Chapter Nine

CHARLIE

Ava's ceremony had been beautiful— powerful, even— but it'd put the entire palace on edge. I passed by people speaking in hushed whispers on my way to the gardens. We knew the war was out there, but today, it had hit a little too close to home. This war was getting worse, and if I didn't do something to stop it, it wasn't going to end. I needed to become a better demigod and prince, because the fate of the entire world hung on me. I couldn't depend on anyone else to stop this. This was my responsibility, and I was learning every day that there needed to be no limits to what I would do if I was to save these people.

My grandfather was already waiting for me when I arrived at the gardens. His guards remained at a distance to give us privacy. "Please sit beside me, Charlie," he said coolly.

I took a chair beside a patio table. Warm sunlight touched my skin. In the distance, I could hear laughter coming from the palace. It made it easy to forget there was a war going on outside of Ilamanthe, but I knew the darkness that lurked beyond this island.

"What are we going to do?" I asked. "The Mission is gaining power, and it appears the gods are falling. I can't just sit here on my throne in all this sunshine and laughter while people are out there dying."

"You need not worry," he assured me. "Our people are safe here in Ilamanthe. However, you must be told that in the past few days, The Mission has launched an attack against the fae. Our allies gave us this home, and now, we must protect theirs. I'm sending all the Elven soldiers we can spare to Malovia, to protect the fae borders and the residents still living there."

"How can you be sure we're safe here?" I believed my grandfather wanted to keep the Elves safe, but I was more than worried. I was almost petrified with fear that this perfect city couldn't last, and that it would somehow be taken away.

"I would never leave my people in danger," he promised. "We are well-guarded and have soldiers stationed at all times. Doctor Taurus doesn't know we're here, and we intend to keep it that way."

"But he will find us eventually," I said. "He's not going to give up. Once he does, how do we prevent him from destroying the city, like he destroyed Forevermore?"

"I have personally put up preventative wards around the city, to alert us immediately if any demigods besides the ones that are living here enter. The Warden is now a demigod, so we must be notified early if he arrives. We are also much more prepared than we once were. Our army is fortified and strong, and is able to hold the city under heavy attack. We weren't prepared when Forevermore was sieged, and were caught by surprise, but we won't make that same mistake again. I know the Warden has demigods on his side now, but we have demigods too, and I trust that you and your friends will be able to defeat them if the worst happens and we have to go on the offense. That is why I'm teaching you."

"You don't understand. The Warden is incredibly strong. I've seen him in action. Once he finds this place, he'll burn it to the ground," I insisted.

"We don't just have Elves living here, Charlie. We have the fae, who are a formidable supernatural force on their own, able to stand up to angels and vampires, and we also have the witches and the elementals within our ranks. Even if the Warden was to show up here with his army tomorrow, we wouldn't be easily defeated. The Warden won't attack until he is certain he can win, and certainty is a difficult thing for him to attain when Ilamanthe is as strong as it is currently."

"What about the dark gods?" I demanded. "He unleashed them on Earth. We saw him do it at the Institute, and we know they're working for him."

"Ava's vision showed us that the majority of the dark gods are battling the other gods in the spiritual realm," Cassiel pointed out. "Some dark gods roam among us, but you must remember that there is a potential for gods that are on our side to be living on Earth as well, either incarnated or in their true god forms. You think we're outnumbered and overpowered, but if we weren't strong enough to give the Warden a hard time, he would've already eliminated us by now. He can't simply walk in here and destroy everything as he did in Forevermore. We can be just as strong as he is, and with enough time, we can be better. We just need to buy ourselves some."

"I want to help," I said.

"The greatest thing you can do is grow your powers, so that you may assist when the time is right. The demigods here are our greatest asset, but we cannot send you into battle until you are ready."

"I've fought the Warden before," I pointed out.

"And how did that turn out?" he questioned rhetorically.

He was right. I'd faced the Warden multiple times, but we'd never actually defeated him. Now that he had stolen our magic for himself, and had Esther and the other demigods on his side, he had a miniature army that was crafted to kill us.

