Page 45 of Tethered Magick

“It’s not a fucking option, Lorn.” Dason scrubbed a hand down his face.

“It has been all along,” I whispered.

“Your very life depends on the mate bonds to anchor you as the veil keeper.”

“That’s true, and it’s an incredibly important factor, but even that isn’t enough to tie yourself to someone you don’t want to be with,” I reasoned. “We’re talking about mating, creating a family and life together. It’s a bond more sacred than marriage. I’d never force someone to be with me if it wasn’t what they truly wanted, fated mate or not. And I wouldn’t force myself into a bad relationship just because of fate either. Fate has its part to play, but it’s us who make the ultimate choices.”

“The bond between us might be severed, but my spirit still recognizes you as my mate.”

“That’s not the same as wanting to be with me.” I gave him a pointed look. “You’ve been keeping me at arm’s length this entire time.”

“Because you scare me!” The confession burst from Dason’s lips, and we both stared at each other, our breathing harsh in the silence.

I touched his face, his jaw roughened by a thick, five o’clock shadow from being unable to shave. The rugged appearance looked good on him. My fingers trailed over his stubble. “How do I scare you, Dase?”

Call me adventurous, but I’d just wandered into dangerous territory with Dason. He’d either take the bait and finally open up to me, proving he was trying to turn a new page in the novel of our relationship, or he’d shut down and shut me out again.

Dason’s hand landed on my abdomen, and he absently toyed with the hem of my t-shirt. My stomach rumbled under his palm.

“Ignore it,” I pleaded. “This is more important.”

“If you’re hungry, you can feed.” Dason tipped his neck, and I swore I saw his eyes darken.

The breath caught in my lungs. The rhythmic pump of his blood was a siren’s call, his pulse a fast thrum in his veins.

“Aren’t you afraid of me?” I murmured quietly, unsure if I really wanted to ask. “I am.”

Dason’s eyes glittered like silver from the emerging moonlight beginning to spill through the curtains. “I’ll never be afraid of you. Your fangs don’t change who you are, little mate.”

If my stomach wasn’t calling for food, it would have been fluttering with butterflies. My tongue slid over my teeth, feeling the points of my fangs starting to descend.

“I don’t need to eat.” I shook my head, and my body rebelled with a sharp, stabbing pain of hunger. “I’m okay for now. Tell me what you were going to say.”

Swallowing hard, I adjusted my hearing ability down a notch. If I couldn’t hear his heartbeat, hopefully I’d be able to keep my desire for his blood locked in the box I’d shoved it into so we could talk.

Dason sighed and rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. “We all have our demons.”

I’d hit a nerve. A big, fat, raw one.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Dason sighed. “It’s not a pretty story.”

“Usually I wouldn’t press, but it’s affecting our relationship,” I reminded him. “I think I need to hear it.”

Dason smirked. “Once upon a time…”

I punched his arm lightly. Or what I thought was light. He gripped his bicep and winced, and I bit my lip, pricking it with the razor-sharp tip of one fang. My tongue snuck out to lap up the droplet of blood before I’d even thought better of it.

I swallowed my moan before it escaped. Even the taste of my own blood was sweet on my tongue, and it stoked the flames of my hunger.

“I forgot how strong newborn vamps are.” Dason smirked. “Remind me not to piss you off before your power levels out.”

“Sorry. I don’t have the hang of my new powers. I’m not used to the extra abilities.”

Dason tucked his arm under the back of his head. For a moment, we were silent.

“Please, Dase.”

“I’m trying, but the past isn’t something I’m ready to dive into right now. We have too much going on to reopen old wounds.”

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