The Bond That Burns

I already knew what else I'd find in her eyes if I looked hard enough. Hatred. Desire. Two sides of the same coin. I knew because they were mirrored in my own eyes.

For the first time in a long time, I fell asleep believing that maybe, just maybe, I was capable of something better. Because of her.

I want to worship you. Say you’ll let me.

I’m still proud. That doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to question the system. And right now I’m questioning whether some of our traditions might be wrong and whether highbloods like you are really trained to all be entitled assholes.

Not fragile. You’re the strongest woman I know. But even strong people need someone in their corner. Let me be that for you. The world is against you,

Stop thinking like a victim. We always have more power than we think. Now, use yours.

She'd fallen asleep in my arms. It was such a simple thing. So why did it feel like a miracle I could barely process?

She was deep inside me now. Woven into my blood. Carved into my heart. But maybe these feelings were poison. Sweet but deadly. Maybe she was right and I should have been fighting just as hard as she was to cut them out.

I’d let myself start to care for her. I still couldn’t take my eyes off her. But now? Part of me hated her all over again. For rejecting me. For rejecting my house. Maybe most of all, for rejecting the most primal, intrinsic part of my nature. My fangs. My bite.

I know,” I whispered back, “you hate me.” Deep down, I knew hatred was all I’d ever deserve from her. I leaned down, kissing her eyelids, her cheeks, her lips. Every wet spot I could find, every tear. I kept kissing her, because if that was all I could give her at that moment, I’d give it all. I kissed her like she was the air I needed to breathe. Gently, reverently. As if I could somehow piece her back together with the touch of my lips.

But you bring the fire. You make even the darkness shine. Even dragon fire can’t compete with the way you burn, Pendragon.

When you’re happy, I’m happy. And when you’re in danger . . .” My voice faltered. “What?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. I looked away from her, my jaw clenching. “When you’re in danger, I feel like I’d gladly give up my life and everything in it to keep you safe.

Ah, yes. Your mate. He is unworthy of you.

Trying to change the terms of our arrangement, are we? Well, if you wanted me naked, all you had to do was ask. I'm not shy.

Fuck, but she was beautiful. Of course, I'd found her attractive since the first day. But now I knew I'd really had no idea. She was a work of art. Sculpted in a way that left no room for flaws. Pale, smooth skin stretched over delicate curves. Every inch of her, a perfect balance of strength and femininity.

By the gods, look at you. You still don’t even think you’ve done anything wrong, do you?

You sound desperate, little wingless one. Did you think I’d abandoned you? I sucked in a sharp breath. You’re not funny. You know that?

No matter what I did, she slipped further and further from my grasp. And the truth was, it hurt so much I didn’t know whether to hold on tighter—or just let her go.

She was a storm of contradictions, all fragility and fire. If she let me, I’d be the one who’d hold her through every storm and tempest on the horizon.

I had to fight a fucking dragon for her attention.

Because for now, the world outside didn't exist. There was only her. For the first time in a long time, I felt as if I wasn't lost. I wasn't broken. I was exactly where I was meant to be.

And what about you? Are you so very different? Are you not angry? Are you not lost?

What’s ridiculous, little dragon, is that you think you can walk into my space and walk out again without any consequences.

Don’t worry about the tribunal tomorrow. That’s why you’re really so upset tonight, isn’t it? Everyone knows where you stand. You’re House Drakharrow’s. And you’re mine.

Why don’t you just fall in line, like a good little girl?

Then, why have you been acting like a fucking pussy? An expression I obviously hate using since my pussy is stronger than your dick any day of the week, but hey, if the expression fits.” She

with Pendragon? I wanted it all. I wanted to talk—and I wanted to hear her talk to me. I wanted to know everything about her—where she really came from, who her family was, her favorite book, her favorite class. I wanted to sleep beside her. Hold her in my arms. Above all, keep her safe. But I couldn’t look forward to doing any of those things. Because she didn’t trust me.

Kage growled. Then, before my eyes, his body began to ripple and contort. It started with his hands. Fingers elongating, nails becoming claws. His shoulders broadened, his neck thickened. And then the motherfucker started sprouting fur. Thick, snowy white fur, covering him in a gleaming coat.

I just wanted to toughen her up a bit.

Vaughn might be in House Orphos, but it’s my bed he sneaks into most nights,” Theo said with a wink.