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“How long?”
“What?” he growls.
“How long do I have until this pain starts and how long will it last?” If there’s a way out of this, I’m taking it. I don’t care if breaking this bond feels like my whole body is on fire.
Fire… Flames… Human candle. Ugh! I shudder at the memory, rubbing my eyes again.
Lux speaks gruffly, “It’s different for everyone. Some have weeks, others months. The pain has been known to last at least a season. In some cases, years. It’s not worth it, Eden.”
“It’ll be worth it if I can go home.”
“I will not let you go home, even if the bond is broken,” he snarls, and any trace of the prince I once loved is gone. I don’t know the stranger sat across from me. All those letters he sent…
Stars, I was such an idiot.
“Why?” I have to prop myself up by my arms. The room is spinning like I’m in a whirlwind. “Why are you doing this? What did I do to you?”
“You haven’t done anything,” he says softly, guiding my body back until I’m resting against the pillows.
I want to resist him, but I can’t. For some reason, all my limbs feel like jelly.
“You’re an innocent in all this, Eden.” He kisses my forehead. “And because you’re so innocent and I do love you, I’m going to be as patient with you as I can be.”
“Why do I…” My voice fades as I struggle to keep my eyes open. “Why do I feel so strange…”
“I put your medicine in your wine, along with a much stronger sedative, to make sure you get the rest you need until you’re better.”
“No.” I fight the sleep, but I can feel it tingling up my body.
“You must rest, sweetheart. I cannot have the mother of my children unable to walk.”
“Mother?” I squeak.
“We will have so many children, just like you wanted.” He lowers his lips to my neck, kissing me softly.
“Lux, stop,” I can’t help but moan. Warmth stirs inside my chest again, but this time it drops lower, pooling urgently between my thighs.
“You will look so beautiful pregnant.” His hand cups my breast. I gasp when his thumb teases my nipple. “Everyone will know that you’re mine, that it’s my baby inside of you.”
“Lux,” I breathe, using the little strength I have to arch into his touch.
“You’re mine, little butterfly…” Sleep begins to swallow me as his hand dips lower and lower and—
“Enough. Not now,” another voice says as Lux’s weight lifts from my body.
Come back, I want to say, but I can’t speak anymore. The two deep voices drift further and further away.
20
CASTOR
It takes all my strength to physically drag Lux away from her. I have to singe his fingers before he finally curses under his breath and focuses on me instead of the rise and fall of her perfect sleeping form.
Damn it, Eden. Why’d you have to be so perfect for us?
“What was that for?” Lux growls, conjuring water over his burnt fingers.
“Your mate can’t consent while she’s asleep,” I speak matter-of-factly.
