Page 56 of The Bones of the Cursed

She tilts her head. “Yes. I also believe that certain people can have more than one. More powerful creatures tend to have multiple mating bonds. At least from what I’ve read.”

Shock hits me in the chest, followed swiftly by a tinge of hope. “What if someone felt like they should be your other half, but you didn’t have the signs of being their mate?”

After a moment, she stands up to wander her office, as if this is not the most comfortable conversation to have. I can’t really blame her, being as I am the drunken male who barged inhere while she was clearly working and started asking her about mates. “Then I would say they aren’t mates. Or something is blocking the mating bond.”

I blink, my whiskey sloshing in my stomach. “What could block a mating bond?”

“Most likely a strong spell of some sort. The mating bond is a tie to your heart, but it is your mind that makes the connection first. If someone was cursed with anything that affected their mind, then it could hypothetically block a mating bond.”

Holy shit. The Elves said it felt like Alanis had a shield around her mind. What if…

No.

I won’t even think it. Not yet.

But what if?

“Even if she had another mating bond that wasn’t blocked? Could it just block one mating bond and not others?”

Laylani peers up at me, hand paused on the pages of a book. “Hypothetically? Yes. The brain is a complex thing. It could only effect certain parts and areas.”

Smiling, I stumble from the room. “Thank you!” I yell over my shoulder as I race upstairs to find Alanis and Malakai.

I stumble right into a conversation I wish I wouldn’t have.

“Do you remember any of the prophecy?” Malakai snaps.

My stomach plummets at the queen’s answer. What if what Novus said was true? Could this prophecy tie to Alanis? And if it does, does that mean she is the sacrifice?

The glass in my hand shatters, and her ice-blue eyes land on me.

Alanis flees from the patio, Malakai following closely behind.

I don’t hesitate, I run with him. We both pause on the threshold of her room, and Malakai glances at me.

“Go,” he urges.

Shock courses through my body. “But she is your mate.”

He smiles. “She is my mate. You are my friend. And from where I’m standing, we both care for her deeply, so why not you, too?”

I pause only a second before wrapping her in my arms.

- ALANIS -

I shake apart in Kailu’s arms. My world turned upside down again, so much so that I may be in shock. He picks me up and carries me to the bed, not once letting go of me. Now I lie in his arms with my face pressed to his chest. I feel the bed dip and Malakai’s scent washes over me.

The tears subside after a few minutes, my body wrung completely dry. Dear Gods, I am cocooned between them both and I have never felt so at peace.

Malakai’s hand traces a pattern up and down my back while I get control of my emotions. I hate to admit it, but I love the feel of his arms wrapped around me. I want to be an independent and strong woman, but even the strongest of people need someone to fall back on when they’re weak.

My shaking dissipates, leaving me slack with fatigue. My eyes are so heavy that I’m not sure how much longer I can stay awake.

“Sleep, Alanis.” Malakai’s deep, gravelly voice washes over me, sending a shiver through my body.

That night I dream of a land drenched in blood.

I’m sweating, as if I stand in the middle of a sweltering desert. I peel my eyes open, crusty from the dried tears and makeup that I didn’t remove. My body is so hot that I fear I am going to overheat. I realize why the second my eyes adjust to the early morning light.

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