Page 95 of The Bones of the Cursed

“I think you know what I mean.”

My blood freezes. Elion is deathly silent and pale.

“How is that possible, though? I’m already bonded. I have a mate and it is a strong mating bond…I might have two…” I stutter out.

Viros’s eyes widen at my statement before glancing around, no doubt looking for my possible second mate. “It’s never done, the process so painful that most don’t survive. In this case, he only would need you alive long enough for that bond to break and for his to link. He would need an extreme amount of power to pull it off. Breaking a mating bond is no joking matter.”

Malakai grips my hand so hard that I lose feeling in my fingers. Elion abruptly gets up and races to the lavatory. I might need to as well.

“What would I need to do?”

I see Malakai’s head whip in my direction. “Absolutely not, you willnotsacrifice yourself for this damn prophecy.”

“I assure you the last thing I want is my daughter dying for the Fates’ sick pleasure. I already missed out on raising her…” His voice trails off, and I’m not sure why, but I reach across the table to grab the hand resting by his empty beer mug. He stares at our joined fingers in wonder, turning wet eyes towards me.

“Tell me,” I say with fierce determination.

Viros, my father, graces me with his smile. “You remind me so much of her. Your eyes are identical to hers, and Gods, your determination and strength is the spitting image of who she was. The Grim blood runs through your veins. You are more powerful than you even know.”

Now my eyes blur with tears. “I’m sorry I never got to meet her. She sounds wonderful. I hope I can make her proud.”

My father grasps my hand with both of his. “She would be so proud of you. I may not have been with you where you could see, but I never left you. And I am so proud to call you my daughter.”

I’m now openly crying, finally feeling as if I’ve found where I belong in the world. And yet, what if we can’t find another way?

36

- MALAKAI -

THE BITTER TASTE OF DENIAL

The ride back to the castle is a quiet affair. My mind races with questions I don’t know the answers to, and it doesn’t ease, even as we give our horses to the stable-hands and slip inside the castle. Our friends are sitting in the parlor when we return, the deep emerald walls making the room feel warm and cozy, despite my intense anxiety.

Hannah jumps up from the brown leather couch and barrels up to Alanis. The two walk off to quietly chat near the double glass doors that lead out to the gardens. I look to my father in the wingback chair in the corner of the room and tilt my head towards his office, signaling that I need to talk. I look around to ask Elion to join, but he is no nowhere to be found. Then I catch Kailu’s eyes and nod, and he heaves himself up out of the chaise and downs the last of his drink.

As soon as we’re secure in my father’s study, I pour myself a whiskey.

“I’m taking by your drink of choice the meeting with the mystery man didn’t go well,” Kailu states plainly.

“Who was it?” my father asks.

“Her birth father.”

Kailu chokes. “Holy shit. Is she all right? Was she excited?”

I swirl my drink, staring at the ripples. “She was shocked, but also happy. ‘Overwhelmed’ would be the best way to describe it.”

“Did he say where the hell he’s been, who her mother is?Whereher mother is?”

“Yes and no,” I say, then quickly explain as succinctly as I can.

“I was really hoping her mother would be alive,” Kailu murmurs after a long beat.

I give a grim nod of agreement.

“What is this Fae’s name? Her father?” my father asks, sounding somewhat protective over my mate. The thought warms my cold heart.

“Viros.”

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