“No reason is good enough,” Sin snarls.
Morgana rubs her throat, looking at me apologetically. “As Sin’s Keeper, it’s my job to keep him safe. And I can’t tell you how to fix your soul without endangering him.”
I frown, fear and confusion twisting in my gut. “Morgana, I would never do something to hurt Sin. And why bring up my soul at all, if it could hurt him?”
She crosses her arms in a protective gesture. “Because I know you’ll want to reforge your mate bond… and I need you not to.”
“Like fucking hell, we won’t,” Sin growls back, but his power retreats.
His eyes widen as hope replaces his fury. He reaches for me, and our fingers curl together. He places a light kiss on my knuckles. “When we fix our mate bond, another piece of my soul will fuse to yours. It could repair the damage.”
Morgana is already shaking her head. “Onlysomeof the damage. It would only slow the decay. It won’t cure her,” she corrects.
I nod but stay silent. I’m still waiting to hear why Sin is in danger.
“But a mate bond only works through an equal exchange. You each give a piece, and then the part of your soul that has been given is replaced by your mate’s. To do any meaningful repair to your soul, Sin would need to givemuchmore of himself,” she pauses to take a breath. “He’d have to fracture his own soul.”
Her pleading eyes find mine. “Reforging a mate bond may buy you some time… but ultimately, it will kill him.”
Chapter 36
Vivian’s Point of View
Rule thirty-six:If monsters are haunting you, haunt them back.
The void inside my chest aches, and each pang feels like I’m taking one step closer to death. My eyes flicker over to Sin. His hard gaze is locked ahead of us as he walks at my side.
He hasn’t said a word since we left Morgana – not since he found out reforming our mate bond would kill him.
More pain in my chest radiates out through my body, and I’m not sure if it’s from the shattered bits of my soul or from my heart slowly breaking. Still, I try not to show any signs that I’m in pain or that I’m spiraling. Sin doesn’t need another reason to worry about me. I’ve already caused so many problems for him.
We turn down another corridor, and I’m completely turned around. This part of the castle is unfamiliar, and I’m too afraid to ask where we’re going.
What will happen when we’re alone?
What if he’s just biding his time, waiting to tell me it’s over between us?
I can’t fault him if he does. He deserves so much better. If he’s finally figured that out, then I’m going to put on my big girl pants and be happy for him. I’m–
“Stop it,” Sin growls, finally looking at me. The corridor is empty, and I almost jump at the sudden break in the silence.
My eyes dart around us, trying to figure out what I’ve done. “Stop what?”
“Whatever you’re worrying about. Stop it,” he clarifies, his eyes narrowing on me.
I huff. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m perfectly fine.”
He stops in his tracks, gently taking my hand so that I pause with him. His eyebrow arches, and the corner of his mouth tilts up, just a fraction. It’s all the warning I get before he prowls toward me.
A small inhale gets stuck in my throat as his body presses against mine. He walks me backward until my back hits the cool marble wall, caging me there with his hands. He moves like a predator, and it causes my heart to flutter.
Should immortals be concerned about arrhythmia?
His gaze drags over me, slowly, and my face heats. Someone handed me a long shirt after the battle, and it hangs to my knees. It’s not particularly flattering, but it certainly beats the torn, dirty dress I was wearing.
“Still trying to lie to me, kitten?” His voice is a low, amused purr.
There’s a challenge behind his words, but I don’t have it in me to play along. Instead, I cross my arms and lightly shrug. “Our bond is broken. You can’t tell if I’m worrying.”
