Page 55 of Infernal Bonds

I asked again, “Do you want to help me?”

I needed her complete compliance. I needed her to understand that she held the power here.

“I’ll do whatever you need.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Do you want to help me?”

She licked her lips, tasting the remnants of my blood on them. “Yes.”

I decided to test her resolve. “Take your shirt off.”

Her intake of breath was sharp, and her moment of hesitation said all I needed.

Without willing surrender, control became coercion. I saw enough coercion in Father and lesser men. I wanted no part in it.

If she willingly surrendered to me, though, if she trusted me…

I closed my eyes. No. I pushed the thoughts away.

Why did I allow myself to believe she could quiet something inside me? If only for a moment.

She wasn’t mine.

I rose from the bed, my shadows battling for dominance, yet my newfound determination allowed me to push them back.

“Perhaps another time,” I said in response to her confused expression before turning away from her and leaving.

I’d seen her through her discomfort and soothed her body’s need. She would now rest without the tether’s interference that the effects of the starmin had fueled.

She needed nothing more from me.

I needed nothing from her.

Nothing else needed to be said.

15

APPEARANCES

RAE

Two weeks had passed since the starmin incident.

When Ash returned the next morning, Ezra filled him in on everything—conveniently leaving out what happened in my bedroom between us. I’d refused to dwell on it, so I appreciated his discretion.

Kavina had a good laugh over it while Jax begged my forgiveness.

Apparently, the two bags of candy he’d carried weren’t the same. I’d taken one of the special candies without anyone realizing it.

I’d met Ezra’s mother two more times since, learning the basics: animals, plants, food, and unfamiliar terminology she said I’d hear often. Amra wanted me prepared for Elyrdin and its people. Not because she felt I’d embarrass her son, but to assure Cornaith I belonged.

When I questioned her on the importance of that, she told me that the more Cornaith believed I wasn’t an obstacle to his son’s succession, the higher my chances of survival.

She confessed that she and Lymsrana hadn’t truly taken part in my execution, instead redirecting their magics to deceive Cornaith. To think they defied him for me before they knew my true identity… I still hadn’t processed it.