And then I even managed to force out, “Of course. I promise.”
“Say it. Say you’ll obey me like my very good deathborn darling.”
Fuck.
Of course he was pushing it.
Everything was a test or manipulation with him.
And while I’d never been particularly prideful, this was… what he was dragging me down into… it was another thing entirely.
It made me sick to my stomach.
He snagged my jaw, his fingers digging into my skin.
His eyes blazed down at me with a weird combination of excited anticipation and dogged dominance. “Are you with me? Will you please me and behave?”
“Yes. I’ll obey you.”
“Like my deathborn darling?”
Come the fuck on.
“Like… your deathborn darling.”
He patted my cheek with stinging force, then stepped back. “Very well done. Now, before we say goodbye, let me ask you, why aren’t you wearing your oval blue pendant necklace?”
“I also wasn’t wearing these swim trunks when you pulled me in here.”
“That’s different. I can’t affect the necklace due to the way Velra crafted it.”
Yeah, I knew he fucking couldn’t.
Because he didn’t understand Wraith magic.
“Are you really being obstinate after we’ve come to such a lovely understanding?”
I forced myself to avert my eyes in… submission. “No… it’s nothing like that,” I said, making my voice come out as a murmur.
His expression softened as a result. “What is it, then?” he asked, stroking my hair. “What is the matter?”
“I think you know. I took it off because… it’s me preparing to say goodbye. Like you said before.”
“I see.” He brushed his knuckles under my chin. “I am sorry it’s causing you pain. Just know that the end result will take all of that away. It truly is what’s best for everyone in the long term.”
I lifted my head. “I know. You’re right.”
He smiled. “This will cheer you up in the meantime. I’ve seen to it to provide you a reward for being so good for me. My warmth will stay with you a lot longer this time. It will enable you to focus through your training. Come to me when you feel my pull next time, though, or you will force me to deliver another unfortunate lesson.”
“I will.”
“Until then.”
In the next moment, my surroundings began to tremble, sway, and blur.
He disappeared from view.
Then everything was swallowed in a flash of midnight-blue light.
