Page 109 of A Blackened Bond

Micai was worth every last drop of effort I had in me.

I glance around the shop, seeing Annex terrifying one of the staff members again while holding a large, bronze antique blade. He was more than likely just asking the guy about the weapon in his hand. But the overzealous and deranged look on his face wouldn’t help him get many answers.

I turn around, searching for Micai, and find her near the back of the store and a black metal door. She’s with a large man wearing a navy long-sleeved top and a worn dark brown leather apron.

She’s handing over the necklace we got her, but the chain is slightly damaged as she gently places it in the man’s hands.

I recognise his face, remembering it from when Annex and I came to collect the custom necklace for Micai. He’s the blacksmith here. Ian or Isaiah is his name, I think.

Annex had used his services a few times, having blades mended or altered for him, and had mentioned that he was skilled.

I watch on as Micai’s eyes narrow, her stance slightly stiffening with a tone to her voice that tells me she isn’t comfortable with him.

I make my way over, wrapping my arm around her shoulder as my eyes meet the large blacksmiths. Dark hazel-brown eyes peer out through a dark, bushy beard, and a slight hint of spirits or alcohol floats to my nose as his eyes slightly narrow my way.

“Is everything okay here?” I ask, turning toward Micai, who nods, her glare never leaving the blacksmith's frame.

I can see why she was uncomfortable with his presence. I also didn’t like the strange way he was looking at her.

But my little sea star was a fighter.

She had shown me at Erving’s place that she could handle herself and that I shouldn’t be so overbearing.

I could definitely try, though it wouldn’t be easy. Every part of me wanted to shield and protect her from any danger or possible pain. However, I would have to learn to trust her abilities and have her back instead.

Trying to protect or shield her from everything would only be telling her that I don’t trust that she can defend herself.

And Micai was powerful.

I think we have only seen a small fraction of what she’s truly capable of.

I never want to dim my mate's light. I want to help it grow to a blazing fire that outshines everything else around it, building it stronger and more powerful so that it can consume anything it wants or needs to.

I flick my gaze toward the blacksmith. Even if Micai was uncomfortable, she wouldn’t look away, staring the man down like he was four feet tall instead of two heads taller than her. Nobody could mess with my girl; she was a pit bull with fangs, after all.

“It’ll take a few days,” the blacksmith calls gruffly, a deep-gravelly pitch to his voice as he speaks, like he hadn’t used it in a while.

Micai lets out a small grunt of agreement, never once letting up in their stare-down before he turns away and heads through a black door behind him.

I pull Micai closer as he leaves, a slight tilt to her chin with her small victory.

“All done here?” I ask, holding back a chuckle.

“All done.” She turns toward me, a small smile gracing her lips before she takes my hand in hers and begins to lead us to where Annex is.

“Did he do something to bother you, Micai?” I glance back to where the rough-looking man had just been as we leave, my brows pinching further together.

“He didn’t say or do anything.” She calls, following my gaze. “I would have flipped him on his ass if he had.”

I wouldn’t put it past her with the glare she was giving him.

She tugs my hand, dragging my attention back to her before gently squeezing it.

“I just didn’t like the way he looked at me. He went all weird, and I’ve had enough sleazy assholes around me these days to last me a lifetime.”

What other assholes have been annoying her?

“Annexhasbeen annoying,” I add, grinning as she meets my gaze.

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