Page 33 of Twisted Souls (Twisted Souls #1)
Xavier
The skies opened up, icy rain pelting us as we rode through the large iron gates. As we approached the castle, the doors swung wide, and we dismounted, handing our horses over to the guards waiting nearby. I glanced over my shoulder and caught sight of Zara shivering against the cold. My teeth ground together at the sight, but I resisted the urge to go to her, just as I had fought against getting close these past few days.
Since that night, I couldn’t get the feel of her, the scent of her arousal, of her, out of my mind.
If I were alone with her again…Fates, just near her again…
Mine .
I shook my head, fighting against the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me. I had to control my emotions, but it was becoming increasingly difficult—the primal need to be near her, to be inside her, clawed at my insides. The mating bond would drive me more irrational and unstable the longer I ignored it. It was why I had foolishly kissed her that night. Teasing her, us, in that way. But I couldn’t resist—the way her mouth had set in that stubborn way of hers.
Mine .
A low growl escaped me, deep and primal, catching the attention of a passing guard. He eyed me warily, moving further away as he continued down the hall. Good. They should all keep their distance from me, from her .
“Xavier! I'm glad to see you made it in one piece!” Gunnar’s booming voice echoed in the hall, pulling my attention to him as he waited near a door to our right. He wore a bright yellow cloak, his usual blue and gold attire shimmering beneath. It took him a moment, but his eyes widened in understanding once he caught my gaze. He didn’t bother glancing behind me at the others; wise move.
“We should talk alone while the others get settled,” he suggested, watching me warily. I turned to see Jaxon already herding the rest of our group down the hallway. His nervous glances back at me made me bare my teeth at him. He practically shoved them through a door, leaving me alone with Gunnar.
Gunnar raised an eyebrow as I looked back at him. “I might have a tonic that could help.”
My frustration simmered beneath the surface as I followed him into the study, letting out a sharp grunt.
Large arched windows peppered the outer walls of the bright study, letting in glimpses of the storm brewing just beyond the half-closed curtains. The soft navy and gold fabric of the curtains fluttered slightly with the breeze, light filtering through in muted beams. The pale limestone floor was barely visible beneath heavy navy and gold carpets; their intricate designs faded over time and haphazardly scattered across the room. Piles of books—some stacked precariously, others spilling open with pages curling at the edges as though left mid-thought—littered the floor. The air was thick with the scent of aged paper and leather, mixing with a faint musk of dust. Shelves lined the walls, overflowing with books, scrolls, and loose parchment, creating a maze of knowledge. In the far corner, a rickety desk was half-buried beneath open tomes, ink stains dotting the surface like forgotten memories, while stray bits of parchment clung to its cluttered surface.
I sank into a winged chair surrounded by towering piles of books, sighing heavily as I rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to dispel the weight of everything pressing down on me.
“I’m sorry. I’m not myself,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I can see that.” Gunnar’s tone was steady as he handed me a cup of tea before settling into a chair opposite me. “This should help, at least for a day or two.”
I drank it in one gulp, the warmth soothing my frayed nerves as I discarded the cup beside me.
Gunnar leaned back in the chair and crossed his legs, sipping his mug as his eyes raked over me with concern. “I can't fix her magic without Morgana,” Gunnar confessed, and my heart sank as my eyes shot to his. “I tried to find another way, but it can’t be done without her.”
A low snarl escaped my lips, and I stood abruptly, sending a pile of books crashing to the floor. I moved to the arched window, gripping its ledge tightly as I stared out, the rain streaking down the panes, blurring the outside from view. We had all known there was little chance of finding a solution without Morgana, but I had clung to hope—foolish hope.
Gunnar cleared his throat, pulling me back to the moment. “But you,”—he paused, his gaze serious—“Once Jaxon and you are ready, I can perform the spell.”
“We are ready.” Jaxon’s voice echoed from the doorway, and I turned to face him. He stepped further into the room, eyeing me warily as he entered.
“It will be painful,” Gunnar sighed, and I nodded, remembering how it felt that night Jaxon had torn my soul from me. “It will depend on how tightly wound your souls have twisted together,” he continued, glancing at Jaxon, an unspoken question hanging in the air between them.
Confusion washed over me, and I stared at the two of them in question. What did he mean by that?
“I made sure not to use his power unless it was absolutely necessary. I only used it a few times when needed and the longest when I opened the realm.”
Understanding crept slowly in. That was why he hadn’t been using it. I thought it was because he was ashamed to do so in front of me.
Gunnar nodded and looked at me. “The more one uses power that isn’t theirs, the more their soul becomes entwined and the harder it is to undo.” His eyes saddened a fraction, and my mind went straight to Zara. Dread filled my veins, and I growled as Gunnar only nodded in confirmation.
Gunnar looked between us and sighed. “You should take the day to rest. We can perform the spell tonight. I just need to ensure everything is in order.”
Jaxon and I nodded in agreement and left the study, stepping into the hall.
“Dedra took Zara for a walk in the village. I figured you needed some space,” Jaxon said. Irritation rose inside me, but it quickly disappeared. The tea was working, and I was much calmer than I had been a few moments ago. I nodded, and Jaxon continued, “We can catch up to them if you're feeling better.” He smirked. “I'm sure they only just got to town.”
I contemplated for a moment, and the thought of Zara’s awe-struck face as she took in a new village solidified my response. “Let's go.”