalta," Omree said hoarsely. Semylyn looked at her father and saw pain glistening in his eyes.

"Troyak, you will be first." Troyak took a deep breath, and with a glance at Semylyn, crossed the space to stand next to the second capsule.

Omree pressed a few command keys and the capsule righted itself, so that its occupant, the girl, Alexandria, would be in a semi-standing position.

The viewing glass of the capsule opened. Troyak didn't look at the girl. Instead, he kept his eyes steady on Omree.

Semylyn, however, took in the female's appearance. Her long blonde hair had been braided in the ceremonial style, mirroring Semylyn's own. She, too, wore a lavender gown. If it were not for the yellow of her hair and the honey-colored skin, she could have been Sitnaltian.

Troyak's eyes found Semylyn's. He looked at her as Omree spoke the traditional oath. 

"Troyak, Son of Xerell, You are to be bonded exclusively, and for as long as you live to this female, do you swear to honor this bonding?"

Troyak's eyes narrowed, his gaze inextricably locked onto Semylyn's. She could not look away, the Sun-Dweller girl faded into the background as she stared at her childhood friend.

She watched the torment blaze in his eyes. He raised his chin and nodded to her as if giving her a silent oath of his own. 

She wanted to run to him. To beg him to stop this tragedy, to save their innocent and precious love.

The steel-like dignity of his expression held her in place. Not even for herself would she tarnish that dignity. As a man and warrior of Sitnalta, he'd accepted his sacred duty as First Defender of the High Guardian and all of Sitnalta. 

His expression was resolute, but his eyes still held the flames of love for her. She fought to hold back the grieving loss from her own eyes, knowing he would respond. The last thing she could do for him was to honor his commitment. He was no longer a boy. He was the First Defender of Sitnalta who was about to Bond his life to another. 

With clenched lips and a lone tear escaping the corner of his eye, he answered Omree's question. "I swear it."

She didn't realize she had been holding her breath, but there it was, puffing out of her in a great gust.

"Very well. Xerell, the bonding bracelet, please." Omree held out his hand.

Semylyn could see now that the girl, Alexandria, already had her bracelet placed upon her right arm. Its match, a slate-gray band, was presented to Troyak.

He offered his arm, sliding the white sleeve of his Bonding tunic to his elbow. Still, his eyes never released his hold on hers.

Omree slid the wristband onto Troyak's arm and snapped it closed.

Troyak sucked in air with a hiss as the bracelet molded to his arm and melded with his skin, becoming part of him. He swayed to the right, grabbing the capsule's edge to steady his stance. His eyes glistened with a fervor Semylyn had never witnessed, and for the first time since the Bonding ritual had begun, he looked down at the Sun-Dweller girl.

"You are bonded thus before these witnesses in sacred partnership. May your Bond save us all."

The last line was not part of the ceremonial dialog and Omree's voice dropped away on the last, desperate word.

Troyak straightened, his expression dazed, his right hand still grasping Alexandria's capsule.

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As a writer, I'm feeling very emotional right now. My heart is torn for Troyak and Semylyn. I feel as though I've betrayed them in the worse way.