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Not technically.

But my body remembers exactly what those hands can do, and technicalities no longer matter.

“The short answer is yes,” he says, voice roughening. “Had you rejected me and the bond, I would have remained cursed.”

It takes my brain a second to catch up.

Right.

Curse.

Conversation.

You know, the important things.

I stare into those glowing eyes.

“So that's why you disappeared.”

His thumb stills against my lip. The teasing vanishes.

“I had to.”

“What happened?”

“The moment you accepted my claim, the curse took hold of me. I was pulled into a magical vortex and held there for the final cycle of the moon.”

My stomach drops.

“A vortex?”

“Yes.”

“So you weren't somewhere choosing not to call me.”

“Never.”

One word.

Immediate.

Certain.

Some stubborn knot inside my chest loosens.

“You couldn't explain.”

“No.”

“Wulfy knew?”

“He knew enough.”

Of course he did.

“Dora?”

“Some.”