Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Our new connection hummed. Golden, tingly strands of our forged bond danced around inside me, linking our souls.
Our bond felt warm. Alive. And so very real.
Amazement filled me that Kole and I were fully mated. A bond born of the gods sealed us. Something that even here, in an entirely different universe, had been able to form.
“That was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had,” Kole said quietly and kissed my neck.
My toes curled, and even though my vampire nature was still a part of me, at that moment I felt fae. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him soundly. “It was. It was pure magic.”
He rumbled in pleasure. “If only we could stay longer.”
“I know.” I lifted my shoulders. “But we should head back.”
I sat up regretfully from where we lay on the bed.
The fire continued to crackle behind us, and even though I was inherently a cooler temperature, Kole’s heated body warmed me to a blissful state.
I ran a hand along his chest. “But I’m glad we did this here.
I’m glad you were fully present with me when we created our bond, and I haven’t had to erase any of your memories.
But it amazes me that a bond formed of our universe could be created here, but I guess that just goes to show that even the cosmos won’t stop what we are to each other.
But are you still happy about being with me?
Even though I’m now a vampire and different from when we first met? ”
He pulled me to him and kissed me soundly on the mouth. “Fae or vampire, you’re it for me, Princess. I love you either way, and there’s no turning back now. I won’t give you up, and I won’t share you.”
I knew he was referring to my parents, to their command that I would have to someday marry someone suitable, but I was a vampire now tasked with controlling the realm at the whim of my uncle, so marriage in the far future was the least of my concerns.
Still . . .
“You know there is a way around my uncle’s commands and my parents’ demands.
” I ran a finger tentatively up his chest. “We could run away from the fae lands. We could stay here. Create a new life. If we can’t find a way to stop Arnel from controlling me, that may be our only option, but only if you’re willing.
I would never stay here indefinitely without you. Where you live, I live.”
He cupped my jaw again, his eyes bright with raw emotion. “I realized the same, but I’m not willing to give up yet. I don’t want him to win, and I don’t want him to chase you from your home.”
I nodded in agreement. “Me neither.”
Since time was running out, we both got up in a hurry. Once dressed, Kole rang for Nicholas to retrieve us.
The vampire arrived promptly, never once commenting on the state of our dress, or the fact that we now smelled of one another, or the fact that the scent of sex hung heavily in the air.
Nicholas led us back to the rickety elevator, and on the walk there, the effects of drinking Kole’s blood hit me. I felt lighter. Stronger. My belly felt pleasantly full, and my soul sang with happiness at the bond swimming around inside me.
At the elevator, Nicholas opened its door for us. “I’ll be in touch via courier once the gargoyles have finished searching the libraries. Until then, I wish you both well.”
The vampire’s expression stayed composed, never once appearing anything but smooth. Nicholas, it seemed, had impeccable manners.
Although, our mingled scents was a problem.
When we reached street level and were out of the library’s wards, Kole mistphased us back to the fae lands’ portal to return home, but before we could enter it, I pointed out my concern.
“We need to hide that we’ve completed our bond. That’s not something I want getting back to my parents before I have a conversation with them.”
Luckily, our mating marks weren’t on our necks, making them easier to hide with clothing, but since our scents had changed, we would both need to use magic to hide that.
Kole frowned, but eventually nodded. “How long do you think we need to do that?”
“Until I’ve found a way to tell my parents that I’ll never marry the male of their choosing, and after we defeat Arnel.” Worry strummed through me at what my uncle would do if he knew Kole was my mate. “Arnel might send an assassin for you if he learns we’re mated. I don’t want to risk that.”
“I can handle myself, Prim.”
“I know that, but what if they come for you when you’re sleeping or attack you when you least expect it? Everyone has moments of weakness, even you.”
He cupped my cheeks. “I’ll keep it hidden if that’s what you want.”
I clung to his wrists. “It is, just for now. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”
“We’ll both keep our scents glamoured. Now, are you ready?” He glanced at the glowing green portal door. “There’s no telling what will happen to us once we return. This may be the last moment I remember that we’re mated or what we just shared.”
Anxiety burned through me, and I hated, absolutely hated that he could be right.
“You’ll always have your mating mark, no matter what.
” I ran my fingers along the smattering of tiny stars inked onto his inner wrist, then pushed a wave of my love for him along our bond.
“And we’ll always have that. You’ll always be able to feel me, so even if I’m forced to erase your memories, you’ll still know that something sacred passed between us. ”
His eyes burned, glowing as brightly as sapphires. “I’ll always love you, Princess, no matter what. Help me find my way back to you if your magic is forced to hurt me.”
“I will. I promise.”
He clasped my hands, and reluctantly, we leaped through the portal.
