And she was not alone.
“She’s crossing,” Bannerman said hoarsely.
“I know.”
My jaw clenched.
Decision.
Now.
Or lose her.
I brought my wrist to my mouth and bit down hard.
Blood welled instantly, thick and dark.
Power surged through it.
Ancient.
Cursed.
Bound.
“Forgive me,” I muttered.
Then I pressed my bleeding wrist to her mouth.
For a heartbeat—nothing.
Then—she latched.
The pull was immediate.
Violent.
Not gentle.
Not careful.
She drank.
Greedily.
And I felt it—the bond roaring to life.
Her magic recoiling inward.
Her soul—thank the pitiless Gods—her soul snapping back along the thread that bound us.
“Come back to me,” I growled, voice breaking now. “Please, mate. I will not be without you—come back!”
The words tore out of me without permission.
“Ek elska þik, Unnasta. I love you, mate!”
Her body jerked.