Page 401 of Primal Bonds

“I can tell you one thing,” he added. “They won’t take my quartz from me, not at first.”

“Why not?”

He shrugged a powerful shoulder. “They’re not stupid. They know it hurts like hell to have my quartz touched. They’ll use it to torture me.”

“Deus,” she muttered, then brightened. “Can’t you use it to call for help?”

“The wards would block it. But”—he jerked upright—“Marjani’s close.”

“How do you know?”

“I just know. As alpha, I’m connected to everyone in the clan through their quartz, but with her, it’s even stronger. Fuck.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “This is bad.”

“It is?” Rosana sat up as well. “She’s here to rescue you, isn’t she?”

“Gods.” He drew a harsh breath. “She knows not to come anywhere near him.”

“But why? I don’t understand.”

“Because. It’s her the prince really wants. Not me.”

She opened her mouth to ask why, but he shook his head. “I can’t say any more, but take my word for it. He’d love to get his long, cold fingers on her.”

And suddenly, Rosana knew.

Marjani had killed Langdon’s son, not Adric—and Langdon had somehow found out. No wonder Adric had been so determined to assassinate the prince.

She grabbed his arm. “Tyrus,” she mouthed. “It was her. And he knows it. That’s why you came alone.”

An infinitesimal nod. He set a hand on her mouth, warning her not to say more.

She dipped her chin, telling him she understood, and he lifted his fingers. “So that’s why you wouldn’t listen to me,” she whispered.

“I told you not to come. But you just wouldn’t listen.”

“Maybe because I’m supposed to be here.”

He made a small sound, half laughter, half groan. “Know something? I’m starting to believe you.”

She watched as he rose to his feet and crossed to the metal trough. He took a drink and then used handfuls of water to rinse the rest of the powder off.

Adric was here to save his sister.

He wasn’t here only for his clan. He was here for Marjani.

This changed everything.

She washed up herself, and they took turns using the toilet. She pulled on her clothes and sat on the bench, mind working.

Yeah, her gut told her she was supposed to be here, but why? She was a Seer, not a warrior. Until today, she’d never even seen combat. And without an iron weapon, she was helpless against the night fae. Even with their iron, the prince had fought off both her and Adric.

Adric got dressed as well and prowled around the small space, clearly unhappy at being confined. At least he was better. Seeing him so battered had hurt at a primal level, like she’d shared his pain—and she’d known the instant he’d come back to consciousness.

Which was strange, come to think of it. She furrowed her brow, unconsciously massaging her breastbone.

The realization hit her like a fist to the heart. The mate bond had formed on her side. Not just a few threads, but a shining ribbon of sea-colored light. She felt it, stretching from her to him. But before it reached his chest, it slammed up against something bright and hard, as if he’d thrown up a shield.

Blood roared in her ears. She gulped, the breath literally knocked out of her.

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