“For a lifeIchose,” I finished.
“A foolish one,” my father snapped. “You could have been immortalized in the music world. And now? Now, you chase danger with that…that basilisk?—”
My fangs slid out, anger radiating through me. “She’s mymate.”
Rune strode across the stage toward me, still in her dress from the recital. It was a dark green silk that shimmered against her skin, her hair in loose curls around her shoulders. Slater had, of course, picked out her dress. It fit her perfectly.
The matebond pulsed with concern as my father continued, “This is our final attempt at preserving our relationship with you, Dimitri. If you choose to waste your life, then you are no child of ours.”
“I choose to spend my life helping other supernaturals with my fated mate,” I bit out. “And if you really want to talk about wasting your life, perhaps you shouldn’t have joined a cult and murdered other supernaturals. That landed you in prison.That’swasting your fucking life.”
My mother sighed sharply. “You are dead to us.”
The call ended, just like that. After decades of shaping me, molding me, and demanding perfection, they cut me off like trimming the end of a music sheet. It felt more final than any of the timesIhad been the one to sever the parent-child bond, and it felt more freeing than anything else.
I stood still, phone in hand, the echo of their dismissal vibrating in my bones.
Was I truly free from them now?
Rune walked toward me quietly, her heels clicking over the crystalline stage. “Dimitri…”
I let out a rough, humorless laugh, shaking my head. “Finally.”
Her expression softened. “They didn’t deserve you.”
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. “No, they didn’t.”
She reached for me, her hands sliding up my arms, palms warm against my skin. The matebond flared with her affection, reassurance, and unwavering belief in me. “I love you, Dimitri.”
My restraint snapped.
I cupped her face and kissed her. My instincts weredesperate, my tongue swiping hers, tasting the comfort she offered freely.
She gasped softly against my mouth.
The pounding need to be inside of her was too much.
I lifted her onto the piano’s wide black lid without breaking the kiss.
Her fingers curled in my shirt. “Dimitri…”
“I’m done lettingthemdefine any part of me,” I murmured against her lips. “Tonight is mine. And you, Rune Bloodwyne…” I pressed my forehead to hers, fangs grazing her lower lip, “…youare what I want most.”
Her breath trembled. “Then, take me.I’m yours.”
My compulsion slid out of me instinctively, a whisper curling beneath my tone. “Look at me.”
Her eyes snapped to mine, pupils dilating as my power slid over her, and the matebond drenched with raw need from us both.
“Good,” I praised her. “Everything else disappears now. It’s justyouandmeand this moment.”
“Just us,”she repeated as her pulse fluttered wildly beneath her skin.
I could hear every beat, feel it through the bond, and taste the need roll off her like heat.
I kissed down her throat and sank my fangs gently into the soft space between her shoulder and neck where my mark rested.
Her blood poured down my throat as I drank in heavy gulps, feeling her shudder under me.
