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“If you would just use some fucking common sense, you would accept the bond, and this wouldn’t be a problem anymore. I can’t imagine why you are being this fucking obstinate. It’s fucking destiny, Vivian! Your destiny! Not something you have a choice in. And yet, for some reason, you think you’re strong enough to outrun it? Keepers and Destroyers don’t break their bonds, save in death. From the moment that key was given to you, you becamemine.” His voice is feral, possessive.
His words hit me harder than any stone ever has. “But Need said…” I answer, not wanting to believe him.
Leon laughs harshly. “Need would have said anything to get you to do your part and come and wake me so that our bond could do the rest. You were promised to me before you were ever fucking born. From the moment you took your first breath – it was for me. And until you take your last, you belong to me. So, stop fucking fighting, and wake up. You never had a choice. Your freedom was always an illusion. All you are doing now is prolonging the inevitable and potentially at the cost of the lives of millions. Your selfish tantrum ends now. Unlock my fucking collar.”
I can only look up at him in horror.
Death.
My only way out is death. My mind recoils at the thought of being bonded to him for the rest of my life, and the bond flares. The same sinister heat floods my body. I gasp for breath, stepping back from Leon as I try to stamp it down.
“No,” I answer, between deep inhalations. The heat grows worse, but I know it’s coming. I cross my armsagainst myself as if trying to physically hold my body in place.
Leon only shakes his head at me. “Still trying to fight impossible fights.” His tone becomes bitter as he continues. “It’s almost funny. You have a long history of making decisions that don’t bode well for your survival. You make it exceedingly difficult to protect you. You always have. You don’t make good choices, Vivian.”
I frown, trying to figure out where Leon is headed with this. He steps towards me again, and his hand comes around to wrap at the back of my neck.
I still completely, fighting how the bond sends a surge of pleasure through me at his touch. “I’m going to keep you safe. No matter the cost.”
As he finishes his declaration, a spot in the back of my neck begins to burn where Leon’s fingers trace an obscure outline. I try to jerk away from the pain, but Leon’s hold only tightens until he finishes what I’m pretty sure was searing a piece of my skin off. “What the hell was that?” I cry.
“You obviously have some power within you that we don’t understand. Until I know what it is, I’m sealing it off so that you don’t accidentally hurt yourself.” He answers, finally backing away.
My hand reaches out to touch the back of my neck, but I feel nothing, not even a scab. But the rest of me feels like someone just pulled the plug from the bathtub, and I’m draining. The feeling is rapidly replaced by a hollow emptiness inside of me. The bond is still there, but something is missing. Like, I’m wearing sneakers but no socks. It’s not painful, but I don’t like it.
I start to ask Leon how long I need to keep it, but he cuts me off.
“I’m going to leave you here for a time, while I go speak with Need.” His arms are crossed against his chest, and he’s still looking at me with the same bitter expression.
I pause at his words, letting their meaning sink in. “Wait, you’re leaving me here? Alone? Won’t that trigger the bond?” Leon’s words from the day before echo in my mind. That if he’d gotten more than thirty feet from me while I wasn’t accepting the bond, I’d likely black out from pain. Considering my body is still fighting the waves of heat that pound against me, I’m sure the bond is in no way going to be okay with our being separated.
Leon shrugs. “It will undoubtedly be a less than positive experience for you. But all things considered, I think it’s time you learn just how strong the pull between us really is. If this is what it takes for you to finally stop fighting us and give in to your destiny, then so be it.”
“Leon, this isn’t the right way to solve things between us,” I answer between the gasps of air I’m still taking, trying to control the heat that burns through me.
Leon takes another step away from me. His gaze becomes detached as if preparing himself for what he’s about to do. “The castle is warded. You’ll be safe enough here. Sin and Morgana are likely still in the mortal realm.”
“Leon.” My voice is now edged with panic. “Leon, don’t.”
“Mine, Vivian. You are fucking mine. And you’d better come to grips with it while I’m gone.”
And with those words, he disappears.
Chapter 26
PAIN.
Someone is holding a scalding brand and stoking it across my skin. There’s only room for pain. I fall to the ground, still trying to take in air, but my lungs feel like they’re being constricted by the bond, coiling my insides together.
My vision is hazy as dark spots dance in my peripherals. I try to focus, try to latch onto anything other than the sensation of my very blood boiling.
Air.
I need air.
The suffocating press of the bond is making me feel trapped inside my own skin. I can’t breathe. I can hardly think.
Slowly, I raise a hand and start to try andcrawl to the door.
