Chapter 16: The Bitter Bond

FELDA

‘Disparaa clorassa monre! Disparaa clorassa monre!! Disparaa clorassa monre!!’

I cast a hiding spell under my breath, my voice was laced with silent venom. The room quivered for a split second as the ancient magic seeped through the air like smoke.

It drained me fast... Daze's wolf was too strong and resistant. My knees buckled under the force, and I staggered. He rushed, instinctively trying to catch me, but his arms passed right through.

Only I could see him. Only I could hear him. That was the spell.

"Felda! Are you okay? What did you do to me? Why can't I touch you?!" His voice sounded half-panicked, half-annoyed. I smiled.

That dumb, funny voice of his.

Before I could answer, I heard the door creak. Her voice followed.

"Your grace? Is someone there with you?"

I shut my mouth instantly. Looked her straight in the eye with a smile that would’ve fooled even the gods.

"No, no one is here."

She walked in slowly, uncertain, like she knew something was off. Of course, she did... her pathetic little wolf instincts were tickling her nose.

She looked around, pretending to be casual, eyes flicking over the room while her nose twitched.

She smelled him.

"Really? I thought I heard a voice... like someone was with you."

She took a few steps forward. Right in Daze's direction. His eyes widened in horror and I almost burst out laughing. The mighty wolf was frozen stiff like a little scared cub.

I caught her hand with a dramatic flourish and pulled her toward my bed.

"Come, Arianna. Let’s sit."

She perched on the edge of the table, still glancing toward Daze's invisible form with furrowed brows.

"But... I swear I feel like someone I know is here."

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She wasn't talking to me, but she was expecting me to confirm it.

I tilted my head with feigned innocence. "Really? Like who? Whose scent was it, hmm?"

Play dumb, Felda. Always play dumb until the knife sinks deep.

She frowned. "I don’t know. Maybe it’s just instinct. I came for something else anyway."

She waved the thoughts off. Daze was fuming behind her, circling the spell’s edge like a lion in a cage.

"Don’t answer her with anything. Send her back now!"

Even as a ghost in this room, he dared command me. I smiled at myself.

You really want to play like that, Daze?

"Yes, dear. I would love to hear you out," I said sweetly, letting the edge of my voice drop to something honeyed and mocking. "I thought you were with your boyfriend."

I emphasized that last word. Let it ring.

She scoffed. "No. I came because of him. How do I get him to stop loving me? With him around, I can’t focus on Prince Finnian. He’d never accept me if he knew Daze and I had anything. I want to end it. For good."

The words fell like blades.

I turned slowly to see Daze. His face was frozen in disbelief, fury, pain... all tangled up and choking him.

He started pacing like a madman inside the spell boundary.

"I understand the feeling, dear. All you’ve got to do is simple..."

"Don’t tell her anything, Felda! Just tell her to leave your room now or I swear I will explode and break this spell!"

Tch.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"I’d like to see you try."

"Are you talking to me, your grace?" Arianna tilted her head, sensing the shift.

"No, darling. Just one of those irritating spirits. You know... witch stuff."

"What?" I heard Daze shout.

She lit up. "Oh, that’s amazing!"

No, sweetie. It’s dangerous.

"So, you were saying something before you got interrupted."

"Yes, yes. Just be honest. Tell him how you feel. End it before it goes deeper."

She sighed, her fake sweet mask melting into bitter worry.

"But... I don’t want to hurt him like that. Isn’t there another way? A gentler one?"

I shook my head. Slowly. Letting the weight of my silence say everything.

She took it in. Swallowed the pill.

"Okay then. Thanks, your grace. I’ll think about it. I should go before he starts looking for me."

"Yes, you should."

I walked her to the door. Daze stood near, still trying to claw his way out of the spell. As we passed him, he spoke.

"Arianna. Can you hear me?"

She paused. Froze. Looked directly at where he stood.

My heart skipped. My breath caught. I whispered a silent curse.

"I thought I heard my name," she muttered.

I jumped in, my voice was calm and lazy. "Oh, that? Happens to me too. Maybe someone’s thinking about you. You know, those silly childhood sayings."

She smiled. Bought it. Thank the gods.

She walked away, and I heard her footsteps clicking down the corridor.

I turned back to Daze, who was now violently shaking with anger, his whole body pulsating as he tried to break my spell.

"You're just stressing yourself," I said, returning to my bed.

"Felda, let me out. Now! Until I shift and alert every damn guard in this palace!"

I walked toward him slowly, my voice dipping into something lower. "You can't shift under this spell. And even if you could..."

My hand trailed down his trousers. His eyes glowed red instantly.

"Get your hands off me!"

"Why? The woman you’re trying to stay loyal to doesn’t even love you. Just like King Rowan never loved me."

My voice cracked a little.

The spell broke.

He fell to the ground gasping. The force of returning to his physical self knocked him off balance.

Then he stood. And walked toward me.

His golden eyes burned.

He was in beast mode. Pure wolf. His aura exploded around the room, suffocating, thick. I had to step back.

My back hit the wall. I raised a hand to cast something... anything.

But it was too late.

He grabbed my wrists and slammed them above my head. Pinned.

"Daze... please..."

My voice trembled.

His aura was so strong I couldn’t channel anything. Nothing. I was powerless.

He leaned closer. His fangs brushed my neck.

I sobbed. "You’re hurting me."

He bit. Just enough. I felt the tear, the trickle of blood.

Then he licked it.

Then... he kissed my tears.

I opened my eyes to see him return. The beast is gone.

His hands loosened.

"I’m sorry I did that," he murmured, brushing his nose against my cheek. "I don’t know what I was thinking."

He let go.

Stepped back.

"It’s not your fault Arianna doesn’t love me. But whatever this is... between us... It ends tonight."

A stab to my chest.

I couldn’t speak. I couldn't move.

He walked out without glancing back.

And I... I just stood there.

I wanted it to end too.

But why did it hurt like this?