Page 47 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

“So that is the nature of it, then.” Illeron’s silvery-blue eyes flashed with sharp amusement. He bowed to her. “You have one as well, my lady?”

After a quick glance at me, as though double checking I approved, Calypso nodded. “Mine is larger.”

Illeron made a gesture and a shadow elf appeared out of the shadow next to the bookcase in the corner. “Casimir, youwill want to see this.” The spymaster indicated my arm before turning to address Calypso. “May I see?”

Calypso’s eyes widened at Casimir’s sudden appearance. Shadow elves were impressive in general with their dusky skin, glowing eyes, and ability to shadow walk, but Casimir was in another class entirely. In addition to his impressive physique, he radiated constrained power and danger.

To my surprise, Calypso didn’t hesitate to offer her right hand to Illeron for inspection. The loose full sleeve of her gown slid to her shoulder with ease, revealing the vine. Fresh leaves and tendrils curled around her elbow and upper arm. “It has grown again.” She regarded me with concern. “When will it stop?”

“When you complete the bond,” Illeron replied distractedly. He circled her, examining the marking without touching it. “Does the mark respond to stimuli?”

“Yes.” I frowned. “It is pleased when we are close. And when we draw apart, it expresses its displeasure.”

“How so?” Illeron demanded, even more intent.

“I faint,” Calypso responded.

“And my vine constricts—painfully.”

“Intriguing.” Illeron bowed over her hand, staring intently at the mark. He muttered some words in elvish and magic flared.

Calypso sneezed, causing Illeron’s head to snap up so he could set his piercing gaze on her. “You are a shifter?”

She lifted her chin defiantly. “I am. How did you know?”

Illeron grinned. “It is a common reaction among shifters when exposed to a strong spell.”

“Not dragons.” Ghost snorted. Smoke tickled my nose.

“Of course not.” Illeron motioned for Casimir to come closer to Calypso. “Otherwise, the forests in the west would’ve burned down long ago. Cas, note how the vines wrap the oppositedirection from his. And it responds to magic.” The spymaster repeated the spell, this time with more magic behind it.

Calypso sneezed so hard she almost fell over. Illeron caught her by her arm to steady her, and the vine marking my skin contracted violently. Of its own accord, my hand fisted. The irrational urge to launch myself over the desk to remove Illeron’s hand from her arm tore through me, and I had risen and half-drawn my dagger before I gained control of myself once more.

Casimir calmly placed himself between me and his brother as I wrestled down the impulses racing through me. His dark features showed no emotion as he flicked a storage spell. A wickedly sharp dragon-forged blade appeared in his hand.

“Backing away,” Illeron announced, his hands raised and splayed in a sign of neutrality.

“I suggest you go to his side, my lady,” Casimir said.

“What’s wrong?” Calypso came around the desk and approached me warily.

“He acted aggressively when I touched you. It’s a typical impulse in response to an incomplete mating bond,” Illeron explained.

I gritted my teeth at the sound of his voice. Irrationally, I put my hands over my ears to block out the sound of his voice. My body itched to move.

“Help him, my lady,” Illeron advised.

“How?” Calypso moved closer.

“Touch him. It will help.”

Casimir kept himself between me and Illeron. “I recommend you don’t speak right at this moment, brother. Your voice is provoking the instincts he is fighting.”

Calypso’s fingers caught my arm. Instantaneous relief surged through me. Desperate for control, I caught her around the shoulders and pulled her to me, burying my face in her hair.

Breathing in her scent and the lavender soap she had used the night before, I focused on the fact she was in my arms, safe. Gradually, my racing heart slowed. Within minutes, the curse and the mating bond were humming happily. Calypso relaxed, leaning into me as I pulled her closer still.

Casimir approached and examined my forearm where it wrapped around Calypso’s back. The vine glowed, rippling and glimmering against my skin. Based on the tingle wrapping my upper arm, I suspected the vine had unfurled at least two more leaves.

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