MAYA
He pulled me in closer as our kiss intensified. I completely gave away to his touch. My knees buckled and I lost control of my legs, but Xander caught me before I could fall to the ground. He leaned further into me with his left hand on my back for support and the right on on my cheek.
After what felt like an eternity, he pulled away from me. Then he took my bleeding palm and pressed it against his own. Our blood seeped into each other, mingling and binding us together in a way that felt far more permanent than any marriage vow.
"There," he whispered against my ear. "Now we're connected forever."
He led me to the first standing stone, holding our joined hands out so that a drop of our mixed blood could touch the ancient surface. As soon as it made contact, the stone ignited with a
