Simone had gone immediately to her rooms, avoiding everyone and their pitying looks. Her personal items and clothes were all packed in a small bag, and she set at the end of her bed wondering about how few possessions she actually owned. This place had been her home for the last 7 years, yet she didn't have many things that she called her own. She wouldn't regret her decision; the visions for the offered hand, and the dream of the voice calling out to her, she should have realized it sooner really. This was what was supposed to happen. A knock on her door pulled away her attention.
"Come in." The door opened slowly as if the person was ready to change their mind. Jack stood there for a few beats before coming to sit beside her. She gave him a sad smile.
"You knew. You knew this was going to happen, that this was how the alliance would be formed." It wasn't a question.
"I wasn't certain, but I knew it could be a possibility."
"Why didn't you tell me before. I was completely blindsided." He sighed. She shrugged and pulled her braid over her shoulder, twisting it.
"If I had, would you have still agreed to meet with them? And honestly, I didn't even think of it until we were already there. The cliff with the ruins was the same as my vision. It clicked into place then."
"No one is really happy about this, but they will go along with it because you are."
"You don't have to like it, Jack, you just have to understand that it needs to happen. You are a leader; you always have to do right by your people." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.
"I don't want you to do this."
"I said I would be okay. Bonding with Reaper won't be such a horrible thing." His arm around her tightened and she could hear his grinding teeth again.
"I hate this. We should make them reconsider, maybe someone else…" He noticed her bag sitting by the door. Looking around the room quickly, he realized all of her stuff was gone.
"Why...?" He asked, frustration choking off the rest of his words. He took a calming breath.
"You may have to bond with him, but you won't go into that forest."
"Of course I will. I can't live here after we bond."
"If you go, I will never see you again."
Simone turned, giving his a bruising hug.
"Jack." Her voice muffled against his chest. They held each other for a long time, Jack relaxing into the hug and returning it.
"I'm still a part of the council, I will be back at least once a month."
"I love you." Jack's voice broke a little, finally accepting what was happening.
"I know. And I love you too. But we both know what needs to happen." Jack left soon after that, with no other arguments. There were several other visitors that night, each to tell her how much they would miss her, or trying to convince her to stay. Hana seemed to be the only one excited about the bonding ceremony, even if she wasn't invited. When she finally managed to fall asleep, it was a dreamless night.
Sunlight and another visitor woke her early the next morning. When she replied, Angela stuck her head through the door. Simone set up and stretched, pulling out her wings.
"May I help?" The other woman asked. Simone nodded and Angela came to sit on the bed with her. Pushing Simone's hair aside, she started to groom the soft, gray feathers.
"You don't seem nervous." Angela tried some small talk.
"Not just yet."Simone agreed.
"I wanted to let you know that before... Gabriel was a really good man before he changed. He was gruff and short-tempered at times, but good. And I know that Jack doesn't believe so, but I feel like he could still be that good man." She thought heavily for a minute.
"The stories you hear about Reaper can scare people, but I don't believe them. You don't seem afraid either."
"I'm not afraid of him, but not because I'm trying to be brave or anything." Simone replied, braiding her hair over her shoulder slowly.
"My vision…" Simone began hesitantly, receiving an encouraging noise from Angela to make her continue.
"The emotions I felt in my vision weren't sadness or fear. When he was there I wasn't afraid. I know that when I am with him, I will be safe, and I could even be happy. I didn't say so before, but I liked those feelings. That's why I'm not scared or nervous."
"I'm glad to hear that." Angela smiled. She finished grooming Simone's wings.
"You should wear them out for the ceremony." Angela suggested. Simone shrugged.
"If it's not raining." Angela nodded, standing.
"I'll let you finish getting ready. I'll see you when we leave." She left, shutting the door quietly behind her. Simone smiled to herself as she got up. It was nice to hear that someone else out there had hope for Reaper. Gabriel, she would have to refer to him as Gabriel, she reminded herself. She chose a simple silver dress to wear, standing in front of the mirror examining herself. She shook out her hair, running her fingers through it. The rose gold color looked good against the dress so she decided to wear it down. Chewing her lip she realized that she wanted to look good for the ceremony and her future bond mate. Blushing lightly she turned, grabbed her bag and left the room for the last time.
