Page 54 of Magic Claimed
What is fated and then bonded can never be undone, for it is the work of the all-knowing universe. The sole creator has blessed these unions before the inception of the chosen souls. To unbond would destroy the fabric of the soul.
The Lands of Faerie are strengthened through bonding magic, enabling all to prosper in good health and plentiful abundance.
Bonding was sacred, borne from Faerie magic. A gift to those lucky enough to receive it. It was pure and strong and powerful. Anise said bond magic was as strong as the original ancient magic. It made sense if both magics originated from Faerie.
I wondered if my parents had found joy with their bond. There was no way to know if their bond had been formed from genuine love, or if it had been forced upon them, decreed by an uncaring Fate like the bond between Alerick, Eike, Jarom and me.
I would destroy them when I left. They wouldn’t find anyone else. I wondered how the bond had been able to form with the scar on Jarom’s soul and with the scars on mine. Maybe it was as twisted as my insides and it would destroy us all.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sunset came and went. Jarom paced the cabin, barking order to the shifters, his agitation reaching the wolf shifters inside with us. I’d read all the books I could until a headache throbbed behind my eyes.
“For the sake of the gods, why don’t you run off some steam?” I said, placing another book on the pile next to me.
Jarom turned to me. “I will not leave you here.”
Leaving me here would be the perfect opportunity. “Leave guards then. It’s obvious you don’t trust me.”
Jarom stomped towards me, his eyes blazing. “Is that what you think? That I don’t trust you?”
I didn’t like how he towered over me while I sat in a pool of books. “Seeing as either you, Alerick or Eike haven’t let me out of your sight for days, then yes, I think you don’t trust me.”
My hand trailed unconsciously to the collar. It had been days and Esoti hadn’t called for me. Jarom thrust a hand through his hair, spiking it in all directions, swearing under his breath. “It’s not like that.”
“Then what is it like?” I asked.
“Serafine…you’re our mate.” His voice sounded strained and unsure. I hated I would use that uncertainty.
“I don’t feel anything, Jarom. Surely, if I was your mate, I would feel the same pull as you do,” I lied.
One of the guards at the table muttered under his breath.
Jarom swung on them, his fingers extending into sharp claws. “She is nothing like Haera!” His voice sunk into me, making my skin prickle with Alpha power in his words.
The guards staggered to their feet so quickly one of them bumped the table and a cup overturned, spilling the contents over the paperwork. Jarom snarled so loud the glass vibrated in the windowsills, the sound pure animal.
“I’m sorry, Second.” The guard paled. He picked up the papers and shook the liquid off them with shaking hands.
Sticky perspiration broke out over my skin alongside a slither of jealousy. Haera. I wondered who she was and what she did to cause such a deep scar.
“I think you need to go,” I whispered. To be honest, his anger frightened me and a scary, powerful male was never good news.
Jarom ran his hand down his face before he straightened his shoulders. He sent the guard away with a few curt orders before kneeling in front of me once we were alone. “Don’t underestimate what I feel, little prey. I will not be separated from you, despite my worry for Alerick and Eike. I realize I have been ignoring you and that will not do.” His fingers slipped beneath the robe, the heat from his skin sinking into me. My wolf, who had been sleeping all day, pricked her ears up and woke up, taking notice.
“I don’t mind,” I said, my voice only a whisper.
“But I think you do. I can feel your wolf stirring. She wants to run in the forest with her mate,” Jarom said.
The thump of my wolf’s tail matched the pounding of my heart. She spun in a circle and her excitement. “No. She doesn’t,” I croaked.
“Still lying to yourself, I see. If you don’t want to run, we can stay here and I will pleasure you in more human ways.” He pushed the robe off my shoulders. It would have fallen to the floor if I wasn’t clutching the ends tight at my chest. Cool air caressed my back and my knuckles turned white. His gaze roamed my bare shoulders, and I stifled a shiver that stole through me, infuriating heat pooling between my thighs. This time, my human side preened, and I clenched my teeth.
If I was in my wolf form, I’d have the armour of my fur because I wouldn’t win this battle with his bare hands on my skin, nor with the greedy way in which he looked at me.
I’d be able to explore the ley-lines and see how my wolf reacted to it. At that thought, my wolf circled, and I felt her need push against the inside of my skin in an attempt to break free. I barely managed to keep her contained this time.
“I prefer to run,” I said between clenched teeth and then the urge to Change was overwhelming. My body sparked with energy and before I knew it, I was on four paws with my nose twitching in excitement.
