Page 145 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

With each kiss, each drag of lips and tearing of clothes, we made our unspoken vows.

“Mine,” I snarled as her pants hit the hardwood.

“Yours,” she promised, leaping into my arms. I caught her instinctively, always in sync, her legs wrapping around me as I turned and slammed her against the door. “Always yours, August.” Her voice caught on my name as I drove my cock over her entrance, then thrust deep inside.

The way she took me in—utterly and without reservation—shattered me. This bond might be cursed, but her willingness to carry it…her determination to claim me through it…destroyed every defense I had left.

“The damned devil himself couldn’t keep us apart for more than a few centuries,” she whispered as I stilled, buried in her, fighting for control.

When I started to move, hard and deep, she gasped—head falling back, hands threading into my hair, nails scraping my scalp.

“No matter what dimension I wake in next,” she panted, “I will find you, August.”

She cried out as my rhythm built, pleasure twisting her features into something sacred. I couldn’t look away. Couldn’t stop chasing the way her body broke for me.

“Ahhh—August!”

“Yes, baby. Say it again.”

“August,” she moaned, over and over, our names mingling with the frantic slap of skin. Her eyes dropped to where we were joined, and suddenly flames erupted down her arms.

A ribbon of blue fire curled around us, licking at my skin without harm. I might’ve been immune to her gifts, but our house was not. I flicked a hand, dousing the flames before they spread—but not before they seared her shape into the door.

“Oh fuck,” she panted as I spun her off the wall and slammed her back down on my cock.

Ally wrapped herself around me, feet braced against my back, driving herself onto me with brutal force. Her head fell back, body shuddering with every thrust.

“Fuckfuckfuck—” Her eyes rolled back and I squeezed her ass in warning—eyes on me, little nova.

Emerald eyes locked on mine as her body bowed, the pleasure breaking over her like a wave.

“August,” she whimpered—right before her orgasm tore through her. Her flames surged, her pussy clenched around me, and I came on a growl through gritted teeth, our releases crashing together. I only slowed when her fire finally flickered out.

Sweat-slicked and gasping, we kissed like we were drowning.

Then, breathless, she gave me her final vow. “We…make it…count.”

TWENTY-NINE

CHAOS AND MARBLES

ALVARA

When I told August we had to make our sacrifice count, I meant it in the fate-of-humanity kind of way. We needed to line up every consistent piece, every domino, to ensure that when our final strike landed, it meant something. That it moved the needle. That if we lost, our people would still have a shot at winning the last inning.

August, however, took it in two directions—yes, secure a strategic victory for our side, but also check off as many shared dreams as possible while we still had time.

In just forty-eight hours, he’d argued with human representatives, met with the Eastern Delegation, and whisked me off to his three favorite beaches and their accompanying restaurants. Apparently, most of August’s favorite human memories revolved around food. I wasn’t complaining. His list made me think of mine, though. We’d missed football season, but I could still drag him to a hockey game—something simple, human, frivolous. The kind of joy that made you yell for no real reason.

Somehow, in the same breath we were strategizing how to draw out Adrastos, we were also planning our one and only Valentine’s Day.

Because…we did need to draw him out. For some Godforsaken reason, he was essential to winning this thing. Thanks to the Magic Bond I’d gained when we emerged victorious, if I could just get him within mental range, I could bend him—at least partially—to my will. His vow was to serve August upon our victory. Maybe that vow was the only reason he’d survive the war’s finale.

“Cheesecake or tiramisu?” August’s left-field question yanked me out of my spiral. I blinked down at the training ring inside Terramyst’s massive terrarium-style hall.

We’d made it to the Middle after Kingsley addressed his people and put it to a vote. We were the first outsiders to step foot inside their castle since Thadius’s mate, more than a century ago.

“What?” I asked blankly, dragging my gaze from the sparring souls below.