Page 157 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“I thought you were dead!” he shouts as he stands abruptly, and it’s as if time stops. “There was a moment when I feltnothing.The bond went cold. I couldn’t sense you. I couldn’tfeelyou. So yes, I’m mad, Adina. I’m fucking furious, but I would never do anything to hurt you.”

We stare at one another for a long while, and I hate that I know that he’s telling the truth. I hate that I can see the honesty swimming in his eyes. But none of that matters, because he still locked Willow up like a monster.

“And yet you did hurt me,” I say.

“No, I protectedyoubecause you’ve made it abundantly clear that you won’t do that yourself.”

“I can take care of myself.”

His eyes darken. “No, you can’t, not when it comes to the people you care about. You make reckless and foolish decisions that put your life at risk.”

I laugh. “You mean,yourlife. That’s what it all comes down to, right? The bond?”

An emotion flashes across his face.

“I know you, Adina, and no matter how angry you may be, you’re not stupid. You felt the same dread that I felt when Julian died, that same feeling that this isn’t over. And you know that keeping Willow locked up is the right thing to do to keep her and everyone else safe until we know what we’re dealing with. So how about we stop this game because we both know that this is not what you’re truly mad about, is it?”

His words take me by surprise.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. You haven't said a word to me since the day that you found out about the betrothal.”

A laugh escapes me. “You think I’m angry because of you and Celeste? She can have you. In fact, I don’t care who the hell youscrew. The only thing between us is this gods-forsaken bond,” I say, but the words taste bitter in my mouth.

My heart pounds inside my chest as he moves around the desk, coming to a stop in front of me. He stands so close that his breath fans my lips, and I fight the urge to lean into him.

“So, it doesn’t bother you that I will marry somebody else?”

My chest tightens at his words, but I push the feeling away. “No,” I spit.

“Or that she will share my bed?”

Scorching hot rage fills me. “I don’t care.”

“Liar,” he taunts.

“I’m not lying.”

“I canfeelit, Adina. I can feel your intentions, and fuck if they don’t drive me crazy every gods-damned time we’re in the same room.”

“You don’t know a damn thing.”

“I know that marrying Celeste is the right thing to do for my court, but if you asked me not to, I would cancel the entire thing in a heartbeat.” I gulp. “I also know that the thought of having any other woman in my bed besides you makes me feel physically sick. And I know that the only thing I’ve thought about for weeks is spreading you across that desk and making you scream my name until every vampire in this realm knows exactly who you belong to.”

His words send fire straight to my core, and my breath hitches as he takes a step closer.

“Why are you fighting it?” his voice is low, desperate as his eyes search mine.

“I’m not fighting anything.” But the whispered words taste like lies on my tongue. His hand lifts to my face as it traces the outline of my jaw before falling to my collar. His touch sends bolts of lightning straight through me, and my thoughts become a puddle of nothing.

“Iknowthat you feel something.”

I shake my head, unable to speak, with the feel of his fingers against my skin.

“No?” he asks, lifting his brow.

“N—”