Still, Leon doesn’t release my hair and drags me all the way outside. We’re headed for the edge of the Council’s estate, and when we pass a particularly thick wall of hedges, I toss Rydon’s penis inside. I hope it rots before anyone tries to re-attach it.
Leon keeps up a steady, seething dialogue the entire way, his words growing progressively louder. By the time we’ve made it to what I assume is the border of the wards, he’s roaring. “I’ve had it with trying to reason with someone incapable of understanding logic! I have gone above and beyond for you! THIS is the final straw!”
He throws me to the ground, and my grin doesn’t falter. Behind him, a crowd is gathering.
Never underestimate how quickly news can spread that something scandalous is happening.
Servants and nobles spill out of the castle, whispering and pointing our way. A promise of violence shudders through the mob, and I remember that Creators are worshipped as gods. Leon is committing a blasphemy right before their eyes.
I put on a frightened, brave expression as I pull myself back to standing. Blood and gore coat me, further desecrating their embodiment of light and perfection.
Leon practically vibrates with rage as he takes a threatening step towards me. Blue light flares from his tattoos as he pulls on his Destroyer power.
Well, that confirms it. We are, in fact, outside the wards.
“Bind yourself to me. Immediately,” he orders, his hands curling to fists at his sides.
The leash tugs, but just as I expected, nothing happens. I raise a brow and open my mouth to tell Leon off, but his yell cuts me off, “SILENCE!”
That command makes it through the leash, and I glare at him.
I’m done trying to appease this man. I want him to know how much I loathe him.
Leon’s rage twists into disbelief as he realizes I’m not following his order. “Complete the mate bond with me. Now!”
His words are loud enough that the crowd can hear.
The leash burns like molten steel as it twists inside my skull. The pain causes tears to stream down my face, but I still manage a smile, even as I shake my head.
His fist slams into my cheek, knocking me to the ground again. Stars dance in my vision.
Somewhere behind the ringing in my ears, I can hear them – the appalled gasps and outraged screams. Instead of looking at Leon, I stumble to my feet and turn to our audience.
Let them see. Let them know how their prophesied one is being controlled.
Still consumed with rage, Leon grabs another handful of my hair but freezes when he notices my attention is elsewhere. He lets out another furious roar when he sees the crowd, and a moment later, a familiar squeezing sensation hits.
He’s apparated us away.
Cold wind bites at my blood-soaked skin. We’re standing on the same uninhabited island where Leon and I escaped to, the night the Forsaken swarmed my apartment.
“Bind yourself to me. Now, Vivian! Or so help me, I will sink this entire coastline.” He uses his grip on my hair to shove me to my knees.
I glare at him through my tears, and he hits me again, hard. Dazed, I hang limp in his hold as the red haze finally clears from my vision. That’s all the time I need to finally make a decision.
I do the unthinkable.
I open the mate bond connection.
Sin said he would always be able to find me, and I’m ready to let him.
Leon heaves a breath. “Tell me the truth. How are you defying me?”
A humorless, bitter laugh bubbles up in my throat, even as I taste iron. “Ican’tbe bonded to you.”
Leon throws me to the ground, the hard stone scraping my skin. I bite back the pain and watch as a mask of cruel disgust replaces his anger. “You’re willing to kill thousands, then? Are you that selfish?”
The slightest hint of a warm hum trails under my skin. I don’t stop laughing.
