BOUND: Mates at War | 18+

33 Bonding

"I need a moment," Roman pulls himself to stand, linking our hands together.

We walk through the cave into the rocky quarry. I can't help but to remember the last time I was here. The ill fated wedding ceremony that came crashing down around us.

Now isn't the time to bring that up but I can't help but to feel a sense of relief that it was interrupted.

"So, that's my father," his voice is quiet.

"You look like him," I run my fingers through his hair, "he doesn't seem like a bad man, I believe him when he says he wasn't involved in the King's murder."

"I do too, I think... I don't trust my own judgment anymore," he rubs his hand down my back, pulling me closer, "I was never under the impression that my mother was a good person but..."

"Love for a parent can be blinding, you were trying to be a good son."

A heavy sigh passes through his lips, he looks drained. I can't imagine how it would feel to have everything about your life crashing down around you.

I've spent my life running, hiding. His situation almost seems worse. I've always had my father, a true and constant place of solitude even amidst the chaos. When I thought he was gone, I felt lost. I can't even imagine never having a solid foundation to begin with. Danger was always lurking in the shadows, ready to drag you away but I had truth and love behind me, I know who I am, I know who my family is.

"You should talk to him, we need water... maybe he would go with you?"

The anxiousness on his face breaks my heart. I know he wants that but he's afraid.

"I have more questions," his body moves down, settling against a rock, pulling me down too. I'm seated straddling his lap, our faces inches apart.

"You saw Melora?"

I cringe before recounting the details of that day.

"Why didn't you want the spell?"

"I just... couldn't. I don't trust magic but it was more than that. Mate bonds are sacred, the idea of tampering with it felt like I was... defiling it."

He hums lightly, pressing a soft kiss to my temple.

"When I touched you for the first time," he grazes his hand lightly to my throat, rubbing his rough fingers over my mark, "I knew you were mine. I tried to fight it, but I knew, my wolf knew."

When he presses his forehead to mine everything fades away, it feels like we're floating, alone in the world.

"You should give him a chance," I whisper against his skin and he chuckles.

"You're going to push until I give in aren't you?"

"Yes, I am."

He surprises me by pushing his mouth to mine only to pull it away just as quickly. The short, passionate kiss leaves me breathless and dizzy.

"I guess I should go get some fresh water," he smiles down at me, weakening my knees.

As we approach the group Oberon stands nervously, looking at Roman, his eyes swirling with emotion, mainly nervousness and apprehension.

"I... umm... I'm going to get fresh water," he says with uncertainty in his voice.

"I can help... if you need it," Oberon looks nervously at his hands.

"Yeah, sure," Romans answer is nonchalant but I can feel hope surging through him.

Aslyn's eyes dance with a sort of maternal pride.

"I won't be far, if you need me, I'll feel it," he whispers before nodding to his men, in a sort of unspoken agreement to look after me while he's away.

My heart flutters as I watch the lair of large, intimidating men walk nervously into the brush together.

"Roman was the sweetest child. I watched him, for years, Loreil would give him just enough affection to make him crave it, then she would yank it away. Oberon is a good man, our spirits have been tied together for a very long time. He's thought of his child constantly. Seeing them together makes me very happy."

I have so many things I want to ask her, so many questions about Roman as a small child, about Loreil, about everything.

"Was the prophecy real?"

Romans men lean in, eager to hear her response.

"Yes, that may be the only truth Loreil has told in a very long time."

Before hearing of the web of lies she spun, I never doubted the prophecy, I never doubted Edrym Ilitris killed the King.

"Did they use magic on Edrym? Why did he confess?"

"Ah, the tragic tale of Edrym Ilitris," she nods her head sadly, "he was another of the Queens many lovers. They used magic to mold him into her puppet though it was not needed. He loved her, he would have done anything for her."

"Fucking hell," Miles grumbles under his breath. The others shift uncomfortably and utter similar statements. Their heavy guilt is obvious in their posture, like a physical weight on their shoulders, making them smaller, weaker.

"Um, Solana," Aric asks with a chuckle, "did I hear you right before? You're the one that shot Roman?"

"Oh," I feel a blush warm my cheeks, "yes, I did."

They all laugh, "We always told him that when he finally met his mate he was going to get put into his place."

"Thank you for not shooting me when he requested it," Aslyn smiles.

We talk about unexpectedly normal things, I learn about Cale and Miles' mates. The love in their eyes when they discuss them is touching. It is apparent how much they love and care for them. I hope Roman looks like that when he talks about me.

Talking to them is strange. I've come to realize that they are not at all what I expected. While Miles and Cale are a bit rough around the edges they seem like honest men. Dylan and Aric are the opposite of what a we're-warrior seems like they should be. There is a soft spoken kindness to them, a gentleness even.

There is an obvious comradery between the men, a brotherhood that makes them completely at ease with one another. The longer we sit together, the more I feel like I am a part of their group now. Our collective discomfort shrinking with each question, joke or admission. It's a strange realization, I don't fear them and they don't hate me.

"You placed a protective spell over the ridge, what does that mean?" Aric asks Aslyn, a quiet wonder in his eyes as he looks down at the tiny woman.

"Yes, any wolf that tries to enter here would become disoriented, we're safe."

I don't know much about magic or sorceresses but I can feel a difference in Aslyn's presence. Where Melora felt dangerous, Aslyn feels comforting. Her power radiates around her, warm like sunlight.

When Roman steps into the clearing I can feel a cautious happiness flowing through our bond. The small smiles on both men's nearly identical faces brings a smile to my face as well.

"We have a plan," Roman announces as they take seats among the group.

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