"This war isn't going to wait around until I'm ready," I insisted. "It could be years until I'm properly trained. How many people are going to die before then?"

"In any war, there are going to be casualties," he replied. "These soldiers know what they signed up for, and it's their job to hold off The Mission until you are ready."

"What about the civilians?" I questioned. "They didn't sign up for this."

"What are you suggesting you do? Go into battle and get yourself killed? What good are you to your people if you're dead? You can't help them. By trying to help, sometimes you hurt people more than you help them. Attempting to stop this now will hurt them in the long run, because if you get hurt, it will set the entire war effort back. A good leader amasses power to strike when the time is right. Don't forget that the Warden has demigods fighting for his side, too. And may I remind you that one of those demigods you haven't beaten in a proper fight yet."

Fucking Deuce. He was always slipping right out from under my fingers. He beat me in fight club, survived the Darke Games, and nearly killed us while we were on the run. One of these days, I was going to send him straight to hell, and I would enjoy every minute of it.

But my grandpa was right. Next time I ran into this guy, I better be sure I could completely obliterate him.

"I guess it's not enough to be the best out there," I said. "I have to be the best anyone's ever been."

"Precisely. You're strong, but you can become even stronger. That's why I've summoned you here today. I'm going to teach you to utilize one of your greatest Elven powers— bond breaking."

I leaned back in my chair. "I'm listening."

"Bond breaking is very powerful magic that can be used for good, but it can also be used to destroy your enemies."

"Breaking a magical bond sounds terrible. How can it be used for good?" I tried to imagine what it'd feel like for my bond with Ava or Oberi to sever, and I couldn't do it. Our souls were one and the same, and breaking our bond would destroy me completely. There'd be nothing left, no point to me existing.

But I supposed, if I thought about it in a strategic sort of way, that was the point— to leave my enemies so broken there was nothing left of them to fight.

"Bonds are incredibly powerful, and most of the time, they help the parties who participate in the bond do better. But sometimes, bonds can be suffocating. In such cases, you must break the bond to allow each party to grow on their own. Take this plant, for example." My grandpa placed a large pot on the table with a heavy thud. "Go ahead."

My fingers roamed over broad leaves, which crumbled at the ends. I reached a flower at the center with hard petals. My Earth magic tingled, but just barely. This plant was dying.

"What is it?" I asked.

"It's a suklune plant. It's a magical plant the Elves have tended for centuries. It contains powerful pain-killing properties that we use in our medicine. However, one must take special care tending them, because they're actually two plants in one."

I ran my fingers over the tough flower again and realized it wasn't really a flower. It was an entire plant that was separate from the first— some sort of succulent.

"These plants share a magical bond that allows them to grow together through a symbiotic relationship. It is only together that they produce their pain-killing properties, which in turn promotes a harvest that allows the plants to reproduce effectively."

"Each plant is so different," I remarked as I felt along the leaves. "Yet my magic can't tell the difference between them."

"Yes, because bonded, they're technically one being," my grandfather confirmed. "The broad leaf portion of the suklune plant comes from marshes, while the succulent grows in deserts. The leaves are good at pulling water from the soil, which nourishes the succulent. The succulent can store the water. Together, they may withstand a variety of environments. Traditionally, both of these plants would benefit from one another, but in this case, the succulent is overtaking the leaves."

I noted that the succulent felt firm and healthy, while the leaves were crusty and breaking off.

"They can no longer survive in the same soil. For both to live, the magical bond must be broken, so that they can grow separately."

My chest felt heavy. I knew it was just a plant, but it made me really sad to think about breaking them apart. "So all we have to do is break the bond and replant them?"

"You must take special care. Once separated, they must return to their respective environments to survive. They can either live together or live apart. There is no in-between."

"So I can use this against my enemies to divide them from the people they love? Not just the people they love, but the people who make them… them. I can destroy their spirits." I shuddered, because it was a big responsibility— a choice I hesitated to make, even on someone as evil as the Warden.

