Page 34 of Entwined
“Well, Selena?—”
Vaelor slaps his hand over my mouth, his expression dark with anger. He presses in closer, something hard grinding against the softness of my middle. I gasp against his palm.
“Warlocks don’t get mates,” he says, his voice low and dripping with silky menace. “Fate gives us a choice, but I fucked with that when I bound Connor’s soul to mine. I never felt him, though.” He leans in, his forehead pressing against mine, his hand still between us. “Until you. Now, you’re both in here”—Vaelor thumps his other hand against his chest, eyes never leaving mine—“tangled and twisted, butmine.” The claim is feral, his eyes gleaming with a mad obsession that steals my breath. “You think I’d give that up just because you don’t feel anything yet?”
My chest starts burning as air catches in my throat. I reach up, tugging at his wrist. He drops his hand from my mouth, gently collaring my throat instead.
“This isn’t how it was supposed to go,” I whisper brokenly.
“I know.”
“It’s not what I planned,” I continue. His expression doesn’t change at all.
“Iknow.” He presses his thumb into myfluttering pulse. “You want freedom and choice? We’ll give it to you…as long as you always choose us.”
I stare up at him, my mouth trembling. I’m so torn, knowing I should be angry,furious. They have taken so much from me, and they’re remorseless. But at the same time…they care more than anyone else has.
If they’re right about a bond, we’re intrinsically connected. They’ll never be able to just leave without a goodbye, either physically or emotionally. But I shouldn’t be entertaining this, not after what they did. Yet, my heartbeat slows, syncing into the rhythm of Vaelor’s, matching him as calm seeps into my body.
I’m still not ready to fully give in. “What if I don’t?” The question tumbles out of me. “What if I don’t choose you?”
“Try me,” he says softly, sincere and deadly, “and you’ll find out just how far I’ll go to keep you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
vaelor
She stares up at me, blue eyes bouncing between mine, desperately wanting to accept my claim, but not quite able to believe it. Not yet.
I press my forehead to hers, my hand sliding to the back of her neck and then up into her thick hair, winding the inky strands around my fist. ‘“You’ll trust me,” I vow. “You’ll believe me. And you’ll feel the bond.”
She worries her lip between her teeth. “When?”
“Can’t say for sure, but probably when you claim us back.” She furrows her brow, and I gently tug at her hair, angling her head to the side so I can press my lips to her neck. “We took most of your choices,” I admit. “But that one is yours.”
Our attention is pulled away as the door opens, Connor sauntering back in. I don’t move away, keeping my body pressed against Felicity’s, pinning her to the wall.
She may not feel the bond, but it’s there. I can see it in the little things—the way her breathing matches mine, or how she calms when my skin is pressed to hers. Her body and soul are on board. It’s just her mind playing catch-up.
“Interesting conversation,” Connor announces, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. “I was eavesdropping outside.”
“Jerk,” Felicity mumbles, making me smile.
Connor sends her an offended look, but it’s ruined by the amusement creasing the corners of his eyes. He comes toward us, and I step back, letting Felicity go so he can draw her into his arms. She doesn’t fight it as he hugs her, her cheek pressed to his chest and her eyes drifting shut. Our mate doesn’t hug him back, but as the seconds pass, her expression eases.
Connor locks eyes with me as he rests his chin on the crown of her head. “Rand’s working on the camera.”
I curl my lip. “He’s a weasel.”
“You think that about all warlocks.” He smirks, adding, “All shifters, too. In fact, I think anyone who’s not currently in this room could be put on that long,longlist.”
I shrug. “Some are definitely worse than others, like that bitch—” I break off as a realization crashes into me, widening my eyes. “Fuck.” Felicity’s eyes flick open at my tone, but she doesn’t move out of his arms.
“What?” Connor demands, watching me with a frown.
“There’s one person who had real motive to fuck with us,” I say, “and who has a history of breaking into dorm rooms.”
Felicity scrunches her nose. “You mean Connor?”