Page 78 of The Bond That Burns

“I’m not yours. And I’m certainly not some prize you can parade around the school, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. “That wasn’t what I meant. But after everything...”

“Yes, after everything,” she echoed. “After everything you’ve done to me and my friends, after that stunt you pulled today in class, I can’t believe I’m actually sitting here, wearing this robe, still in your room. What the fuck is wrong with me?”

She said the words so bitterly. I stared at her. Was she really regretting this already?

My jaw tightened, anger flaring. “What is it you want from me, Pendragon? I’ve given you everything.”

She slid off the bed and stood up. “You haven’t given me shit. If anything, I’m the one always giving.” She shook her head slowly. “Did you forget this morning so quickly?”

“I haven’t forgotten you sitting beside Kage Tanaka, no,” I snapped back.

“And I haven’t forgotten you humiliating my friends. You made Florence cry,” she burst out.

I winced. Florence. The dark-haired, quiet girl with glasses. I knew she was special to Pendragon. I’d tried to have her assigned to House Drakharrow so the girls could be together, but Kage had somehow overridden my selection. But Pendragon didn’t even know that. I’d never told her.

Now I took a deep breath. She was already heading for the door. Without thinking, the words tumbled out, low and hoarse. “I’m...sorry. All right?”

She stopped, her hand on the doorframe, and turned to look back at me. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, she nodded. “Fine. But you’re still an asshole. And this? This doesn’t mean you’ve won.”

Then she stalked out, leaving me sitting on the bed, staring at the door.

I leaned back against the headboard again, running my hands through my still-damp hair. I felt a strange mix of emotions brimming inside me. Anger, confusion, and something else. Sadness? No, that couldn’t be it. I didn’tdosad.Sadness, depression, anxiety—those were all blightborn traits. Highbloods didn’t indulge in them.

I clenched my jaw. I should have been happy. I’d gotten what I wanted. The sex had been incredible. Better than anything I’d ever had before. Surely she must feel the same way. Soon she’d be back for more.

That was enough. It had to be.

But it wasn’t. I wantedmore. But I didn’t know what exactly.

I looked across the bed at where she’d just been sitting. Her absence was a presence. She’d only been gone a moment. Already I missed her.

If she’d stayed, what would we have done next? Talked? Cuddled? Fucked again? Fallen asleep in my bed? I imagined my body curled up around hers, protecting her. It wouldn’t have been so bad.

But cuddling, talking, sleeping—those were all things you did with someone you actuallyliked. I’d been with girls before but when they stayed and talked, I usually wasn’t listening and was just waiting for them to go. When they fell asleep, I stayed on my side of the bed. I didn’t wrap myself around them like a spoon.

But with Pendragon? I wanted it all. I wanted to talk—and I wanted to hear her talk to me. I wanted to know everything about her–where she really came from, who her family was, her favorite book, her favorite class. I wanted to sleep beside her. Hold her in my arms. Above all, keep her safe.

But I couldn’t look forward to doing any of those things. Because she didn’t trust me.

The only thing I could do was what I’d been doing all along: Stay vigilant. Protect her, even if she didn’t know it. She could hate me all she wanted, but I was her guardian, her soldier. That hadn’t changed.

I closed my eyes and tried to relax. Tried not to think of how my older brother would call me “pathetic” if he knew half of what was running through my mind.

Tomorrow was another day. Maybe Pendragon would realize how good we were together. Maybe she’d show up at my door begging for more.

And if not? Well, I’d just have to remind her. Again and again.

CHAPTER 19 - MEDRA

The plush fabric of Blake’s robe brushed against my bare legs as I slipped out into the hall. My room was only a few steps away. If I moved fast, no one would even see me.

I clutched the robe, tucking my chin into the softness. Then I realized what I was doing. Breathing him in. The robe was heavy with Blake’s scent, rich and unmistakable. But there was something underlying his usual smells—sharp, almost metallic. Like blood. Or sex. The realization made my cheeks flame, even as I sped up my steps.

But luck wasn’t on my side tonight.

“Well, well, well,” came a silky voice. “What do we have here?”

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