Page 14 of Twisted Bonds

“No,” they say at once together before Sunder continues. “If he has Chroma and smells like Yurghen, has Yurghen’s books at least… I don’t trust that. Once we find the Fourth Shard, we can seek this one out again. Subdue him perhaps.”

I frown at that, my brows pinching together. That sounds a lot like forcing the bond, but I’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Instead, I ask, “How does he have Chroma without the bond?”

“I’m not sure. If he smelled of Yurghen,” He trails off, unwilling to complete that thought. “Purple Chroma means he can catch glimpses of the future. You know that phrase, beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Well, the visions are widely open to interpretation. It’s led many magi down dark paths.”

Bobble pipes up from beside me. “He just seemed… off. I can’t explain it.”

Sunder and Bobble exchange a glance. Sunder’s brow furrows, creating deep lines across his forehead. Bobble’s eyes dart to the surrounding trees with suspicion, like they might be listening. There’s a long moment where some kind of energy is passing between them. It reminds me of back when the internet had a dial-up connection. I hear the distinct sound in my head.

A noise of disapproval from behind us causes me to freeze. Sunder and Bobble still, their eyes fixed on something over my shoulder. A deep voice, smooth like honey, drifts through the empty air with a hint of amusement. “Looks like you two are trying to share a single brain cell.”

My heartbeats slow, in sync with the stillness that falls over the forest. The sounds of chirping birds and scurrying squirrels come to an abrupt halt, as if someone hit a mute button. I spin around to see him, but there’s no one behind me. The air in front of me shimmers and shifts, sparkling in the dawn’s morning light. Purple shadows seem to dance and sway around us.

The disembodied voice lets out a low chuckle, each sound carving deep into the air with a sense of foreboding and hidden darkness, like a deep well filled with dangerous secrets echoing through the crisp air like a siren’s call. Bobble grabs my hand in his, comforting me with his steady warmth, as a figure emerges from within those shadowy hues.

One time, Lisa and I went way too deep down an Instagram hole in which we watched videos of men in masks as they posted thirst traps. This fae isn’t wearing a mask, but the energy is the same. Something about him screams ‘bondage,’ and it’s not entirely in a good way. He’s almost as tall as Sunder, but where Sunder is a roiling pile of muscles, he’s sleek and lean like a panther. His black suit is made from fine material, fitting snuggly against muscular thighs.

Deep green eyes tunnel into me with keen interest. A hint of recognition flashes in them before he shifts his focus to the men behind me. My breath is stolen in one passing glance. He’s gorgeous.

Sunder and Bobble move protectively in front of me, obscuring my view of the newcomer. He shoots a mock pout at them. “What, I don’t get to meet the mate we’ve all been waiting for?”

“You will stay away from her, Second,” Sunder growls.

The man snorts with disdain, and the purple shadows around him swell as if amused. “Tairyn, not Second. Reducing someone to nothing more than an assigned yet arbitrary number is rather debasing, don’t you think?”

“No, Second. I don’t.” Sunder snaps back.

I sense, rather than see, Tairyn’s grin.

“So, this is her,” he says in that evil-genius drawl, ignoring Sunder’s refusal to call him by name. “The Vessel.”

I want to comment on the hypocrisy of calling me by my role, but now doesn’t seem to be the time. The tension between them is almost tangible, but as their mate, I should be able to ease the situation. I step forward, my body squeezing through their thick arms as they tense up at my sides.

Nervously, I offer my name to him, my hand tentatively extending towards his. He studies it for a moment before gently grasping it in his. Beside me, Sunder growls in his chest, but I can barely hear him. The unexpected warmth of Tairyn’s skin against mine hums in my body. As he brings my hand to his lips, my stomach flutters. His soft lips brush against my knuckles, and I can’t help but hold my breath as our eyes remain locked. My heart beats wildly in my chest, the sound echoing in my ears like a thunderstorm.

My magic swells inside me, begging to be unleashed at his touch. Brilliant sparks of white Chroma surround us, popping in and out of existence. I gasp while Tairyn’s eyes widen, his hand recoiling from mine as if stung by a venomous serpent. Sunder lets out a low growl and shields me once more, pushing me behind him. The whirling white fades away, leaving only dark spots in my vision. “She is none of your concern.”

Between muscled arms, I glimpse Tairyn’s face again. That flicker of horror on his face is gone, easily replaced by a cool indifference.

“I’d say that she’s exactly my concern. As I am hers,” he purrs.

I hate how sexy that voice is. It rolls through me, a cascade of sounds that feel like pure molten lava as they ricochet through my nerves.

“She is nothing to you,” Sunder snarls.

“Yeah,” Bobble adds in a quavering voice.

Tairyn steps closer, clearly undeterred. “I think that you’ll find the Vessel will be quite safe with me. After all, I am the one who studied soul magic and bonds for years. Certainly more than you, oaf.” He shoots Sunder a pointed glare. “Or you, the idiot,” he snaps at Bobble.

Um, no.

He did not just insult my sweet Bobble cat.

I explode from behind them. “Hey! You will not-” I get out before Sunder is already swinging a white-knuckled fist. I watch in slow motion as it connects with Tairyn’s sharp jaw.

The world turns purple. I gasp as a strange mist invades my lungs.

Then everything fades to darkness.

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