Page 12 of Bound in Violet Ink
Kane
He signed his name.
Him.
And… entirely selfish? What doesthatmean?
It’s as if I’m reading it like it’s our first communication all over again. My body seems to forget how to function as everything is out of rhythm, especially as I bring the parchment to my nose and close my eyes when Ismell him. What is happening to me? Why does this scent bring me a comfort that I never knew I craved? Is it my fading heat? Does it recognize the scent of a powerful fae? I put the letter down to bring clarity to mind, but I know I will pick it up to read it once more. Perhaps a hundred times, and each encounter will feel like the first.
What selfish motive of his? Isn’t wanting Silas’s information selfish? Too much of me? Does he not realize I’d give him the clothes off of Silas’s back?
And yet, just when I think it will take me an entire day to formulate a reply, I find myself finishing it within only an hour, still by the fading firelight. Because I’m lonely, and bored. And needy. I wrap the letter in the nightgown I wore so it will be covered in me.
My heat.
I pause as I stare at what I penned him, almost disturbed at my action. The hells am I doing? He’ll know it’s my heat. He’ll think I’m absolutely insane.But I am, so what of it?
I’ve always had a reckless side, but this feels manic.
Some part of my mind registers that we are sending each other our scents, and that doing this might enrage him, even if I can’t figure out why. Which means I absolutely commit to it, because someone at some point will get so mad at me they’ll break these walls to get rid of me.
And everything in my bones screams to do so.
Moonlight bathesover me as I stare at her letter in the solitude of my cell. Victoria’s scent is noticeable even from a distance.
Why does it smell so much like her? As if… Blood sears my veins, all the way to my cock—when the parchment grazes the skin of my nose, even my lips, it’s as if I canfeelmy pupils dilating.
Why did she do this?
It smells as if she just handed it to me rather than passed it through a chain of exchanging hands. I haven’t smelled a single female’s heat since being in here.
Everythingignites within my veins. Desire, lust, anger, infatuation, greed, possession, andfear. Did others smell this before reaching me? Is it stronger for me since she’smine? Do they keep her properly separated from any and all males? Tend to her to ease the lack of pair bonding?
“Little flower…”
I read the words very carefully, the concept of another touching her in such a state making me grind my jaw so tightly my teeth hurt.
Kane,
I am unsure how to respond about hearing this line of communication is purely selfish of you. Which only pushes me to consider the suspiciousness behind our exchange.
Nevertheless, it’s more interesting than anything else I have at this castle. And the men in my life? Currently, there are none. Although, I suppose that answer shall mean very little, soon. I have a feeling my hand will be forced into marriage, even if they have to put me under a drugged spell.
And what do I do in the castle? I have a very tight schedule. I train with combat four mornings in a row and take three mornings off, as all membersof our rank are required to do. I eat. And then I paint. A proper lady should paint, should she not?
I don’t care much for the proper things. As indicated by wanting to write to you.
I wish to spend time in the woods. To be with animals. I am very happy among the wildlife. And not while wearing a pretty dress and singing to birds. I don’t mind the dirt. I enjoy the moon and the crystals that shine in its light, but I don’t think I am supposed to admit that. The moon is for the Unseelie and the duskborn, whereas the sun is for the Seelie. So this is akin to the moon writing the sun, isn’t it?
I’d like a pet, I think. Something with no motive other than food and friendship. Something that can’t break my heart.
What do you do in the Carrows, other than wait for me to write a letter?
Victoria
I breathe heavier. My little flower wrote to me with such conversation that so many possibilities seem to open all at once, and even threw a slight jab at me. With the ghost of a very faint smile on my lips, I stare out the window into the darkness of night, reviewing any and all undertones, smirking at the last question as I replay it.
She has a sassy side.
