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Chapter Thirteen

“So, how long do people lose their magic after you suck it out of them?” August asks. I’ve been in the Incubus Kingdom for three nights now.

I’ve been shown all around the castle, and we’ve explored Chaos together, sharing our favorite spots. I’ve lived in this kingdom longer than him, so I ended up giving him the tour. We’re now sitting in the castle gardens, having lunch and enjoying the view. I don’t remember ever being so at ease.

“It depends, but usually about a day.”

“You’re strong,” he muses.

I tilt my head to the side. “I want to be stronger. Will you teach me how to fight? I’ve always wanted to learn, but my father wanted me to be a lady. A charitable wife. Not a warrior.”

He reaches over and cups my face, lowering his voice. “I’ll teach you anything you want to learn, love. Fighting, it just so happens, is something I’m good at. When do you want to start?”

“Tomorrow?” I suggest leaving today so we can spend this quality time together without having to watch our backs. I’m in the one place my father wanted to get into, the one place Rion was torturing August for information, and it’s nothing but beautiful.

I could have been a part of destroying all of this.

And for what?

The staff seems well-treated, and everyone around me seems happy.

Happy.

Something the rebellion has never been.

Over there, we wake up with hatred and revenge on our minds.

It fuels us.

Well, not me. I was just a pawn to be married off for power.

“Perfect. We can start with some weaponry, and then I’ll move to some hand-to-hand,” he suggests, reaching over to take my hand. “I’ll have to work with the royal guard some days, but you can train with us. I’m all yours.”

All mine.

Slowly, he’s breaking down every wall I’ve built. I can’t find any fault with him, aside from his role in what happened to my father. And even then, I suppose that wasn’t his choice, was it?

He’s patient, strong, and actually listens to me.

I feel safe with him.

Seen.

Heard.

I’m more than just a pretty face.

“You haven’t mentioned anything about us bonding,” I blurt out, wondering where his head is with that.

August goes utterly still.

He puts down his water and turns to me, his eyes searching. “I’m ready when you are, Milana. Say the word. You’re the one who is unsure. I know what I want. You’re mine either way, but I’d fucking love nothing more than to wear those mating bands on my wrists.” He leans over the small table in between us and kisses along my jaw. “Is that what you want? I’ll take you to our room right now and give that to you. I’d burn the fucking realm down for you if you ordered it.”

Annnd now I’m turned on.

“Soon,” I reply, his now dark and hungry eyes pinning me to the spot.

“Soon,” he repeats, a promise in his heated gaze. “Just say the word, and I’m all yours.”

I nod and look back out at the mountains. He’s intense. I’ve never had anyone be so focused on me and all the little things about me. It makes me want to hold onto him for dear life and never let go. And at this stage, I’d be a fool not to mate with him.

It all happened so fast, but I should have known that being put near my fated mate would only end in one outcome. It’s how it’s meant to be, how the fates have deemed it.

I couldn’t resist him even if I tried. I don’t know how I stayed away as long as I did, but I guess I have my father to blame for that. He would never let me bond with August if he were alive, even with him being my mate.

Looking at it now, it was extremely selfish of him to do that. He had all these plans, and not one of them involved thinking of my happiness. I was never put first. I know he loved me and made sure I was well looked after physically. But emotionally? I don’t think he had it in him. My mother died when I was young—too young to even remember—and my father is all I’d ever known.

I’m meant to have a lot of succubus blood in me, but the truth is, I don’t. I think that’s why he wanted Astrid so much. He wanted pure-blood children—succubus daughters. He wanted what I’m not.

Even my father wanted Astrid.

Another shot that hit its mark.

And yeah, that hurts more than I’d ever admit.

But this is the first time that I’ve ever felt enough. I can be myself with August, and he doesn’t care how much magic I have or what my bloodline is.

He just wants me.

“Would you care if I didn’t have any magic?” I ask him, shifting in my chair. “Or if I had human blood?”

His eyes skate over to me, and a curl of brown hair falls onto his forehead. “No. I don’t have as much magic as you do, so why would I care? You’re all I need, Milana, just as you are. I wouldn’t care if you were fully human. I’m a common fae.” He touches his rounded ears, not pointed like the other fae lines. “I don’t give a fuck about bloodlines.”

“No one knows this, but my mother was half-human,” I admit to him, wringing my hands together. “My father hated it. He cared about his bloodline.”

August reaches over and takes my hand, running the pad of his thumb along my knuckles. “You’re mine , Milana. That’s more than enough for me. You’re more than enough.”

Swallowing hard, I look down and nod, emotion filling me.

I am enough.

I don’t need to be the pretty face of the rebellion or be married off to a prince to know my worth.

I was meant to be his.

And I no longer give a fuck about anything else.