“So, you want to learn magic,” Castor mutters, distracting me.
My heart flutters. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why?” I repeat.
“Whydo you want to learn magic?” he clarifies.
“To become strong enough to feel safe on my own.”
He tuts, disgusted. “Repulsive,” he hisses. “You want to learn magic so you can bealone? Do you really want to be alone, Danielle?”
There it is. My name again. Rougher this time. Provided through gritted teeth and harsh emotions.
It makes my flesh warm.
“No,” I say. “I don’t want to be alone. I just want to know I could survive it if I had to.”
“You will never have to. Not so long as I am here. So try again.Whydo you want to learn magic? Why, when everything is to be provided for you and you are to be loved to the point of bruising, do you care about harnessing the power within you?”
Because it’s cool. Because it’s alluring. Because power will always be seductive.
And power is something I have never had the luxury of before.
But he’s right.
If I don’t need it for safety and stability, why do I want it at all?
Castor’s already said that magic is utterly unnecessary. But for something sounnecessary, he sure seems to have a lab full of it under his castle.
Why?
I pry at our bond, searching for clues, until—violently—my access shuts down.
I startle.
“No cheating,” Castor murmurs.
My heart trips, lonely, in my chest, and I choke on the feeling. “Stop it,” I plead, stumbling to my feet. “Don’t do that. Bring it back.” Frantic, I grab his arms. “I’m sorry. I won’t cheat. But bring it back. Please.”
He catches me, whispers a swear, and does not do as I ask. “You feel me this strongly already? My absence already sets you off like this?”
My flesh prickles, unease rampant the longer the sensation of our bond is out of reach.
His lips turn down. “Imagine if you were not fledgling. Imagine the sensation of me so strong that it’s constant and present whether you’re trying to reach it or not. Andthen, my love, imagine it being ripped away unexpectedly when I am not physically accessible.Thatis what you did to me this afternoon.”
Tears bead in my eyes. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“I know…and my reaction was far more violent than you could ever deserve.” He cups my cheek, catches a falling tear on his thumb, then draws the droplet to his lips.
After he’s had his taste, he closes the inches between us and opens his mouth against my skin, taking everything from the trail cascading down my cheek. His breath and curse meet my trembling body. I feel his lips smile against me. “Mayhaps youwill be destined to need me regardless of how strong you can become. Mayhaps it is too late for us in many wonderful ways.” His mouth settles at my neck and pulls tickling wishes into my chest. “Beg for me, my feather.”
I shudder. “Castor.” My voice wobbles.
He licks.
“Please.”
