Page 103 of The Ballad of the Vampire Prince

“That’s amazing, Svenn. I’m sorry but I can’t do that to mine,” I say, shaking my head. “The bond, no matter how messed up it is, she’s a part of me. I like her.”

“So keep her.” A grin spreads across his face. “Mine is a bastard, so I have to lock him away.”

It warms my heart to see that smile. He’s more himself now.

“It feels so much better.” He sits up straighter, his eyes full of awe. “It’s quiet now.”

“Must be nice,” I mutter. My bond, on the other hand, is desperately telling me to jump into his lap right this moment because we just lost him.

“Let me show you something, Nel,” he says, tapping his thigh for me to sit on.

I don’t accept the invitation immediately. A long beat of silence passes as I look at him carefully. Those kind eyes definitely belong to my Svenn. I move to him without hesitation now that he has sealed his crazy bond. I feel the firm press of his muscle as he gathers me closer.

“The more we deny ourselves what the bond wants, the more intense the pull gets,” he whispers hoarsely. “But physical touch makes it bearable.”

I can feel the rumble of his words against my back, sliding down my spine.

Svenn sifts his fingers through my hair. His other hand rests against the small of my back casually, keeping me close to him. I can feel the wild beating of his heart pounding against his chest. I’m sure he can feel mine too.

It doesn’t take long at all for his theory to work. The bond goes silent in my head.

No, it’s content…

The desperate urge to bite, to kiss, to make love to him is still there… but it’s less intense now.

“I think you might be right,” I murmur to his chest.

A dark chuckle fills my ear.

We stay that way for a long while, basking in each other’s presence. I love the weight of his heavy arm around my waist. It’s so comfortable here. I don’t ever want to move from this spot. I snuggle into him until my lungs are filled with his scent.

Svenn gives a deliciously deep growl.

“You feel so fucking good, Nel.” It’s not something I expected he would say. A tender feeling gathers in my chest.

Relief washes over me. His bond has been feeding him wicked thoughts the way mine did to me. I understand now. His temporary insanity must have driven him to bring me to this abandoned castle.

I don’t think Svenn is well enough to travel back, but we at least have to make preparations.

“When do you think we can go back to Windhaven?” I ask him, restless at the thought that no one knows if I’m all right. Not my knights, not my uncle. Lady Deirdre must be worried sick for me.

He pulls away a little to meet my gaze.

“This whole thing is just a misunderstanding. You were not yourself,” I say softly.

He just watches. His eyes are focussed on me, and the silence stretches out.

“I was jealous of Tallula and Lenna when they talked to you,” I release a small truth from my heart.

His jaw unhinges. “Who?”

“My handmaidens,” I remind him. I’m not sure if I’m happy or sad that he doesn’t know their names. “The bond makes us do unreasonable things sometimes. So I understand why you brought me here. But I think we should go back to Windhaven now.”

He says nothing and keeps on staring down at me. My heart is hammering in the silence. Svenn is most terrifying when he is quiet.

“I’ve sealed mine completely,” he says, his eyes hardening. “This is all me.”

I stiffen in his grip. Just moments ago, he was kind and warm. Now the cold menace has returned to his face.

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