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Delirium couldn’t cause real pain.

Which meant—

Which meant—

Peri’s mind lurched, scrambling for order, for understanding.

This was real.

Her breath hitched. Horror poured through her in a sickening rush as the pieces clicked into place.

They were forcing her to be bound in this way to Valus.

No. No! Not like this. Not—

Her body shook violently.

She whimpered, “No.”

Then again. Louder.

Again.

And again, her voice breaking, rasping and rough with desperation.

“No-no-no-no-no.”

A slurred prayer.

A last, frantic will to live.

Her ragged sobs soon swallowed any hope of words.

A heavy hand pressed hers against parchment, and through the fog in her mind she recognised the murmured blessing. A marriage blessing.

Strong arms lifted her.

She struggled, her kicking feet slamming against the doorway as someone carried her away—away from her father’s concerned voice.

Into darkness.

Not alone.

But definitely without help.

Peri’s eyes fluttered open just as Valus threw her onto her bed.

Something cool pressed into her palm. Her first instinct was to shove it back at him, but her fingers barely moved before he cursed and forced something between her lips. Bitter liquid burnt down her throat before she grasped what was happening.

Her vision swam. Pain throbbed through her hand still, radiating outward like a pulse. The mating’s blood oath.

Slowly, the world steadied. Valus crouched before her, grimacing as he set down the empty vial.

Disdain dripped from his voice. “Since when do you take enhancement potions?” His eyes swept over her, calculating. “You’re lucky I kept your father from figuring it out. This will at least keep you from vomiting.”

Peri blinked hard, trying to ground herself. Sticky gold splattered the sheets beneath her. Her hands moved instinctively to wipe it away—

Only to realise the golden streaks came from her own palm.