Page 87 of Their Fierce Little Monster

“And why’s my name on your chest?” My voice quivers.

“There are stories in Grimvale of finding your soulmate without a vow being made, as Kazak had done with your father. You were promised to him, but this is the fucking universe telling us you’re mine!”

My mouth drops open as my head tries to make sense of it all. I’d never heard of anything like that. “So, what, that healed you?”

“They say only a soulmate can bring you back from death’s door. You saved me, my little dragonfly.” He’s bouncing on his toes in the water, and I’m lost for words.

“It means we are destined to be together,” he coos. “That once we’ve found each other, being apart will cause us both agony.” Those lips are curling upward at the corners. “You are mine.” He suddenly pulls me into his arms, and I’m rearing back from the snake. And finally he sets me down and takes my hand. “Do you trust me?”

I shake my head, then nod once, and shrug.

“Well, you should.” Then he presses my hand closer to the two viper heads, and I’m about to scream. Their tongues flick out of their black mouths. I’m inches from their faces when they slither forward, partially peeling themselves off his skin, and slide around my fingers. Surprisingly, they’re warm to the touch. “See? They like you.”

Once they pull back, I retreat and dip my hand into the water, as my skin crawls. But I don’t want to be rude in front of his pet snake. What if they get upset and strike?

Lian’s just staring at me with huge eyes, creepier than usual. Yet the wound being healed is a miracle.

“I can’t believe I did that,” I say.

“Well, it was you having sex with me.” He cocks his head to the side. “Soulmates heal each other through sex.”

“Just like how Kazak’s cum healed me?”

He blinks. “When did that happen?” His voice dips.

“That’s not the point.”

“That’s more of something in your bloodline, but it’s nothing like a soulmate bonding and healing. What we have is one in a million.” His hand slides into mine, fingers interlaced, then he kisses them. “Today is the best day of my life.”

Someone clears their throat, and we both twist around. I had completely forgotten where we even were when my gaze settles on the two figures standing at the other end, staring in our direction.

Corvin, who wears a strained grin.

And Kazak, shadows crowding under his eyes.

Two guards stand at the far left.

Oh, fuck! Why does this keep happening to me?

Chapter

Twenty-One

DAWN

Kazak doesn’t even look at me.

We’re back in the corridor of the compound, reaching our quarters, and Kazak hasn’t said a single word since finding me practically naked in the healing pool with Lian.

I remember Kazak’s hungry mouth back in the prison, the way he kissed me as if the world might end, his rough hands holding on to me through the metal bars. He promised to save me, said that I shouldn’t trust Lian and Corvin. Now heaviness sinks through me.

Deep down, I knew he’d find out, and I intended to be the one to explain how my feelings for his enemies have bloomed, when they never should have. Or how I’m still doubting myself when it comes to them, yet part of me wants to believe it might be real, especially with Lian’s mark. That terrifies me, but now Kazak is completely ignoring me, and it breaks me.

I glance over at him as we stop in the hallway near my door, and Kazak lifts his gaze, meeting my eyes, holding it as if challenging me to look away first. Gods, he’s in a terrible state, with dirty and torn clothes, and he doesn’t smell good at all. Stubble covers his jawline, and his short, dark hair is a complete mess, half of it in his eyes.

I can’t even blame him for being broody, considering what he walked into, but it doesn’t soften the pain.

“It’s good to have you back,” I whisper, to which he doesn’t respond.