Page 130 of Wicked Bonds

“All right. We need Vera,” he said. Because he wanted their memories back, too. Leela wouldn’t be going through the past alone. He’d be right there with her, every step of the way.

“Or you could bite her,” Patreel informed them as he appeared in his corporeal form beside them. The dogs immediately perked up, their ears swiveling as they tried to find the source of the voice. Lola spotted the angel first, her head coming up quickly, followed by her body as she took on a defensive pose.

Balthazar learned a long time ago to listen to the instincts of animals. They typically read situations accurately and effectively.

“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that a blood bond is the most powerful magic of all. Use it to free your minds,” Patreel suggested, causing Lola to growl.

Bella went on high alert as well, noticing the angel’s location now beside Leela.

“I think that’s my cue to leave,” Patreel continued. “I’ll do what I can to distract the others, but I don’t suggest remaining here for long.” He vanished in the next second, just as the dogs started toward him.

They both froze, looking around, and Leela quickly soothed them.

But Balthazar remained frozen as he processed what Patreel had just said. He’d spoken so casually, as though his suggestion wouldn’t alter both Leela’s and Balthazar’s lives forever.

Or you could bite her.

A blood bond is the most powerful magic of all. Use it to free your minds.

It was extremely powerful. But it would also bind them together for eternity. Something Leela had clearly known when she’d bitten him the first time.

But had Balthazar wanted that? Was it something they both desired? A monogamous relationship for… forever?

The blood bond could conceivably show them the truth.

A risk.

A huge leap of faith.

A potentially catastrophic decision.

What if we bond just to discover that she only bit me to hide from Dian?

Balthazar frowned. That didn’t feel right. Leela wasn’t self-serving. She wouldn’t use him to conceal herself or disguise her bloodline. She would fight her battles head-on.

“B?” Leela asked, her tone suggesting she’d said his name more than once.

He blinked, her aura radiating concern as her mind confirmed she’d been trying to talk to him about what Patreel had said. Uncertainty echoed in her thoughts, similar questions rolling through her psyche about the risk of a bond.

Is it worth our memories?

Would forced monogamy lead to bitterness?

Are we even capable of being with only each other?

A softer part of her mind whispered,Yes,in response.

And Balthazar felt a shimmer of understanding humming through his being, radiating from an intangible place deep inside him.

He rubbed his chest, uncertain if he appreciated the sensation or disliked it.

“B?” Leela repeated.

“I want my memories back,” he said, echoing her statement from only minutes ago. “But we can’t return to Hydria yet.”

Which meant they had to wait to talk to Vera. As her presence and expertise were needed there more than here. Once Hydria finished fortifying their wards, they could return. He would always put the protection of others over his own wants and needs.

“Our memories will need to wait,” he concluded.