Chapter 12

12

" S ay that again?" I gawk at him.

"We are?—"

"Stop." I put my hand up. "You're not making sense. How would we be mated? Why ? I don't understand. In books, people had to at least sleep together for a mating bond to be triggered, or they had to say some magic words that bound them to someone forever. We did neither. So how the hell are we mated , Nykander?" I demand, throwing my hands in the air.

He grinds his teeth.

"I can assure you this is not what I would have willingly chosen for myself," he mutters drily.

"Gee, thank you, Nykander. Glad to hear I wasn't even on your radar."

"You do not need to take offense. It is simply the truth." He shrugs.

"But how ? How did this happen then?"

"Blood bond." He purses his lips.

I frown.

"I fed from you in the dungeon, and after you passed out yesterday, you injured yourself, so I gave you a few drops of my blood to heal you. The blood exchange must have triggered the bond," he explains.

"And does this regularly happen when you exchange blood with someone?"

"No," he answers darkly. "As a matter of fact, it only happens once in a lifetime, and it is supposed to be a joyous event since very few people are fortunate to find their mate in this vast universe."

"I am not feeling overly joyous," I mumble drily.

"Oh, trust me. I am far from joyous either."

"What do we do then? How can we…unbond?"

He takes a deep breath.

"I do not know," he eventually replies.

Conflicting emotions war on his face.

"For my kind, a true mating is a blessing from the fates. It is supposedly fulfilled when two people have exchanged blood and consummated their relationship. I assume that since we have not done the latter and we will not do it, the bond remains only half fulfilled, and as such, it stands a chance to be annulled."

He certainly needs to reiterate how much he does not want me. And here I thought I met my rejection quota for the year—perhaps my entire life.

"You don't seem too certain," I remark.

"As I said, very few of my kind have found their true mates," he adds wryly.

"And what's this kind you're talking about?" I narrow my eyes at him.

He meets my gaze but remains silent.

"I'm well aware you're not human . But what are you?"

"Are you certain you want to know?" he asks dangerously.

"We're mated, no? I think I deserve to know what you are."

"Only by necessity," he mutters under his breath.

"If you want to be rude, suit yourself." I shake my head at him. "I'll go back to my world with my dogs and you can forget about me and this so-called blood bond."

"I'm afraid it is not that easy." He releases a ragged breath. "You are now my weakness. Should my enemies find out about our bond, they will target you to get to me."

"Of course," I mumble. "So what do you suggest we do then?"

"You will accompany me, of course. I will allow the dogs, too."

"You will allow ?" I ask incredulously.

"I will also require you to tone down your excitement. I understand you tend to ramble when you are nervous, but I hope you will keep that to yourself from now on," he continues.

I stare at him unblinking.

He… Who the hell does he think he is?

"Right. Thank you, but no. I am going home," I say as I turn my back to him and head back to the mountain.

To think that just yesterday I was ready to beg him to take me with him… I shake my head at my own foolishness.

Mated.

He says we're mated.

And considering the evidence I've seen so far, I'm inclined to say he's right.

Under any other circumstances, I would have thought this the epitome of romanticism. Not only are two people chosen to be together by the fates, but they actually become one ! How cool is that?

Except not in my case because not only do we not know each other, I'm not very certain we like each other very much.

I take a step forward, but he appears in front of me, blocking my path.

"That was not a suggestion, Barbi. You will come with me."

"Or else?" I push my chin up defiantly.

"I will take you with me," he says casually, though that dangerous glint in his eyes tells me he knows exactly what he's doing—he's threatening me.

The cad!

"So I have no choice in this?"

"No," he answers glibly.

"For how long?"

"Until we find a way to void our bond."

" If . We don't even know if that's possible."

He shrugs again.

"So you just expect me to follow you around for the rest of my life?"

He tilts his head to the side.

"Technically, the rest of your life is an eternity seeing that you have now borrowed my life-force and my power to regenerate. You are welcome."

I blink slowly. I have been stunned into silence. Not just because he just told me I may have turned into an immortal, but because immortality comes with a binding clause— him.

"Y-You don't actually mean that I'm stuck with you for an eternity ." I gasp.

"If we do not find a way to void our bond, that is exactly what I mean." He gives me a pointed look.

"But… That's kidnapping. I do not consent! I didn't consent when you gave me your blood and I do not consent to this sham mating or blood bond or whatever you call it," I burst out. "I. Do. Not. Consent."

His features darken.

Grabbing a piece of material hanging from my dress, he pulls me brusquely toward him. His breath brushes against my face as he stares me down with those icy eyes of his.

"Do you think I wanted this?" he asks in a low, ominous voice. "Do you think I wanted a goddamn mate when I vowed to never look upon a female again?"

My lashes flutter in confusion at his vicious tone.

"I was doing fine rotting away in that cell until you showed up and caused nothing but trouble."

"Wait a moment. What are you?—"

"Do you know the price I paid for using my powers to kill that man?"

I slowly shake my head.

"I let down my guard long enough for Damien to pry into my mind and get the clue to the location of a precious item. All because I decided to help you instead of fortifying my mental barriers."

