Chapter 4 #4
A tear slips down my cheek, as I force myself to open my hand.
The magic from the lodestone intensifies, humming as if it can sense it is about to be tested.
It is hungry to be used.
“Spark,” Daire repeats like a prayer.
I press the Bone of the Gods hard against one of the dragon bracelets and then the other, as I hold Daire’s wrists above his head.
Then I drop the lodestone like it has burned me. “Can you feel anything?”
For a long moment, there is no sound in the room apart from our breathing, which feels too loud in the chamber.
Finally, Daire shakes his head. “Nay, nothing.”
But then, his brow scrunches up. “Wait, a sparking sensation like embers. Nay, the bracelets are burning. Move away, now.”
“Fuck off.” I cling to him more tightly.
With a growl, Daire shoves me off him onto the other side of the bed, clutching his wrists to himself.
Then he screams.
To my shock, the drapes rise up, forming a living cloud of moths, which circle us protectively.
“Daire.” I bat at the moths, struggling to see the fae through the rippling storm of white.
The powder-soft bodies of the moths brush against my lips, cheeks, and eyes.
They tangle in my hair.
Half-blinded by the living snow, I throw myself forward.
I stare in horror at Daire’s thrashing body, trying to hold him down by his shoulders, but he’s too strong. I am hurled back with a grunt of pain against the headboard.
Daire is howling. His body contorts with pain.
Yet he manages to keep his wrists above his head, still hopeful.
“Idiot,” I weep. “Fucking idiot…”
Daire’s wings beat in his agony, and I can’t even hold onto one in comfort.
Suddenly, I catch movement at his wrists.
The metal of his bracelets glints and glimmers.
Daire’s screams increase in volume; I have never heard anyone in such pain.
Yet he’s not crying.
His eyes are glassy.
Can he even see me now? Does he know where he is?
The metal of his bracelets unexpectedly flashes like it is warming up to an intense heat, scorching Daire’s wrists. Daire shakes. But then, the metal snakes off Daire’s wrists, sinking into the bedding.
It worked.
Despite all this pain, it fucking worked.
Daire collapses and stills.
Finally, his gaze settles on me, and the relief that he can see me is so intense that I collapse against his chest.
“I’m free,” he whispers.
Daire takes one deep breath, before his eyes slip shut, and his head falls back.
He doesn’t move.
I stare at him.
“Daire?” I sit up, trembling. “Daire?”
He doesn’t reply.
He doesn’t move.
He doesn’t open his eyes.
No, no, no…
I shake him. “Wake up.”
Daire’s wings hang limply on the bed.
He should never look like this. Daire is so full of fucking life.
The lodestone sits darkly on the white sheets mocking me.
What in the name of the Shadow Gods have I done?
“Open your eyes.” I bite hard into the snowflake bond mark. I can’t feel any response. Why can’t I feel his emotions? Something. I bite even harder. “Please…”
When I hear slow clapping from the doorway, my head snaps up. “I thought that I would have two of my brother’s blood mates to kill. But it looks like the pretty wolf has already slaughtered the filthy fae for me.”
I growl, hunching protectively in front of Daire.
Horus, Lanlin’s dangerous half-brother from the House of Crocodile and Grand Mage, strolls into the chamber.
He is younger than Lanlin, smaller and prettier, dressed in a crocodile leather outfit that is artfully designed to show off his legs and chest.
Horus is smothered in collar jewelry, earrings, and bracelets of peridot and emerald. His long black curls drip around his shoulders.
He is swaying, as if he is still drunk from the ball.
Since Shadow sank her teeth between Horus’ legs, tearing off his knot at Lanlin’s command for using his power of compulsion on Daire and me, the Alpha has understandably lost his swagger.
“I’m not one of the priestess Omegas who’ll fall at your feet and suck your cock when you flutter your eyelashes.” I scramble over the bed, diving for the box. “Oh wait, you don’t have a knot anymore to suck.”
Horus’ pheromones become thick with fury, but I don’t let them drive me to my knees. Instead, I remember my training from the Shadow Academy and snatch one of Daire’s daggers.
I try not to think about Daire behind me lying still on those white, white sheets.
I hold the dagger in front of me. “You’re not a warrior. If you come any closer, you’ll lose your balls as well as your knot. You’re a weak, cowardly mage who hid behind his brutish brother. But Sobek is dead now.”
“And who killed him?” Horus roars, his eyes gleaming with tears.
Suddenly, I’m falling into his dark gaze, as he steps toward me.
The dagger falls from my fingers, clanking to the floor.
Obey…Horus’ smooth, compelling voice commands…obey, Omega.
I can see nothing but the gray of his eyes like a tunnel.
I am no longer in control of my body anymore.
My inner wolf is howling and thrashing to escape the magic of his compulsion.
But I am mesmerized.
Relax, the seductive voice whispers, your dreams will come true if you only obey and follow me to Crocodile House.