My body wrenches me towards the male familiar to the depths of my soul. Violet eyes, the same colour as the fairy flower, dusted with golden brown lashes. A regal nose, high cheekbones and dark golden hair braided down his back.
“Me?” he questions with a confused expression.
Looking up, I notice the difference in height between us. He’s not as tall as my beast, but I have to crane my head to view his upper frame, where glowing networks snake his skin down the sides of his face, continuing southward, complimenting the bronzed hue of his skin tone.
“Yes, you!” My voice comes out shrill.
His feet move towards mine, an invisible tether pulling us together, a chant beginning in my head.Home, home, home.
“Yes, I… I feel you…” We are but one foot apart, and his face is the most beautifully carved creation I have yet to see.
And that’s when I see them.His ears. They are pointed. “Fae.”
The soft words travel from my lips and thud to the ground between us.
It seems to shock something within him, and he shakes his head and takes a wide step back.
“Yes, I am fae. I am Prince Rivern of Terra, and you are my bonded,” he states matter-of-factly.
That lilting voice could tell me the worst news in the history of the constellations, and it would still sound good, I surmise.
When his statement begins to sink in, I glower.
Prince Rivern… Terra… Bonded?The words tumble through my awareness, separating and reforming, not quite making sense. I’ve read about the bonded in the Goddess’s texts, left by the fae when I was learning her song. Each rhythm I went back to the library after the initial book fell at my feet, I kept my eyes peeled for similar-looking tomes, and I surprised myself by finding at least a dozen books filled with lost knowledge.
A bubble of laughter makes its way up my throat. “I’m not your bonded.”
From what I’ve read, fae bond with fae and I amnotfae.
A smug look overtakes the prince’s face, showcasing two prominent dimples on each of his cheeks.Could this fae get any more attractive? It is seriously concerning.
“That tug in your chest.” He points to his chest and then to mine, where my heart lies. “That pull that wants to bring our souls together. I fear it is stronger in my kind than yours because bonding is a fae concept, not human… But, by your reaction to my presence, I know you can feel it too.”
He keeps his hand on his chest, long, tapered fingers clenching into a forest green tunic.
“I—maybe?” I don’t want to give this prince everything.But our bond isn’t complete. From what I have read, it has to be consummated, and that is not happening.He may be more beautiful than a sunrise, but he will not ease his way into my breeches.
“I am not here to play games, little human—”
“Dove,” I cut in. He looks taken aback that I would interrupt his little speech. “I’m not a little human. My name is Dove.”
Rivern looks me dead in the eyes, smiling coyly. “Little Dove, I could get used to that. Hmmm…” He looks me up and down as I cross my arms, trying to hide my body. The feeling coming through the bond is a mix of confusion and…need. As much as he doesnt want to admit it, this bond leaves no room for untruths. “Cute for a human, I suppose.” The nonchalance of his nature must be a well-honed mask because the bond yells desire that makes my insides melt.
His nostrils flare as he closes his eyes. “Stop that,” I tell the preening male.
The bond continues to loop a steady stream of lust, leaving my body a sweaty mess of pooling need.
“You feel what I feel, Little Bird. It is not that simple.”He is right, of course. My blood is boiling at his nearness, and if I could just touch him…
“Let’s go,” Rivern’s voice cuts through my delirium.
“What? I—” He starts to stride out of the room.
“You will come with me, Little Dove. We do not have time to linger.” He stops and turns. “Unless you are quite fond of your wolf?”
At the question of Gideon, I shiver, and the prince frowns. “Forget him. You are mine!” The ire and possession seep through the bond, and I wince.
I take wide steps to make my way in front of the prince and let my simmering coals alight, leaving Argus to rest. Somehow, stupidly, I finally find the courage to stand up for myself in my own fire in front of a fae, of all creatures. A humbling realisation.
