Page 116 of The Bond That Burns

The problem was... We’d muddied the waters. Something had changed between us. I’d let him get closer to me. Closer than I’d ever thought I’d allow. I’d fucked up. Confused myself and him.

I thought of Florence–cowering in the corner of the carriage. My heart squeezed with remorse. Whatever was happening between Blake and I–it had to end.

“To answer your question,” Kage was saying. “I have no idea why Lord Drakharrow approved the transfer. My grandmother didn’t expect him to. Perhaps this is the first step towards him giving up his house’s claim to Nyxaris.”

But the wry look on Kage’s face told me he didn’t think that was likely—and I didn’t either.

No, Viktor didn’t do anything without a self-centered reason behind it. And his reasons were never, ever good ones. If he was letting me go, it was because he thought he had something to gain—or something to hide.

The thought suddenly struck me. Was moving to House Avari the right move? Or would I be trading one prison for another? What did I really know about Elaria Avari anyhow? She played the kindly matriarch well. But that could all be an act.

I glanced at Kage. Tall, dark, and handsome. More reserved, more contained than Blake ever was. He’d treated me with respect. He deferred to my wishes. He was...almost courtly. Yet could that be an act, too?

I suddenly felt exhausted. Damn these highbloods and their intrigue and their lies and their games. Here I was, caught in the middle, trying to figure out who the hell I could trust. And it wasn’t easy.

There was only one person I knew for certain was good in all of this. And now I’d failed to protect her and her family.

I’d failed my friends once before. I couldn’t do it again. Moving to House Avari would mean being closer to Florence. Could I really throw that opportunity away?

“The look on your face tells me this isn’t the answer you were hoping for,” Kage observed.

I tried to smile. “No, it is. I just...”

“Very well. You may have a day.”

“A day?”

“One day to consider what you really want. No longer.” He studied my face. “House Avari will not use compulsion on you, Medra. We want you only if you want us.”

I opened my mouth, but he cut me off again. “There’s more.”

“More?” I repeated.

He shot me a rueful grin. “But based on your reaction to my first piece of news, I’m not sure you’ll like this one any better.”

“What is it? Tell me.” My voice was sharp. I tried to soften it. “Please. I really do appreciate everything you’ve tried to do for me, Kage. Really.”

He nodded. “Very well. I’ve found a way—potentially—for you to break the bond between you and Blake.”

My heart froze. “You’ve what?”

Kage’s calm expression didn’t waver. “But I don’t think you’re going to like what it entails. There’s also absolutely no guarantee it would work.”

“Tell me,” I said quickly, stepping closer. “I need to know.”

“There’s an ancient ritual...”

Laughter broke from me. “Yes, isn’t there always?”

He gave me a strange look and I remembered he didn’t know about the first ritual I’d done.

“I’m sorry,” I said, clearing my throat and trying to be as calm as he was. “Go ahead. I’m ready.”

He started speaking. This time I let him continue, uninterrupted.

CHAPTER 29 - BLAKE

I paced outside the heavy oak door to my room. My shoulders were taut, my body exhausted. My sword was still strapped to my side. I’d cleaned it but that was about all I’d had a chance to do. I hadn’t dared leave Aenia alone to bathe or even eat.

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