"No," Sebastian whispers through clenched teeth.
Unimpressed, Falkon answers me. "It can, but it's a difficult task."
One of Sebastian's shadows grabs my elbow, and his face is twisted in rage. I remove my elbow from his firm grasp. "Please, let me explain. When you were born, so was another prophecy."
Falkon recites the passage before he can.Two Princes will battle for your hand; one will love you, the other will deceiveyou. Choose wisely which path you travel, for one leads to darkness, and one leads to victory.
Another damn riddle. I get as close to Sebastian's face, that my height challenged self can. "I wonder which one will deceive me. Huh, asshole?"
He grabs my chin, at which Falkon huffs in warning. "I'm sorry, but I’ll always do what keeps you safe first. Even if it pisses you off. Ethan would rather kill you than let you choose another path."
Black dots blur my vision, an indication that I'm about to lose my shit. "Ethan's not even a prince, Sebastian."
Sebastian looks behind me at my cousins and Falkon. "Arabella already knows, but due to my Shadowed status I can infiltrate even the complex of minds. That's how I know Ethan is not who everyone thinks he is." He turns to me next. "Please, give me a chance to explain tonight, after the dinner."
Looking down at my hand, I nod. "I may have forgiven my aunt and uncle easily, but you'll only get ten minutes to change my mind before I let Falkon explain how to undo this. Good luck."
His hand rubs my cheek in adoration. "Please, know that I'm sorry. But I had to do it again, I would."
Yeah, that won't change my mind. "Well, tell me how you really feel, Dark Prince." Placing my arms over my chest, all the pieces fall roughly into place. I've watched enough episodes of Vampire Diaries for his actions to be suspect. “Answer me this, did you use compulsion to get me to agree to being Bound to you?" He has the good sense to let his remorse show. "Oh my God, you did! Get out of my sight. NOW!"
He shakes his head. "I'm not leaving, you will never be far from my sight again."
"Too bad." Throwing my hands up in annoyance, because I don't want to be anywhere near him right now.
He puts his Bound tattoo in my face. "This says that you are mine. I might have used stronger means than necessary to get you there, but I meant everything I said before."
Falkon leans her head over my shoulder, and snarls at him. "Arabella The Chosen told you to leave. That means—leave."
Sebastian grabs his weapon, and his shadows slink to the surface. Falkon chuckles a dry humorous laugh. "Well, that's one way to become unbound."We look on in horror as she rears back her head breathing in deeply. While Falkon looks back at us her eyes are rays of fire. She means to incinerate him. Without any thought for my well-being, I jump in the middle of them, and scream for her to stop. Sebastian grabs my waist to push me out of the way, but it's too late. Lava like fire shoots out of her mouth, instinct wills me to grab my necklace, causing me to go into a trance.
Time eases by slowly, almost freezing in place, and going on with nothing but some long buried inclination within, I hold my hand above my head, aiming it at the water. The cool liquid flows into my hand as I form it into a ball. Then disperse it into the fire, extinguishing the flames with one thrust of my arms. As time returns, my cousins rush to my side while Sebastian moves in front of me. A loud screech comes from Falkon, when the water hits her face, making us cover our ears. I can’t believe it, but I’ve found my magic.
I'm not over what Sebastian did to me; however, he earned a point for trying to save me. I push him out of the way, as myeyes narrow on my dragon. "Fuck Falkon! You can't do that! You almost made him go up in a blaze of glory!"
She rolls her eyes. "He's smart enough to have moved out of the way, Arabella The Chosen. The better question is do you have a death wish?"
I put my hands on my hips. "No, but I seemed to have handled myself just fine. Thank you very much."
She gives me a look of pride. "That you did. Your task is not for the faint of heart, and cowards are worthless. Your bravery means that I choose you, Arabella The Chosen. Come forward and give me your hand."Confused, I follow through on her command. Sliding my hand toward her, awaiting further instruction. Falkon uses her talon to slice a small gash in her arm, making a hiss pass through my lips as she does the same to my palm. My dragon's voice is commanding, "Place your hand to my wound, for the blood oath."
A dragon asking me to give them my blood was never a conversation I thought I'd have. "Before I do that, will you explain to me what that means?" Sebastian doesn't appreciate the side eye that I give him as the words are so fitly spoken out of my mouth.
Amusement lights her features. "A blood oath is many things, but simply put it is a joining of our minds and lifespans. We will be able to communicate much like you and Sebastian can. As concerning the other, you will be gifted with a very long life. However, if you die, I die. So, don't do that."
This is a very grown-up life decision. Do I want to live longer than my family and friends? Seeing my reluctance, Falkon adds. "It is a great honor that's been bestowed upon you, Arabella The Chosen. We will need each other in this war."
Having a dragon, especially one as fierce as Falkon could benefit my new team. Being in charge means making the hard choices. "Thank you, for this great honor, Falkon. My hesitation comes from the unknown. Living a long-life means watching all the ones you love die. Not to mention, I'll be essentially murdering you if I get killed."
As my cut touches her laceration the outside edges begin to glow, and a tingle begins moving slowly up then down my arm like ants marching to a beat. The feeling permeates through our veins as our bodies begin to glow. A bright light picks me up off my feet, creating bursts of light out of every part of my body. I fall to my knees as if in prayer as sweat drops from my forehead. Sebastian bends to check on my welfare, but I swat his hand away. Sebastian tries again. "Bell's, please let's walk back to the palace."
"Oh, I'm walking, but not with you. You're ten minutes starts after dinner tonight, and not a minute before." I stubbornly reply.
Sebastian's face is crestfallen, but he quickly masks the emotion. "As you wish." He throws a rock on the ground. The confidence that his present sexy smirk exudes, is enough to make my insides sting with need. My heart drops as he disappears into the mist that it created, because I already miss him.
"You're drooling, Arabella The Chosen." Falkon gives her unwarranted opinion, my cousins double over in laughter, I can't help but join in.
"Falkon, we have to leave for dinner. Where will you go?" I ask.
