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“But you can’t kill her,” Liam says. “She’s my mate and that makes her an extension of the royal house.”
I glance over at Liam. I can’t tell if he’s for real. If what he’s saying is true, it’s a nice way to keep me alive for now. But there’s a part of me that knows he’s not just saying it.
Liam isn’t the type to put himself at risk for someone else.
My heart beats faster.
If this is true, if Liam is my mate, what does that mean for Adrian? What about Corbin?
I’m still shaky on the whole mate thing in the first place. Would I really form a mating bond with two males who don’t want to or can’t be with me? Was that even possible? Adrian said it was like soulmates. Where I come from, you only get one of those. But then he said the way they view relationships here is different.
Now my head hurts.
But Lucinda isn’t looking at me like she’s going to drag me out of here by my hair anymore.
“You’re sure?” Lucinda asks Liam.
“I’m sure,” he says.
“You realize that by swearing that in front of a senior member of the family, it’s official. You and her will be considered a mated pair for life.”
“What?” I don’t know what all that means but it sounds awfully final.
Lucinda smirks. “Mating bonds aren’t flights of fancy. You two claim this, and you’re committed. Even if you find other lovers, you’ll have to maintain your responsibility for one another. You know that’s the way.”
“I know,” Liam says.
“Liam…” I look at him as fear bubbles inside me. I don’t know what any of this means.
But his eyes find mine and the fear melts away. I trust Liam. I shouldn’t, but I do.
Liam turns back to his aunt. “We understand.”
“Harper, you agree to this?” she asks. “If you two have a bond, I will not kill you. But you will have responsibilities as a member of the ruling house.”
“Can you give us some time before you tell everyone?” Liam asks.
“I’ll try,” she says. “But I’m not the only one who wanted her dead.”
“I understand,” Liam says.
“I don’t,” I say.
“I’ll keep them at bay,” Lucinda says as she stands. “But it’s best for both of you if you find a solution in the next few months. Harper won’t get a third semester at Brimstone.”
My chest is tight and nervous flutters fill my stomach. I think that means she’ll keep others from trying to kill me. But it was also a threat.
My head spins as I watch her walk to the door. Liam opens it for her, then closes it behind her after a formal goodbye.
I stand where I am, feeling numb. It’s a lot to process.
When Liam turns back to face me I see a softness in his expression I haven’t seen before. “You didn’t sell me out. You could have told her my secret.”
“How could I?” I ask. “You might drive me insane but I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
“Thank you,” he says.
“Is that why you did it?” I ask. “Why you told her we had a bond?”
