Page 131 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Ripping open the door, hinges squealing against my magic, I toss it down the hall as servants avoid it. No one stops me—it’d be pointless.

Inside the doorway, Fee stands, arms and ankles crossed, waiting.

She knew I was going to do this.

“Get out of my way.”

Fee whistles. “You’re in even more of a rare mood today than you’ve ever been.” Amber eyes crinkle at the corners as she tries to fight off a smile. “Feeling territorial, beasty?”

“I swear to the gods, Fee, if you don’t move?—”

She holds up a gloved hand. Gone are her riding leathers, she’s now in her usual princess attire of black dresses and pointed heels.

“You know you were forbidden from seeing her. At least until Father decided what to do with her.”

“Try to stop me,” I snarl, teeth bared. “She’s going to be mywife. My mate. I’ve already told Father.” It’s his rule that keeps me chained, away from her because to him, she’s his weapon. She’s in the dungeon as a precaution.

I should be smart, plan this out, figure out a way to see her without upsetting my father. But this bond isn’t allowing for logical thought. I just want my mate.

Her eyes widen, because of all the people, she didn’t expect her oldest brother to consider marriage.

No one knows what this agony is like. To be separated from your other half. To feel as if a part of you is missing.It’s agony.

I need her back. I want the air back in my lungs and the calm of mind that she brings me. I wanther.

“I’m not stopping you,” she says slowly, carefully. “I just think you need to think this through. Marriage is not easy.” She claps her hands behind her back. “A mating bond even less so. Last she saw you, you had not only claimed her—which I’m sure as a Human, Witch, whatever she is, doesn’t know what that means—but she had also figured out you only got close to her because of her magic. Not because youloveher. How do you think a marriage proposal will go?”

It doesn’t matter how it’ll go. That’s the only way this works out.

“Point?”

Fee sighs as if I’m not listening. She’s right. But I hate being reminded of the betrayals I’ve laid on her. How much I’ve hurt her.

“Don’t go rushing in there, thinking she’s going to fall back into your arms. Not with this bond in place,” she sneers, disgusted by the turn of events. “Things are going to get more complicated. Bonds always make thingscomplicatedfor our kind.”

“The only complication is that you’re standing between a mated Fae and his intended.” I step close, narrowing my eyes. “And that’s dangerous even for you, little sister.”

I would never hurt my sister, but even now, I can feel the urge to manhandle her out the door just to be one step closer to Max.

Fae are notoriously territorial. Mates, more so.

Dark Fae are worse. Especially when a bond is only half formed.

She steps to the side, allowing me to pass. I make it one step before she continues.

“We are an inherited selfish bunch, Kaden.” She pauses at the doorway, looking out to the hall. “We are taught all our lives to never lay claim to another for it twines our lives together. To claim someone is to lay down your life for them. You taught me that.” She touches the chain around her neck.

An amulet that all Dark Fae children are given so, as to never be claimed. It’s a small protection, but it keeps our souls our own.

Reid had one too. I’m the only one who arrogantly thought no one would ever lay claim to me. Not with a cursed soul.

Only I laid a claim onto someone else.I did this to myself.

“Are you prepared to lay down your life for hers?” Fee asks, voice soft.

I don’t think as I respond, stepping down into the dank dungeon.

“Absolutely.”