Page 11 of Taken By Fury
“It is a protection bracelet. The symbols are the magic that power the stone, which is black jade. It wards off negativity and Zolar is about as negative as one gets.”
“That is supposed to protect me?” She laughed at the insanity of it. “From a vengeful, egotistical god. Why do I have a difficult time believing that?”
“Because you know nothing about us and what we are capable of. Will this offer one-hundred-percent protection? No, but I think ninety percent is pretty fucking decent.”
So there was a ten percent chance Zolar could find her. If what this demon said was true, then she could deal with these types of odds. It also increased her chances of getting away. At least in her mind.
“And just so you don’t think about escape, there is one more thing.”
“What is…” Her words fell away as he jerked her head back and suddenly a pair of fangs were deep in her throat. Her mind raced. She knew what she should do, try to fend him off, slam her fists into his chest, but that wasn’t at all how she responded. Her body melted into his, and her skin tingled. And the fire. Heaven help her, the fire between her thighs threatened to unravel her. As quickly as she combusted, she was left with an emptiness that was soul crushing when he pulled away. Neither her mind nor her body understood what had just happened.
“Blood that is yours, blood that is mine. Blood lies between us, blood is the bind. I summon the life forces and command our fates intertwine and let this blood between us forever bind. Bonded by blood, now bonded two souls. Blood flows together, making us whole.”
“What did you just do?” she whispered as she watched him double over in pain.
“I bonded myself to you. There is now no place in this world or any other you can go that I cannot find you.”
As his words sank in, so did the realization of what he had just done. There was no escape for her. Not now. Not ever. She was stuck with a demon who would know her every move. Again, she should be pissed. It would mortify anyone with a sane mind at the implications, but not her. Apparently, her time with Zolar had fractured her somehow because the thought of Zander being bonded to her was not distasteful in the least. To her messed-up mind, it felt completely right.
CHAPTER5
It was likely the dumbest damn move Zander had made in his entire existence, but what was done was done. The doctor was under his skin, so to speak. As he tossed clothing into a backpack, he still experienced the effects of having her pressed too close to him. Of tasting her blood, which was as perfect as a ripe blackberry and the scent of her arousal lingered on his skin and clothing. The erection pushing painfully against his zipper only fueled his foul mood.
“Did you go through with it?”
He turned to look at his sister-in-law, Aimee. “I did.”
She stepped into the room. “And?”
“And what? I am now bonded to her, and I pray you are right about being able to reverse this.”
She plopped into a nearby chair, her demeanor nothing but casual. This female made him smile, as she was the perfect queen for their people. Even if she didn’t think so. The fact that she didn’t mince words, held the courage of a warrior but was one of the gentlest souls he had ever met, made her their queen. His mother would have loved her.
“I read what I read. The reversal spell was there. Now, if it works, I cannot promise, and I told you that going into this.”
“You did.” He went back to packing.
“How did she take it?”
“She appeared surprised, but I suspect she will make several attempts to escape me. I don’t think she believes in the bond.”
“Hmm. You’re probably right. I only hope that Zolar doesn’t find her.”
Closing up his pack, he placed it on the floor. “I hope this too, but if he does, then we at least have a way to find him.”
“True, but at what cost to Sheila?”
That was something he would not think about. “Is she settled?”
“Yes. She has a room down the hall and was thankful to have a warm bath and bed. Clothes were already placed in the room for her to choose what to pack.”
“Perfect. We will leave in the morning, then.” He planned to portal them to an area he thought might be close to where he needed to search. Other than that, he would have to pray once there that the artifact he searched for called to him. Hopefully, it wasn’t picky about which prince sought it out because the middle heir, Orien, was still missing.
The queen rose and walked toward him, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Please be careful. I rather like having you around.”
“I enjoy being around as well, and I will. I will pray to Uuna that Orien is found while I am away.”
“You and I both.” Then she turned and walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Thoughts that had him wanting to march down the hall to Sheila’s room.
