Page 131 of Tempt

I cannot give myself away like that. I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and search for him. The connection between us feels frayed right now. I don’t understand why. Or how. Something about it feels almost heavy.

Luca, I push. I feel him acknowledge me, but nothing more than that. I will return home soon.

Silence. Just endless, aching silence.

I’m still resolved to speak to Rathyn about dissolving the bond, but only if it can be recreated. It won’t do much, but it might allow me to buy a little more time with the council regarding my breeding. And if I must procreate, then I will do my best to ensure that the Vyastil that hatches will not be corrupted the way so many are.

Still, I can’t even consider allowing myself inside another without feeling like I want to crawl out of my skin and burn whatever bits of flesh touched anyone else who wasn’t my Luca. Aelvorn, I am not going to make it through this.

With a fortifying breath, I rush down the corridor, and the moment I’m certain I’m not being watched, I slip into our meeting room. It’s dark aside from a few atherian lamps glowing in the corner. There’s a single desk, two chairs, and four windowless walls.

Once upon a time, this place brought me comfort. Now, I don’t know peace unless I’m in Luca’s arms.

Closing my eyes, I begin to pace anxiously, and I wait.

And I wait.

And I start to think perhaps Rathyn isn’t coming, moments before I hear someone tapping the code on the wall. The door swings open, and Rathyn enters. He looks exasperated.

“Eissa,” he rumbles. “Speak freely.”

“My breeding time is coming,” I blurt. “Sabik has given me herbs to suppress my urge, but⁠—”

Rathyn sucks in a breath and rubs at his temple.

“I know, I know. It’s helping, but it is not enough. If I fail to breed, the council will know that Luca’s the reason and they will kill him.”

Rathyn looks troubled. “Perhaps we should return him to Earth. There are so many Vyastil living in the village near the lake now. He might be protected if⁠—”

“No.” It is about Luca’s safety, but I’m also not sure I could cope with him being so far from me. “That doesn’t solve my problem. I cannot breed if I am bonded to my human.”

Rathyn stares at me for a long time. “I thought your last companion was your VySytheh. You let me believe he was.”

My face heats with shame. “He was not. I am sorry I deceived you. You needed that push. Luca is my only VySytheh.”

Rathyn sighs and begins to pace the room. “And now you want to break that bond?”

It sickens me to nod, but I do. “Only temporarily. I can’t risk how far we’ve come, Rathyn. We may finally have an army at our backs, and I need more time to recruit other Vyastil before we can make a move. My breeding time will come before I can do that.”

He blinks slowly, then continues to pace. His tail flicks out, and I can sense his unease. “Have you bitten him?”

No. But I have wanted to with every fiber of my being. “I have not.”

“Then perhaps it is possible, but I’ve searched and have not found such information. We have not practiced bonding in generations. The evidence could have all been destroyed long ago, and I am watched too heavily to prod any further without suspicion. I’m afraid I cannot help you with this. I know that is a disappointment to you.”

I blow out a breath. “I could never be disappointed in one I have raised.”

He lifts a brow at me. “My brother.”

I jolt. I haven’t heard him refer to Dhoryn by that term in a very, very long time. “I am not disappointed in him. Not really. I only wish he could see what he has in his human. What he could have if he let himself open up.”

Rathyn snorts. “He will never.” He pauses, then says, “I must go. My Everest is at home attempting to arrange for Dante to visit his brother.”

My heart leaps in my chest. “Thank you. Luca will be so pleased.”

Rathyn looks, maybe not happy, but not despondent anymore. “I will speak to you soon.” He doesn’t say much in the way of farewell and instead lets himself out, the door closing with a hard thud.

The lock clicks into place, and I wait several minutes before opening it again and letting myself into the hall. It’s entirely empty, but the moment I step into the solarium, I freeze. I was half-expecting to see Vyrian there still, but instead I find the two brothers I do not ever wish to see.