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  I kept checking behind me just in case someone else arrived. For some reason, I felt like a kid trying to eavesdrop on my parents. The sounds clarified into words the closer I came to the wall, but I couldn’t see a doorway.

  I heard Heath’s voice raised in apparent anger. “Why did you bring him if you had no intension of tying them together? You ask too much of me.” Had she brought Jett after all?

  Tabitha’s normally wild voice was calm at the moment. “She has to think she has a choice. I will not remind you of the pledge you made when you accepted your calling as lord of fire. I would think you would want what is best for your realm.”

  “She doesn’t even like me. Our union would be doomed from the start. Will you not reconsider?”

  “Levi is not ready.”

  Heath wanted to dump me on to Levi? Over my dead body.

  Their voices lowered as if they knew I was listening. I leaned closer and put my ear to the stones.

  The wall disintegrated under the touch of my fingers, and I went sprawling into a tiny room. Heath groaned the moment he saw me.

  “How good of you to join us, Rayla,” said Tabitha.

  “How dare you discuss my future without me.”

  She laughed, but it wasn’t the violent sound I had associated with her. It was actually pleasant and soft.

  I tried to retreat when she came closer, but the wall was back blocking my escape. When I focused on drifting out of the room my mind suddenly went blank, and I couldn’t remember what I had been doing. She reached out and took my hands into hers.

  Her cold fingers held mine lightly. “I fully intended to fill you in on everything. I know you had hoped to choose from Luthais and Ammon, but I am afraid that may no longer be possible.”

  I gritted my teeth trying to control my temper. “Don’t you get tired of telling people how to live their life?”

  She tilted her head as if she was considering my question. “I do actually, but that is neither here nor there. I do what I must for my people.”

  “Well then, you shouldn’t blame me for doing the same.”

  She stepped away from me. It wasn’t as if I was going anywhere. Her pale face flushed with color. “I know what you see when you look at me, little one. I am a tyrant who takes pleasure in the pain of others. What you don’t realize is that there is good reason for all I do.”

  “If that’s true then you won’t mind explaining to me why you pushed me into a corner the last time we were together. You seemed to be enjoying my pain quite a bit then. If I’d had more time I would have been able to decide, but you wouldn’t even listen.”

  The muscles in her face hardened. “I thought if you were forced to choose you would make the decision closest to your heart. I had no idea you would flee. The truth of the matter is I don’t see much when it comes to you.”

  “Are you saying you never actually intended to make me bond with Jett?”

  “Your connection to him was unmistakable. It was stronger than the other two.”

  “You’re delusional.”

  She gave me an incredulous expression. “I may be many things, but delusional isn’t one of them. You see, most Elementals come to us already attached to the lord they will be bound to. Just like your friend Jessica. She and her bondmate are enjoying a peaceful union. You have been different from the beginning, and it is not because you are the nexus.”

  Heath made a strangled sound. I had nearly forgotten he was with us.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked. He was staring at me as if he had just discovered a new species. His expression was eighty percent fear, twenty percent wonder.

  He tried to compose himself, but he wasn’t doing a great job of it. “Please, forget I’m here.”

  Tabitha laughed and shook her finger at him. “Keeping secrets does no good, Heath.”

  “What’s going on?”

  She turned toward me, her pale eyes intent on mine. “He didn’t actually believe you were the Nexus.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  She had to be mistaken. Heath had been pursuing me for one reason only: power. Even though I had tried to romanticize his intentions, he had made his motivations clear. I was sure that was why he had come on to me so strongly in the beginning. I had also assumed it was why he didn’t want me anymore. I figured he had glimpsed what was inside of me and was either too afraid to continue or underwhelmed.

  Tabitha shot a strange expression my way. “Is that what he told you?”

  “I can speak for myself,” he said, folding his arms over his chest as if the gesture provided a measure of protection.

  I gave him a mock smile. “You said to ignore you.”

  He shook his head at me. His beautiful eyes pierced mine. “I said to forget I was here. There is a difference.”

  On whose planet? “Only if you are using a compulsion.”

  Tabitha cleared her throat. She had a slight smile on her lips as if she was amused by our bantering. “Rayla, there is something you should know. The longer you wait to bond with someone the harder the process will be on you.”

  I didn’t like where this was headed and from the look on his face, neither did Heath. “Harder but not impossible,” I replied firmly.

  “Correct,” she said. “However, that is not our only concern. You are vulnerable right now. Your power is unfocused and volatile. If the wrong person were able to bond with you, the consequences would be disastrous for all of us: humans and fae alike.”

  “And by the wrong sort of person, you are implying Ai—”

  “Don’t say her name,” Heath said, lifting a hand to cover my mouth.

  I tried to move, but he caught my face between his hands. Tempting as it was to bite him, I kept my teeth to myself. “Got it already,” I tried to say, but it sounded all wrong.

  He gave me a small smile and lowered his hand then backed away from me nonchalantly.

  Tabitha’s expression was as serious as I had ever seen it. “Heath has made known to me what happened between the two of you. I have attempted to reassure him, but he is not willing to take my word for it. I called you here to perform a demonstration.”

  Great. This was getting worse by the second.