"Yes," my grandfather confirmed. "If your enemy happens to be magically bound, and you can get close enough to them to break the bond, a decision such as this can win you a war. But you must understand how powerful this magic can be. Once you break a bond, there is nothing but the power of the gods that can restore it. This type of magic can save your people, or ruin you. I've seen Elves lose their temper and break bonds they can never restore, even accidentally break their own. You have a bond yourself, and you must tend to it with care."

"I would never break my bond with Ava or Oberi," I snapped. "I don't care how angry I get. That's never happening."

"Hold on to that promise," he urged. "I've broken very few bonds in my time, yet there are several I deeply regret. The only reason I'm teaching you this is because it might be necessary to use it against your enemies. One day, you might run across a magical being that is so powerful, the only way for you to stop it is to break a bond they hold."

"You mean… I could potentially take away someone's casting abilities if I severed their bond?" I asked.

"Yes. Bonds hold magic, and sometimes, if one piece of a bond is cut off from their partner, they will lose access to their powers entirely," he instructed. "Though this isn't always the case. For example, if a fae's bond is broken with their mate, both parties will still retain their own magic, because their power comes from Edinmyre, and that's a channel they can still access without use of the bond."

"They might still be able to fight, but the loss would be crippling. They'd lose the will to keep going," I said.

"Precisely. But as you know, if a Familiar dies, so does an Elementai. And if you were to break an Elementai's bond with a Familiar, the elemental would lose their magic."

"Wouldn't the Elementai die, then, without the bond to hold them here?"

"It would be a possibility, but in this circumstance, we're considering splitting a soul," my grandfather said. "It would be more likely the Elementai themselves would remain alive, but be unable to cast or communicate with their Familiar. The body would remain, but the spirit would be separated."

I felt sick just thinking about it. I nearly wanted to run back to my room, clutch Oberi to my chest and never let her go. "It wouldn't be much of an existence."

"No. It would be a cursed life. Which is why you must understand how absolutely cataclysmic this ability to break bonds is. It's not a power to use lightly. In some circumstances, you're playing the role of the gods. Which is why I beg you to use it only when absolutely necessary."

The Warden may not be magically bound to anyone, but I was sure as hell some of his followers were. We needed every advantage we could get.

"I want to be powerful," I stated. "Teach me."

My grandfather sounded more than proud. "First, you must find the bond and draw it out. Observe the plant, and use your powers to explore the magic inside of it. It will feel like a rope, tethering one bonded partner to the other. Gently draw back your magic, pulling that bond to the surface."

I did as I was told, tangling my magic within its leaves. I could feel every leaf and every pulse of water through its vascular system. The plant seemed to breathe, and I could sense it as if it were my own body… but I didn't feel any magical tether. Beneath my fingers, the withering leaves began to grow stronger. But it lasted for only a moment before the succulent took the energy for its own. The leaves withered once more. I realized I was inadvertently using my Earth magic on them.

I drew back my elemental powers and focused on my Elf magic. Illusion magic tingled through my fingers. I pulled back on that and tried to find an energy signature within my body I'd never used before.

My grandfather waited silently. Minutes must've passed as I meditated, quieting my body and mind so that I could tune into my magic. My mind brushed up against something centered in my heart. It was a smooth magic I hadn't ever noticed before, but it was powerful, too— waiting dormant until I was ready to give it purpose.

I drew the magic to the surface and funneled it into the plant. To my amazement, I quickly found the tether that my grandfather described. My magic curled around it as surely as if I had touched it with my fingers. I dragged my magic back, pulling the bond with it.

I gasped as an ethereal strand took shape in my vision. I could see the bond tying these plants together, because it was a spiritual connection, and I didn't need my eyes to observe it, just my soul.

"I've got it," I announced.

"Good," my grandpa encouraged. "Now, wrap your magic around either end of the bond, and pull."

Mentally, I curled my magic around the string, and I yanked in either direction. The bond fought against me, as if I were stretching a rubber band. I pulled harder…

Snap!

