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Elias could only hope Arabella had left the moment her memories returned.

“But that ward… Surely, you could do better than that,” Magnus continued. “It was hardly a challenge for my ogres.”

Elias’ mind raced.

If Magnus had captured Arabella, he’d be parading her before him. Wouldn’t he?

Then Elias remembered.

The mating bond.

He reached for the constant pressure in his chest—a cord that wrapped around his heart. It was tight. Far tighter than it had been before he’d fallen unconscious.

She’s farther away, he realized.

Somehow, Arabella was no longer in the forest.

“Why are you telling me this?” Elias managed, trying to push past the fear still infusing his mind—irrational fear that Magnus had somehow captured Arabella despite him knowing she wasn’t nearby.

“I came across something of interest,” Magnus said. “You can imagine my surprise when your friends were surrounded, were moments away from capture, and then they just… disappeared.”

For a moment, Elias could only stand there, blinking.

The goblins.

They must have helped Arabella and the others escape.

He nearly wept with relief, but he forced his features into neutrality. He couldn’t let Magnus suspect he knew anything about what had happened when the ogres attacked. Not when the sorcerer could use the syphen and force that information out of Elias. If he knew what to ask.

“Apparently, there were winged fae,” Magnus continued, his eyes fastening on Elias’ face. “My gargoyles are currently in pursuit, but… It sparked my curiosity. Why were fae at your castle?”

Elias’ mind raced.

There were fae at the castle? Could it have been someone from the Twilight Court?

Suddenly, a different kind of fear filled him.

Had Hadeon come for Arabella’s favor? Something akin to rage boiled in his veins. If Hadeondaredto hurt her…

He’d what?

There was nothing Elias could do. Not when he’d promised himself to Magnus. He was the sorcerer’s creature now. He’d promised obedience.

“As you may have observed,” Elias began slowly. “I’m not at my castle. So, I can’t say why a?—”

A finger pressed to Elias’ lips. He froze as it ran along his lower lip.

“I won’t tolerate lies,” Magnus purred as he pushed his finger into Elias’ mouth, tasting his blood.

Slowly, Magnus moved it over Elias’ tongue, as though fucking his mouth. Elias swallowed back bile but didn’t fight, didn’t object. Magnus pulled his hand free before trailing his finger down Elias’ chest. His hand moved until it was just above Elias’ cock, his fingernails running over the hair there.

“Perhaps you need reminding of who you belong to,” Magnus purred as his other hand wrapped around Elias’ throat, forcing him to look at the sorcerer.

Magnus’ hair was so blond it was almost white. The color reminded Elias of bones bleached by years under an unyielding sun. Magnus’ hair contrasted his eyes, which were as red as freshly spilled blood.

Swallowing thickly, Elias knew there was nothing he could do to stop what came next.

“Come for me, Elias,” Magnus purred. “Show me yourcompliance.”