Page 167 of The Immortal’s Mark

My teeth clench, and hot tears burn the backs of my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

“No?” I scoff and shake my head. “I’m the reason Bella is dead.”

The words strike my chest, making it hard to breathe.

“No,” Des clips out. “That fault lies solely on Adir’s shoulders. You didn’t ask to be taken.”

“But Bella was working with Adir,” I say, uncertain if the brothers know the depth of Bella’s involvement in the rebellion. But I’m not willing to hide any information. Not after what happened.

Des doesn’t look surprised.

My forehead furrows. “Did you know?”

“No,” he says. “But there were rumors…”

Of course, there were.

And of course I’m only now hearing about them.

I take a deep breath and shake my head, clearing away the frustration trying to take root from being left in the dark.

There’s no point now.

“Bella and Adir were allies,” I say. “But then she disagreed with him about the…the bond.”

“Of course she did,” he says. “Being a One, Bella knows how sacred the connection linking soulmates together is. No matter what her allegiances were at that moment, she wouldn’t have been able to sit on the side while Adir attempted to desecrate such a sacred bond.”

“Attempted?” My pulse spikes. “So…Adir didn’t…”

“No. Adir did not complete the bond with you.”

My shoulders slump. “Thank the Creator.”

“But there is something you should know,” Des murmurs so quietly, I am surprised I hear him.

I lift my gaze.

Brilliant green eyes hold mine. In their depths, a flicker of fear ignites.

My stomach twists.

“What is it?” I ask.

“By the time we arrived, the bonding ceremony had reached its pinnacle.” He crosses his arms. “There was nothing to be done.”

“What do you mean?” The way Des averts his gaze puts me on edge. “What⁠—”

“The bonding ceremony could not be undone. The powers that be—the ones that solidify connections between my brothers and our soulmates—had already woven itself into your veins.”

The golden light.

My throat tightens. “What does that mean?”

Des drags his gaze to mine. “Once the bonds are called forward, they must secure a connection. Otherwise, your soul would’ve remained open and vulnerable. It would have left you exposed to anyone with even the slightest ability to bind souls.”

“So…” I search his eyes. “What did you do?”