“I…” I close my eyes, unable to speak for a minute.Shit. Shit. Shit.What in the hell will the gods say about me having a mate?
Jamison takes my hand. “The mate bond means nothing unless you exchange blood. You’re still free to choose. Or not.”
That’s reassuring. I take a deep breath and stare down at Mathias.
He coughs, and blood spills out of the corner of his mouth. “It’s okay. I’ll heal.”
It’s clear they don’t want to pressure me, but with the enemy breathing down our necks, time is of the essence. I jerk my sleeve up. This is going to be bad. Really bad. But maybe it’s better this way. Rip the Band-Aid off, so to speak. I’m getting too close to them anyway.
“You’re going to see things. My past. Try to remember, I was fifteen when it happened. Much younger than the daughter you left behind. A stupid child who thought nothing of consequences. Not an excuse but truth,” I rush to explain.
My gaze travels from Mathias to Jamison to Gatlin and finally to Hawthorne, needing to see the concern and care on their faces one last time. With a deep breath, I press my wrist against Mathias’ mouth.
His tongue licks my skin, and a buzzing feeling invades my body. Fangs sink into the delicate skin, but I barely feel them. Warmth steals the words from my mouth. Heat builds along with a keen sense of pleasure. I gasp. My body becomes slick, and it takes everything I have to remain standing.
A wicked expression replaces the pain-filled one on Mathias’ face. Lines smooth. Wounds heal. Dark eyes flicker with intent.
“Mathias,” Jamison’s quiet voice breaks the haze around us. “One minute.”
Images flash in my mind. Childhood memories of days long gone. I bite my lip as time fast-forwards. Suddenly, the memory of that night pops into my head. The one I’ve been hiding from them all. The truth of my past. Sure, the gods don’t want me to reveal myself, but this is my secret. A grey area I’ve avoided for far too long. The reason I was punished.
It takes everything not to rip my wrist away. I’m such a coward.
My parents went to visit a nearby kingdom. My sister and I have taken advantage of their absence to do all the things they usually forbid us to do. Swim naked in the nearby lake. Ride horses bareback. Invite our friends over for a party, so we can flirt with the nobles’ sons. It’s all been great fun.
My beautiful sister flashes irritated eyes at me. I’ve been driving her crazy all night. Blond with blue eyes, she’s utterly perfect, and that’s not just me thinking it. Pandora was created by the gods in their likeness. Stunningly beautiful, they gave her all their best gifts. Then they gave her to my parents to raise.
Most of the time I ignore her beauty, but tonight it gives me pause. “You truly are the most beautiful of creatures. All golden light. One day, you’ll marry a king and rule as his queen.”
Her irritation fades, and she laughs. “Promise?”
“Promise.” I sweep by and grab her hands in mine. Swinging us around in a circle, I twirl until we’re both dizzy. “I will, of course, marry the poor soul Father finds for me.”
She shakes her head. “I won’t let him. We’ll find you a handsome prince of your own. We’ll throw parties and visit each other all the time.”
We flop down on the stuffed cloths piled on the floor.
“I’m bored,” I say in a petulant voice.
“You’re always bored,” she reminds me with a laugh. “What do you want to do? Go swimming again?”
She knows I like to push the boundaries. I twiddle my fingers. “I want to go look at the vase.” I turn pleading eyes on her, knowing she’s going to say no.
“The gods gave it to Father and told him to hide it in the cavern. I wish you had never seen it. There’s nothing good about that vase,” she refuses, her voice dismissive. “I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.”
During the meal, I can’t stop thinking about the vase. After a bottle of wine, I stand and announce I’m going to bed. Pandora stares at me, then waves a hand good night. I sway from side to side. I’m drunk. I laugh as I leave the room.
One peek, I tell myself.
Making sure no servants are nearby, I open the painting at the far end of the hall, and step into the dark void. Thankfully, Father keeps torches near the entrance, and I light one to take with me. Down I go, into the cold darkness, my fingers trailing against the damp stone, helping me keep my balance.
When I get there, I set the torch into the wall and stand staring at the beautiful pink and gold vase with the shapes moving inside. From the first moment I saw it, I’ve been fascinated by it. Pandora, too, although she’ll deny it. I’m convinced the gods stored something wondrous in there. It calls to me. Like it knows my name.
“I knew it!” Pandora cries from behind me.
I shrug. “I like looking at it.” My hand lifts, and I trail a finger down its surface. “See, it’s fine.” I pick up the vase and hold it up to the light. “What could possibly be in there?”
Pandora marches over and takes the vase from me. “If the gods wanted it hidden from the world, there’s a good reason.” She puts it back on the shelf. “Let’s go upstairs before someone catches us down here.”
