Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
TORIN
I leave Kael’s chambers, the door clicking shut behind me, and my grin stretches wide. I don’t bother to look back—I know Finn and Kael are probably glaring holes into the wood, all broody and serious as usual. Let them. I have better things to do.
Like her.
Kitten. She asked me to come to her room. Me. Out of everyone, she invited me. The thought makes my chest swell, and my blood rushes to my cock with anticipation. She must want me. Why else would she whisper for me to come? The possibilities of what might happen tonight make me hard just thinking about them. She’s all fire and fight, and the idea of her finally giving in, letting me fight her, have her, sends a jolt straight through me.
I take my time crossing Finn’s chambers to get to hers. Finn, ever the perfectionist, has everything arranged just so. His books are neatly stacked, his desk an orderly shrine to his ever-turning brain.
Boring.
I make it a point to knock over a stack of papers as I pass. One or two fall to the floor, scattering just enough to drive him insane. Perfect.
I pick up a small statue from the shelf—something ancient and dull—and set it just slightly askew, not enough for anyone else to notice but just enough for Finn to catch. He’ll fume about it for hours. I do this all the time, and it’s always worth it. He needs to loosen up, and who better to help him than me?
We’re brothers, after all. Not by blood, but our bond is thicker than that. We help each other, each in our own way. Finn keeps me in check when I get too wild, and Kael...well, Kael handles the strategy, the big picture. He’s the leader who keeps us all from tearing each other apart. Me? I’m the chaos that keeps things interesting. We balance each other out. Most days, anyway.
I finally reach kitten's door and knock once, loudly, before pushing it open. It swings inward, revealing nothing but an empty room. My grin widens. “You’re not going to jump out and attack me, are you, kitten?” I call out, stepping inside and letting the door close behind me. “Because I’d really enjoy that.”
She sighs from somewhere near the bed, and I catch the gleam of her blade as she slides it back into its sheath. My grin falters, just a little. “What a shame,” I say, shrugging dramatically. “Why’d you put it away? I was looking forward to a fight.”
“Because it’s pointless,” she mutters, dropping onto the edge of the bed. “I’m learning that trying to fight you—or escape—is pointless.”
I cross the room lazily, leaning against the wall as I watch her. “True,” I say, tilting my head. “But it would’ve been fun anyway.”
That gets me a tiny, reluctant smile, and I pounce on it immediately. “There it is,” I say, my voice low, teasing. “I like that look on you. Almost as much as I like your attitude.”
She snorts. “You’d be the first.”
“Probably,” I admit, grinning as I drop into the chair across from her. “But I like a challenge. And you, kitten—you’re one hell of a challenge.”
Her eyes narrow at the nickname, but there’s no real heat behind it, just a flicker of irritation that makes her all the more intriguing. She folds her arms, her shoulders tight, like she’s bracing for something.
“So,” I say, leaning back in the chair and giving her a lazy smirk. “Why’d you want me to come here? Don’t tell me you’re falling for my charm already.”
She lets out a sharp breath, not quite a sigh, and looks away. “I wanted to ask you something.”
I tilt my head, watching her closely. “Go on. I’m all ears.”
She hesitates for a moment, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket she’s sitting on. “I want to know about the binding,” she says finally, her voice quieter now. “And the Trials. What exactly have I signed myself up for?”
The question takes me by surprise, but I recover quickly, letting my grin spread. “Ah, so you wanted me here for my expertise, not my company. I should’ve known.”
She glances at me, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. “Are you going to answer me or not?”
“Of course I am.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “But let’s get one thing straight first. Did Kael ask you before he bound himself to you?”
Her lips part slightly, and she hesitates, her eyes darting away from mine. It’s all the confirmation I need.
“No,” I say, my tone low and almost amused. “Of course he didn’t. That’s Kael for you. The great strategist. Always making decisions for the greater good.”
She looks down at her hands, her fingers twisting together in her lap. “He didn’t have to ask,” she says softly, almost too quiet for me to hear.
I sit up, curiosity sparking in my chest. “Oh? Why’s that?”
She hesitates again, then lets out a slow breath. “Because... deep down, I wouldn’t have said no.”
The admission sends a jolt through me, and I grin, leaning back in the chair with a low chuckle. “Now that’s interesting. So, you wanted it, then?”