The magical tether broke, and the thread withered from my view. My breath hitched as all my magic came rushing back into me.

"I did it!" I cried. "It wasn't that hard, either."

"You are a strong Elf, Charlie. Now that you understand the process, I'm certain you'll learn to break any bond you please. Observe your work." My grandfather pulled the plants apart and slid the pot toward me. He'd removed the succulent portion, and only the leafy part remained.

"It's okay now," I told the plant.

I infused my Earth magic through the pot, and the leaves became strong and healthy once more. I ran my fingers over the ends of the leaves, and the dry, crusted parts had vanished. I noticed the soil was dry, so I carried the plant over to the fountain to give it a drink.

Water droplets rolled off the dirt. The soil couldn't hold the water the plant needed. Carefully, I uprooted the plant and dumped the dirt out. I combined my Earth magic with illusion powers to conjure the damp soil the plant craved. I replanted it and watered it, until it seemed perfectly at ease in its new environment.

I returned to the table and realized my grandfather was still holding the succulent. I formed a pot of sand with my illusion magic. "Put him in here."

I pulled a bit of sand aside, and my grandfather placed the plant in the hole. Now both plants were potted and thriving.

"What should we do with them?" I asked.

"You can keep them, if you'd like," my grandfather offered. "I'm sure your little Sprigs would appreciate the variety."

He really would like it. The rest of the afternoon, my grandfather brought me more suklune plants that were overgrown, and I practiced breaking their bonds and regrowing the separated plants in different pots. By the time evening rolled around, I figured I was getting the hang of it. It was a simple process to break a bond… which bothered me, because something so powerful and sacred shouldn't be so fragile.

But I supposed that was one of the things that made a magical connection so special. One mistake, even something you didn't intend, could upset the balance and ruin things. I knew how strong a bond between two life forces could be, but I had a newfound respect for them after learning how easily they could break.

When the air had developed a slight chill from the setting sun, I felt Oberi approach. She perched on my shoulder and said, Ava's awake. I think she needs you.

It felt good to be needed. I stroked her feathers and fed her a blackberry I picked off a branch. "You're a good girl, Oberi."

Why are you being so nice? she asked suspiciously, though she gobbled up the blackberry and nudged me for more.

"Just… trying to appreciate what I have."

I said goodnight to my grandfather, and we returned to our quarters. I placed the succulent in the window where it would get plenty of sunlight, then gave the leafy plant a home in the corner of the room. Sprigs was excited about the new plants, and I heard him singing to them softly in a squeaky tone.

When I entered the bedroom, I found Ava at the vanity.

"Ow," Ava complained as the brush caught in her hair, making a ripping sound. "Dammit. My hair's all messed up. I slept on it wrong."

"Here, let me help," I offered. I took the brush from her hands, while Oberi flew over to sit on her armrest.

"How did things go with your grandpa?" Ava questioned before I had a chance to ask how she'd slept.

I worked a tangle out of her hair. "Good. He taught me about bond breaking."

"Oh?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah. It's an Elvish thing only the strongest can do."

"I'm sure you pulled it off no problem— ow!" Ava cried as the brush snagged.

"Sorry, pidge." I ran the brush through her hair again, slower this time.

"Don't be sorry. Do it again."

I furrowed my brow. "Like… this?"

The brush caught the knot in her hair again, so hard that her wheelchair pulled in my direction. I worried that I'd hurt her.

"Yeah. Just like that," she practically sang.

"Oh," I teased. I suddenly wasn't worried anymore. I yanked on the brush again, and she let out a moan of pleasure.

"I like it when you pull on my hair," she breathed.

"I like it when you moan."

Dear ancestors, Oberi groaned. I do not want to see where this is going. I'm going to heal some people at the hospital. I'll be of more use there, I'm sure.

Oberi sounded sarcastic, but I knew she was being serious. She spread her wings and flew out the window, leaving my wife and me in privacy.

I barely hear Oberi's retreating wing beats, because my attention was laser-focused on Ava. My pulse quickened as I leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You like that?"

