“Yeah, I’ve seen him. He’s lingering in the bar downtown. Looks rough, if you ask me.”
“Thank you,” she said quickly, and left the shop. Her steps increased as she rounded the corner and headed downtown– to the same bar her and Taryn danced at. The memory heated her blood. The way he touched her. The way he whispered into her ear that night, his breath tickling her neck. He was seductive, and she liked it. She had mirrored it. She could only wonder if she had the same effect on him.
She walked into the crowded bar nestled near the sea. Males and females alike cheered and laughed, alcohol sloshing out of their cups as they moved. Thick smoke plumed from their cigars, flooding the bar with its scent. She weaved through the bodies, eyes scanning for Taryn. Growing impatient, she blinked the Sight over her eyes.
She saw him immediately, his aura standing out like a sore thumb in the crowd. There Taryn was, currently exhaling a puff of smoke as he sat at a table full of Fae. They were playing cards, and he was laughing at one of their jokes.
As if he sensed her emotion, he looked up. He met her eyes. Taryn’s jaw tensed, the smile fading from his face. Did he really loathe the idea of them being mates that much?
She walked forward, hands on her hips as she approached. The Fae at the table fell silent, eyeing her with looks of curiosity. She ignored them, lifting her chin up and addressing Taryn, “So, this is where you have been?”
Taryn stood up so quickly she barely registered that he now stood in front of her protectively, shielding her body in possession. The Fae laughed, turning their attention to them.
“Uh oh, someone’s in trouble.” One of the Fae commented. Airess’s eyes narrowed, her fists clenching. Airess felt power welling beneath her skin, rising into her eyes. Whatever look she had given had shut them up.
Taryn gripped her shoulder, snapping her out of her trance, “Airess.”
She turned towards him, eyes hardened. “We need to talk.”
He looked down at her, a strand of curls falling over his brow.
“Yes, we do.” He replied matter-of-factly. Taryn guided her out onto the patio and down the steps to the beach.
They walked out far enough from the buildings that the noise from the bar faded. Their toes touched the wet sand, the waves drowning out any thoughts of reason. His back stood to her, clothes billowing in the ocean breeze, waiting. The drizzle continued, but she didn’t care. She let the water soak into her hair and clothes.
So many emotions flooded her mind as she gripped his shoulder and spun him, her strength surprising even him as his eyebrows raised.
“What is wrong with you?” Her voice cracked at the edges, thick with fury. Airess clenched her fists. She had never been so angry with him before. She had never been so angry withanyone. She was never allowed to be. Airess wouldn’t hold back now.
“What, you come to get drunk after finding out the truth? Am I really that disappointing to you?” She let the words linger as his face distorted, pain and regret lacing his features.
“Of course not. You could never–” He cut himself off, nostrils flaring as he scented her. He took a step closer, invading her personal space.
“Have you been with another male?”
The rain shifted into a downpour, her clothes and hair now beginning to fully soak. Shivers went down her spine at his possessiveness. Despite her anger, the words made her blood heat.
She looked up at the storm and back to him. Was he controlling this?
Airess gave him an incredulous look, “Why do you even care? You obviously loathe the idea of us being mates so much, you had fled.”
“It’s not – I don’tloathethe idea of us being mates, Airess.” He closed his eyes and breathed out. “Just–who touched you? Was it forced?”
His voice darkened, laced with a venom that made Airess flinch. She hadn’t seen this side of Taryn before, his usual sarcastic demeanor drained of life, replaced with hard resolve.
The sight of it had her stammering, “No–No, it was just Roz. He kissed my hand after walking me into town, so I could findyou. It was nothing.”
Taryn scoffed and let out a bitter smile. “Of course he did. He knew what he was doing.”
Airess shook her head in frustration, but decided to ignore the comment about Roz. She wanted to get down to the root of the problem. She stepped forward, closing the gap between them and jabbed a finger at his chest.
“Why are you acting like this? Are you mad? Are you disappointed? Why did you run?”
He looked away, eyes closing. She could smell the alcohol on his breath, mixing with his scent. He smelled like the sea. He smelled like the earth. He smelled like a bad influence. Maybe he was, but she wanted him. Finally, he looked her in the eye.
“I don’t want to chain you to me. Do you have any idea what a mating bond means? It’s not just a relationship–it’s not even amarriage. It’s a bond that runs deeper than that. It's a soul tie, Airess.” He explained, a bitter laugh coming out of his mouth.
“Do you know how many fucked up things I have done? I don’t deserve you.At all. I’m not a good person. How can I expect you to accept a bond you never even asked for or wanted? My soul…it will tarnish yours.” Pain cracked in his voice, raw and unguarded, and Airess felt her heart twist painfully in her heart chest.
