“Why does Isla still act territorial over you? Why is she so confident that you’re going to leave me?” It was the worst thing I could’ve said, at the wrong moment. I was projecting my own guilt onto him.
Flame exploded from the hearth, reaching the chairs that sat nearby—where I’d been sitting moments ago. They licked along the floor until I put them out with a layer of wet snow. I gawked at him, speechless.
His voice rose as he said, “I amso sickof you asking about Isla. You really want the truth?”
I stared at a spot on the stone floor, nodding slowly.
“Very well. I slept with her.Once. The night I found Rafael’s rope at your window. I buried myself in her to keep myself from killing him—to keep myself from taking it out on you. It didn’t mean anything.” He sat on my bed with his head hanging low, anger fizzling into dejection.
The room began to spin and I sunk to the ground. He’d made me feel crazy… and all along, I’d been right. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“Because… look how you’re reacting right now!It was just sex. You and I weren’t even together. Your human heart is so fragile, you’ll hold this over my head—you’ll sleep with Rafael to get back at me!” His words slurred, but they still hit their mark.
“That isnotthe kind of person I am. Iamupset. Because you lied. And not for the first time. My faith in you is growingfragile—not my heart.” I tried to cool my hot temper with several deep breaths. “Just go. We’ll talk when you’re sober.” I walked towards the door in hopes he’d follow.
I turned around to find him before me, on one knee. He grabbed my hand as my mouth gaped open and he pulled a ring from his pocket. An emerald stone set against a gold band—the jewel was the exact same color as his eyes. He held it up to me, while his hands shook. “Marry me. I can’t live without you. I won’t lie to you again. I want to be better… for you.”
I stayed silent, afraid to respond. This wasnotthe moment for a proposal. “Galen, I don’t want to rush into marriage. I’m not ready. First, let’s get to Erador. Once we’re away from the Elders, we can breathe—have a real relationship and see where this leads.” I was as honest with him as I could be. I hoped it would be enough to ease his frayed nerves.
He gave no visible reaction. Had he not heard me? He stood up and took my hand, pushing the ring onto my finger.
“Galen, I—”
“Please just wear this as a promise—as a symbol, that you’re mine. I’ve never cared about anything this much. It’s driving me crazy. I hate that you spend your days with Rafael. I hate that I can’t kill anyone that threatens you. I wanted tokillArnold tonight.” He kissed me as he rubbed the ring that was now pinching my finger. I didn’t know how to say no… so I kept it on, for him.
Unable to keep my foot out of my mouth, I asked, “Are you addicted to my blood? You told me it felt like a drug in your system. Perhaps that’s part of what’s making you feel so… out of sorts. I think you should get your blood elsewhere for a while.” I braced for his reaction.
He gave me one of his signature charming smiles. “My love, it’s not yourbloodthat I can’t live without… it’syou. Your magic makes me stronger than I’ve ever felt—that’s exactly what we need right now in these uncertain times. I need to be able to protect you. It’s a gift… that I’m so thankful for. Do you not enjoy when I bite you?” He had twisted my words.
“It feels amazing, but—”
Galen silenced me with a kiss before saying, “Good, then it’s settled. You’re mine and I’m yours. One day we’ll be blood-bonded and we’ll share each other’s blood. There’s no shame in being my source until then.”
He was so fast, I had no chance to object. Like a lion on an antelope, his mouth was on my neck, drawing blood, before I could even shriek. I tried to push him off as I recovered from shock, but he didn’t budge. When the magic took over, I became powerless to the pull of pleasure.
He pulled up my dress and ripped my underwear off in a rough tug. Then he was inside of me with one deep thrust. He lifted me up until he was holding me, his hands braced under my thighs. My legs wrapped around him as he took me, before both of us climaxed together in wave after crashing wave.
forty-one
Raf and I had planned to leave for the Oracle after first light. Galen left my room at sunrise and Rafael appeared shortly after in a curtain of shadows. I tried to hide the heavy emotions I was feeling from the night before, but he saw right through my glassy-eyed smile.
“What’s wrong?” He rushed over to my bedside. Lusha hadn’t arrived yet and I hadn’t had the energy or will to dress myself. All it took was two words from him before the tears I’d been holding back started to cascade down my cheeks in a torrential waterfall.
He tucked my hair behind my ears and swore when he saw multiple fresh bite marks. They should’ve healed into bruises by now, but Galen had taken a lot of blood last night. I was still recuperating the loss.
“Did he force himself on you?’ Rafael’s eyes were dilated, almost completely black. His angry shadows twisted around us before blinking out of sight.
“It’s more complicated than that. I think I frightened him into thinking I’d cut him off. It’s my fault. It’s my blood that did this to him. I pushed him too far last night.” I hid my face, flinching as I felt his steady hand on my shoulder. If Galen knew he was in my room…
“We should go. Quickly,” I said. “If anyone sees you in here, Galen will lose it. He’s not himself right now.” I shot out of bed and sat back down as a spell of dizziness washed over me.
“Thisis who he is, Marigold. You aren’t safe with him,” Rafael growled. “Don’t move. I’ll get your clothes. What do you want to wear?”
He opened my closet, pushing Galen’s clothes out of the way with a growl and leafing through my dresses. He chose a simple gown that I couldput on by myself, tossing it to me. He found a bag and began throwing clothes, undergarments, and shoes into it.
“What are you doing? I can’t wearthisto see the Oracle. I need something I can fight in.” I watched as he grabbed a brush from my table… ribbons for my hair.
“You aren’t staying in this room for anotherminute. And we’re not going to the witch today. You can barely stand. I’m taking you to my place until you’re stronger, and then—only then—do I want to hear your opinion on the matter.” He looked like he was justdaringme to challenge him. I didn’t.
