Daniel walked swiftly through the forest trying to get home. It was a long hike through the enchanted forest but it was worth it. After what seemed like an endless stroll through the woods he finally could see the grand castle far off in the distance. He smiled; he was almost home to the grand castle. He had missed Zeta and would be glad to be home with her tonight instead of the forest floor.

              It made his chest hurt when they were apart like this. It hurt him to be away from her for this long, he thought as he reached the edge of the massive castle grounds. He thought of her in the castle waiting for his return as he kept going. He had never been so glad to be home in his life. He hoped that his love had not been horribly lonely while he was away. He didn't want to go but as a warlock he kept an oath to help, no matter if it affected his personal life or not.

None of it mattered now. What did matter was his Zeta and he was coming home to her this very moment. She was his love, his mate. She was the only other creature in the world that kept his soul balanced. He didn't know what he'd do without her. He felt as if something was missing the whole quest, something was missing, his mate. He finally made it to the huge castle doors and slipped inside. He saw George walking down the corridor.

"Keep it quiet, I want to surprise Zeta." Daniel told him.

"Yes, sir, good to see you home." George whispered.

"Thank you George." Daniel told him.

Daniel then crept through the corridor, checking several of the spacious and well decorated rooms of the grand castle. He kept checking until he found the one Zeta was in. When he saw her his heart began to race. He snuck in and tip toed until he was right behind her. Daniel put his arms around her and she spun around quickly.

"I've missed you so much dear." He confessed to his companion.

"I missed you too. It was difficult to be torn away from you like that, but I'm happy you have returned to me." Zeta told him in between kisses.

"It's okay now honey, I'm here and everything is fine." He told her as he held on to her a little tighter. It was all the comfort she needed. A few minutes with him and she was fine. She needed him and he needed her. The two were inseparable.

The next morning Stergis was awake long before his mate, he liked to watch the sun rise and meditate during the stillness of the dawning hours. It was peaceful. He loved to watch the sun come up, it was mesmerizing to him. He enjoyed it with a hot cup of warlock's brew and his book of shadows each morning. 

            It brought him a sense of inner quiet and spiritual growth. He loved his peaceful ritual but he always looked forward to his soul mate finding him when she got up. Hey would sit together having warlocks brew good conversation and a few laughs.  He couldn't imagine his life now without her. By the time that she had joined him that late morning he had gotten a lot of work done. He had great friends and a purpose. In a few days he would be bonded with his love. When Ravenessa walked into the room he put his work aside, as he usually did.

"Good morning darling." Stergis greeted her taking a sip from the large mug.

"Good morning, I'm so glad you have returned dear.' She spoke from her heart with a look of longing in her eyes as she sipped a cup of warlocks brew. She sat next to him just glad to see him this morning.

"I'm glad to be home with our as well." He told her before giving her a soft innocent kiss on the cheek.

The two of them sat together that morning sipping drinks as he told her more about his adventure and the caves. He then bent down under the table and pulled out the staff. He wanted her to have it a few days early. She was so surprised she almost dropped her cup. She couldn't believe he would give her something so sentimental. It was more than she had ever expected for a gift. It was a beautiful antique style staff. It looked rare. She didn't know what to say so she leaned in and kissed him

"I love it. What an amazing relic." Ravenessa responded transfixed by its essence.

         She seemed lost in the staff, like it called to her, was meant for her. He sat there sipping the last of the brew watching her eyes light up when he gave her the relic. He loved that look on her. He couldn't believe how happy she made him. Stergis of course loved every moment of it. She was his soul mate; they were both excited about the upcoming ceremony with all of their friends. He never knew life could be this wonderful. Stergis felt as if he were lost in a dream. He had never been this happy in all his years.

"Darling there's something I want to talk to you about." Stergis told her in a serious neutral tone.

He paused for a few minutes to get her full attention and finish what had been left in the hand crafted mug.

"Richer and Daniel asked me to join the brethren, I told them that I wished to discuss it with you before I give an answer." Stergis continued. Then he leaned back in the chair and waited for her response.

"What is that you want?" She asked.

"I was considering saying yes." He replied solemnly.

"I think it would be a good thing." She replied in a soft and gentle tone.

