Page 98 of Bound By Darkness

My legs threatened to collapse. The witch had warned me about my fate and I’d missed it completely. “Have you known this whole time?” I whispered, my eyes scanning his for any deception.

“Yes.” Ivan said softly as he took another step. “It’s why I rescued you from the prison. Why I’m adamant about keeping an eye on you, because your fate determines the fate of all.”

There was no deception to his words. He meant it. Just as the witch had told me in the tent. It was why the blood stone pulsed in my pocket now. It made sense… and it terrified me.

I took a step back. “I can’t… I can’t believe you hid this from me. Does Fin know?”

He shook his head. “I haven’t told him, but I think he knows. He’s smarter than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“You mentioned sisters. My… my sister was a part of this?”

“Yes. Her death ignited the curse further. It’s why the Unclaimed lands are spreading.”

“Her death increased the curse?” My legs faltered, plummeting me to the ground as my hands held my head. “Why? Why would the King kill her if he needed her?”

“I don’t know,” he answered, his voice a steady beacon as my world slowly crashed around me.

The King had murdered her and kept me alive for his sick plans. He’d killed my family for a prophecy. A fate I had no control over.

Heat boiled my blood, rattling the cage beneath.

You know the truth, caster. Release me so we may plague the land. Release me and I will kill the very man who sits on that throne.

My hands pushed against my temples as that voice reverberated in my mind.

“Thalia?” Ivan’s voice echoed around me.

“I can’t?—”

The voice screamed again, mine following after. It pierced every crevice in my mind, shattering the holds I’d put into place as night crept through me.

Dark wisps filled the room.

“Help,” I whispered, my eyes struggling to find his.

The darkness was taking over.

Whatever this casting was, it wanted me to consume and feed until nothing existed. It was evil, and wanted me gone.

Ivan dropped to his knees, his hands grabbing my cheeks tightly as my eyes met silver. “I’m sorry,” he whispered before his lips touched mine.

Chapter 28

Half-Moons

THALIA

He deepened the kiss,his hands tugging me close.

My hands wrapped around his neck on instinct as my fingertips found the curls of his hair, twirling them as lightning pulsed in my veins. He tasted like a mixture of honey and wine—intoxicating every sense as he bit my lip, another ripple of pleasure radiating through me.

He was kissing me… andIwas kissing him back.

His hand tugged my head farther back, my lips parting further as his tongue explored the expanse of space I gave him. A moan left my lips as his hand threaded through my hair, every touch—every stretch of my skin bathing in liquid fire.

A groan left his as my teeth found his bottom lip, pulling slightly as my arms wrapped around his neck, hauling him flush against me. The space between us was agonizing and I wanted nothing more than?—

His lips pried away, his breath mingling with mine as his scent fueled my body, whisking away anyprepared thought I had.

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