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“Katherine Décès.”
GABRIEL
Two little words and my world unravels. The woman who I’ve craved since I sampled her, the woman who made my undead heart beat with purpose, the one I haven’t been able to get out of my mind since I spotted her from across my club.
Her heart has been tied to mine since before she was born; the Goddess made her for me and I let her slip through my fingers. This should make me happy, knowing that what I feel for her isn’t simply superficial, but what Valentine said brings all of that to a screeching halt.
Katherine is my Fated, and she has the Unbinding Potion in her possession.
“Did she request this?” I ask, keeping the tone of my voice deadly calm when he nods.
“She wanted nothing to do with the Bond. It terrified her,” he says while wiping away his crimson tears and impaling me with those words.
Did she not feel the same way as me? She can see the Thread, surely she should feel more than the pull I do? Or perhaps I’m mistaken… perhaps the Fated Bond isn’t as potent as described. Why else would she run from me?!
“How will I know if she’s taken it?”
Valentine swallows hard. “You will feel it,” he says, getting to his feet and taking a tentative step toward me. “Gabe, If I knew—”
“No,” I hold up my hand to silence him and shake my head. “Find her and don’t return until you do. You made this mess, you fucking fix it,” I say, then turn my back on him and walk away.
Fuck, I know this isn't entirely his fault, that I am to blame for forcing him to make that vow, but he should have come to me with this. He should not have made this decision on his own, especially since he thinks so highly of the Fated Bond.
Growling, I punch the marble wall next to me as the realization sets in; a few hours ago my Fated fell asleep in my arms. Then she left, taking my entire life with her.
I pass Amara on the stairs leading up to our bedroom and her gaze lowers when she sees my face. I have to pretend to be a happily married man while appeasing the council, all while knowing that my Fated has the means by which to break our bond.
Fuck it, I need to calm down. I have to figure out a way to keep my head in this game without going crazy. I trusted Valentine before and he stayed loyal to the point of thinking what he was doing was best. So I will trust him with retrieving Katherine and keep up this fucking charade.
I’ve given up my life for my nest and am willing to sacrifice everything to keep them safe. That will all be tested now as I slip into this role. Hopefully, it won’t fucking be forever.
* * *
Forever is an understatement.
Every day I wake up with a hollow feeling in my gut and trepidation in my heart, wondering if today will be the day I feel the Fated Bond severing. But it doesn’t come, and I grow more anxious by the day.
A cold sweat covers my body whenever I see Valentine’s name on my caller ID, but it ends up with him simply checking in and telling me about leads.
Katherine honestly didn’t want anyone to follow her; after leaving the estate in Vegas, she bought a car at a dealership and went radio silent.
That was nearly four months ago.
Four months of living like this. Four months of being the council’s puppet and pretending to be happy with a woman I don’t know.
Amara plays her role well and keeps out of my way, but it’s not fair to her when I grow cold and distant. She’s done nothing wrong to me and continues to be nothing but sweet, yet I treat her like garbage.
“I’m heading out,” I say to her and am about to leave the bedroom when her voice makes me stop.
“Don’t forget, we need to leave before 8 pm,” she says and walks out of the walk-in closet dressed in nothing but a corset and lace panties with her hand on her hip.
Then she sighs and smiles sweetly. “The Gala later? You’re the guest of honor.”
“Ah,” I say, regretfully remembering that I’d need to prolong my role in public tonight. “That’s in two hours, so it won’t be a problem. My meeting with Giuseppe shouldn't run too long.”
She nods, then turns around and saunters back inside. This will be our first formal public appearance since I took the seat of King, and I’m looking forward to it as much as I look forward to a baobab stake through the heart.
Suit and tie instead of jeans and boots; life couldn’t get any better.
