Page 101 of The Dark Rising
“So, blood oath,” I say, clearing my throat. I can’t get into this now.
A part of me wants to scream at the unfairness, scream at Darius about what he did to me. Another wants to fall into his arms so he can maybe make me feel just a slither of peace for a moment.
He sighs, but nods. Raising my right arm to him, Darius stills, his body locking unnaturally as silver flecks dance in his eyes as they darken. My brows furrow, and I follow his intense gaze to my arm.
Now it’s me that stills.
I try to move my arm back, but Darius shoots his hand out and grabs my wrist, pulling my arm closer to him. He brings his other hand up and trails his fingers from above my wrist to the middle of my forearm. Goosebumps appear in the wake of his touch, following his path. He circles the space in the center, tracing the subtle pattern that’s appearing there.
I follow his hand, mesmerized by it as tingles begin under the surface where he’s touching. My chest warms. I bring my free hand up and rub the spot, shifting where I sit, slightly. I move my gaze along his muscular arm, to his shoulder and to the side of his neck until I move to his jaw. Then finally his eyes.
No words pass between us as I find his stare on me. There is nothing to say as our bodies speak for us. Still holding my wrist in his grasp, he grabs the collar of his t-shirt and pulls it down so I have the full view of his neck. I suck in a sharp breath, my hand shaking as I reach forward and trace the marking that appears. He makes a soft sound deep in his chest when my fingers touch his warm skin, his eyes heating. I move back suddenly and he releases my wrist.
“Why is it there?” I whisper.
“I’m not sure, it was the space given to me.” I nod. “I know it’s not the normal space, but then, we are not normal, are we?” We aren’t. “The blood oath,” he murmurs huskily, and I once again give him my right arm. He shakes his head. “The other one.” I pause for a moment before complying.
He brings my left hand up to his lips, kissing my wrist before moving just above it. His eyes flicker to mine, those flecks still there as he bites down. I flinch at the sharp pain, gritting my teeth as he pierces me further. Blood wells around his mouth, eyes still intent on mine before he gently pulls away. He licks the wound, tasting my blood before he raises his left arm.
I take his hand in mine, so large compared to mine, and pull forward until my mouth hovers just further above his wrist. I hesitate. A blood oath isn’t something to take lightly, in fact, it’s not allowed anymore, made forbidden by the Highers. It seems Darius really couldn’t give a shit about Highers laws anymore, and for that, I’m glad.
Darius locks our fingers together where I still hold his hand. He squeezes reassuringly. I take a deep breath and then move my mouth to the heat of his skin. I waste no more time and bite down. My canines instantly break through and his blood rushes into my mouth. Darius growls softly, and I look at him as I bite down further. He grabs the obvious erection through his pants, and I raise a brow, letting his blood run down my throat.
He smirks, eyes wicked as he licks his lips. I roll mine and move back, my canines sliding out of him as I lick around the bite. I let go of his hand and sit back, then wait.
“I make this oath in truth,” he starts. “Break the oath and break the bond. I make this oath through blood that I will not be a danger to the twin oath bearer.”
“I make this oath in truth,” I repeat. “Break the oath and break the bond. I make this oath through blood that I will not be a danger to the twin oath bearer.”
“For sacrifice we forfeit,” we conclude at the same time.
Magic tingles through the air, and I look down at the bite mark Darius gave me. It glows, the pale light following the pattern of his teeth rapidly, until it shines violet before dimming. His bite mark will be a permanent spot on my skin until it’s broken, only to be seen if we allow it.
What’s another mark on my body?
I start to feel dizzy, more exhaustion drowning me again and I slump forward into Darius. He grabs me by the waist, maneuvering me until I’m straddling his lap and he guides my face to his neck underneath his jaw. I nuzzle his skin, humming slightly at the scent of him as my eyes close. Letting myself go for just a moment with him.
“Zier ny lumniva, little wolf.”You’re my moonlight.
I go to speak when a ferocious growl sounds around us, and my heart beats wildly in my chest. Darius stands, bringing me with him and placing me behind him. Darkness seems to shrink in on us, and blue eyes pierce within. I go to step around Darius, toward who is mine.
“Runa,” I call gently, and the growl stops briefly, a whine coming from her. Tears sting my eyes as I pass Darius to her, but he grabs me and hauls me to his chest. His arm comes around my waist, my back to him as I lock eyes on my wolf.
I’ve never seen her like this before, I’ve only ever felt her strongly.
“Runa, come to me,” I plead with her, but a howl rents the air, and then the feeling of being compressed hits me, like it would if we had ported.
Light shines through my closed eyes lids, and I blink them open, looking around the willow fields. She banished us out.
Darius’s breath hits my ear on a chuckle. “Stubborn as you.” I huff. “We will guide her out, no matter what. Trust me.”
Trust me.He says that a lot lately, and with the blood oath he just expects that to happen? There are still secrets between us, and we haven’t even spoken in depth about what happened at Wolvorn Castle. At this point, I don’t think we ever will.
So how am I supposed to move past that niggle in the back of my mind reminding me of how much he hurt me?
I can’t, and I’m not sure I ever will because he doesn’t even acknowledge it.
Yes we are civil, working toward a common goal.
