“Quiet,” he ordered, and our little brother listened, giving a slow nod before Krusk released his mouth.
I turned away, my fists curling, digging the sharpened claws on my left hand into my skin. The ones on the right were still blunted. A glaring reminder of her. Of her soft skin that I was careful not to touch. Of her hands that accidentally brushed against minewaytoo often. So often that it seemed as if they weremeantto be connected all the time...“It’s nothing.”
“That’s another lie,” Krusk said in a soft, understanding voice. But hedidn’tunderstand. Hecouldn’t.
Enka wriggled free from his grip that was still clamped on his shoulder. “We literally feel the bond spikes from the other side of the damn building, Sav. You’re not subtle.”
I stared at him, horrified. “Youwhat?”
Enka shrugged. “I feel it in my blood. Around us. Your bond is—uh—veryloud.”
Krusk nodded in agreement. “Obnoxiously loud. I think it’s that loud because there’s a part of you that’s denying it. Pushing it away. And we’ve never encountered that before. I figure that’swhy it’s so... obvious to everyone else in the clan.”
“Oh Gods,” Enka added thoughtfully, “like when you say her name in your sleep—”
I nearly died on the spot. “Youheardthat?”
Krusk placed a massive hand back on Enka’s shoulder. “Enka. Stop talking, please.”
“I can’t,” Enka whispered. “This is too good.”
I pressed both hands to my face. “I’m going to throw myself into Kragor Lake. We own land there now. They won’t mind.”
“Sinking won’t fix this,” Krusk said. “The only reason we heard anything was because we were listening. We’re worried about you, Sav.”
“It might help,” I muttered.
Enka laughed, then sobered. “Savla… what’s actually going on?”
I lowered my hands slowly, but the truth sat in my throat like a stone. Heavy and immovable.
“I can’t let myself feel this,” I finally said.
Neither of them spoke, waiting patiently.
“You don’t understand,” I continued, quieter. “The bondkilledFather. It took everything from him and he died long before his body did.” My voice went rough. “It hollowed him out. Itcontrolledhim. When Mother died, the bond took him with her. I can’t—”
My chest ached, painful and too full. “I can’t live like that. I won’t.”
Krusk stepped closer, and for a moment, I thought he might hit me. Instead, he put a heavy hand on my shoulder.
“Savla,” he said, voice deep and steady, “the bond didn’t kill Father.”
I looked up sharply. “You didn’t see him—”
“I did,” Krusk said firmly. “And I saw something else, too.” He met my eyes, unflinching. “He died because he stopped livingafter she did.”I froze, butKrusk continued, slow and deliberate. “He didn’t follow fate. He surrendered to grief.”
Enka nodded vigorously. “And you’re not him. You’re already fighting harder than he ever did. I might not have been old enough to remember, Sav, but I know what I feel for my mate.”
I swallowed hard, throat burning and Krusk squeezed my shoulder.
“Don’t punish yourself for loving someone.”
“I don’t—” My voice cracked. “I’m not—”
Enka snorted. “Brother, you carved her face intowood.You don’t get to pretend anymore.”
I groaned. “You weren’t supposed to know about that.”