Her head snaps up, and her eyes flash. “I didn’t say that.”
“But you didn’t not say it either,” I tease, the grin never leaving my face. “See, kitten, that’s the thing about you. You fight us every step of the way, but deep down, you know you want to be here. With us. Don’t you?”
She glares at me, her jaw tightening, but she doesn’t argue. That’s as good as a win in my book.
I lean forward again, my tone softening just a little. “The binding,” I begin, “is exactly what it sounds like. Kael tied himself to you, permanently. It’s not just some superficial connection—it’s deep, ancient magic, the kind no one uses anymore because it makes you vulnerable in ways you can’t imagine. Anything you feel, he feels. Pain, fear, anger, joy—it’s all shared. And death? If you die, so does he. There’s no way out of it. No spell to break it. It’s for life.”
Her eyes widen slightly, and I can see the weight of my words sinking in, but I don’t stop. She needs to understand what’s been done, what Kael has committed to. “It’s not just that, though. The bond... it grows. As your connection deepens, so does the binding. It becomes stronger, more intricate. You’ll start to sense him, even when he’s not near. His thoughts, his emotions—they’ll bleed into you, and yours into him. It’s like two people slowly becoming one in ways you can’t control.”
I pause, watching her process what I’m saying. “And here’s the kicker: a warlock can only ever be bound to one person at a time. Ever. No second chances, no do-overs. Once it’s done, that’s it. No other bonds, no other connections. It’s why no one dares to do it anymore. The risk is too great.”
I let out a low laugh, though there’s no humor in it. “To be honest, I’m surprised Kael even knew how to accomplish it. Binding magic isn’t something you just stumble across—it’s old, older than most of the spells we practice today. It’s been all but lost to time because of how dangerous it is. But that’s Kael for you. He’s always been the smartest of us, even if Finn would never admit it.” I smirk at the thought, shaking my head. “He must’ve found the knowledge somewhere, probably buried in one of those ancient tomes he keeps locked away.”
I glance at her, my voice dropping as I lean in slightly. “And you, kitten—you’re important enough to him that he thought the risk was worth it. Think about that. He didn’t just tie himself to you because he felt like it. Kael doesn’t do anything without a reason.”
She frowns, her expression clouded. “Why would he do that? He barely knows me.”
“Because he sees what we all see,” I say honestly. “You’re not normal, kitten. There’s something about you. We can all feel it.”
Her brow furrows, but she doesn’t interrupt. I take that as a sign to keep going.
“As for the Trials,” I continue, my tone dropping lower, “that’s where it gets bloody. They’re not just one fight. They’re a series of battles designed to break even the strongest of challengers. Brutal, dangerous, and often to the death. And it’s not just about you fighting Rothgar at the end—it’s about surviving everything that comes before.”
Her gaze sharpens, her voice steady but edged with unease. “Who is Rothgar?”
I let out a slow breath, leaning back in my chair. “Rothgar’s... a monster, plain and simple. Powerful, ruthless, and relentless. But you won’t just face him. Not at first. That’s not how the Trials work.”
I pause, giving her a moment before I dive into the details. “Here’s how it goes: anyone who challenges another in the Trials doesn’t just fight for themselves. They’re allowed two champions. Those champions fight first, battling the challenger’s champions, one by one. The winner of each fight goes on to fight in the next, skewing the odds more and more until the last fight is fought.”
Her brow furrows, and I can tell she’s piecing it together. I press on. “It’s designed to wear you down, to stack the deck against you. The challenger who makes it to the final fight often faces a fresh opponent while they’re barely standing. That’s why the Trials are so deadly. But that’s also how we got here. How we gained our power.”
Her head tilts slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes despite her apprehension. “What do you mean?”
I smirk, leaning forward. “Kael challenged the former ruler of the northern tribes years ago. Finn and I were his champions. The three of us went into the Trials knowing we’d have to work together to win, and that’s exactly what we did. The former ruler’s first two men were strong, but they were no match for us. We tore through them like paper, and by the time it came to the final fight, it was three against one. Kael, Finn, and me against the ruler himself.”
I let the memory settle for a moment, feeling the familiar surge of pride in my chest. “That’s how we won. That’s why we’re powerful. Because we didn’t just survive the Trials—we dominated them. We know how to fight together, to cover each other’s weaknesses and exploit every opening. It’s why no one’s dared to challenge us since.”
