Chapter 11 Zuko
zuko
. . .
The fae weaver board shimmered, threads of fae light twisting as Raze leaned forward to capture one of my pieces.
His laugh grated as he was a step closer to beating me. “You’re distracted, man.”
I flicked a hand, sending one of my weavers sliding across the board, cutting off his next play. “I’m fine.”
I wasn’t, though. I knew it, and so did Raze.
My head was a fucking mess. Rune was painted on the inside of my eyelids and filled every thought I had.
According to Slater, Jesper had walked her home but ended up staying over. Their bond snapping into place felt like a thousand venomous spiders biting my heart. Something inside me cracked when Slater told me, but I tried to push this down.
She was mine.
She was still mine.
I had already shared her with Slater, and I’d known Jesper would be a part of this, eventually. I just hadn’t expected the bond to snap with Jesper first.
Before Raze could make a move, my phone rang.
I swiped it open, already bracing myself after sending my mom an emotional message about Rune’s matebond snapping with Jesper. “Hey.”
“Zuko.” Her voice was warm. “I got your text about the bond. Are you—” She broke off. I could hear Dad’s voice in the background asking if I was okay. “Are you okay, baby?”
Her question hit me harder than I thought it would.
“I’m fine,” I lied. My jaw ached from clenching. “She’s still mine.”
A long silence hummed on the line. I pictured Mom and Dad sitting side by side, both thinking the same thing—that I was being desperate.
“I’ll force it,” I said flatly. “The bond. It can be done.”
Dad’s growl carried straight through the speaker. “Damien pulled it off because he knew he was a potential mate. You don’t know for certain—”
“I do.” My voice cut like glass. “I am her mate. Slater heard her talking to her dad and Jesper about needing us both too.”
Raze had gone quiet, watching me with something like sympathy.
On the line, Dad sighed. A rough, world-weary sound. “Then, power to you. But don’t destroy yourself chasing something that can’t be forced. Bonds aren’t something to play with.”
“And make sure she’s on board with forcing the bond,” Mom murmured.
“I’m not playing, and of course I’ll make sure she wants it, too,” I growled. “She’s going to be mine. I love her!”
Raze’s pink eyes widened a fraction. “Love?” he mouthed.
I nodded.
I did love her. I loved her so fucking much.
Mom’s voice softened. “Just be careful. We’ll back you, no matter what.”
“If you’re going to force it, just be aware that you can leave your mark on her, but it won’t necessarily make the bond snap,” Dad told me. “Same goes for her. I hope you get her as your mate, son.”
For a moment, my chest unclenched. “Thanks, guys.”
“How’s Raze doing?” Mom asked.
Raze snorted. “Horrible. They capped my fangs. Try eating with metal in your mouth. It’s suffering.”
“Try not being able to see clearly.” I tapped my bandaged eyes, but I’d let one eye out since we were alone. I actually could see from the enchantment on it, but I couldn’t use my power.
“At least you don’t have a lisp,” he grumbled.
“House of Torment gives gifts that hinder supernatural powers so that you can rely on torture methods solely. They capped mine, too,” Dad admitted. “Still, I learned a ton of other methods.”
Rune might’ve mated Jesper first, but I would be her mate, too. Even if I had to give the bond a little push.