Page 45 of The Blood Moon Oath

"Me too," Torin says, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he starts heading towards Sable's chambers.

With a flick of my wrist, I use my powers to turn him around. He stumbles, then laughs, planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek.

"Maybe one day you'll let loose a little, Finn," he teases. "See what you're missing."

As they leave, I'm left alone with my thoughts, the echo of Torin's words haunting me more than I care to admit.

The silence of my chambers grows oppressive as the hours tick by. I sit motionless, staring at the wall, but my mind races with thoughts of her. Sable. The fierce huntress who's become our captive, our temptation, our undoing.

I clench my fists, willing the desire away. "This is madness," I mutter, pacing the room. "She's nothing but trouble."

But even as I say the words, images flood my mind - her defiant eyes, the curve of her neck, the way her chest heaves when she's angry. I imagine how it would feel to run my handsthrough her hair, to taste the salt on her skin, to consume her completely as my brothers have.

My body responds traitorously, and I adjust myself, disgusted by my lack of control. "No," I growl, twisting the silver ring on my finger. "I've sworn off women. This changes nothing."

The ring slides across my knuckles, a familiar gesture of comfort and reminder. I've made my choice. I won't be swayed by-

A soft sound at the far end of the room makes me freeze. I look up, startled, to see Sable standing there, her eyes wide and wary.

"What are you doing here?" I demand, my voice rougher than intended.

She lifts her chin, that familiar spark of defiance in her eyes. "I couldn't sleep," she says simply. "And I... I heard voices earlier."

I narrow my eyes, studying her. "Eavesdropping, were you?"

"Can you blame me?" she shoots back. "I'm surrounded by enemies, held captive by warlocks. Of course I'm going to try to gather information."

Her boldness, even now, stirs something in me. I take a step closer, and she tenses but holds her ground.

"You're playing a dangerous game," I warn her.

Chapter

Twenty-Five

SABLE

Ipress my forehead against the cold wood of the door, my breath shallow as I strain to hear the muffled voices on the other side. The deep tones are too garbled to make out completely, but the cadence is unmistakable—a fight. Not just raised voices, but a battle of wills, sharp and heated. The air around the door feels heavy, like there’s something laced in it, a spell to block out sound. A precaution, no doubt.

But the binding between Kael and me hums faintly, an unwelcome tether that pulses in time with my heartbeat. It woke me moments ago, dragging me from restless sleep with a jolt of emotion that wasn’t mine. Jealousy. Fury. Desire. It flooded me, sharp and overwhelming, until I wasn’t sure where his feelings ended and mine began.

I close my eyes, gripping the doorframe as if anchoring myself to it could steady the storm inside me. Breathe, Sable. Deep and slow. Don’t let it take over. But the pull is relentless, every wave of Kael’s anger coursing through me like wildfire.His desire lingers just beneath it, molten and dangerous, simmering like an undercurrent I can’t ignore. It burns hotter than I want to admit, and I shake my head, willing myself to push it away.

What are they saying? I press my ear closer, but the muffling spell holds firm. Torin’s voice cuts through suddenly, louder than the others, his tone mocking and infuriatingly smug. I can’t make out the words, but the cadence is enough to make me roll my eyes. Of course he’s stirring the pot.

A sharp spike of jealousy rolls through the bond, slamming into me with enough force to make my breath hitch. Kael. His fury sharpens, and I clench my fists, trying to block it out. Why is he so angry? I’m the prisoner here, not him. If anyone should be furious, it’s me. But the rawness of his emotions is staggering, primal and all-encompassing, like a tidal wave threatening to drag me under.

My knees weaken, and I press harder against the door to steady myself. His desire follows, insidious and intoxicating, curling through the bond like smoke. My body reacts against my will, heat pooling low in my belly, and I bite my lip hard enough to sting. No. I will not feel this. I will not let his emotions seep into me, no matter how strong the bond.

Torin’s voice rises again, cutting through Kael’s, followed by Finn’s measured, steady tone. It’s harder to hear Finn, but his words are clipped, carrying a weight that makes me pause. He rarely raises his voice, so the sharpness in his tone is startling. My curiosity spikes, despite the turmoil coursing through me. What could they possibly be fighting about?

I flatten my palms against the door, frustrated by the barrier and by my inability to shut out the emotions tangling inside me. This bond... It’s more invasive than I could have imagined. How much of me can Kael feel in return? Thethought sends a shiver down my spine. If he knows how much his desire is affecting me, I’ll never hear the end of it.

I exhale shakily, leaning harder against the door, determined to make out something—anything—that could explain what’s happening. Whatever’s going on out there, it feels important. And dangerous.

I glance at the door handle, frustration coiling in my chest. I want to hear them. Need to. Whatever they’re arguing about has Kael radiating waves of jealousy and desire through our binding, and it’s wreaking havoc on my ability to think straight. But the door is locked, of course. Of course. I shouldn’t have expected anything less from Finn. Everything about him screams precision and control, and I’m sure this is his doing.

Still, I’m not about to let a lock stop me. I take a step back, closing my eyes and focusing. That first night when I shattered the goblet—it wasn’t just adrenaline. It was something else. A force I’m only beginning to understand. I press my hand to the cold metal of the lock, letting my fingers rest there. The surface feels... alive, almost, like it’s responding to me.

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