A weight lifts from my shoulders, the sick knot in my stomach unraveling. “I do want you. Gods, how could you not know that?Everyoneknows how much I want you. But I’m scared, Ti. I’m scared that if this doesn’t work out, I’ll lose you forever.”
His eyes light with triumph, and he cups my face. “You’ll never lose me. I promise.”
When his lips meet mine, his kiss is everything I imagined … and more.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. Arvelle? Open your eyes.”
I crack my eyes open, groaning as the room spins around me. I don’t know how much time has passed, but I’m lying on one of the sofas in the imperius’s common room, my head cushioned by a cool silk pillow. Tiernon sits in an armchair in front of me, his expression brooding.
He promised I would never lose him. My breath hitches, and Neris’s face fills my vision as she frowns down at me. “What have you done now?”
“Fuck off.” The words are out before I’m aware I’ve spoken, and I expect instant retaliation. What I don’t expect is her laugh.
She turns to Tiernon. “Fine. You tell me. What happened?”
Leaning forward, he pushes my hair back, revealing my neck. “You can’t see it, but this is a vampire mark. It means she is bonded.”
Neris lets out a low whistle. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“I took her out of the city walls, and it almost killed her.”
“So you have something to do while you’re here.” Neris peers at my neck. “And my guess is you can’t tell us what it is, even if you wanted to.”
I shrug, and that simple movement makes my entire body ache. Suddenly, I feel very, very sorry for myself.
“She could be here for anything,” Neris continues. “She could even be here to kill you.”
Neris is closer than she realizes. My gaze jumps to Tiernon’s. But his lips curve as he leans back in his chair. “If that was the case, I’d already be dead, and Arvelle would be hiding in another kingdom.”
Lies. He would have caught me in my attempt. Just like he’ll catch me when I attempt to kill the emperor if I’m not careful.
“Well, this has been great.” Suppressing another groan, I swing my legs over the side of the sofa.
“What do you need to do in order to be able to leave?” Tiernon asks.
“I need to win my last challenge.” The bond allows me to say that much.
His gaze searches my face. He knows that’s not all I need to do. But he gives a sharp nod.
“In that case, you’ll continue to train with us every day until the ultimus conquestus.”
This time, my groan is audible. “Can’t you just stay away from me?Please.”
“No. I want you gone. This is the best way to make sure that happens.”
I sneer at him. “Your concern is unnecessary.”
The door opens, and Nyrant walks in, his armor covered in blood. He nods at Tiernon, who nods back. No one speaks until he has stalked through the room and into the corridor behind us.
A weight presses on my chest. I can only imagine the things the emperor makes the imperius do on his behalf.
“I’ll walk you to your barracks,” Tiernon says.
“No. I’m fine.”
Tiernon looks like he wants to argue, but Neris steps aside, her dark eyes thoughtful as she watches me.
