“Just as you are now makingmewhole.” Hunter breathed back softly.
They sat there then, staring at each other. Even as Layla swallowed, horrified and elated, she also felt calm. Though every storm of emotion filled her, she felt a deep love underneath it now, and was able to hold that calm space as Hunter stared her down. He was able to hold it also, and Layla saw a vast beauty in his eyes as he beheld her.
“What am I supposed to do with all this?” Layla asked suddenly.
“What do you want to do with it?” Hunter countered, watching her.
“We could keep fighting, tearing at each other, ripping each other down,” Layla supposed, “but with me able to overcome the impossible now and you changing to not even want your original aims anymore… is there any point?”
“I don’t know.” Hunter answered honestly as he settled back in his chair, eyeing her with keen awareness. “I feel we could battle until the end of days, Layla, and cast down worlds with our rage, if we wanted to. But destruction has never been my goal, nor is it yours. I began institutions like the Red Letter Hotel and the White Chalice because I wanted to see the world come to a beautiful unity. But my methods were often bloody… and I know more than a few people who would still wish to tear me apart, even if you might not.”
“Adrian.” Layla answered promptly. “Dusk. Heathren. Reginald and Fury. Even Rhennic, though I don’t see that connection as clearly as the others.”
“I pushed Rhennic into a life of endless battle against my White Chalice and other foes, via his mother.” Hunter stated simply. “With the bright, sunny joy of his personality, do you honestly believe he would have chosen the life of a military General?”
“Probably not.” Layla stated.
“Probably not.” Hunter echoed, though an intense gaze was still in his eyes. “They all hate me, to their depths. And they have reason. Even if you and I could make peace, how long would that peace last, do you think, under the pressure of your other men?”
Layla sat very still, considering that point. She already knew Adrian was out there somewhere, furious at how she had gone off from the Hidden City without him or even Heathren to protect her. She knew Rhennic would be just as pissed when she returned, since his one ask to her as part of their relationship was to tell him when she wanted to go into danger so she’d have backup. Dusk was more pragmatic, but he would feel just as betrayed as the others to know she had gone to visit Hunter, not to mention if she told him her Dragon desired Hunter as a mate. Reginald and Fury would feel utterly betrayed to learn that their biological father was a part of the Bind already.
And had been influencing their actions for months.
It was a terrible ball of wax to work out. And yet, as Layla closed her eyes, feeling the deep shit she was in with all of her mates even though she hadn’t re-opened her Binds yet with them, she felt a sweet, dawn-bright energy coil around her. With a gentle solace, Hunter’s Dragon curled around her, twining through her drakaina’s power as it soothed Layla. Lifting her chin, Layla surrendered to the feel of it.
Until she suddenly felt anything was possible – even overcoming the vast anger of her mates.
Opening her eyes, she stared at Hunter, understanding how his magic was changing her.
And with a deep knowledge, he watched her back.
CHAPTER 25 – BIND
After such deep revelations during their meal, Hunter invited Layla out for a walk in his gardens. She’d agreed, needing time and space to process everything they’d discussed about already being Bound to each other from Hunter’s stunt months ago as Adam Rhakvir. As they meandered rows of lavender and flowering herb gardens full of mint, chives, and garlic, a deep sadness suddenly took Layla. Lavender was Rhennic’s scent, and as she paused, running her fingers over a stalk and watching the bumblebees collect pollen, Layla felt her Dragon and her heart both mourn. It was an impossible situation with Hunter versus her other men.
And she didn’t know how to solve it, even though she felt somehow that she could.
Reaching out, Hunter’s magic brushed Layla’s, coiling around her in a comforting dance. She let it, understanding now why it soothed her and why her own Dragon felt so compelled to be united with his. They were already Bound and had been for months – she just hadn’t understood it until now. It wasn’t the same kind of Bind she shared with her other mates, that deep golden coil between their bodies and magics.
But it was enough.
As Layla had that thought, Hunter stepped close. He’d been a gentleman all this time, keeping his distance. But now he stepped in with deep clarity, and Layla understood his intent as he netted her around the waist. He wanted to comfort her in her confusion and distress; he wanted to hold her and help. But he was the problem.
And even as he drew Layla close to his amazingly fit body and strong chest, she knew he always would be.
“Say something.” He murmured, holding her as she continued stroking the lavender, watching it rather than stare up at him and get lost in his impossibly beautiful eyes and perfect face.
“I don’t know what to do.” Layla spoke plainly, knowing it was easy for Hunter to read her every thought and that lying to him was worthless. “Life was always simple before – keep my Bound lovers close; fight you. Now… nothing is.”
“I could say something trite likelife is never simplebut we both know this goes deeper than that.” Hunter spoke wryly, and at last Layla looked up. He was beautiful, his Romanesque features aquiline with hints of African, Asian, and European descent. Hunter was like a golden lion as he stared down at her, achingly perfect with his ultra-strong face and piercing dawn-bright eyes. His golden stubble looked so soft that Layla reached up, running her fingers over his jaw. He sighed as she touched him, his eyes closing and his golden eyelashes fluttering before they opened again.
“I have dreamed a thousand times that you might touch me like that.” He breathed, holding her closer now with his big hands.
“I never thought I would.” Layla spoke back, feeling strangely dream-like again as they stood together in the garden. It was like a place without time; a place where she might linger and forget her real life. Though Hunter’s dawn-sky eyes brightened as he felt her think it, Layla pushed it away. But her hand was still stroking his jaw, and turning his face until her fingers met his full lips, Hunter kissed her fingers gently. As he did, Layla nearly melted into the lavender, such a thrill passed through her. Deep inside, she felt her drakaina turn over with a molten sensation all through her veins. Even Layla’s human self felt deeply compelled by his immense perfection and beauty.
And a face angels would have died to weep over.
“What could we ever have?” Layla asked quietly as she stroked his golden hair. It was like silk as she touched it, and some deep part of her wanted to see that wealth of hair spread out over soft pillows as she beheld him naked by firelight. The image was so strong Layla blinked, then removed her fingers with a frown, though she could not feel any mind-magics from him.
