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He gives me a look. “About what you promised me this evening. As much as I care for you,est amage, I don’t trust your word.”

From his breast pocket, Memnon pulls out a dagger with an ornamental hilt. I tense at the sight of it

Before I can further react, Memnon draws the dagger down his hand, not flinching even a little as he cuts himself open. It takes me an extra moment to remember that binding spells require blood.

And that’s what we’re doing right now. Making the agreement binding.

He wipes the blade on his pants, then hands the knife hilt first to me.

After a brief hesitation, I take it, staring down at the dagger. It’s clear the sorcerer is determined to swaddle me in promises until I’m buried so deep, there will be no possibility of escaping him.

We’ll see about that.

That’smypromise.

I drag the blade down my palm, biting my lip at the flare of pain. A line of blood springs up, and for a moment, all I can do is stare at it.

Memnon takes the knife from me while I’m distracted, then wipes it clean again before tucking it away. With his bloody hand, he reaches for my own, threading his larger, darker fingers through mine. The wound on his palm presses flush against my own, our blood mingling.

What little magic I have left rouses at the contact, tendrils of it seeping through my blood and into Memnon’s. His own magic reaches for mine, twisting around and around it.

Outside, I hear cars come to a stop, their sirens cutting off. I have minutes—if that—before they close in on me.

Memnon gives my hand a squeeze, silently urging me to speak.

I part my lips and seal my fate.“I vow before my gods and yours, that tonight I shall lift our curse, and as soon as circumstances allow, I shall marry you. I bind my life to these vows.”

My magic flares as I finish the oath, and I gasp as it melds with Memnon’s.

I glance up at the sorcerer.

He’s already looking at me, his gaze both soft…and eager.

My heart gallops, and I’m breathless, which I wish were due to my own horror and not this strange curiosity that begs me to stroke his face and give in fully to this oath I made.

“Now for your memories,” Memnon says, his voice roughened with emotion.

Outside, I can hear car doors opening and closing.

Memnon releases my hands before cupping my face. “Est amage, I know this feels like the end, but I swear to you, this is the beginning. Whatever is between us, we will lift this curse and discover it together. And wewillfix it. I am still yours—forever.”

I work my jaw. Thereisnothing left to fix. This will be a marriage and a bond in name only.

Memnon must see or feel my intentions because his expression grows somber.

He takes my hands in his, our bloody hands pressing together once more.

“Repeat after me.” He switches languages then, his voice becoming more rolling and guttural.“The curse I placed, I now shall lift. I withdraw my will. I end my spell. I bring into balance that which I set askew.”

I echo his words, my head pounding harder and harder with each sentence.

“Reveal the memories that this curse sought to hide. For now and forever.”

I take a fortifying breath, then repeat this too. My magic churns restlessly beneath my skin, the growing pressure of it making me fidget.

Memnon and I repeat the lines once more, this time together.

“For now and forever.”