Page 12 of A Bond So Deadly

Raith grunts and starts lumbering across the room.

Before he can reach Galen’s bedroom door, Galen steps into his path. “Don’t even think about it. I will kick your ass if you so much as think about damaging a single book in my shelves. You’re not trustworthy while in this state.”

Raith’s monster huffs a laugh that makes my toes curl, and a wall of shadows builds to our right. He pivots, heading toward the shadow pathway instead.

As he nears it, I peer at where Knox is still cradling my creature’s nest, the glittering black and blue of her patterned egg sparkling against the shadows. My mate’s dark gaze connects with mine, and the longing in his expression makes my heart stutter.

Just a few days ago, I would have said Knox was the biggest ass, but now I remember my laughter as Raith and Knox had visited me in my dreams all those years ago. The sound whispers through my mind as I remember how happy we’d been. For that brief moment in time, everything had seemed…perfect. But that was before the shadow queen cursed me. Before Raith thought Knox had helped the queen kill me. And now everything is messed up. As Raith carries me into the shadow pathway, a sense of foreboding washes over me. Despite everything we’ve already been through, I can’t help but feel like this is only the beginning. And the worst may be yet to come.

The frigid air cools my skin as we emerge into the academy forest, and I try not to worry about being away from my creature. Knox will get you if the egg starts to hatch, Shade. Relax. I have no idea how long it will be until she hatches, but when it happens, I want to be there.

Raith sets me on my feet, and I take in the familiar ghostly trees and vegetation. Fog drifts around my legs, reaching up to my thighs, and while there aren’t any red eyes staring at us from the darkness, I’m sure there are animali prowling the forest.

Raith stares at me with a predatory grin, his monster still in complete control, and shadows curl around his massive horns. Raith has remained naked since he changed forms in the amphitheater, though during the battle his shadows almost acted like clothing. But not now. No, now his shadows leave his tattooed skin bare, because I’m guessing his monster wants me to see everything he has to uh, offer.

As my gaze drops, I suck in a sharp breath. Holy freaking smut gods. It was easier to pretend I’d forgotten how big he is when I was avoiding looking at it, but now, I can’t help but feel intimidated as I gape at the huge erect appendage. Had that really fit in me? I’m not sure if I’m more terrified or excited at the idea of him using it on me again. Let’s go with terrified.

The monster smirks, his dark eyes remaining fixed on me, and I get the feeling he’s waiting for something. Lifting my gaze, I give him a quizzical look.

His smile broadens, sharp fangs peeking between his lips. “Run, tiny mate,” he says in a low guttural growl that makes my core clench.

I let out a nervous laugh because I’m sure he must be kidding, but when he continues staring at me expectantly, my laughter tapers off. “Oh crap. You’re serious, aren’t you?” What the hell is it with my mates wanting to make me run? It’s bad enough that Thane seems to have a fetish for making me jog until I almost pass out. Now, I realize Raith’s monster is obsessed with primal play. Which would be great, except for you know, the running part.

Raith’s shadows move so fast I don’t see them strike. There’s a sharp crack in my ears, and my clothes slide off me, falling to tatters at my feet. The only things remaining are my boots, otherwise I’m standing there completely naked.

The monster growls in satisfaction, smiling smugly as he drags his lust-filled gaze over me. “Run, mate,” he demands again.

Okay, so it’s not just running that he likes. It’s me running through the forest naked. The desire that goes through me is almost crippling, but I’m still not a huge fan of the idea of running. I turn my pleading gaze to Galen, though going by his small smile, I get the feeling he’s not going to be any help. “Does it have to be running?” I complain.

Galen shrugs. “I’m mostly here for damage control, treasure. We all have our…preferences.”

Oh great. This is just great. I turn my attention back to my monster who’s still smirking at me, and once again I find myself staring at his huge cock. I try to remind myself that it doesn’t matter how big he is because of my shifting abilities, but there’s a small part of me that wonders what will happen if my magic doesn’t cooperate this time. I mean, sure, I’m no longer cursed, but I still don’t feel like I’m in full control of my powers.

The monster chuckles darkly like he can sense my fear.

Galen must realize I’m spiraling because he moves beside me, stroking his fingers along my neck. “You okay there, treasure?”

“Uh-huh. Sure,” I lie, licking my dry lips as I stare at the monster in front of me. “Never better, except what if, you know, my body forgets how to shift? What if I can’t…handle him? I mean⁠—”

The monster’s rattling laugh has the words dying in my throat.

“Run, tiny mate,” he growls. “Make it a hundred yards before I count to ten, and I’ll be gentle.”

Yeah, going by the dark look in his eyes, I don’t believe a word of that. Not to mention there’s no way I can make it that far in ten seconds. I open my mouth to protest, but Raith’s monster gives me a fanged smile.

“One!” he growls, the sound vibrating in his chest. “Run tiny mate. And you might still be able to walk when I’m done with you.”

I still want to protest, but his words spur me into action. Fear and anticipation has me turning from a smiling Galen, and sprinting between the closest trees.

Fog stirs around me as I run, and I stumble through the bushes, twigs snapping under my boots. The air is an icy kiss against my exposed skin, but it doesn’t dull the warmth spreading inside me.

“Two!” Raith’s monster shouts, his voice projecting through the forest.

I make it a few more steps before, “Three!”

Oh, crap. I wonder if anyone has died by being penetrated by a monster cock before. Would it be a slow death or a fast one?

I’m so distracted that I must miss my monster yelling the next number. When I hear him again, he’s shouting, “Five!”