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Siren by song and blood beneath water.

It goes on to list the dead bloodlines and how each bond is formed when it comes to mages.

Mages stand apart from all such bindings, for magic born by inheritance cannot be claimed unless it first consents. An unmarked mage may sever a bond by word and power, freeing themselves entirely, though the one rejected is granted no such mercy. What is broken remains within them, turning longing to sickness and love to madness.

My heart pounds against my ribs as I read it again, slower this time, making sure I understand what it’s telling me. I can reject this. I can say the words and walk away, free myself from this pull that makes my body betray my mind. I should be relieved to find the answer I’m after.

My chest tightens painfully as understanding dawns. This means that if I choose to walk away, Kylian would be alone. Not just alone like he is now, surrounded by people who fear him more than they care for him, but truly, irreversibly alone in a way that spans existence. The bond that pulls at me now, that makes me ache with his absence even when I’m angry at him, would become a permanent wound for him.

If that is what happens with normal bonds, what would happen with the curse on his soul? It can only be cured by his bond. The Arcanum really messed up with this loophole, that the one thing that can break the curses on the kings is also the one thing that can destroy them when left with the choice to.

His words from that night echo in my memory with new meaning. “Forever used to be lonely.”

I close the book with shaking hands, unable to read more or process the weight of the choice I’m supposed to make. Outside, full darkness has settled over Sangremere, and I realize I’ve been sitting here for hours, waiting for the door to open. Waiting for him so I can explain that I never wanted to upset him.

When the door finally opens, my head snaps up, hope flaring bright and desperate in my chest, but it’s only Eagan who steps through the doorway, carrying a tray that smells of food I have no appetite for. The disappointment that crashes through me is almost physically painful.

“Arlo is settled in my wing,” he says, setting the tray on the small table near the window. “He’s been fed and should be comfortable enough until the next ship heading for Purgatory is ready to go.”

“His injuries?”

“I may have slipped some vampire blood into his cream. It won’t heal him like it would if he ingested it, but his recovery will be quicker.”

I nod. “Thank you. I know you didn’t have to.”

Eagan studies me for a moment, those ancient eyes seeing too much as always, taking in the book beside me. “It seemed the prudent course of action, given the circumstances.”

That’s one way of describing keeping a human away from a volatile vampire who was willing to kill him only hours ago. I want to ask more about Arlo, but there’s a more pressing question burning on my tongue.

“Is Kylian coming back tonight?” The words come out vulnerable and needy, making my face heat.

“I think,” he says carefully “that it would be best if you gave him some space to process today’s events.”

Disappointment sinks through me, pulling everything else down with it. “Oh.”

Eagan watches me, and I can see him weighing words, deciding whether to offer comfort or maintain professional distance. In the end, he chooses distance.

“I will return in the morning to check on you. Try to eat something.”

The door clicks shut behind him, and the emptiness expands all around me.

CHAPTER 54

• King Kylian •

I SHOULD NOT hunt him down.

That is the first intelligent thought I have had in hours, and perhaps the only one worth listening to. Knowing that does nothing to slow my steps as I leave the western corridor and take the stairs toward Eagan’s wing.

The castle is quieter at this hour, and the servants and guards clear out of my way, lowering their eyes as I pass.

Eagan waits outside his own door.

Of course he does.

His arms are folded, his expression carefully blank, though the tension in his shoulders tells me he has been expecting me since he told me where he placed the human.

“My king.” Only he could make a title of respect sound more like a warning.