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“We can’t be together.” The words came out on a breath of air. “It’s complicated, but what you need to understand is that, despite the circumstances, that bond will always be real for me.”
“Did she reject you?”
I nearly laughed at how offended Lana sounded.
“No,” I laughed. “She’s hurting over this just as much as I am.”
A fact that kept me awake at night, wondering and wishing what I could do to make this right.
Suddenly, a glimmer of understanding appeared in Lana’s eyes.
“Someone force bonded her,” she whispered. I knew what she thought. She thought that someone had force bonded Claire to someone else, and I was the one left out in the cold when it was the other way around. Still, as untrue as the assessment was, it had dulled the ache and need in Lana’s eyes. That need had been replaced with a painful understanding. As far as I knew, Lana and Claire didn’t travel in the same circles, but this woman before me felt a sudden kinship with her just the same.
“Jack, I’m sorry,” she said, her voice rough with emotion. “Gods, when will they stop trying to own us? Control us? It hurts so many more than just the witch in question.”
“I’m sorry, too,” I said. “Trust me, any warlock would be lucky to find a witch like you. I promise you, if there’s any way I can ever make your situation easier, I will.”
Her smile was sad. “You’re a good warlock, Jack.”
“And you’re a good witch. Can we keep this conversation between us?”
She laughed. “Please. I’d hate for someone to know I came over here begging a mated warlock to take me.”
Lana pressed toward the door.
“I’ll see you to your car. Should I call the heat lodge and let them know you’re coming?”
She shook her head as she walked to the door. “I’ll be good. I have my ways. But Jack?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m going to hold you to that promise some day.”
I nodded. “There’s nothing I want more than to make good on that.”
Not only for Lana but also for Claire Landon.
