Page 136 of Unravelled
His partner, oblivious to his true intention, continued, "You must be overwhelmed with all the attention tonight."
Ren’s gaze flicked across the room. And then, the moment arrived. He twirled his partner away. Because when this waltz dictated they switch partners
Mira spun into his arms. His fingers curled around her waist, firmer than necessary, pulling her close, closer than he had held anyone else tonight. Mira landed against his chest, breath catching, eyes widening in surprise.
Ren smirked, his grip unwavering, voice smooth as silk. "If you wanted to dance with me so badly, you could have asked."
Mira exhaled sharply, her hands instinctively pressing against his shoulders. "What are you doing?"
Ren leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her ear. "Dancing."
She narrowed her eyes. "This is reckless”
"And yet, having you in my arms, is the highlight of this evening."
The music swelled around them, the ballroom blurred away as Ren moved with her, his steps slow, deliberate.
"Tell me something" he murmured, his fingers trailing along the small of her back. "Did you enjoy dancing with Tharion?"
Mira arched a brow, amusement flickering behind her frustration. "Did you enjoy parading yourself around for every eligible noblewoman in the kingdom?"
Ren’s smirk deepened. "I hardly noticed them." Mira tilted her head slightly, eyes gleaming
"You know," he mused, voice dropping lower, "I did enjoy one thing about tonight."
Mira sighed dramatically. "Let me guess. The sheer variety of available options?" Ren chuckled, spinning her effortlessly across the floor, refusing to let her go.
"Never," he said, drawing her even closer, until their bodies were flush, until he could feel the warmth of her beneath his hands. "I enjoyed those little spikes of jealousy you kept throwing my way."
Mira stiffened slightly, and Ren could feel her heartbeat hammering against his chest. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice careful.
She lifted her chin, forcing a look of cool indifference, but he felt the tension in her, felt the pull between them like a thread stretched taut. Mira’s lips parted slightly, but her brow furrowed, a flicker of hesitation, uncertainty.
"That’s not possible," she said, but the words were too soft. "We’re not bonded, Ren."
Something dark and electric twisted inside him at the way she said it. Because he wanted more. Needed more. The bond between them was already woven into every part of him, pulling him toward her in ways he couldn’t fight, couldn’t ignore.
And yet, it wasn’t enough. Because he wanted her to feel it, too. Wanted her to know, with every breath, with every heartbeat, that he was hers. Wanted her to ache for him the way he ached for her, to feel him even when he wasn’t there, to wake up knowing he was part of her as much as she was part of him.
Because she already had him, fully, completely, irreversibly.
???
Two years before
Candlelight flickered against dark wood-paneled walls, the scent of parchment, ink, and warm embers curling through the air. The silence pressed down on Ren, heavier than any armor he had ever worn.
Near the hearth, Queen Sarelle stood poised, her golden-threaded robes pooling at her feet like liquid fire. Her expression was unreadable, but Ren knew better. She had already predicted this conversation, already weighed every possible outcome. Across from her, King Caelric lounged back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin, his sharp eyes unreadable. He was calm, controlled, but Ren could sense something beneath it. Waiting.
Tharion was standing awkwardly near the door, shifting his weight like a man awaiting execution. Ren didn’t need to ask why he was here. The idiot had let it slip. Ren shot him a glare, sharp, laced with silent expletives, but Tharion only grimaced, helpless.
Caelric broke the silence first. "I assume you have something important to tell us."
Ren inhaled, steadying himself. "I love her," he said simply. "And I will not be without her."
The words shattered the quiet like a hammer against glass. Sarelle didn’t move. Caelric exhaled slowly through his nose, unreadable. No sharp retort, no immediate anger. Just a long, unbearable silence.
Finally, Sarelle spoke, her voice soft, knowing. “And you are going to bond with her?”
