Page 87 of The Curse of Golden Blood
I lifted my chin and met his gaze squarely. "You're wrong," I said. "You need me. And I'm not going anywhere."
The color changed in his eyes, a sudden quicksilver burn as if whatever magic ran through his veins burned a little higher.
And in the wake of it, shadows roiled across his back. I saw them move even though I knew they could not be there, even though the bulk of his wings still arched over his shoulders.
Why did this always make my heart leap and soar? Why was I drawn to this man who was more hawk than human? Why was I drawn to this man who embodied everything I loathed?
Why did I want to lean into the shadows he commanded and beg him to bring me under that sweep of midnight feathers?
Zydar leaned close, his breath hot on my skin. His voice was low and rough, "You know not what you ask."
I leaned in as well, tilting my face up so that my lips were inches from his. "I know full well what I’m asking." I was playing with fire, and I didn't care.
"It would be unwise."
"Why? Because you're the prince and I'm just a lowly mortal?" I raised an eyebrow, challenging him.
"Don't you see? Our bond has already tainted you. Already changed you. It will only get worse."
I pulled back and stared at him. "What are you talking about?"
He turned away, his expression guarded. "You spend your days steeped in studies of magic, but have you grasped its true nature?"
"I have a pretty good idea."
"No, you don't." He let out a low breath. "You have no idea."
I put my hands on my hips and glared at him. "Then speak, tell me, if you don’t trust that I know."
He shook his head and walked over to the fireplace, staring into the flames.
I followed, stopping a few feet away from him. "Is it because you're too stubborn to explain it?"
He turned to look at me, his eyes smoldering with anger. "I do not wish to bring you pain."
That wasn't the answer I was expecting. I stared at him, puzzled. "I don’t understand. Why would you hurt me?"
"You have no idea what kind of power runs in my veins," he growled. "The blood of the gods, coursing through my body. Ancient and terrible. It changes everything it touches, transforms it into something dark and twisted and monstrous."
I was still confused. "What does this have to do with me?"
His face darkened, and he clenched his fists. "Emystra bonded with a human once. You already know it cursed the entire realm. But do you know what happened to her husband?"
I shook my head, trying to recall my books on the subject. They hadn't said much about that particular human.
"His body withered. He became like a corpse. No skin or muscle left on his bones. No hair on his head. Then, his bones began to break. He shattered. Died a terrible death."
A chill crept up my spine. "Is that what you're afraid of happening to me?"
"It might be too late," he whispered.
Then his voice rang with the thunder of the world's end.
"I am immune, am I not? We should try to see if..."
Zydar reached down, fingers ashen, and brushed his fingertips along my arm where the cuts marked my wrist. I shivered, the desire in me running rampant. "I cannot." He shook his head firmly.
I stared up at him. "I knew you were a coward. This confirms it."
