in freedom, above all things. Though there was a point I never believed you had to kill in order to obtain it. The leshane changed my mind about that.”
Emma tapped her foot against the floor. “Last semester you said preserving freedom is more important than saving lives. I knew that wasn’t you. You don’t think that way.”
“Do I not?” I questioned. “I’m unsure. The leshane took that belief in freedom and twisted it to his own desires. He can do that with anything— even my love for you.”
Emma winced when I admitted I still loved her... but I wouldn’t lie. It was the truth.
But she didn’t say she loved me back, and that hurt. “You say you don’t know who you are, but I know you, Ethan. You’re my mate. I know who you are at the core.”
“You might not, onawilke. We didn’t meet each other until after I was already possessed,” I said. “What if I’m not the person you think I am? What if you fell for the leshane?”
To be honest, that was what I was most terrified of.
Emma rolled her eyes. “Please, Ethan. My judgement isn’t that awful.”
“But the demon is a trickster. A master of fae magic. He could’ve—“
“Don’t say it. I won’t believe it.” She ran a few fingers through her fiery mane and added, “There has to be something keeping you anchored. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have lasted this long.”
“Our bond is the only thing keeping him at bay. The magic that ties us together is strong. He can’t override it unless the bond is rejected.”
I paused. “Though... it weakened greatly when I chose the Phantom over you last semester.”
Emma scowled. Gods, the look she gave me could melt iron. I hated bringing that up, but what other choice did I have?
“I don’t get what you want,” she began. “Ethan, there was more to us breaking up than just this demon, or you being the Phantom. It’s about who you are.”
She shook. “Your country will always come before me. I’ll never stop being the sacrifice. You’re not just being noble. You’re obsessed. I’m not sure if our relationship will ever work, because you’re not willing to put me first. If it comes down to it, you’ll always choose Malovia over me.”
“I understand that. It’s something I had a great deal of thought over. Maybe it’s something I could change.”
“Okay, so you want to start dating again?” she asked sarcastically. “After everything that’s happened?”
“No, Emma. I don’t.”
Her mouth dropped open in shock. Tears sprung to her eyes— because even though she wasn’t ready to enter into a commitment with me again, she wasn’t expecting that answer.
She must’ve shoved her pain down, because her tone turned hateful. “So what are you saying? You don’t want me back?”
The wolf inside me whimpered in want. “Of course I want you back, Emma, but…”
I took a shaky breath. “This demon is dangerous. I don’t want to hurt you again, like I did the night of…”
Her face darkened, and I trailed off. “Well. You know what happened.”
“I’m not going to keep my distance from you. Regardless of whether we’re together or not, we’re still friends,” she insisted.
“But we can’t be a couple. Not like this.” I threw my arms wide. "Look at me, Emma. I’m a mess. I’m in no state to be with anyone. Especially not someone I never deserved in the first place.”
It was then she started to fall apart. She reached out for me, trying to bridge the gap between us. “Ethan, I—”
I grabbed her wrists, to hold her back. Her touching me was something I could no longer bear, because once she did, I’d collapse at her feet. “Emma, if this demon gets his hold on me, I’m not coming back. Once that happens, he can use me to hurt you through the magic that connects us. You have to swear to me you’ll break our bond. Refuse my offer as your mate, so you can save yourself.”
She wrenched away violently, injured by my rejection. “I’m not keeping that promise.”
“You have to. Onawilke, I’m begging.”
Her eyes flickered, considering the option. I could tell the moment her mind shoved it away. “I’m not giving up on you,” she said. “We’ll find a way out of this.”
“It’s not your job to save me. Women aren’t rehabilitation centers for broken men, onawilke. And Emma, I’m broken. Let me go.”
“I’m not going to save you. I’m going to help you save yourself,” she said firmly. “We may never be together again. I’m not sure if I want you anymore.”
I felt the bond between us blaze as she added, “But by the life of the gods, I will not let you die.”
She shoved me away and stormed past. Once her presence deserted me, the light in my life left and the darkness swarmed in, covering my spirit in a heavy shroud of despair. It was like once she walked out, the demon walked in.
The leshane was oddly quiet. I jumped at the chance to get a few more seconds of reprieve, some peace. I’d had none in the passing months.
Finally, the monster spoke. She’s not willing to give you up, he said. A game of tug-of-war. It’ll be fun to see who loses.
My lips twisted into a snarl as the leshane fell silent. I refused to allow this demon to toy with her. Emma was off-limits. He would not touch my mate.
I would rather die first. But I wouldn’t go down without one hell of a fight.
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About the Author
Megan Linski is a disabled author who writes romance, fantasy, and contemporary fiction for young and new adults. When not writing she enjoys ice skating and horse riding. She is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and is an active fighter against common variable immune deficiency disorder.