Page 34 of Grave Expectations

“Of the tether?” Alaric asked.

Of course he understood without explanation. She’d double-checked the limited information about the tether and confirmed that it didn’t connect souls or hearts or emotions—just the physical. Her attraction to him, his ability to understand her intimately, and his attraction to her, were all organic.

“Yes,” she confirmed.

“Alright,” Alaric agreed.

“More than a drop of blood this time,” she said.

“A drop was plenty before,” he said.

“And it wore off quickly.”

“You can still see me, I can still touch you. That is all that matters to me,” he said. “Though I do enjoy being helpful.”

“Then consider it an experiment—does more blood last longer? Franny seemed to think the tether could only be so strong, but she said nothing about how long it could last.”

“Because she didn’t know,” Alaric said. “Does the book say anything? About a stronger tether?”

It did, but Roz didn’t want to talk about that.

“Are you ready?” she asked instead of answering his question. He nodded, though he watched her curiously. Roz pricked the tip of her finger several times, squeezing until her finger was covered in a thin sheen of blood. She brushed her finger across the back of his hand, painting a single line across it.

Alaric took Roz’s hand in his and brought her finger to his mouth, kissing it softly. A bit of her blood lingered on his lips before his tongue snaked out to it.

“I can taste it,” he breathed.

“My blood?” she asked, breathless.

“Yes. I haven’t been able to taste anything in…” he trailed off, his eyes narrowing as he watched her. “Are you okay?”

“Overwhelmed, I think,” she said, her voice still airy.

“No, you look pale...”

She blinked at him a few times, the corners of her vision darkening slightly. She shook her head to clear it. “I haven’t been getting much sleep,” she said.

“That’s not what this is. Franny said it—there is always a cost. A price. And the book warned about vitality.” He scrubbed his hand over his face.

“It’s already passed,” Roz said, though she wasn’t sure if she could stand just yet. Her eyelids were heavy, and she knew if she stayed on the couch much longer, she’d fall asleep.

This was the difference between intent with her blood magic and excess. When it spilled out from disuse, she felt nothing, but now? Using it intentionally, often? The toll was immediate and obvious.

“You still don’t look well,” Alaric said. “I don’t need to be that corporeal, especially if this is the cost. I told you, I am happy to remain able to touch you and you alone.”

“It’s fine,” Roz said, putting her hand on his. “It was just a little dizzy spell. Who’s to say it’s even from the magic? Maybe I’m coming down with something?”

“I will not allow you to injure yourself for my vanity,” Alaric said, his voice even.

“It’s a pinprick⁠—”

“Rosalin.” His voice was curt, borderline cold. “I refuse to be the reason you fall ill, or don’t live as long, or whatever else the cost of this magic is. This experiment is over.”

She blinked at him, taken aback. “I can make my own choices,” she said.

“As can I. You may be happy to bleed for those around you, but I will not allow you to suffer for it. If you want to test the other trials, find out more about your magic, I will stand by your side and cheer you on. But I will not take from you any more than I have.” He crossed his arms over his chest to emphasize his point.

“Okay,” Roz said after a few moments. Why wouldn’t he let her help him? It was just a few drops of blood, a little wooziness. It was mostly past now, and she just felt…tired. Like she’d been pulling weeds all day.