  “You see,” she continued. “I believe that particular courtesan was able to access a small part of your power while you and Heath were otherwise engaged. She was able to compel him because of the bond you two shared.”

  What bond? Was she really implying—

  “There are different levels of bonding,” she said, interrupting my thoughts. “Heath, why don’t you show her?”

  I gazed up warily at him as he moved closer to me. My heart stuttered and my breath caught. He hadn’t been this close to me since that fateful day outside the castle walls. He tilted my chin higher. His lips captured mine and lingered in a light embrace as if he was hesitant to take it any farther. He pushed my hair off my shoulder and cradled my neck, nestling his fingers against my scalp. His tongue tasted mine, exploring, pulling away, exploring again. Pretty soon, I stopped paying attention to what he was doing and focused more on how it made me feel.

  Even though I hadn’t meant to, I relaxed into him, fully enjoying his closeness. Bright light pierced my eyelids. When I opened my eyes the room was aglow with illuminated particles in every color imaginable as if someone had thrown a dusty curtain open in Rainbow Bright’s house.

  Heath took that opportunity to pull me even closer. I was lost in the moment and didn’t protest. I felt as if we were dancing again. His body and mine had fused into one being. I wanted to stay like this forever. I wanted the world to go away and leave me alone with this amazing man. I wanted to….

  Zings of electricity slithered over my skin. Heath screamed, falling to his knees, clutching his scull between his hands, looking at me with accusing eyes as if I was the cause of his pain.

  I whirled toward Tabitha who wore an innocent expression like an Olympic gymnast wore a leotard. “Stop,” I hissed, but Heath continued to scream.

>   “Make me,” she said evenly.

  I walked over to her and decked her where she stood.

  So maybe assaulting the religious leader of the Fae had been the wrong choice, but it had worked. The moment she went sprawling, Heath stopped his horrible screaming. I bent to check on him, but he was unconscious.

  I glanced over at her. She was rubbing her jaw with a stunned expression on her face.

  “What did you do to him?” I asked.

  “I should be the one to ask you that question. I hadn’t done anything except enter your mind. I was about to have him lift you into his arms and carry you to the archway outside when he started screaming.” She crouched near us.

  “But why did you say to make you stop if you weren’t actually doing anything?”

  “I thought you could feel my presence.”

  Lame excuse if you asked me. There was more to this than what she was admitting.

  I pulled Heath’s head onto my lap and checked for obvious damage. Had I hurt him without knowing what I was doing? He’d never want to come near me again.

  Maybe that was for the best. I had gotten carried away again. What was it about him that made me lose all inhibition?

  “What do you mean by that, Rayla?” Tabitha asked.

  I sighed. “It’s silly really. I made a promise to myself that I would never lose control with a man until I am married.” I tried to hide what had happened with Brody, but the thoughts flowed out of my hidden compartment faster than I had time to fortify it.

  “I see,” she said. “Has anything like this ever happened before?”

  “Not that I recall.”

  She let out a long staggered breath. “It was probably just a safety mechanism. The elements could have felt your resolve slipping and helped you out.”

  Had my resolve slipped? How would I know? I had been too wrapped up in enjoying him.

  Heath’s eyes blinked open then focused on me. He still looked dazed, but he was also pissed. He sat up and scooted away from me. “What the hell was that?”

  “I…I’m sorry,” I said lamely.

  He gaped at me. “Why did you blast me like that?”

  “It wasn’t on purpose,” I huffed.

  He looked over at Tabitha as if for help. She just shrugged.

  She stood up and offered a hand. I accepted, still a little shaken from what had just happened.

  I hadn’t really felt her in my mind just like Ainessa, but I was beginning to wonder if Ainessa was more powerful than Tabitha. The thought made my insides frost over.

  There was a strange sort of electrical burn that hung in the air and it was making my stomach churn. Tabitha waved her hand in front of me, and all I could smell now was vanilla.

  A sneeze escaped me, followed by another then another. She tried again. Now the scent of fresh cut melons clung to my senses. My mouth began to water.

  “We’d best get this over with,” said Tabitha.

  “What do you mean?” I asked hesitantly.

  “After a bit of negotiation, Heath has agreed to bond with you.”

  Blood rushed away from my face and pool in my belly. I had known that was the reason I had been summoned here, but I still couldn’t believe she was expecting me to just bond with whomever she saw fit to inflict upon me.

  “My child, I’d hardly call what I just witnessed a punishment.”

  I flinched but still looked at both of them. Heath appeared content with the situation. What exactly was he getting out of this deal? Knowing him, it wouldn’t be a small thing. “What did he ask for?”

  Tabitha shook her head. “That is not my secret to reveal.”

  I turned toward him with a questioning look. He just raised a brow. “Like I’d tell you that.”

  “What do I get out of the deal then?”

  Heath lifted his chin. “Protection.” When I gave him an incredulous look he added, “And training. You need to learn how to focus your energy.” He rubbed his temples gingerly. “That hurt, you know!”

