Page 226 of Dark Souls

“It was the best night of my life. We sealed our bond, and I’d never felt so happy, but I couldn’t share it with Casmira like I should have. And when the sun started to rise, I knew I wanted her back. I didn’t want to wait any longer. So we called Leif. He came and summoned Casmira. She pounced on Ronnie like I knew she would.” Hana giggled, which made me laugh too. “And he gave her his soul. The moment we shared control again was the moment I knew this was my second chance at life, and I wasn’t going to waste a single minute of it.”

“And the chain Ronnie is wearing? What’s that about?”

Hana blushed. “A present from Casmira. My demon… she’s a little dominant.”

I raised one eyebrow with a smirk. “It’s a collar?”

“You tug on one end and the heart glides up into a choker. So it turns into one, yeah.” Hana chuckled. I raised my hands, showing there was no judgment from me. That was hot, and I thought about getting one for myself. Luka and Heathen would love to strangle me with that. “How do you think Luka will take it? That Ronnie and I are bonded?”

“As long as you don’t divulge any details, I am sure he will be happy for you, Hana.”

She nodded with a smile. “I am so glad he has you, Ilaria. You haven’t told him, have you?”

She looked nervous and terrified all at once. I frowned deeply.

“Told him what?”

“About what Wesley did to me?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t think it was my place to discuss your personal trauma.”

“Good. Thank you.” She exhaled a breath, looking around the gardens before she held my gaze. “Please. Never tell him.”

I swallowed my own emotions, hating that I was being asked to keep a secret from my mate, but it wasn’t mine to share. If Hana wanted to keep this from him, she should have that right.

“It’s not that I’m ashamed,” she quickly explained. “I just know how much this will kill him. He spent his life trying to protect me, and he gave up everything, lost himself, to keep me safe. He will blame himself even though he couldn’t have stopped it. He already carries too much pain to be burdened with mine. I need to protect him for a change.”

I nodded with understanding. Those reasons I could get behind.

“I won’t tell him. The only people who know what happened are Ronnie, me and my mum and none of us will say anything.”

“And your grandma, Alina.”

I smiled. “You’ve been speaking to her?”

“Yeah. I’ve had two sessions. She’s a lovely lady. She’s helped me a lot already.”

“That’s amazing, Hana.”

We wandered back to the castle and my heart flipped when I saw his tall, deliciously broad frame filling the doorway with his arms folded across his ripped chest. His inked biceps bulged from the sleeves of his t-shirt, and I licked my lips as I devoured the length of his body with my eyes.

“Where have you two been?” Luka asked with a small smirk.

“Just having a girl talk.” I leaned up on my tiptoes and kissed his lips as he peered down into my eyes with an expressionless mask. “Are you okay?”

His red eyes flicked over to Hana and narrowed slightly. “You’ve got Casmira back?”

I didn’t miss how he breezed over my question.

“Yes.” She smiled, trying to hide her apprehension. “This morning. How did you know?”

“Heathen could sense her. She’s okay?”

“Never been better.”

He nodded once, pleased with that answer. “Good. We will start combat sessions together tomorrow, here on the castle grounds. Every morning at sunrise.”

He flung his arm over my shoulder and turned us to walk back inside as I peered over my shoulder to catch Hana rolling her eyes.