Page 28 of Hexbound

"Oh? Then it should be no trouble to remove it."

"Verity," he breathed. "The Chalice is an important relic. I cannot risk losing any chance I have at getting it back."

"What you're saying is that youdon'ttrust me." And just when she'd been warming up to him. "I'm not going to run, Bishop. I have nowhere to go. I am not a slave, I am not a criminal, and I amnotyours to command."

"This shackle only stops you—"

"From straying from your side?" Bloody hell, could he not understand? "It nearly killed me today! The only reason thatthingcut me was because I reached the end of my tether, and the bracelet forced me directly into the path of creature's knife!"

His nostrils flared, but she latched on to the guilt she saw in his black eyes. "If you don't remove it right now, then you make it clear that I cannot trust you. Regardless of your actions today."

Their eyes met, and Verity stared him down.Please.She felt so lost today. She needed a victory. Bishop swore under his breath and reached for the chained links around her wrist. Light flared at his fingertips and Verity rubbed her wrist as the shackle fell into his hand.

"Thank you." It meant more to her than he could ever know. Today had cut most of the ties to her former life, but instead of feeling free, she had the odd sensation that she was now alone in the world. The Hex Society had been her prison, and yet familiar. If someone had ever tried to hurt her, the Crows would have stood at her back.

Not anymore.

What was her place in the world now? Did she even have one?

Bishop might have claimed her for the Order, but what did that mean? He and the former Prime were the only two sorcerers she'd ever met, but she'd heard far too many stories.

"Don't make me regret it, Verity." Bishop stepped toward the candle, lifting his hand to snuff it with his fingertips. "I don't give my trust so easily."

"That makes two of us," she admitted, drawing her knees up to her chest. "Today has been a strange day."

From adversaries to wary allies. She wasn't quite certain what to make of it.

Dark shadows highlighted his cheekbones as he tilted his head toward her. "I'll fetch you some dinner."

"Will... you stay with me?" The words leapt from her lips before she could restrain them.

Bishop paused by the door, the pan of bloodied linens in his hand. She could almost see the tension work its way through his shoulders.

"Just for... dinner." Goodness, why were her cheeks heating?

Perhaps because she couldn't pretend to be so flippant. Not at this moment.

"I'll assume you want your meat well-done?" He arched a brow, cutting the tension with the faintest of smiles. "Not... bloody."

Verity heaved one of the pillows at him. "As long as it's my favorite cut... a nice, lean... rump." She stuck her tongue out at him as he smiled.

"Fine. Let me fetch you something to eat."

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Chapter 7

"When the redcomet rules the skies, the Prime shall fall. A new Prime shall ascend to the head of the Order. Three sons. Three relics. Three sacrifices. Only then can the Prime be torn down. There is but one chance to save them. The Snake at the Breast shall cast the first roll of the die, setting the Game into motion, but might be all that holds back the pall of madness. The Thief shall wear a false face but wield a true heart; and only the Blind One can see how to save the heart of the Mirror."

–Prophecy of Drake de Wynter's downfall

HE STAYED FOR dinner, a largely informal affair.

Silverware clinked as they settled at the dining table together. Verity kept glancing up at him as she ate, and tried to mimic his fancy table manners. There'd evidently been a cook in today, but she'd left their meal in the oven, something that seemed a regular occurrence. It was delicious: roasted meat that almost fell off the bone, bonny potatoes roasted in goose fat, Yorkshire puddings, peas, and so much gravy Verity could barely fit it all in.

She was trying though. The Crows’ table wasn't as lean as others in the Dials, but it certainly wasn't to this standard.

"So tell me about the Order," Verity said, swallowing a mouthful of beef and washing it down with a red wine that almost made her eyes cross with pleasure. "You seem to know so many different types of magic. I saw you using fire today, and healing, and stopping hearts in chests, and then there was that knife you created...."