“Of course not. You’re still the same girl. Your father would have wanted me to look out for you no matter what.” Tarnan squeezed her tight, and for once, she welcomed the pressure on her body, a sense of peace overcoming her.
“We can’t let Karwyn find out about this,” Tarnan said, pulling back to look at her. “He’d kill you—or worse, force you into a blood contract for life.”
Her heart jumped up to her throat. Tarnan was confirming her worst fears. She was still stuck with no light in sight. “How can I possibly prevent that? I can’t fully control my powers yet, and I’d have to lie to a mind reader for my entire life. It’s impossible.” The overwhelming realisation crushed her completely.
“I wish I could tell you you’re wrong,” Tarnan said, “but it isalmostimpossible.” She tilted her head, meeting his thoughtful gaze. “The only way to stop Karwyn from forcing you into a life contract would be if you’re already bound for life to someone else.”
Amira’s heart stopped for a second. A life blood contract was what she had feared since she had realised she was a witch. Could she seek a contract of her own free will? The only option would be Tarnan, since she could only be bonded to a fae, yet he hadn’t asked that of her.
She thought back on the weeks she had spent by his side. He had been nothing but kind to her, letting her search his library, accepting Elyssa, and helping her get off fortae. Since their meeting at the contest dinner, he had been on her side. But binding herself to anyone for life was a risk. She would never be able to undo it unless Tarnan agreed. Could she trust him with her life?
“A blood contract should be your last resort,” Tarnan said, his tone calm but serious. “I will search for another solution. We still have time to find a better way.” Tarnan squeezed her shoulder, clearly trying to appease her frantic thoughts.
How much time did she have left?
* * *
Hair still wet from the bath she had taken in an attempt to calm herself, Amira laid on her bed. Closing her eyes, she tried to calm her panicked thoughts, but a voice she despised more than anything made her sit up.
“Hello, little sister,” Wryen said, having opened the door to her bedroom without knocking. “I have heard you’ve grown closer to Tarnan. Are you trying to form your own alliances?” A suspicious glint brightened his eyes.
Rising from her bed, Amira walked closer to him. Being away from her brother, Amira had realised how much she could blossom without fearing his abuse. She was not going to let herself be bullied again.
“What if I am?” she asked, unflinching under his watchful gaze.
“I see you’ve grown a backbone during my short absence. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to break it once you’re back in Turosian. You should pack your bags. Your presence is required for your wedding preparations.”
Her confidence was slipping away as her shoulders caved in. No, it was too soon. She couldn’t go back when she hadn’t found a way to hide her powers yet. And what about Elyssa’s desire to stop Karwyn? They had no concrete plan.
“I’m not ready to go back,” Amira said. “I need more time to…benormal.”
“You seem well to me. I have indulged in your little escape fantasy for too long. It stops now.” Wryen’s lips twisted into a vicious smile. He was clearly enjoying the situation. He knew she had no way of fighting back. Or did she?
“I’m not going.” Amira clenched her fists, her feet deeply rooted in the ground, trying to maintain her fleeting sense of confidence.
Wryen let out a cold laugh. He lit his hand on fire and walked towards Amira with slow, predatory steps. “My, my, Amira, your rebellious spirit is back. I will enjoy crushing it. To think I was hoping to bring your mother to your wedding. I’ll have to give her something else to watch. Maybe a private display of my powers?”
His fire reflected in his lilac eyes. Amira wished nothing more than to extinguish his flames. She sensed the darkness—no, herpowers—in her wake, furious at being threatened. Everything started shaking around them.
Wryen’s nostrils flared. “Stop this immediately.” His voice was ice-cold, but she could hear the underlying terror. Amira couldn’t deny the joy she felt at being on the other side for once.
“Stop what?” Amira asked innocently. She let the window rattle loudly. “I’m not doing anything.” Talking while controlling her powers was incredibly difficult, but she enjoyed her brother’s fear too much to give up. For once, she was in control.
“You said you had everything under control. I was foolish to believe you,” Wryen gritted out.
“I stopped taking fortae. I don’t need it whenI’min control,” Amira said, not sure if it was a lie or the truth but hoping to stop her brother from coming closer to her.
A kick to her stomach cut out her breathing, surprising her. She fell to the ground, pain spreading through her core. Her powers wavered.
Wryen’s face hovered over her. “Then I should have hit you harder last time. Allow me to correct my mistake.”
Weeks ago, Amira would have welcomed the beating in the hopes of everything going back to normal, her powers kept at bay once more. But she was done with denying her powers. Elyssa had shown her that she shouldn’t be afraid of them. They could be a blessing, not a curse.
Wryen kicked her again, and pain laced through her side. Amira refused to hold back as she stared into her brother’s punishing eyes. He lifted his foot, ready to strike her again, but it never landed.
Amira released the reins on her magic with a yell, throwing her arms out at him. Wryen flew across the room, landing unceremoniously at the foot of her bed.
“You’re going to regret that, bitch,” he yelled at her, his hair messed up by his fall.
