Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Behind me, a hand clamps around my chest. Rhea shouts, her contorted face visible through my slitted lids. Panic spikes. Another blast and I’ll be dead.
Suddenly, the woman and my pub disappear. I collide with Ronan’s chest as we land on a sofa. Dizziness slams me. Nausea follows. Then agony returns, robbing me of breath and threatening to steal my consciousness.
“Stay with me,” he pleads.
Where does he think I’m going?
“Do you hear me, love? Open your eyes. Breathe.”
“What happened?”
“I’ve brought you to a magical healer. He’ll help. I know you’re hurting. Look at me. Don’t give up.”
I’m enveloped by a cold sweat. It takes every ounce of my energy to shake my head. “I won’t.”
Ronan holds me on his lap, loosening his grip when I whimper. Feeling him against me is a comfort.
“At least I won’t die alone.”
“You won’t die at all. I won’t let you.” His words hold the conviction of a vow, but I sense that he wants to believe that more than he does. “But you must promise me one thing.”
“‘K.” I fight for consciousness.
“Do not Bind to me. Do you hear me? Ever.”
Chapter
Six
Ronan
The next four days threaten to destroy me. I remain glued to Kari’s side for the first two, holding her nonstop as the healer works her slow magic. The bitch who attacked Kari blasted her with a twisted magic I’ve never seen. If I hadn’t shoved Kari out of the way, Rhea would have killed her.
Or maybe I should blame the Wolvsey curse. I feel guilty as hell for not taking the hex seriously. I didn’t want to believe that some distant hocus-pocus still possessed the power to separate me from the woman I love.
Now I know better.
But in my selfish, impulsive need to make Kari mine, I tempted fate and thoughtlessly unleashed this agony on her. She nearly paid with her life.
I won’t risk her again.
My best bet is to explain the curse and help her understand that, no matter what we feel, we’re doomed. Will she believe me? It sounds bizarre. And given how many times she’s seen me pair off with another woman, she’ll probably see my explanation as a convenient fabrication. She’ll think I have cold feet. Bloody hell.
At least she’s out of danger.
Reluctantly, I return her to the pub—only because she insisted. I want to place protections around the Brew, but those repel anyone magical. The loss of business would seriously infuriate her. Instead, I’ll find other ways to keep her safe. Luckily, I have an idea.
After teleporting halfway across the country, I approach the large estate and regard the ornate door. Nervously, I straighten my coat and send out my magical calling card, the audible symbol advising anyone magical who’s visiting their home.
Long moments pass before a stately blonde answers with a raised brow and a cool smile. “Ronan Wolvsey. It is you. I never thought I would see you darken my door again.”
“Hello, Avalyn. I appreciate your answering.”
She didn’t have to. Since she’s a former lover—now mated to another—she could have easily ignored me. Or slammed the door in my face if she wanted a little payback. Instead, she merely looks amused that I’ve swallowed my pride.
Once, she fancied herself in love with me, and I’m ashamed that I took advantage of her feelings. I’m glad she’s happily settled now.
“Come in.” She steps back to admit me, scanning me up and down.
She’s peering not at me, but at my altered magical signature. And I know exactly what she sees. “Thank you.”
“This ought to be interesting.” She gestures me to follow her until we stop in a cozy sitting room. When I sit on the sofa, palms sweating, she folds herself into a plush chair and stares unabashedly. “So… You finally found your mate, and you Called to her?”
Of course she can tell simply by looking at me. Everyone with the blasted fairy-dust gene can. “Yes, and she’s in danger because of it.”
“Is that why she has neither Bound to you nor Renounced you?”
“In part. It’s also why I’ve come to ask for your help. What I’m about to divulge, you can’t share with anyone.”
“I don’t keep secrets from my mate.”
“This doesn’t involve him, and I’m not here to threaten your bond.”
She scoffs. “Of course you’re not. You never tried to win me over in the first place, despite how mad I was for you.”
“I should have been more kind. I’m sorry.”
She arches another pale brow. “My, my. You’ve apparently learned a thing or two in the past few decades. Tell me what you need, and I’ll decide what to share with my mate.”
“The Wolvseys are cursed—all of us. We have no mating instinct. Or I was told that we don’t…”
After filling her in on the family history, she cocks her head and frowns. “So…you weren’t intentionally a prick?”