My aura had done this. The bond was feeding my instability. Fighting the pull to my mate was too much on top of the strain of containing my powers.
Shadows erupted from Kastiel’s hands in thick, coiling ropes, slamming into the rift and crushing it closed before anything could slip through. The smoke dissipated with a hiss, leaving only a faint scorch mark on the wall.
He turned back to me, his dark eyes burning with that same protective fire I’d seen in the hallway.
“I’ve seen real threats, Isolde. You’re not one of them.” At my disbelieving snort, he added, “That was your power reacting because you’re scared and fighting the bond. That wasn’t you attacking anyone.”
I hugged my arms tighter around myself. “You don’t know what I could become if I give in to what my demon wants.”
“Then stop holding back with me.” His plea was rough with restraint. “I’m not fragile. And I’m sure as hell not going to let you face this alone.”
The part of me that felt the mate bond singing in my blood desperately wanted to believe him. But as he stood there, looking at me like I was worth protecting instead of fearing, all I could think was how easily I could still destroy everything. Not that it stopped me from wanting to let him get closer anyway.
“Maybe we should get through tonight before we worry about what we’re going to do about the mating bond and my glitching powers.” Glancing around the room, I didn’t find a clock. “I lost track of time. Is the festival almost over?”
He nodded. “The guests should be leaving within the next hour.”
“And is my father aware of what happened?” I bit my bottom lip. “He’s sure to have noticed I’m missing by now.”
“I’m not sure if he’s asked about you yet. I had to take care of a small issue after I left you, but Adan has asked him to meet in his office soon.”
I squeezed my eyes shut as I thought about Kastiel’s boss. His mate had been so welcoming when my father introduced me tothem, but there was no missing how powerful Adan Deville was. And he didn’t tolerate the use of magic in his territory.
“Does Adan know about the…umm…issue with the rifts that keep forming when my aura sparks?”
“Yes.” I sucked in a startled breath, and he moved close enough to stroke a finger across my cheek. “But you don’t need to worry about Adan. He understands.”
I was so focused on his touch that it took a moment for his reassurance to sink into my brain. “So I don’t need to be afraid that I’ll end up in a subterranean cell for using magic without trying?”
“You don’t need to be scared, little spark.” His thumb stroked my cheek one last time before he dropped his hand to his side. “Adan knows you’re mine.”
Mine.
Such a simple word for a bold claim.
The fact that he’d already told Adan about me blew my mind. I didn’t even know what to say.
He studied me for a moment before murmuring, “Get some rest. I’ll come back once the meeting with your father is over.”
I swallowed hard. “I get that we’re supposed to be mates, but why risk your position for someone you barely know?”
A faint smile curved his scarred mouth. “Because I protect what’s mine.”
There was that claim again. The terrifying part was how much I wanted it to be true.
4
KASTIEL
The mate bond was insistent, demanding I turn around and go back to Isolde. I wanted nothing more than to pull my gorgeous mate against me until the fear left her eyes. But I forced my feet to move toward the private elevator instead.
Adan had arranged for Thalvor to meet us in his office. The thought of facing Isolde’s father made my fists clench, but there was no avoiding it.
When the elevator doors opened on the first subterranean floor, the tension from Adan’s office hit me. As head of security, I should’ve arrived at the meeting at my boss’s side. But when I walked into the office, Adan sat behind his desk, calm as ever. Thalvor Virelyn stood rigid in front of it, his arms crossed and face already tight with irritation.
“You finally decided to show up,” Thalvor snapped. “Adan refused to tell me why I was summoned until you arrived. What is this about?”
I closed the door behind me and met his gaze. “Your daughter. Isolde is my fated mate.”
