“But you’re feeling better now?” she asked, her worry making me hate myself even more.
“Yes. Kaiden has taken great care of me.”
The rest of the conversation continued at normal volume, and the boys leaned forward to try and listen in. I paced the room to keep out of reach and to keep my nerves in check. Any minute Rani would realize I was lying to her; but I mentioned staying here for the rest of spring break, and she didn’t question me. In fact, she sounded downright excited about it.
“You have to tell me what the sex is like when you get back,” she squealed.
I stopped pacing. My feet rooted to the floor. Had he heard that? I spared a peek at Kaiden; he’d be smirking if he heard, right?
“I-Uh. I have my own room,” I lied. There would be no details of sex because it wouldn’t be happening. Ever.
When we finally hung up, with promises to have dinner the night before classes resumed, I felt like I’d run a mile. Who knew lying took so much out of you? Ezra left us to start breakfast and then patrol, and just like that, Kaiden and I were alone again. Three more days of this. Just three more days to get through.
And nights. I pushed that thought aside. Buried it.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
I glared because he knew it was. Thankfully, Rani hadn’t asked many questions, and the story was easy to keep simple. Less chance of slipping up later.
“Don’t look so smug,” I told him. “You got what you wanted. I’m living here.”
“And it’s about time, young lady.”
Kaiden cursed and sprung from the bed to slide on a pair of sweatpants. My head swung around, searching for the voice. Was someonespyingon us? I watched Kaiden make a beeline for the dresser, more annoyed than concerned. He reached up and pulled at the dark cloth covering a mirror.
In the glass was a stern face. The woman was older but had the same eyes and shade of blonde hair as Kaiden. There wasn’t a wrinkle to be found on her flawless skin, though I could tell she was older. No laugh lines around her mouth or eyes. Who was she?
“Mother,” Kaiden growled, shoulders tense.
Mother?Thatwas his mother? The woman who was thehead of the witch faction and member of the tribunal that’s haunted me my entire life? I gulped and attempted to sidestep my way into the bathroom but her bird’s-eye gaze shifted and ensnared me. She took in everything; my head of knotted curls, Kaiden’s T-shirt, and my bare legs. I knew the rumpled sheets on the bed were visible behind me, but that small detail satisfied her it seemed.
“I called to ask about your progress, but I see congratulations are in order. Good.”
Congratulations? Did she think we…?
“Mother—”
“Now that the bond is complete, I will prepare your rooms straight away. There is much for you to catch up on, and I’m positive your bond is in need of learning.”
Oh gods, she was ordering him home. Us. She wantedusto leave and return to the tribunal. I wasn’t going to finish school. I wouldn’t become a veterinarian. I would be forced to assume my place in their society and…and I was going to be sick. Kaiden looked at me, seeing the terror in my gaze, and whipped back around to face the mirror with a glare. His shadows escaped, fueled by the rage I felt pulsing down the bond.
“We haven’t completed the bond, Mother, so you can cease your plotting.”
Any other time, I would have taken great pleasure in seeing that level of shock on the face of a member of the tribunal. Right now, I was too focused on not falling apart in front of her.
“Not bonded?” she demanded. “I clearly heard otherwise!”
“Eryn is staying heretemporarilyand out of necessity. There are no immediate plans to complete the bond, and we surely won’t be returning to the tribunal as soon as it happens.”
With small steps, I worked my way closer to the door. Kaiden was going to bat for me. He wasn’t going to force me, but shecould forcehim. His mother’s gaze, nearly bleached of blue, landed on me once more, and I froze.
“This is not a game, little girl. Your weakness threatens my son and—”
Kaiden stepped in front of me, breaking her stare and hiding me within his shadows. I took in a breath and then another. I had to get out of here. My fear was slowly evaporating over the growing fury her accusations set aflame, but I couldn’t shake it completely.
“I told you it was her choice, Mother. I won’t allow you to bully her into making it.”
There was a squawk of outrage, but I didn’t wait around long enough to hear what followed. I scrambled for the door, ignoring Kaiden’s calls behind me. The kitchen and living room were empty. Ezra must have already left for patrol. The front door beckoned, promising open skies and room to be free, but I turned down the enticing offer—finally learning that I couldn't escape this. Kaiden’s footsteps thundered down the stairs.
