Page 13 of Mane Squeeze
Markus chuckled. “And now?”
“Now, we’re bonded. Cursed. Can’t be more than thirty feet apart or we get this tight, burning pressure in our chests. Feels like something’s crushing our lungs.”
Markus went quiet. His gaze drifted toward the window, where Rowan now leaned against Lillith, laughing softly. Lillith didn’t laugh back, but her mouth twitched like it wanted to.
“Sounds like a proximity tether. But those don’t usually trigger without permission.”
“Tell that to Thaloryn,” Dominic said, his tone darkening. “He said it was a punishment. For her. For both of us.”
Markus leaned back, steepling his fingers. “You know what Thaloryn was?”
“A prince?”
“A predator. One of the last high-blood fae who believed bonding magic should be used to control, not connect. The stories—well. Most of them were hushed. But I’ve heard things.”
Dominic’s jaw tensed. “Like?”
“Like he used to experiment with spell pairings. He’d bind couples together in the name of love. Or war. Or just... amusement.”
Dominic felt the weight of that settle deep in his gut. “So this isn’t new.”
“Not for him,” Markus said. “But this—” he gestured vaguely, “—feels different.”
Dominic raised a brow. “How so?”
Markus hesitated. “There’s a theory,” he said slowly, “that Thaloryn could only activate a tether if the bond already existed on a soul level. That he couldn’t make something out of nothing. Just... force it to the surface.”
Dominic went still.
“Are you telling me this curse works because I was already?—?”
“I’m saying the magic doesn’t lie,” Markus replied carefully. “And the fact that neither of you are dead means your spirits accepted the link. Doesn’t mean you’re fated. Doesn’t mean you’re not.”
Dominic laughed—sharp, hollow. “That’s real comforting.”
Markus smiled slightly. “Thought you didn’t mind being stuck with her.”
“I don’t,” Dominic muttered. “Not all the time.”
“She’s not what you expected.”
Dominic looked toward the window again. “She’s... impossible.”
“But?”
He exhaled. “But she’s the only person I’ve met who doesn’t give a damn about what I am. Not the lion. Not the charm. Not the past.”
Markus studied him for a long time. “That scares you.”
“No,” Dominic said. “That’s what makes it something I don’t know what to do with.”
The shop door creaked.
Rowan peeked in. “Time’s up. Lillith’s starting to hum again.”
Dominic stood. “Appreciate the insight.”
“Dominic,” Markus said, voice firm.
