But Kara was already looking eagerly around the room, eyes landing on the nearest piece of furniture.
“Don’t you dare,” Sebastian growled.
Her grin widened. “Oh, I dare.”
He tried to grab her wrist butmissed–
Crimson’s made her quick.
She wriggled away, throwing herself down by the bed. She braced her arms under the heavy oak frame and heaved it clean off the floor like it weighed nothing at all. Sebastian swore violently and surged forward, hands out to catch it.
“Kara! Put that down before you–”
She dropped it with a loud thud, giggling madly. “Did you see that? I lifted the bed!”
“This is not funny,” Sebastian snapped. “That’s my magic–” He jabbed a finger at her, glaring. “Thorne magic. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is untrained? You could’ve–”
“Our magic now,” she corrected, grinning wickedly. “You feel this way all the time? It’s amazing!”
And then – he felt it. Her joy. It burst through his chest alongside the sound of her laughter. Dazzling and golden, like it had become his own.
That’s her.
His hand flew to his chest. “Kara–”
She straightened, still breathless with giggles, and frowned at him. “What?”
“Your joy,” he said hoarsely. “I can feel it.”
Her face lit up. “Well, good. Now you know how much fun I’m having.”
Kara was now scanning the room – practically vibrating with excitement. He’d never seen her like this, so playful and light, sofree.Whether it was the bond, the magic or the fact that for now they were safe instead of running for their lives, he didn’t know. He didn’t get time to consider it further because her gaze had fallen on him.
“Kara–”
But she darted forward and wrapped her arms around his waist before he could stop her.
“Don’t you–”
Sebastian’s stomach lurched as the ground disappeared beneath his feet. He made a noise that was definitely, absolutely not dignified. She was actually lifting him. Over six feet of hardened muscle, effortlessly hauled into the air by a healer girl glowing crimson.
What the fuck?! I’m a fucking Thorne soldier and she’s throwing me around like a sack of grain.
His hands shot to her shoulders in disbelief. “Gods above, put me down right now!”
She was laughing so hard she nearly dropped him. “You should see your face right now! Oh, Ilovethis bond!”
He landed ungracefully, staggering backwards. “Kara. You picked me up.”
She spread her arms wide, triumphant. “I told you. I’m strong.”
Unbelievable. I train for ten years, bleed for every scrap of control, and she masters it in seconds.
That’s so hot.
He sighed internally.
Don’t tell her that. It’ll only encourage her.
