Page 2 of Shifting Desire
Tavian:Consider it done.
Reaching the building that houses my father’s empire, I watch as Serephine steps from a yellow New York cab.She looks at me with sad eyes and I know she will help me.I lead her inside silently, past the night security guard, and into the elevator.Neither of us speaks a word until we are in my office, the door closed securely behind us.
“Malichai, what is going on?I can feel your dragon’s fear and agitation.”
“I need you to end my mate bond with the woman.My father will never accept her.”My heart breaks at the words, my dragon roaring in the recesses of my mind.“I don’t want to do this, but it is for the best.”
“You need to take a moment and think this through.Is there no way for you to claim your mate?”she whispers brokenly.
I stare at her, looking closely at my usually vibrant friend.Her shoulders are hunched, and her sadness coats the air.She doesn’t want to do this and unless I tell her the truth, she won’t.
“She’s fae, and half-human, Sere.”
The words fall between us like lead, and I watch her flinch before she nods.
“I can’t break the bond, but I can mute it.For three years she will live without feeling the bond and you will suffer its weight alone.After that ...you’ll either need to claim or reject her.”
“Do it.”
I will carry the burden of our bond.To protect the woman who has unwittingly claimed my heart and soul, I will do just about anything.
Serephine unpacks the satchel at her waist.Crystals, candles, herbs, and more are all placed on the low glass coffee table.She folds her legs beneath her as she takes a seat on the thick grey carpet of my office.
“I need a drop of your blood,” she says holding out her hand.
I hold out a single finger for her to prick with her blade, a droplet falling into the chalice she holds.Sadness coats the air, like a living, breathing entity of its own.
“Are you sure?”she asks once more.
“It’s the only way to protect her.If my father finds out...”
She nods and lights the items in the chalice before she chants.
“By root and ash, by flame and frost,
Let truth be veiled, let sense be lost.
The bond remains but shall not burn,
Until the wheel has thrice returned.
Hide the spark, conceal the thread—
Let love lie sleeping, not dead.”
I feel the moment the bond magnifies in intensity, both sides coalescing and land squarely on my shoulders.I will bear this bond alone until the time comes.Then I will either claim or reject my mate.
The intensity is too much to bear, my dragon crying out in pain and outrage as my knees buckle and I land on the carpet beside Serephine.My breathing is ragged as black dots dance in front of my vision.I don’t know how long it takes me to recover to the point of awareness of my surroundings, but when I do, I am alone in my office.
I slowly make my way to my feet and behind my desk.I rub at my temples, the storm of an oncoming migraine already barreling down on me.A sound draws my attention, and I see the notification for an email.
From: [email protected]
Subject: New Hire
Here is the information you requested.Let me know if there is anything else.