  I glanced away from him. Even though he probably wouldn’t believe it, I didn’t want to harm him. I just wasn’t sure I trusted myself to be bound to him. Jett had already told me that a bond could be overridden by a stronger connection so I wasn’t really worried about being stuck with him for the rest of my life in the fae realms. What bothered me was I didn’t really know how I felt about him. What if I came to realize I wanted him, but he didn’t want me in return?

  Tabitha cocked her head as if she was studying me. “What is it you desire, Rayla?”

  Words like happiness and my family crossed my mind, but my thoughts landed on something more important at the moment.

  “That is not wise.”

  I steeled my expression even though I knew she couldn’t see it and said, “I don’t care. Those are my terms.”

  Heath gave me what was supposed to be a cursory glance, but I could tell his curiosity was eating at his insides. He looked away from me when I didn’t elaborate. He’d find out soon enough anyway.

  Tabitha didn’t ask if I was sure of my decision after that. She went to ordering servants about. A feast was on its way and the arena was in full bloom.

  Cassie passed under the cathedral entryway with a bewildered expression. She walked up to me and gave me a quick hug. “You look beautiful, Rayla.”

  “Thanks. Right back at you,” I said, leading her over to the archway. “You’re just in time.”

  She took my hands between hers. “Finn explained everything to me. This may not be your dream wedding, but it looks like the fairytale we always talked about.”

  It was. I’d made sure of that. Birds chirped overhead. Doves to be precise. Soft music played in the background, a collection of her favorite Chopin pieces. Beautiful women in exotic gowns waited eagerly in the audience accompanied by dashing men with bored looks on their faces.

  She gazed up at the glowing roof that looked like a summer’s sky and said, “I just wish that you loved him.”

  “That’s not the point today, Cass.”

  She looked at me with wide questioning eyes, “Why not? What’s happened? You seem different. Don’t tell me you actually want to bond with him now?”

  Just then Finn entered the room dressed to the nines in traditional Ignisian garb. He had on a bright green belted tunic with a fur overcoat. His trousers were formfitting and were tucked into long brown leather boots. His hair was set free just for the occasion and flowed down his back in thick waves. Two braids hung from over his temples. His tawny eyes landed on Cassie and a slow smile parted his mouth.

  She looked from him to me. “Why is Finn so happy?”

  I laughed. “He’s about to bond with the most amazing woman in the world.”

  She gasped, “Are you saying…really?” she squealed. Her eyes filled with tears making them as bright as the dome above us.

  I nodded, trying to keep my own tears at bay and pushed her under the archway. She looked back at me with wonder in her gaze.

  Heath strode past me, touching my shoulder. “This is a good thing you have done.”

  I smiled wider than I had in months. My heart felt as if it would split from too much joy. Tabitha stood in front of Finn and Cassie. She glanced at me as if giving me a second chance to change my mind. I shook my head fractionally. She shifted her attention to the two people that deserved it.

  “Bonding is the highest honor a fae can accept. May your strength magnify your house and all that dwell within. May your union be unbreakable. May you grow together as the vines of the valley and the roots of the earth. May your hearts beat as one.” She bowed her head. The whole congregation followed. “May the creator bless your union.”

  I did as everyone else, glancing at Heath for guidance. He had a slight smirk on his mouth and I wondered what he was thinking.

  A hush settled over the crowd as Finn took Cassie’s hands in his. He brought them delicately to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. Before I could blink, Cassie was in his arms. He
kissed her so intimately I should have turned away but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. The room grew brighter as amber light gathered around them like fireflies dancing on the wind. Cassie pulled him closer and the glow intensified until I couldn’t look at them anymore. It was like gazing into the sun on a cloudless day. Suddenly, a shockwave ricocheted outward, blowing loose curls around my face.

  The light regressed and that was when I realized it was sinking into Cassie’s skin. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Her face tightened as if by surprise then relaxed on an exhale. She smiled up at Finn with absolute love in her eyes. “That was incredible!” She glanced back at me, but her smile faltered moments before she collapsed in Finn’s arms.

  I screamed her name, racing to her side, praying Tabitha hadn’t been right. Had I just killed my best friend?

  Finn shook her shoulders and slapped her cheeks gently. Her body lay limp against him. I saw that she was still breathing, but my stomach clenched and I gagged. I made it over to the walkway before I lost everything I’d eaten that day.

  I glanced over to where Cassie had been, but she and Finn were gone. The crowd was dispersing and the hum in the room with them. After a moment Heath and I were the only people left. This had been a disaster.

  I couldn’t bring myself to ask the question, but I didn’t have to. “She’ll be fine. Tabitha is attending to her. She is the greatest healer we have.”

  “What happened?”

  He shrugged. “If I had to guess, I’d say Cassie’s body wasn’t quite strong enough to accept the bond, but what do I know? She could have just fainted from overexcitement.”

  I hoped he was right. I would never forgive myself if I had harmed my best friend. “Where did they take her?”

  He reached for my hand. “I’ll show you.”

  When we entered Cassie’s suite she was resting against a pile of pillows. Her skin was paler than usual, but her cheeks were bright pink as if she had just been pinched. Heath shut the door behind us, locking out the group that waited for word. He took two steps then turned around and opened the door again. All I could hear were whispers, but the people were leaving when he came back into the room.