We arrived back just after sunset. It was the first time I’d ever been late, but I couldn’t have cared less, because the second we reappeared in my chambers, and I was back in the fae lands once more, a rush of my uncle’s commanding magic came over me.
Despair hit me just as fast. The magic knew, because I knew with absolute certainty that Kole was aware that I was a vampire. Doubt no longer clouded me. I could no longer pretend that perhaps he didn’t know.
Which meant my uncle’s command didn’t either.
Kole stood beside me, his jaw locked and his expression resolute. Horror from me beat into him along our bond.
I backed up, but it was no use. “Oh Gods, Kole, I’m so sorry, but his command is coming—”
It was the only warning he got.
His expression closed off, but he nodded understandably. Acceptingly. But his utter sadness strummed toward me along our bond.
“I’m sorry.” They were the last words I uttered before power shot out of my body, barreling toward Kole as agony ripped me apart.
Resignation rippled across his face.
He knew he couldn’t fight me.
He knew his magic was no match for mine.
So he waited for the inevitable and accepted that his thoughts were about to be shattered and his memories erased.
A sob worked up my throat because I knew that would mean he would forget what we’d just experienced. Since I’d been a vampire when we’d completed our mating bond, my magic would completely erase that experience too.
I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, not able to bear the catatonic expression that was about to wash over his face as my magic rewrote his memories. I didn’t want to see it when I stripped him raw and took away his free will.
But when my magic reached him and shredded through his Shield, it abruptly stopped, and the golden ties of our forged mating bond reared up, strong and precise, as thin as silk yet stronger than the celestial tides.
Our bond cascaded around my uncle’s command and danced like lightning in front of it.
My jaw dropped, and my eyes flew open.
Our mate bond encased my uncle’s manipulation, encapsulated it, and . . .
I gasped. “Do you feel that?”
Magic shimmered around Kole. Magic as strong as the galaxy.
The sad acceptance on Kole’s face vanished, and his brow furrowed. “Our bond is . . . protecting me.”
I stood frozen, waiting to see if it was a fluke or if my uncle’s command would find a way around it or was able to override it.
But slowly, my uncle’s commanding power retreated, and my horrific magic returned to me, the threat of harming Kole dissipating into nothingness.
Shock rendered me still, and for a moment, we just stared at one another, then I burst into action.
“Stars, Kole. I didn’t hurt you!” I flung my arms around him, and he caught me just as fast. A laugh bubbled out of me. A true, joyful laugh. “You’re safe from me. Our bond protected you!”
Kole laughed too and picked me up to twirl me around. He hugged me hard, and I clung to him just as tightly. Joy filled me that was so poignant I was crying, and when the door opened, and Betsee glided into the room, that was exactly how she found us.
“Oh Stars, I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I was only here to help you prepare for bed.” She abruptly turned around to leave, but I called out to her.
“No, it’s fine, Betsee. It’s absolutely fine. Kole was heading out soon anyway. It’s been a long day.”
Her cheeks pinked, so Kole and I finally released one another.
Since our mating scents were hidden with our magic, the lady’s attendant didn’t know Kole and I had completed our bond or that we’d just had an epiphany that my uncle’s commands no longer applied to him.
But I would have to be careful if she undressed me and saw my mating mark.
Somehow, I would have to keep that hidden.
Regardless, I could only imagine what she was thinking of our behavior, but I was so over the moons that I didn’t care.
“I hate that you need to leave,” I whispered to Kole as the lady’s attendant bustled to my wardrobe.
His voice grew thick. “Once I’m no longer your official assigned warrior, I won’t be forced to take rest time. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Toes curling, all I could manage was a nod. He gave me one last embrace and lingering kiss, only pulling back enough for me to see resilient hope sparkling in his eyes, and then with a blast of mistphasing magic, my mate disappeared.
Hours later, I stood at the windows to my courtyard, looking out at the beautiful night sky.
Even though Kole and I had both been awake for days, and the warrior obviously needed to sleep, I felt anything but tired. My mind was buzzing, and I didn’t know if it was because of Kole’s rich blood fueling me or if it was my intense satisfaction that I hadn’t controlled Kole’s mind.
Whatever it was, vampiric magic coasted through me, allowing me to stay alert and revel in my profound happiness. Because becoming mated had somehow, miraculously, made Kole immune to my uncle’s commands since our bond trumped what control my uncle had on me.
Relief and disbelief still ran rampant through me, even more so because it meant that I was no longer a threat to Kole, and perhaps it was less important, but intense euphoria blazed through me that he would always remember our sacred mating act that had taken place between us deep within the Bulgarian Libraries.
But as the night passed, and the sun began to rise, something else occurred to me as well. Something that could very well shift the tides of my uncle’s control.