A tremor goes down my body.

"I-I'm sorry," I whimper.

"Sorry does not cut it. Not when Damien might get to that location first. So save your silly complaints for another day, Barbi. You are coming with me and this is final," he states harshly. "We may not have had a choice in this farce that the fates orchestrated for us, but we will damn well make the best out of an awful situation."

I bite my lower lip.

"Do you understand what I am saying, Barbi?"

I nod.

"Good. You will be a good girl and follow me. You will do what I say and you will not get into trouble. Is that clear?"

"It's not like I have another choice," I mutter.

"Precisely. You do not have a choice," he comments. "You wanted to come with me. Congratulations. You are never getting rid of me now," he adds in a mocking tone. The corners of his mouth curl up, but the smile doesn't reach his eyes.

He doesn't like me very much, does he?

Yet before I can let him have the last word, I pick up the knife I discarded earlier and stab him in the chest.

He stares at me wide-eyed as if he hadn't expected me to do that.

I grind my teeth, waiting for the pain to come to me too.

"I'm not getting hurt," I murmur as I search for the stab wound on my body.

"It only works one way. You can thank the fates for that one. Males of my kind are built to protect their females."

He plucks the knife from his chest and his wound closes.

"Oh, and one last thing," he mentions as he regards the bloody tip of the knife. "I will take you up on your offer."

My brows go up in question.

"What offer?"

"I will require to feed every day to be at optimal strength. I will accept your blood offering," he says shamelessly.

My mouth hangs open in shock as I stare at him.

"Absolutely not . That offer has expired, mister," I tell him, jabbing my finger in his chest to make my point.

Hear that! Now he wants my blood? After he already refused it once and made me that inappropriate proposition that still makes my cheeks burn.

"What did we just agree on, Barbi?" He tsks at me, his tongue clicking against his teeth and drawing my attention once more to his straight, white, beautiful teeth.

"I did not agree to feed you!"

"You agreed to do as I say, and I am informing you that you will be feeding me every day."

I gawk at him.

"Next you will tell me that I am required to sleep with you, too."

"Do not get your hopes up, sweetheart. That I shall not do. Not only will I not risk fulfilling our bond, but I made a vow, and I have no intention of breaking it."

"Get my hopes up? I wouldn't sleep with you for anything in the world," I point out, scandalized. "And stop calling me that. I am not your sweetheart, you blackguard!"

He cannot help himself from being a rude, pompous bastard, can he? Yet with every word, he makes it clear what he thinks of me—our bond was an unfortunate accident and I am only an accessory for him.

"I am sure," he drawls as his mouth curls up in a lopsided smile.

I take a deep, steadying breath.

"I do not care what you think. I do not want to sleep with you, nor do I want to feed you. Find yourself another blood bank. My veins are closed for business—indefinitely."

"I cannot do that. Since we are blood bonded, your blood is the only one that can feed me. Should you fail to feed me, I will slowly waste away as I was when you first met me. But the difference this time is that we share the same life force. If I waste away, so will you."

Suddenly, it dawns on me.

"Oh my God! You are a vampire, aren't you?"

He throws his head back and laughs.

"A vampire," he repeats, shaking his head. "I have heard of those beings, but I am sorry to tell you I am not one."

"Then what are you? Why won't you just tell me?" I sigh in annoyance.

"I come from a realm called Tartareia," he replies. "We used to be called the Sons of Tenebreis, but a lot has changed since the old days. To some, we are gods. To others…" he trails off, his eyes blackening as dark mist surrounds his body. "We are demons."

"Oh," I murmur, slowly taking in the new information.

I am mated. Quite accidentally, if not forcibly. To a god/demon.

You wanted adventure, Barbi. There's nothing more adventurous than being stuck with a god/demon for an eternity.

Lucky fucking me .

"If I satisfied your curiosity, we can now return to the cabin and prepare for the journey ahead of us," he says as he grabs my hand.

The black mist envelops us, raising us off the ground and propelling us in the air.

"I have one more question," I add after a moment's thought.

"Hm?" He hums as he spares me a glance.

"Are you…gay?" I ask on a whisper. "Not judging or anything, just curious."

"Am I…gay?" he repeats, chuckling. "And how did you reach that conclusion, Barbi?"

"You are, aren't you? I knew it," I muse quietly. Now it makes more sense why he hates being mated to me. The fates really did a number on him.

"Is this because I will not consummate our bond?"

"Oh, of course not," I mutter awkwardly, waving my hand around. "But you mentioned a vow and…"

"You do not have to concern yourself with that. Our partnership will work just fine as long as you do not get yourself in trouble. Is that clear?"

I wet my lips as I consider arguing with him again. But what am I going to gain from that?

"Right. Until we find a way to void the bond."

"Precisely." He nods.

And I'm still left wondering if he is into women or not. I guess it doesn't matter now, does it? It's not as if our relationship will become…more. He has his weird vow and I have…well, I have standards.

