Page 106 of Only Flames Remain

“I’ve been waiting so long for you,” he whispered against my lips, reverent.

My leg reached up to hook over his hip. He growled against my mouth, nipping at my swollen lips. I felt flames in my blood, pulsing hot beneath the surface.

I was losing control.

I pushed him away, crossing the room to put distance between us. I was on fire.

I knew that if I could still feel his hot breath against my skin, I wouldn’t be able to clear my thoughts. My chest was heaving, my hand coming up to wipe my mouth.

“What in the gods above was that?” I asked, panting.

His gaze locked on mine from across the room. An invisible thread connected us, drawing me back toward him.

“Aveline, I didn’t mean to—”

I rolled my eyes. “Sorin. I kissed you. But I need to know what the hell that was…because I have never felt anything—”

“We are mates.” The words were out of his mouth in a single, fleeting moment.

I stepped backward only to find myself pressed up against one of the wooden bed posts. My hand flitted to my chest, my heart pounding beneath my palm. “Sorin, I don’t think—”

“We are mates, Aveline. We are each other’s fated.” He swallowed hard, taking a tentative step toward me but stopping when my gaze fell from his.

I shook my head fervently, tipping back as a disbelieving laugh escaped my lips.

“We can’t…” I started, voice taut and hoarse. “We can’t be. Humans don’t feel the bond—”

Sorin inclined his head as he watched me, gaze molten. “But you aren’t human.”

The realization crashed down on me all over again.

I could feel the bond. I had been drawn to him since the moment we met. When I had run out of poison, it was as if that invisible string had suddenly sprung free after being suppressed.

Did I have any say in the matter, or did the bond simply decide for me?

I moved toward the door once more with a frustrated huff, aiming to storm out of his chambers for the second time within the hour.

“Aveline—” Sorin was before me within a blink, blocking my way to the door.

He had respected when I needed space before, I knew he would respect it now, too.

“Sorin.” His name was a warning on my lips, my chin turned away from him.

“I can explain everything. This is what I wanted to talk to you about. Last night, at the ball. The moment I met you…the moment we began spending time together… my curse started to heal.” My head shook back and forth as my eyes pressed closed. His words threatened to tear open the fragile hold on my control. “The mage who cursed me…she told me that the only way to heal my wound was to find you. To find my mate. With you, I am stronger than I have ever been before.”

“You are betrothed!” The words escaped my lips on a cry, my hand moving up my chest to cover the blush rising up my throat.

“So are you!” he roared back. “And to my enemy, no less!”

This was a godsdamned nightmare.

I had officially reached my breaking point. I had come back to the castle to find answers, only to find myself more confused than ever.

I had the right idea the first time…I needed to be alone with my thoughts.

I moved around Sorin but he stopped me, his touch featherlight on my arm. “I won’t stop you, Aveline. But we need to talk.”

I pressed my eyes shut once more, nodding. “We will talk, I promise. But right now—right now I need to be alone.”