Page 246 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

“No—”

“Were you going to reveal my light magic to them?” I ask, my blood roaring in my ears. “Were you going to reveal my part-Fae blood to them before telling me?”

“Of course not!” Rian reaches for me.

I take another step back.

My hands start to shake.

The shadows hovering over Rian’s shoulders billow into a dark cloud that blot out the dim lantern light before they flow back into his body.

“Elara,” he says, voice low. “You are not a bargaining chip. You are mine to protect.”

“Only because you needed me for Darius.”

Now that I’ve healed his friend, there is no reason for him to⁠—

“Perhaps I have not made things clear. Let me rectify that now.” Rian closes the distance between us with predatory grace.

Instinct sends me stumbling back until my knees hit the edge of the bed. I press my toes into the wooden floor to avoid falling.

Rian reaches me and takes my hands again, pressing my palms flat against his chest. “You are MINE, Elara.”

Butterflies stir in my stomach. “I want to believe that, but⁠—”

“Then believe it.” He presses my hands tighter against him. “Feel my heart. Feel how it beats for you.”

My mouth dries. “Y-you can’t say things like that.”

“Why not?”

“Because you don’t even know me. Not really.”

Rian and I have known each other for weeks. Not months. Not years. He can’t speak of me like this. He can’t possibly feel this way about me.

But I do, Rian’s silky voice weaves through my mind.

I gasp and pull back.

Rian holds my hands firm. His dark eyes bore into mine, insistent. Passionate.

My soul knows yours, Elara Stonebloom. It recognized you the moment I saw you in that meeting hall.

My heart thuds wildly.

Nothing else matters. None of the half-truths or the secrets I am forced to keep. His thumb caresses the back of my hand. None of it means anything compared to the fact that my soul is yours.

Warmth floods my veins, but I cling to my doubt like it’s the only thing that can keep me afloat in this volatile sea.

“Stop it.” I swallow hard. “Talk to me out loud.”

Rian obliges. “Hours ago, you said you wanted me. Is that no longer true?”

Of course it’s still true.

I keep my lips closed.

“Was it the Lover’s Temptation talking?” he presses. “Do you not desire me?”