"You really think so?" Stergis asked a little unsure.

"Yes, as long as you don't have another quest before our bonding ceremony." Ravenessa teased him.

"Of course my dear. Is there anything we need to do today?" He asked

"No but tomorrow we will be busy getting things prepared for the ceremony. Why don't we invite the brethren and their companions over for a small celebration?" She suggested.

"I think that is an absolutely wonderful idea." He told her with a soft grin.

Ravenessa leaned in for another long kiss before she went off to get ready to leave. Thirty minutes later she and Stergis were making their way through the enchanted forest. They had planned to stop by Richard's cottage first; it was a lot closer than Zeta's castle. The two were in no real hurry. They enjoyed a simple stroll through the forest together. By the time they reached the long narrow pathway leading to their friend's cottage it was past mid-day. When they reached the cottage, Stergis knocked loud and hard on the old thick wooden door. Richard answered the knock right away.

Richard swung open the door of his cottage and to his surprise he saw Stergis and Ravenessa standing there.

"Hey, great to see you come in please.' Richard invited.

They accepted the invitation, following their host into his cozy living room.

"So what brings you guys out and about today?" Richard asked.

"Stergis and I wish to have a little celebration at our castle with you two and Daniel and Zeta." Ravenessa explained to them.

"What are we celebrating?" Veronia asked as she walked into the room.

"I am joining the warlock brethren." He told his sister.

"Oh, wow. That is reason to celebrate. I'm proud of you." Veronia told her brother.

"Thank you, it means a lot." He told her.

"Should we go and get Daniel and Zeta?" Ravenessa suggested.

"That sounds great to me." Richard told them.

The four of them were ready to go with in minutes. They left the cottage to venture through the enchanted forest to make the long walk to the grand castle. It was far but not impossible for them. They loved the forest, seeing all of the different birds and forest animals. They liked seeing the occasional fairy whiz past them from time to time. The trolls and goblins were out running through the forest getting their work done. It was nice to see the last of winter gone for good, as some of the more exotic plants were springing to life. It was a gorgeous afternoon as they walked through the intense forest, eventually making it to Zeta's grand castle by early evening. When they reached the massive castle doors, Richard knocked three times. Within the next few minutes, George the butler answered the door.

"Master Richard, good to see you sir." George greeted him.

'Where are the lord and lady of the house?" Richard asked him.

"In the library, please do come in all of you." George invited.

He led the four of them down the long corridor leading to the gigantic library. He and Zeta were having tea by the fireplace when their friends came in.

"Hey guys, is everything okay?" Daniel asked his friends.

"Hello everyone, come sit with us." Zeta offered when she saw her friends had come to visit.

"Hello good to see you both." Stergis replied.

Ravenessa ran over to hug Daniel and then Zeta. Then she told them why the four of them had come over.

"Were having a small celebration back at our castle and we'd like you to join us." Ravenessa told the newly bonded couple.

"That sounds fabulous to me; we'd love to come with." Daniel told them.

Zeta was ready to go she loved Rareness's castle, it was gorgeous. The whole group of them left Zeta's castle together and walked briskly through the forest. They were ready for the little celebration to get under way. They knew it would be a lot of fun, when they were all together it was usually a blast. Ravenessa had given her servants the night off. She knew they would need a night of rest before preparing for the bonding ceremony. It didn't take as long as usual to reach her castle. Once everyone went inside, Stergis grabbed the wine and a few bottles of lager to get everyone started.

Once everyone had their first couple of drinks the women huddled up and started gushing and squealing over the details of the bonding ceremony. The warlocks discussed battle tactics and the protection of their beloved forest. The celebration went over very well. Stergis no longer felt like an outsider. He felt finally like he truly belonged somewhere. He had a real life, a great woman who cherished him, wonderful friends. He was enjoying his life. Where there was bitterness and anger, now resided love and joy.

It seemed all of them,  were having a great time. He noticed the wine depleting, so he left the room to grab more for the women and another case of lager for his brothers. He left the room for only a few minutes, he wanted to return to the festivities.  They had let time slip away from them. It well beyond the witching hour before the other two couples called it a night and headed to their homes.

o