We fly up the mountain and we reach the entrance of the cabin. From this perspective, I can see that the house has been built into the rock itself, with some of it jutting out to allow for his aerial entrance. A smart way to ensure no one would trespass.

We get in and he locks the door behind. Two loud barks erupt in the small house. PomPom and BonBon rush toward me, happiness etched on their faces as they see me.

"My babies!" I call out, extricating myself from Nykander's hold and opening my arms to receive my two fluffy angels. They whine and lick my face, and I cuddle them in my arms, murmuring sweet endearments.

Nykander grimaces and heads to the closet. He opens it to reveal a few outfits, as well as a couple of dresses similar to the one I'm wearing.

"Take a shower and change. We will leave in a few hours."

I give him a reluctant nod as I pretend to lavish all my attention on the dogs. But my mind still cannot help but focus on the fact that he'd changed my clothes and cleaned my body. As in, he'd likely seen me naked. And based on his vehemence that he wouldn't touch me… Maybe he really isn't into women and I have nothing to worry about. But why do I feel a small seed of disappointment?

"Where did you take the dogs? They weren't here when I woke up."

I give them something to eat while I brush their coats to make sure they don't get any matting. I spotted a toothbrush in the bathroom…

I sneak a glance at Nykander. It's likely his. But he's my mate now so he will have to share, which implicitly means he needs to share with PomPom and BonBon since they need to have their teeth brushed.

"You were sleeping. They were loud," he answers matter-of-factly from the bathroom.

My hand stills on PomPom's beautiful white coat as I churn his words in my mind. He took them somewhere else because they were loud and I was sleeping?

That sounds awfully…nice.

The sound of the water running from the shower fills the small cabin. I glance at the closed door, my cheeks heating up as I imagine him inside…

I need to purge these thoughts out of my head. Especially now that we find ourselves in this predicament.

We're mated.

I thought that only happened in my romance books where a strong male claims his reluctant mate and woos her until she gives in.

My situation, unfortunately, is far removed from that. Nykander is too good-looking for his own good, but he is in no hurry to claim me. And no matter how reluctant I'd like to be, the truth is that I'm yearning for a deep connection like that far too much to not give in under the right circumstances.

All my life I've wanted to belong somewhere.

I never fit my mother's culture and always underperformed for her standards. My father's side of the family wasn't much better, since he married my mother against his family's wishes, which meant that my relationship with my paternal grandparents was always strained.

At school, things weren't different, and making friends became more and more difficult as I grew up. And based on my track record with friends, I'd say it's another failure to add to my résumé.

I was always the odd one out.

The one chance I get at seemingly belonging somewhere turns out to be nothing but a sham—an accidental one at that.

Mated.

I scoff aloud.

In less than a week, I have gone from pink Barbi who did role-play with her PomPom to red-blood Barbi who is stranded in a not-so-fictional world and accidentally mated to a rude and domineering god/demon. But hey, at least now I have not one but two dogs. I should look at the bright side.

The door to the bathroom opens and Nykander strides out. I don't think he realizes his own appeal because he's only wearing a towel draped around his waist. His bare chest is on display, as well as that mark that we now share over our hearts. The striations of his abdomen and protruding biceps make me swallow hard and avert my gaze.

This is not fair! Why couldn't he be an actual ogre so I didn't have to actively lust after him? I wonder if this is a side effect of the mating—the fact that I see him as the most appetizing food.

Yes, this must be it. I can't be that foolish to still want someone who clearly doesn't want me if not for supernatural influences.

"You may have the bathroom. Do not take long," he says as he throws a towel at me.

I barely catch it, sputtering some nonsense. As I walk to the bathroom, I stop to grab one of the dresses too, and I can't stop my mind from going places.

"Whose dresses are these?" I ask as I half turn to watch him.

He's leaning against the wooden wall, the dogs chasing each other playfully at his feet—perhaps hoping for some attention from him. He watches me intently with those icy eyes of his and goose bumps erupt on my body.

"They are yours," he replies.

"Now. But what about before? I don't want to wear another woman's dresses," I say as I cross my arms over my chest.

The corner of his mouth curls up.

"They are new, bought just for you."

"Oh," I murmur. "That is kind of you."

His smile vanishes.

"I am not kind, Barbi. I am practical. Do not mistake my actions for anything but self-interest. You are tied to me now, so I must ensure you are taken care of."

"Right. How foolish of me to have forgotten that." I roll my eyes. "Yet that doesn't explain why you were nice to me before we were bonded. You can't deny that?—"

In a split second, he's in front of me. His scent drifts to my nostrils, soap and that specific scent of his. It gets under my skin as nothing else has ever done. Since I smelled it for the first time in that cell, I haven't been able to take my mind off it.

I gulp down as I slowly raise my gaze to meet his.

"You were a distraction. Nothing more," he enunciates each word. "Your manner reminded me of…someone," he says as he brings a hand to my face, brushing a strand of hair out of my eyes. "I merely allowed myself to live in an illusion for a few moments."

"Who?" I whisper.

A sad smile forms on his lips.

"It does not concern you. Now go."

I stare at him for a moment longer before I slowly retreat, closing the door to the bathroom.