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“I feel like we have discussed this already,” Eliza bit out. “Just because I am your Source does not mean you get to haul me wherever you want.”

“Not unless it suits your needs, right,mai dragocen?” he returned.

She glared back at him, ignoring the flash of heat that went through her at his words. “What do you want?”

“To make something clear.” The hunger in his eyes shifted to anger, his pupils changing to vertical slits. “I am not going to push something you do not want.” Her gaze darted to the side, but he gripped her chin, waiting until she met his sapphire eyes once more. “But do not imply to anyone that I will go elsewhere when you are right in front of me.”

Flames shifted under her skin, reaching for him, and it took all of her to hold them back. To keep her magic chained and subdued when it clearly recognized its counterpart. The fact that his dragon fire had already charmed her own flames didn’t help matters. Her magic wanted more as much as the bond she was trying to smother did.

“Eliza,” he growled, thumb and forefinger still on her chin.

“I cannot give you what you want,” she said. She wanted it to be a snarky bite, but it came out more of an anguished admission.

“As if you have any idea what I want.”

She scoffed, jerking her chin free, and his brows arched.

“You have never asked. How could you know? You have only made it very clear what you do not want.” He leaned in closer, his mouth inches from hers. “But that’s not true either, is it,mai dragocen? I can feel your magic react to mine. Some of my magic lives in you now. Part of the Source bond you offered up. I warned you it would intensify this bond. You do not get to offer me up to the Beta, or anyone else for that matter, to try to make yourself more comfortable. You chose this. I would have let you go.”

“Why?” she whispered, something inside her twisting at the words.

A harsh smile formed on his lips. “Because I am used to not being wanted. It does not bother me anymore.”

She didn’t know what she was doing until her lips were already on his. If he was surprised, he didn’t show it. Instead, his hands gripped her face, and he deepened the kiss. Hot and intense and demanding. The kiss was everything Razik encompassed as his tongue slid between her lips and took control. Her fingers curled into the front of his tunic, and her flames sang at finally tasting him again. They broke through any restraints she’d had on them, brushing along his black flames. Her moan of pleasure mingled with his low groan of the same.

Razik pulled back first, his hands still framing her face. “You bound us together when you chose to be my Source. We could have walked away before.”

His hands fell away, and he left her standing there, going to catch up to the others.

She tipped her head back against the column. Her lips still tingled with the heat from his mouth.

Fucked.

She was so fucked.

Chapter9

Callan

Emotion roiled through him with every step he took as he followed Arianna through her home. He had never been this far south in the continent. The beach by the Black Halls was warm, but not the arid heat of Siofra.

Callan had kept quiet when Arianna had shown up. The female was…peculiar. He didn’t want her attention, but he had been anxious for any bit of news regarding Tava. Then to learn she was indeed here, and he’d had to stand there and listen to them all discuss Tula and Razik. But now that he was finally being led to her, his emotions were all over the place. Anger that she’d come to him that night knowing she would slip out and leave him in the morning hours. Relief that they’d made it before the trade. Anxiety at not knowing what he was going to say to her. Dread that this might be the last time he saw her.

And now this new urgency. People of his kingdom were being used in ways only the gods knew. He already knew he wouldn’t be going back to Avonleya with the others. He wasn’t sure how he’d tell Eliza yet, but he couldn’t do it. His place was here. With his people. He’d left twice. It was time to stay.

Arianna turned the golden knobs on a set of double doors and threw them open unceremoniously, several sets of eyes swiveling to them. A male stood at the head of the table. He had to be Arianna’s brother. He was tall and dark-skinned, the same olive eyes staring at all of them. A male and female flanked him. Prince Briar and Sawyer were also standing at one side of the table, while Drake and Tava were on the other. They were all crowded around a map that was spread out before them.

“New arrivals,” Arianna announced, sweeping into the room ahead of them. There was a flash of golden light, and Jamahl strode beside her in his human form. His hand fell to his Beta’s lower back as he guided her to a seat near the head of the table before he took up a spot behind her, hands resting on the back of her chair.

“Azrael,” Briar said, relief heavy in his tone. “We had no way to get word to you. We received word of a trap—”

The Earth Prince held up a hand. “We heard. We were met by Death’s Shadow and some seraphs. I cannot decide whose side she is on.”

“Nor can I,” Briar replied grimly. “She seems to be playing both.”

Callan scarcely heard the conversation happening around him. His entire being was fixed on Tava, who was staring back at him with wide eyes. Her fingers went to her throat, searching for an amulet that was long gone, and perched on the back of her chair was a golden owl.

“What is Paja doing here?” Rayner asked quietly. “I saw him last with Scarlett in Aimonway.”