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I want to reach for the night-forged dagger, but refrain, knowing full well that I can’t use it. Because no matter what they’ve done, Varin is the only hope I have left. “Tell me honestly, are you responsible for Elizabeth cursing Alaric so I would be forced to bind myself to you?” I demand.
The demon tilts their head at an odd angle. “I have never lied to you.”
“Answer me.”
“Do not give me so much credit. I cannot control the choices others make,” Varin says quietly, and I find myself leaning in to catch every word. “Though I have guided your path, I could not foresee the queen cursing the man she wants at her side, knowing it will eventually kill him.”
They sigh and move back, freeing my limbs. I take the opportunity to put distance between us, but remain sitting. I don’t trust my legs to hold me up.
Varin stretches out their arm and slowly unfurls their finger to reveal the slender, silver band. “But yes, it was always my plan to bind you to me with this.”
I suck in a breath and hold it.
“Bind yourself to me, Clara Valmont, becauseIneedyour help. And now… you need mine.”
My eyes lock onto the ring, unable to turn away. In a castle full of immortals, I am far from the strongest being here. Questioning the offered help I desperately need is foolish, but I need to understand. “I’m human. What could I possibly do for a demon? If you bargained with Elizabeth—”
They snarl, and that breaks the ring’s hold. I snap my head up and meet eyes glowing with power. “I need your help to free mefrom her. It isbecauseof her that I am locked in this cell… and that is why I help you.” Varin smiles. “Bargain with me, help me, and I will help you save your oath bonded.”
I sought Varin out for this. No matter the consequences. No matter the price. I came here knowing that I would agree to whatever it is they demand of me.
Now it seems Elizabeth has given us both another reason to work together.
“When the queen poisoned you, she was under the impression that the demon blood came from Kharis.” The mouth on the skeletal face widens into an unsettling grin. “But I replaced it with my own.”
“Why?”
“Her demon’s blood would have killed you… But with mine I could heal you and keep you from walking into the Otherworld. Because you lived, you are stronger and will be able to wield my power and oppose hers.”
I blink and things I’ve forgotten, become clear. A conversation in the dark, Varin’s hand around my throat, and the feeling of their power rushing through my veins, healing me. I nearly died that night… Iwouldhave died without them.
“Demons’ powers can’t oppose each other,” I say, remembering what Cassius told me. “How can I use it against Elizabeth’s?”
“That is true…” Varin’s lifts their hands and taps the pointed tips of their fingers together with disquieting glee. “Of other demons, even Kharis, but not so for me. I am not the same as the demons you have known.”
I shake my head. “Then… Cassius could have healed me?”
Questions burn the back of my tongue demanding to be asked—questions that come with lengthy answers—but there will be time for that later.
Varin shrugs. “You lived, and that is all that matters.” They press their hands to the ground lowering and bring their gaze level with mine. “Of all the options you have for comfort, why did you come tomein tears tonight?”
Della, Cassius, and even Lawrence would be there for me in a heartbeat if they knew. But I didn’t come for that.
I set my jaw in determination. What I want—no, what Ineed—is a way to fix this.
“I’m not here seeking comfort,” I say. “Give me the ring.”
Varin stretches their arm out farther. I grab for it only for them to close their fist. “Will you not ask what freedoms you will forfeit once you willingly bind yourself to me?”
“There is no point when we both know I will agree regardless,” I grind out.
Varin sighs and unfurls their fingers. I pluck the ring from their bone-like hand. It’s cool and light, warming slightly at my touch. I lift it to eye level and examine it. The ring seems to almost shine as if made of moonlight itself.
As I slide it onto my middle finger, it changes size to fit comfortably. Snug but not tight, turning easily when I spin it with my thumb.
Varin’s chains don’t fall away, nor do they transform into an animal… And I remain as human as ever. Even the metal band feels like nothing more than cold steel.
“We are bound, through the ring and the ring alone until you can bear all of my power,” Varin says. The curved edge of their long, taloned fingers run gently down my face. “Irrevocably binding myself to you now would only bring you a cursed death.”
