dear Princess, whether you see those choices as good, bad, or both, they are the choices. You just need to commit to one and go with it. Also, for clarification, I’ll need you to consider something for me.”
“What?”
He sure made a compelling argument.
“If you have to willingly be given blood to unbind, how is it that you begin a binding? Have you ever thought about it?” He raised an eyebrow at me, coaxing me to think about it.
“I-I don’t understand—”
“Shh. Think, Princess. Think hard.”
I contemplated what he was asking, rolling every idea I could possibly roll around in my mind until I gave a sharp gasp and looked at him, my eyes wide.
“The drink. Calix gave me a drink in Earth Realm. I’ve been wondering what it was since I know it wasn’t honey rind. He said it was. He lied. It-it was blood, wasn’t it?” I covered my mouth horrified that he’d done such a thing to me. How could he?
What did it mean?
Did he ever love me or was it all part of his plan?
My stomach twisted into knots, and I swallowed back the bile biting my tongue.
“I expect it was mixed with something else, but yes. He probably started you out on it, hoping to strengthen your abilities in an attempt to help you. Seems logical. His blood would calm you. It would keep you in check, making it easier for a stronger compulsion. At the end, he finished the binding by giving you the remainder of the blood and making the sacrifice. I assure you it was well-thought out before it began. Perhaps he hadn’t intended on finishing the process, but in the end, he did as he was commanded—or wanted. Whichever.”
“Oh my God.” I sank back, my body trembling.
“Listen, Princess,” Tarek sighed, setting his sword aside.
He reached forward, and in another uncharacteristic gesture, he gently brushed his fingers against my face, his eyes flashing with an emotion I couldn’t place. There was a warmth to his touch I’d never experienced before, a feeling that traveled all the way to my toes. So much hope sparked in me.
“Calixto was under the control of Zaros. He knew what was at stake if he failed. Perhaps he just went with it, hoping to keep Zaros off his tail while he got to know you, while he tried to figure out another way. I don’t think he did it with ill-intentions. I don’t think he would’ve wanted to even finish the binding, but you went and jumped off that damn cliff leaving him with no choice.”
“How would you even know what he wanted?” I asked in a small voice, still feeling sick.
“I guess I wouldn’t.” Tarek sighed with a shrugged. “I’m only making assumptions. However, my question still stands—will you be able to make the choice if it’s presented to you?”
“I-I-yes,” I breathed out. “I would choose.”
“Then I may have just what you need in the coming days.”
Chapter 32
“You can’t say things like that and not explain yourself,” I snapped at Tarek as he whipped around me, his blade flashing in the sunlight.
We fought on the grounds, me keeping up with him rather well. I owed it to my frustration.
“What if I don’t have an explanation I feel like giving?” he asked lazily, grinning at me, teasing me.
“Or maybe you’re just talking out of your ass,” I retorted, grunting as our swords clanged together. “I think you know a lot more than you let on. Even Kellin thinks so.”
“Prince Niall?” Tarek laughed loudly, dodging my attack. “He’s just worried I’m going to steal you from him.” His sword met mine angrily, and we stared each other down, our faces inches apart, only our swords separating us.
“He has nothing to worry about,” I snarled, my eyes meeting his.
“Oh, on the contrary,” Tarek murmured, taking a step closer to me, his sword still in place against mine. “He does.”
I swallowed thickly, my hands now trembling. He’d never said anything close to that to me before. I lost my focus, and Tarek knocked me to the ground. We tumbled down together, and I wrestled him, kicking and punching wherever I could reach. Screw the swords and elements. I just wanted to claw his eyes out.
He finally pinned me to the ground, my hands above my head, his large body straddling mine. Slowly, he leaned down, making my heart race. His face gave away nothing, and then he whispered in my ear.
“It’s not really stealing when it’s not his to begin with.”
“Ugh. You