Her lips press into a thin line, and I can see the weight of my words sinking in. “And you expect me to do the same? To face Rothgar?”
“Not just face him,” I say, my tone firm. “Beat him. And we’ll make sure you’re ready.”
Her eyes narrow, skepticism written all over her face. “How? I’ve fought before, but I’ve never faced anyone like this. You said it yourself—he’s a monster.”
“And that’s why we’ll teach you,” I reply. “We’ll train you to fight like we do—together. You’re not going into this alone, kitten. You’ll have us. Rothgar isn’t an easy challenge, but we’ve beaten the odds before. And we’ll do it again.”
I let my grin spread, watching her carefully. “And if you fight with us, I have no doubt you’ll dominate those Trials. Just like we did.”
Her expression darkens, and she looks down at her hands, twisting the edge of the blanket. “I didn’t know,” she says quietly, her voice almost breaking. “I didn’t know the Trials would involve you, too. I demanded them because I thought... I thought it was just me. My fight. I didn’t mean to drag you into this.”
For the first time, the sharp edge of her defiance softens, replaced by something rawer—remorse. It tugs at something in me, something I didn’t even know was there, but I shake it off and lean forward.
“It didn’t, necessarily,” I say, my tone even. “We don’t have to fight. You could go through the Trials alone. All three fights. Plenty of challengers have had to do it that way when no one agreed to be their champions. You’d fight the first, win or lose, then go straight into the second, and then—if you’re still standing—you’d face Rothgar.”
Her eyes lift to meet mine, wide and uncertain. “So, you’re saying I could?—”
“Stop right there,” I interrupt, my voice firm. “I’m not saying we’d let that happen. You’re not going through this alone, kitten. Not a chance.”
She blinks at me, confusion flickering across her face. “But... why? Why would you put yourselves at risk? Why would you fight for me?”
I lean back, letting the grin spread across my face again, wide and wicked. “Because you’re ours now, that’s why. Bound to Kael, tethered to this fight, part of the madness whether you like it or not.”
She still looks unsure, so I stand and cross to her, crouching so I’m level with her on the bed. “And because, Sable,” I say, my voice dropping low, “I want to see you burn the world down. I want to see the fire in you take Rothgar apart piece by piece. And I want to be standing beside you when it happens.”
Her lips part slightly, her breath hitching as she stares at me. The room feels tighter, like the air itself is pressing in, charged with something neither of us can name. “You’re insane,” she whispers, but there’s no venom in it. If anything, she sounds... almost amused.
I grin wider, unrepentant. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” I straighten, my gaze never leaving hers. “So, no more of this guilt. We’ll fight for you because you’re worth it, and you’ll fight with us because we’ll make damn sure you’re ready.”
Her shoulders loosen slightly, and for the first time since I walked in, I see a flicker of hope in her eyes. It’ s enough to make me stay closer, to push just a little more. “You’re not alone in this, kitten,” I say softly, the grin fading just a little. “Not anymore.”
A small, tentative smile tugs at her lips, and it’s enough to send a rush of heat straight through me. I shift in my chair, my blood humming with want. “You know,” I murmur, my voice dipping lower, “you smile like that again, and it’s going to make me hard.”
Her eyes widen, and a deep blush spreads across her cheeks. I can’t help but laugh, leaning closer. “Oh, come on, don’t blush now. Why does that embarrass you, huh?”
She fumbles for words, her gaze darting everywhere but at me. “I—I?—”
I press closer, dropping my voice to a near-whisper. “What’s got you so flustered, kitten? Tell me.”
Her breath hitches, and she finally exhales shakily, her voice barely audible. “I’ve never been with anyone before.”
I blink, caught off guard for half a second. “Never?”
She shifts uncomfortably. “Well... except for what happened with Kael earlier today,” she mutters, her voice tinged with something I can’t quite place. “And I don’t know how to feel about that.”
A slow, wicked grin spreads across my face as I stand, looming over her. “Even better,” I say. “Because now, we’re going to have so much fun. I’ll teach you everything, kitten. Not just how to win the Trials—but how to really enjoy yourself.”
Her blush deepens, and I feel the thrill of it, the delicious tension crackling between us. She doesn’t push me away, and that’s all the invitation I need.