Page 43 of Shattered Veil
My hand slides up her arm, coming to rest at the nape of her neck. I can feel her pulse racing beneath my fingers.
“You’re lying,” I murmur, my thumb tracing the line of her jaw.“And you’re terrible at it.”
Brigid’s breath catches. Her eyes flutter closed for a moment before snapping open, that spark of disobedience returning.“Don’t think this changes anything between us.”
I lean in closer, my lips barely brushing her ear.“Wouldn’t dream of it, little witch.”
She shivers, and I have to bite back a groan. Every muscle screams at me to claim her, to mark her as mine. But I can’t. Not when her shadow magic still poses such a threat. I force myself to step back, putting distance between us. Am I imagining it, or do I detect a look of disappointment on her face?
It’s gone in an instant, her face a blank mask now.“Meet me at the edge of the forest after lights out. Don’t be seen.”
Brigid nods.“Now could you please leave? I have to change before I meet Eira.” She brattily fingers the top button of her shirt.“Or are you going to stay and watch?”
Fuuucck.
“Don’t tempt me, witch,” I growl.
Brigid’s eyes widen slightly, but she doesn’t back down. Instead, she pops open the top button of her shirt, revealing more cleavage.“Or what?” she asks, her tone both defiant and sultry.
The sight of her exposed skin makes my cock throb painfully. I take a step towards her, crowding her.“Or I’ll show you exactly what happens to bratty little witches who don’t know their place.”
Her breath catches, and I can see the pulse fluttering in her throat. For a moment, we’re locked in a heated stalemate. Finally, I force myself to step back. I turn and stride toward the door. As I leave, I pause.“Don’t be late tonight. And wear something practical.”
When I step into the hallway, I hear her mutter,“Yes, sir,” in a mocking tone. The urge to go back in there and bend her over my knee is almost overwhelming.
I take a deep breath, willing my body to calm down as soon as the door closes behind me. My cock strains against my pants, aching to be buried inside her cunt. I adjust myself, cursing under my breath.
This is going to be harder than I thought. Fucking mate bond. Fate has a warped sense of humor, bonding me to a shadow witch.
I hear her shut the door behind me, and for some reason, instead of leaving the corridor I duck around the corner.
The door to Brigid’s room creaks open. My muscles tense as I hear her soft footsteps. She leaves, oblivious to my presence.
My eyes drink her in. The curve of that peachy ass in those leggings with her shirt tied up at the waist, her full breasts straining against the thin fabric of her top. Her long hair cascades down her back, begging me to run my fingers through it. To grip it tight and pull.
My cock twitches for the fucking shadow witch. It’s a joke. I should despise her.
And yet... fuck, I want her. The mate bond pulses between us, a constant reminder of what could be. What shouldn’t be.
“Well, well. Enjoying the view?”
Callen’s voice breaks through my lust-filled haze. I whip around to find him leaning against the wall, a smug-looking smirk on his face.
“What are you doing here?” I mutter.
He raises an eyebrow.“I could ask you the same thing. Though it’s pretty obvious.”
“Fuck off, Callen,” I say, shoving past him.
He falls into step beside me, that obnoxious smirk still plastered on his face, infuriatingly at ease.“Come on, Loch. What’s the harm in admitting you want her? We all do.”
“It’s just the fucking mate bond.” Even I don’t believe my words.
“At least you finally admit that you’re feeling it too.” Callen chuckles.“Anyone ever tell you that you’re stubborn?”
“Doesn’t matter. Mate bond or not, I’m not ever going to be anything with someone who has shadow magic.” Callen better get that through his pretty princely head. He of all people should know me well enough to know that. My family was everything to me, and those shadow bastards took them away. Anyone who has it can never be trusted.
Including Brigid.
