Page 32 of Fury of the Bound
“Maybe,” I whispered, feeling utterly blissed and a little vulnerable under his gaze.
He chuckled softly, lifting my chin with. “You feel that pull, don’t you? You know deep down what you are to me and what I am to you. Even if you weren’t, I would still be obsessed with you. I would still rip those vampires apart for you and bring back souvenirs,” he declared.
I let out a laugh at his craziness.
“Since the moment I saw you, you’ve driven me absolutely mad.”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his lips, my heart racing as I gripped his shirt tightly, feeling the fabric bunch beneath my fingers. At that moment, I realised he wasn’t just claiming me, he was laying bare his soul, and the magnetic pull between us was undeniable.
“If you stay with me, you could be killed,” I warned, my heart heavy with the weight of the truth.
He moved closer to me. “I’d rather die beside you than breathe another breath without you.” His eyes burned with a wild intensity that stole the air from my lungs.
He was mad—recklessly, beautifully mad—but it was all for me.
Everything was happening at lightning speed, but that was just the nature of our connection. It felt electrifying and terrifying all at once. I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against his lips; the mingled taste of my essence and blood didn’t bother me, it was quite…nice.
I didn’t care anymore; I could feel the walls I had built around my heart starting to crumble. Maybe I could learn to trust him, to let him in fully.
Xarothar thought Malrik was mad, but he also trusted him and Ronan. The absence of the council at my door, threatening to take me in and kill my dragon, gained Ronan some of my trust.
“I would prefer that we didn’t die,” I mumbled as I scooted up the bed further to rest my head on his shoulder, looking out the window at the setting sun.
“True, I don’t think hell would be any fun without you.” I smiled.
“Something tells me you’d give the devil a run for his money.” He kisses the top of my head.
“No doubt about it, little witch… now we need to talk.” I felt him pull away.
I held the blanket against my chest and turned slightly to look at him, “What about?”
He took my hand in his, his fingers engulfing mine, the veins on his hand prominent and running like rivers of strength. I traced the scars on his palms, each one telling me a story of battles fought and survived.
“I might have found a way to break the spell that is locking down the rest of your magic.”
“No.”
“No?”
I shake my head, “I gave up a long time ago trying to find a way to unlock it. Every spell usually comes at a price, or something dangerous. They are never that simple.”
“Don’t be stubborn, Raven.”
“I also won’t put you in danger.”I will do everything in my power to keep him safe, get him out of here, and find a new realm. I don’t know, but I would.
“You don’t get to give up, I know what it’s doing to you.” He’s pissed.
“I don’t care.” I let go of his hand and shuffle back, ready to leave the bed and this conversation.
His hand grabs mine, “I do, I will not let this fucking spell kill you.”
“If I limit my magic use, I will be okay. I’ve dealt with it by myself for seven years, Malrik.” Ripping my hand away, I stand up, blanket still around me as I move around the bed to head towards the door.
He appeared in front of me in seconds, slamming the door, and he looked angry, his eyes a brighter red.
So, you’re okay dealing with daily headaches? Fatigue? Your body feeling like it’s had a beating daily because you're afraid?” He laughed.
“You don’t get to give up, you don’t get to die. I’ve seen what it does, and I don’t want that for you. Even if you fight me on this, I’ll lock you in a damn basement with a thousand guards if that’s what it takes to keep your stubborn ass alive. I’d tear this entire fucking realm apart just to save you, and I’d do it without a second thought.”
