What Rune saw in you. This is his second chance at life, Ronen. You were forgiven for worse. Will you really deny him the same, just because you fear he might be better than you?
I wanted to bellow into my mind that he was wrong. I didn’t fear that the pet was better than me. But it was a lie, and I didn’t know how to come to terms with that.
Turning my attention back to the pet, I really took him in. Not like every other time, filled with hatred and bias. I took him in without letting my insecurities, past, and feelings cloud my judgment. I took himin, remembering what it felt like to be under the Hell Rune’s control, doing everything Etan told me, even if it destroyed me.
He hated himself for what he did to Lucille. The truth sagged beneath his eyes and rang through his words. They had been a damnation, not a confession. He believed the best way to atone was by giving up his life, and yet a part of him still fought.
Like I had.
His potential Soulhound prowled closer, placing himself beside the pet.
I stepped back, a little unnerved by his size, while Rune practically drooled after him.
That was what we needed. For her to fall in love with the pet’s hound. Seven Hells that’d be a story.
The pet stiffened. “What is it?”
“Your Soulhound. If you so choose.”
The male bumped his skeletal head against the pet’s ribs, seeking attention. The pet hissed, and his Soulhound shifted his gaze to me, eyes blazing with accusation. I stepped back again, remembering how protective Rune had been of me in the beginning.
“Why is he all bones?”
“Soulhounds develop flesh once their chosen agrees to their claim. You’ve been found worthy. If I need to tell you how rare this situation is, then you need to go to the library and do some research. That’s not why I’m here.”
Aspen leveled me with a look of clarity. It was like something reached inside him and dragged him through his depression for an honest, no-bullshit conversation.
“Why are you here?”
I grinned. It wasn’t pleasant. Not sure it ever would be around him.
“A spark is only good at starting a fire. You need to figure out what’ll fuel it. I’m here to pry that out of you.” I pointed at the bony hound. “So is he, it seems.”
And with that, I’d had enough conversing with him for the day.
I turned, snapping my fingers at Rune before she decided to nip at the Soulhound’s ankles.
He’s twice your size. Behave.
“Let’s go.”
Lucille’s panic practically drove my heart into overdrive.
He nodded, and we luscelered back to the castle, our Soulhounds following at our sides. It wasn’t until we reached the arena doors that I realized the pet’s Soulhound wasn’t beside us anymore.
I glanced at Rune, who had her head turned back toward the tree line where the large skeletal hound sat. His glowing blue eyes glinted in the forest, watching us.
“He doesn’t want to come in,” the pet said.
I grunted and snapped my fingers at Rune.
Eyes forward. Let’s move,I told her.
She growled, her irritation hitting me.
I’m not the one gazing longingly at the pet’s new beast.
She whipped her head around and barreled through the doors, practically running toward the healers’ wing. Her denial sang through our bond.
