Page 10 of A Cursed Bite (Bound to the Enduar #1)

VANN

A fter Queen Estela banishes me from the weaving cavern, I go to find Teo. We were supposed to meet two hours ago. He’ll be upset at my tardiness, but I had more important things to tend to first.

I walk through the heated forges ringing with the sound of hammers. Past the forges is the third tunnel that leads down to the lower level of Enduvida.

The city is similar to a hive in many senses. The main section of the cave system where we lived, aged, forged, and partied was the largest cavern, but deeper, other useful pockets of space could be used for anything.

A crowd is gathered outside of the entrance of the tunnel.

I let out a huff of a laugh. Where there is chaos, Teo must be nearby. He’s got a talent for organizing it.

This section leads down to a lower cavern, an open expanse where the Mating Journey will take place tomorrow. The passage is narrow, the steady flow of people carrying crates, food, water, and crystals making it feel even tighter as I push forward.

When I emerge, the cavern widens into a vast, open space, bustling with movement. Nearly a thousand people worked to clear this area, and now, hundreds of tents stand in neat rows, their vibrant colors striking against the deep gray basalt walls. The jewel-toned fabrics ripple under the shifting glow of overhead spell-lights, casting shimmering reflections across the cavern floor. The ceiling arches high above, making it the perfect space for the festival.

My eyes skim over the textiles. Has Arlet touched these, too?

I can’t help but think of the image on the loom in her home. Beautiful, bright, and then barren—streaked with threads representing blood.

Enough, I insist.

I walk past workers carrying supplies—food, cushions, banners—grimacing at the excessive use of precious materials. Then, I spot the king.

Teo stands in the center of a group of ocean-risen, overseeing the preparations.

I approach, extending my hand.

Teo breaks away from his conversation and clasps my palm, pulling me into a firm embrace before clapping a hand across my back. Then, he gestures toward one of the ocean-risen women beside him.

"Brother, this is Lirenne."

She is striking—tall, elegant, half her face marked by a white birthmark that stands out against the deep cerulean of her skin.

She smiles at me, and I catch a hint of flirtation. I nod, but don’t return the gesture.

If she thinks I don’t know who she is, she’s mistaken. Her name has been spoken more than ten times in council meetings leading up to this week.

"Lord Vann," she says smoothly. "It is an honor to finally meet the king’s personal advisor."

I incline my head. “Lirenne. Your work is commendable.” Then I turn back to Teo. "What do you need?"

My blood brother lifts his brows, giving me an amused look before shifting his attention back to Lirenne. “Our gracious coordinator was just filling me in.”

“We were discussing the matching strategy. My team has worked tirelessly to ensure everyone has equal opportunity to find their mate. Forgive my forwardness, Lord Vann," she says quickly. "But as part of the festival, we are making recommendations for both men and women—matching them based on their preferences."

"Novel," I say flatly.

She laughs softly. "I myself will be participating. I would love to know more about you."

"Why?"

She hesitates for only a moment, but Teo answers first.

"Funny you should mention that," he says. "Lirenne tells me you haven’t presented the council with your scroll."

I go completely still.

"Strange," he continues, watching me carefully. "Seeing as how that means you probably haven’t touched it. Even more so, knowing you’ve already been assigned a tent. Vann, you know that every unmated member of the council will be participating. There will be people coming through, visiting tents, and you will be one of those ensuring the men and women are served on their journey.”

My expression hardens. "Why the fuck would you do that?"

A flicker of irritation passes over Teo’s face, but Lirenne is the one who answers.

“Excuse me,” she says, tilting her head. "I had assumed—well, you are unmated, are you not?"

A sharp pulse of anger rolls through me, but my attention stays focused on Teo, even as my limbs grow cold.

"You know I had a woman," I say coldly. “Adra. Her name was Li’Adra . We loved each other. We were partners in every sense of the word. Why do you constantly ask me to dishonor her memory?”

Lirenne falters. "I?—"

His nostrils flail when he exhales. “Brother.”

I freeze. I’ve overstepped.

“Forgive me, My King.” I turn to Lirenne, “Forgive me as well. I am merely tense. Please allow me a moment with His Majesty.”

She bites her lower lip, but turns and walks away.

Alone, Teo shakes his head. “You know that Arlet will be attending.”

“What does she have to do with anything? ”

There’s an awkward pause.

“You told me you wanted to kiss her once. You practically crushed the stone missive from the Elf King. You have admitted that you and Adra were not mated.”

I pull up the memory from the battle at the Giant Mines. We were half-dead, lying in a rotting battlefield. I was half-mad with pain and hunger—I was delusional.

Teo had asked if I had regrets. Nonsense had poured from my mouth.

“Arlet and I. Are. Not. Mated. Either . There is no song. No marks on my neck. My crystal does not warm near her. I said that in a moment of weakness. Forget it.”

Teo exhales, some of his irritation giving way to regret. “Very well, Vann.” He rubs a hand over his jaw. “You can choose to fill the scroll out or not. Just… take it. And then go to the men in the back. I’m sure they’ll have something for you."

I don’t respond.

Instead, I take the unfinished scroll from the table and shove it into my pocket.

I’ll burn it later.

Or throw it into the lava pit beneath the city.