Page 83 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

"And as for her threat—she trulycannotinterfere.” The mage went on, unfazed. “A mere mention sends their ribs shattering and bones breaking within them. Your secrets are too vast. Speaking all of it will kill her."

"Exactly! But guess what? She is still determined to spill them anyway, even if it kills her.” Zaiper raged. “In fact, I suspect the only reason she has not done so already is because she is occupied. Tending to the duties she left unattended for sevenhundred years. Even now, she is not in Urai but in Werewolf lands. But shewillcome for me."

Zaiper tried to control his loud breathing, to better hide his fear, but he was unsure if he was succeeding.

"Once she returns to Urai, she will come. I must have a solution. I must kill her."

With a noncommittal sound, the mage stepped forward, his long fingers trailing idly across the worn stone of the cavern walls. "To perform a ritual dangerous enough—powerful enough—tokillan Oracle… one does not merely need the blood of loved ones. One would have to raze an entire village to the ground.And even that may not be enough."

Zaiper clenched his fists, eyes blazing.

"I do not doubt your ability to burn an entire village," the dark mage continued in that annoying monotone. "What Idodoubt is your willingness to sacrifice those you care for. Considering how very few of them exist."

Zaiper scoffed. "Very few is putting it mildly. I care for no one."

"He stands beside you, the one male you care for."

Zaiper stared. Too stunned to respond.

Then he roared with laughter. For a whole moment, his entire problem vanished, overshadowed by the ridiculousness of that statement.

"Wait. Are you implying that IloveRazarr?" He turned to glance at his head guard, who, for once, looked just as bewildered. "Your voodoo must be malfunctioning, because I donot."

"Mm."

Zaiper rolled his eyes. "Big guy here is the one with feelings forme.But to me, he is merely a servant. A means to an end. A hole to fuck whenever I see fit." His lips curled into a smirk. "He may be more of a friend than most, but I do not have such feelings forhim. I do not have such feelings foranyone." Why was he over-explaining?

Was the silence awkward, or was it just him?

"Can you believe this male, Razarr?” Zaiper huffed, pointing a finger at the mage. “Tell him I do not have such feelings."

"My master does not have such feelings." Razarr parroted in a perfectly emotionless tone.

Zaiper squinted at him.

"Of course. Forgive me, Your Majesty." The dark mage inclined his head ever so slightly.

"And for context,” Zaiper added. “I am clarifying because I do not like the insinuation or the misunderstanding."

The dark mage hummed again, as though filing the information away. Then tilted his head. "So, would you sacrifice him for a spell?"

Zaiper’s entire body went still. "What the hell?"

"You just said you do not care," the mage pointed out, devoid of judgment, merely stating facts. "So, would you give him to me in exchange for a spell? He is not enough to perform the ritual needed to kill an Oracle, but for something lesser… an exchange could be made."

Turning sharply, Zaiper’s gaze locked onto Razarr. His soldier's face remained blank.

"No, Razarr is not an option." Zaiper waved a dismissive hand. "And it is not up for debate."

"Sure," the dark mage echoed.

Clearing his throat, Zaiper forced the conversation back on track. "If killing the Oracle is this impossible, then what can I do?"

"I’m afraid that is for you to figure out, Your Highness. If you require a spell, you know how to summon me." With that, the dark mage turned away, his figure melting back into the shadows.

"Wait."

The mage halted but did not turn.

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