My breaths quicken, as once again, I try to find a way out of this.
Sin said they can’t hold me.
I grit my teeth together. The forced smile on my face and the way my body refuses to answer certainlyfeellike they’re holding me.
Why can’t people in fantasy realms be less cryptic?
What’s wrong with telling someone, ‘oh hey, tap your toes together three times and say “no means no,” and all your troubles will melt away?’
The instructions are unclear. I need an adult.
When we finally reach his bedroom, Leon strides inside, kicking the door shut behind us. The moment it closes, the world blurs as he throws me across the room.
I hit the hard marble wall with a sickening crack. Dazed, I blink up at him from the floor.
He doesn’t pause, his breathing heavy as he hauls me up by my hair. I scream, and more pain sears against my skin as he slaps me.
“Shut the fuck up!” He roars.
My mouth snaps shut, and my hair feels like it’s being ripped from my skull as he holds me suspended off the ground.
What is it with this man and my hair?
“I’ve been patient. I’ve given you time to accept your fate on your own time. And still, you fucking dare go to him? You are mine!” Spit flecks my cheeks as he screams, “I warned you what would happen if you acted out. Your disrespect will not be tolerated. Bind yourself to me. Now,” he orders, and the mental leash tugs.
Nothing happens.
Despite the agony lancing through me, I grin and give him the finger.
Leon bellows, and once again, I’m airborne. This time, I manage to protect my head.
“Tell me how you are resisting the leash!”
I use the wall for balance as I pull myself up to standing. A mocking laugh bubbles up inside of me, and I don’t bother keeping it down.
There’s no more room for plans. I’m going to die here, but at least I’m going to die telling the truth.
“Because mate bonds cannot be coerced. They must be freely given. And I. Don’t. Want. You.”
It feels so good to say it.
When I come back as a ghost, I’m getting the words tattooed on my forehead – just to make sure Leon sees them.
His eyes narrow, but to my dismay, his rage simmers to a cold, calculating expression. “I wonder how long I’ll have to punish you before you change your mind?” He gives me an insidious smile.
I lift my chin. “I willneverwant you.” I infuse the words with disdain, trying to push him to lose control – to end this once and for all.
Instead, he leans against the wall, crossing his arms. “Oh no, Vivian. You’re going to want me.”
With the words, I feel a sharp tug on the mental leash.
No. Fuck no.
“You will want me as badly as I want you. You will be devoted to me and blindly obey me. You will live to fucking serve me.” His excitement grows as he takes in my horrified expression.
The leash snaps, and I scream as something devastatingly familiar settles over me.
The fog is back.
