Chapter Thirty-Seven #2
He’d mentioned his brother in his rambling just before we’d completed our bond, but he hadn’t really told me anything about him.
As much as I wanted to push him to explain, something inside me told me it wasn’t the time.
That sensation was only confirmed as the blood drying on my skin started to itch as Gabriel leaned into the shower to turn on the water.
He kept his hand under the shower spray until he was satisfied with the temperature.
Pulling his hand back, he pressed a gentle kiss to my lips and sighed.
“Clean up and let Zypher sort out the spell interfering with your bond. I will find you later, okay?”
“Okay,” I whispered with a nod. Gabriel hesitated for just a moment before he turned and left the bathroom. The water falling from the showerhead called to me, and I tore my gaze away from the door he’d left open behind him and climbed into the tub.
By the time I was clean and wrapped in a fluffy black towel, Zypher was waiting for me in the open doorway to the bathroom.
His eyes heated as he took me in, but he didn’t make a move to act on it.
His hand raised in offering, and I noticed the clothing he’d brought for me.
I took them with a smile and dressed under his watchful gaze, the muted bond the only thing tempering my desire for my demon.
As soon as I was dressed and had shoes on my feet, Zypher pulled me into his arms and strode to the balcony outside his bedroom.
His leathery wings burst into existence with a sharp snap, and he launched us into the air.
“Miles is waiting for us in your dorm,” he said over the sound of the rushing wind in my ears. “I’ve already spoken with him about the spell, and he’s certain he can undo it.”
“Good,” I replied, letting relief wash over me as I leaned into Zypher’s hold, letting his nearness comfort me.
We arrived at my dorm without incident. Shadrie and Miles were already waiting for us.
There was a cauldron sitting in the center of our coffee table, steam rising from inside of it, tinted with an unusual, but not unpleasant spell.
Miles was hunched over it, stirring with a wooden spoon.
The sight caused a laugh to burst from my lips.
“All you’re missing is the beak-nose and warts,” I laughed as Zypher gently eased me to my feet.
Miles grinned at me. “Well, humans weren’t exactly going to let us look good when they wanted to use us as cautionary tales,” he replied, before tilting his head toward the cauldron. “This is almost ready.”
I moved toward my friends, eyeing the cauldron with curiosity. “Why is it bubbling like it’s boiling hot without a heat source?” I asked.
Miles shrugged, pushing his glasses up his nose with his free hand. “It’s spelled to do so.”
“Oh,” I replied lamely. “And you’re sure whatever it is you’ve got cooking up in there will undo what that bitch did to my bond with Zypher?”
“Positive,” he replied. “There’s really only one type of magic that can mute a bond, which means there’s only one way to remove it.”
“I want names, B,” Shadrie hissed, moving to stand beside me. “As soon as Miles is done fixing this, we’re going to start plotting to make their lives a living nightmare.”
I studied my friend for a second, taking in the barely leashed rage that caused her entire body to vibrate with tension.
“It was just Daena and her little band of bitches,” I shrugged, hoping to play off what they’d done to me.
“They’re all miserable enough already; they aren’t worth the time it would take to plan our retaliation. ”
“Fuck that,” Shadrie bit out. “Every one of them is going to fucking pay. You don’t fuck with mate bonds, B. That’s like the one rule that all supernaturals follow. I have half a mind to put aside my distaste for Vallynn and tell him exactly what sort of fae he’s betrothed to.”
“She’s right,” Miles added, using the wooden spoon he’d been stirring the mixture with to ladle it into a glass.
“Mate bonds are sacred. Most supernaturals wouldn’t dare interfere with one, but those who do usually end up being killed for it.
Daena would have known the risks of meddling with yours.
She’d have to know her days were numbered as soon as Zypher found out it was her. ”
“That bitch is banking on her status as Vallynn’s fiancé keeping her protected,” Shadrie hissed. Her jaw snapped shut so hard I could hear her teeth click together. “You know what, fuck it. I’m ratting her ass out. Not even Vallynn would stand for what she did to you.”
Shadrie whirled on her heel and stomped toward the exit before I could respond. Miles shoved the glass he’d been filling into my hands at the same time.
“Drink up. It works pretty fast, so you should feel your bond normally within a few seconds of drinking the whole glass.”
My nose scrunched at the slime-green liquid inside the cup.
It smelled pleasant enough, but it looked like it tasted terrible.
Zypher shifted his weight behind me, and I took a deep breath before upending the glass into my mouth.
The flavor caused me to nearly drop it, minty and refreshing as it touched my tongue.
With each swallow, my bond to Zypher became more vibrant.
Just as Miles had said, the bond returned in full force within seconds of me setting the empty glass on the coffee table.
“Thanks,” I said, smiling at Miles. “I appreciate you helping me with not just this, but everything. You didn’t have to do any of it.”
Miles just shook his head. “That’s what friends are for, B.”
“Speaking of friends, we should probably find Shadrie and stop whatever she’s putting into motion. Daena really isn’t worth it.”
A growl rumbled in Zypher’s chest at my side. “On this, Dilectus, I do not agree. The ice mage is right in her actions. Had my concern not been with you and our muted bond in the moment, I would have sought out the fae prince myself. We are owed vengeance, and we shall have it.”