It had been tense; when everyone had once again showed up at the ruins. There was no time for fuss, everyone wanting to get this finished as soon as possible. Jack stole one last hug from her before she went to stand in her place, and Angela took her cloak from her, giving her an encouraging nod. She stood beside her future bond mate and let out her would have been nice to see if Gabriel reacted, but that mask covered all emotions.
"Let us begin." Zenyatta started.
Simone's heart picked up in pace, beating hard against her ribs.
"Standing here before all witnesses, I bind the two of you. With my magic I bind yours, together in life. As a bind you, so I bind your people and your lands." Simone and Reaper were standing facing one another, left arms held out. The silver claws of his gloves tickled her elbow while her fingertips rested lightly on the inside of his arm. Zenyatta was before them, while Jack and everyone else was behind them. A wave of Zenyatta's hand brought a thin gold chain of glowing light to wrap around their forearms.
"With your acceptance, I bind your life, together in magic. With your love, I bind your souls. Gabriel, do you accept these vows?"
"Yes." He rumbled, with only the slightest of hesitation.
"Um, I realise I do not remember your name." Zenyatta whispered, sounding embarrassed. Simone felt a blush creep across her cheeks.
"Simone." She whispered back.
"Simone, do you accept these vows?"
"Yes." Simone said confidently, remembering the warm feelings from her vision.
"If the witnesses have no objections," He paused, though not for more than a second.
"The two of you are bound, your souls entwined until death take you. From this day forward our lands are allies, in war and in peace." The gold chained glowed brighter before dissolving completely. Simone had a new awareness to the man next to her, she could almost feel his magic sitting right below his skin. She wondered if he could feel hers.
Simone said her goodbye and collected her bag from Winston. When everyone was ready, she opened them a portal and closed it after they had left.
"A nephilim and portals, any other surprises?" Gabriel asked, taking her bag.
"We will have to see." She gave a small smile, Torbjorn gave a big barking laugh.
"I like this one. I have a feeling she is going to make things interesting."
"Is there any possibility you can open a portal for us as well?" Zenyatta asked
"Sorry, no. I can only open portals to places I have been before."
"Every power has its limitations." He sighed and shrugged politely.
"Come on. We have a long way to go." Gabriel growled, leading the way. Simone quickly brought in her wings and put on her traveling cloak.
"That is absolutely fascinating." Zenyatta said quietly. Simone blushed heavily, pulling her hood up.
"I don't mean to offend. It's just that you are the first Nephilim that I have ever really met."
Simone gave him a sweet smile.
"It's okay. I've just never been complimented on my flight magic before."
"That is a shame, you have very beautiful wings."
"Thank you." She stammered out, embarrassed again.
"You are actually the first dark elf that I have ever met." She confessed.
"Understandably. We do not leave the forest often." Zenyatta returned her smile.
Simone looked towards said forest, and her heart leapt in her chest. It was so close, closer than she had ever been before. Just a few steps and she would be under the trees. Sound became muffled and she tried swallowing around the lump in her throat. She was going into that dark and scary place; she was going to live there. In a strange place, surrounded by strangers. She finally realized that she should be nervous and worried, regardless of what her visions had shown her. Her hands fisted the material of her cloak, and she found it hard to put one foot in front of the other; she was scared.
"What's all this standin' around for?" Torbjorn asked impatiently. Gabriel looked back over his shoulder, seeing her frozen in place with Zenyatta waiting next to her.
"What are we waiting for?" He asked.
"I'm sorry." Simone whispered. Her left wrist tingled slightly as Gabriel came towards her.
"I've never been into the forest. It's a little… intimidating." She chewed at her bottom lip as she waited for their response.
"That's the point." Gabriel said, steering her forward with a hand at the small of her back.
"To scare away innocent little things like you, before you get eaten up!" Torbjorn laughed loudly.
"What?!" She turned to the short man, eyes huge.
"Enough." Gabriel barked.
"Let's go." His hand putting more pressure against her back.
"Is he serious?" She asked Gabriel in a whisper. She looked up at him, once again wishing he wasn't wearing the mask so she could read his expression.
"You will be fine." He simply said, not really reassuring her. She unconsciously moved closer to him as they finally entered the forest.