behind a searing heat that radiated up my

wing runes on my skin terrified them more than Malakar's blade. Without waiting for Vance's o

hey stood frozen, their eyes wide

spered, his blade slipping an inch towa

s beneath my skin were pulsing like a second heart, slowly sinking d

o me?" I choked out,

chest solid against my shoulder. Instead of pulling back from

utting through the ringing in my ears. "He kept you in the dirt so you would never discov

m, my mind spinni

e glowing skin near my neck. "The moment you touched me, the bond broke th

echoed across the mountains-three long, low bl

rs snapped

ng. "The Elder Council has breached the gates early. They know you left

golden eyes narrowing toward the northern horizon whe

arms again, holding me close as he surged off the cliff

t wasn't a village of wooden huts like Silver Shadow. It was a sprawling, stone citadel built int

, heavy chains groaned, and

warriors, elders in dark robes, and a stunning female

Malakar before locking onto me-a mud-stained

, Malakar?" she demanded, her voice laced with lethal

carried me right past her, his

d the surrounding guards dropped to one knee. "She is my mate. And if

Malakar carried me past her, her eyes caught the fading gold

ble doors to his private chambers. He set me down gently on a massive velve

led with the scent of

id, unbuckling his broadsword

bling. "Your people look at me like they want to execute me. Van

king both of my hands in his. The moment his warm skin touched mine, th

yes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. "A