“The wound is taking longer than usual because she’s a Bounty,” Lancaster said, fierce protection sharpening every word. “If I move her, I’ll undo whatever good has been done. She could bleed out before we get somewhere safe.”
“That sounds unpleasant.” I exhaled, rolling my head against his chest where it was warm and comforting.
“Santorina,” Lancaster whispered, turning his attention down to me. Something soft brushed against my cheek. “Keep your eyes on me.”
But I’m so tired.
“I know, Bounty,” he whispered. I hadn’t realized I’d spoken aloud. “I know you’re tired, but we need to close the wound first.”
Right. Falling asleep now would not be wise. I was smarter and stronger than that. I pried my eyes open, meeting his endless ones, trying to ignore the worry deepening them.
“Good girl,” Lancaster said, pressing a soft kiss to my lips that made the string in my chest hum. His breath caught as if he felt it, too.
“She isn’t safe here,” Celissia repeated as if that exchange hadn’t occurred. I tipped my gaze over Lancaster’s shoulder, counting the wind chimes framing the nearest gallery’s door. Shaped like small doves, they pinged together with every gentle breeze and thunderous roar.
The fact of my safety had Lancaster stiffening. His eyes burned into me as he asked Celissia, “What do you want me to do? Your sorcia healing isn’t speeding it up either.”
But Mora answered, “You know there is one more option.”
“No,” Lancaster growled, that demanding, arrogant tone I’d heard so often.
“It is a good option,” Mora pushed as she approached, blocking the wind chimes from view. “She already?—”
“No,” Lancaster repeated.
“What is it?” I slurred as Mora’s features came into focus. Huge swipes of blood painted the front of her leathers. She must’ve disposed of the shadow beast.
The female assessed me, her full lips thinning before she said, “He can claim you.”
Claiming. Where had I heard that before?
Every time your damn scent wrapped around me, I almost snapped. Claimed you.
Earlier tonight, Lancaster had said he’d almost done it numerous times, but I’d been too lost to pleasure and denial to ask what it meant.
“I won’t do it,” Lancaster swore, and my heart splintered.
“Because,” I hissed on an inhale, “I’m human?”
Lancaster’s eyes swam with grief as he took me in, his palm cupping my cheek. “Because I do not deserve to claim you, and it is not a choice you can make in this moment.”
“Explain” was the only word I could force out.
“This is wasting time?—”
“Claiming is when anaequelisbond is fully sealed,” Mora interrupted, and Celissia gasped, clearly recognizing the Goddess-given bond for what it meant. “It means you become each other’s in every way, more so than you are even now. In theory, claiming is not necessary. This bond is real and active no matter what.”
I wheezed a laugh. I’d denied the bond to Lancaster’s face, but when I saw that beast lunging for his throat…
Mora continued, “Claiming solidifies. And you have each saved the other from mortal danger, which sets the process in motion.”
When Lancaster saved me from the gorgon, he’d begun it. He’d been so different after that, closer. Was that why? He’d felt the claiming ignite. And I had saved him tonight, unknowingly answering that call.
“Claiming has added benefits that mystubborn brotheris refusing to see.”
Lancaster’s hand flinched against my side. He was still pouring healing magic into me, but my Bounty blood rejected it too rapidly. The tingling sensation faded compared to the fire of the wound’s rough edges.
“Benefits?” I asked. The sky was getting darker. Their forms wavering.