I pulled the brush again, and she gasped as I yanked her head close to my chest.

"Harder," she begged.

Her wanting drove me insane, and my cock hardened. Memories of this morning flickered through my mind— all the things I wanted to do to her and never got the chance to follow through on. I'd been thinking about it all day, to be honest.

I ran the brush through her hair with one hand, then took the other and tangled it in the strands on the side of her head. I tugged lightly, before drawing my lips over the sensitive area behind her ear. "You want it like this?"

She moaned again, and that was a good enough answer for me. I set the brush aside. I leaned over her from behind. My fingers trailed her legs, which had warmed several degrees. I dipped my fingers between her thighs and was pleased to find she wasn't wearing any panties. She hardly did these days. She said it was more comfortable in the chair, but sometimes it was damn hard not to slip my hands up her dress at the dinner table. I'd had the thought that she liked doing it just to drive me wild.

I pulled her dress up over her head, then tossed it aside so she was bare. Without a word, she reached up and grabbed the tie around my neck. She wrapped it around her wrist a few times, before clutching it tight with her fingers and dragging me closer.

"I bet you can't break this bond," she teased.

I couldn't help it when a sigh of pleasure escaped my lips. My craving for her intensified. I wanted to taste her sweetness all over again, and to bury myself deep inside of her and make her come until she was screaming my name. "The anticipation from this morning must've been killing you all day."

She dragged me closer, then leaned her head back and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. "I need you to quiet my mind."

"I can do that, my love."

I came around the side of her chair, though she never loosened her grip on my tie. I scooped her into my arms and led her through the mirror into our Sanctuary. Ava shivered with longing as I placed her on the bed. I loosened my tie, and she eagerly offered me her wrists. Slowly, to make every moment count, I curled the tie around her wrists and secured them with a knot. I'd left just enough fabric to tie the end to the headboard.

Ava lay with her hands above her head, breathing heavily like she yearned for my touch. "Ancestors, Charlie, you look so fucking hot in that suit."

I slipped my suit jacket off and hung it on a hook near the bed, then slowly started unbuttoning my shirt. "It makes me feel powerful out there— makes me feel like I'm in charge. But I like it better in here with you, where the real me can come out in the bedroom."

I pulled the shirt off, and Ava gave a light gasp at the sight of me. Desperate longing passed through the bond, sending a thrill straight down to my cock.

I undressed, then knelt on the bed over top of her. Ava wiggled, like she was trying to touch me, but she couldn't when she was bound.

I wanted her so fucking badly. I parted her legs, then gently ran my fingers over her warm silkiness. She didn't react, and I worried she couldn't feel it. I pressed against her clit the same time I sent a light breeze to tickle her skin. Ava arched off the bed and gave a tiny moan. The sound drove me insane.

I ducked my head to brush my lips across her nipples. They were hard in anticipation. I sucked one into my mouth, and Ava breathed a wavered breath.

I want more, she begged, writhing on the bed.

I slid my fingers deep inside of her while I worked her nipple with my tongue. I bit down ever so slightly, and a wave of pleasure crossed through the bond.

I want you to fuck me, she requested.

I chuckled. "I want this to last."

"So make me come six times. I don't care," she moaned. "I thought you were hungry for me."

I smirked. "Love, I'm starving."

I resituated until I knelt between her legs. Slowly, I trailed kisses down her body, letting my breath tease her inch by inch. The bed squeaked as she yanked against the tie, anxious for her release.

I couldn't hold back my need for her any longer. I sank lower, until my head was between her legs and my tongue was circling her clit. My fingers moved in and out of her, stroking her pleasure centers with intent and precision. It had taken us a long time after her injury to find our rhythm, but now that we had, it was magical.

I worked her clit long and hard, until passion swelled across our bond. My fingers were starting to tire, and the muscles in my neck ached, but I didn't care how long it took to get her off, because every moment was worth it. Ava reached her peak, and her moans filled the room. Tingles spread up and down my arms, and the mattress beneath us seemed to turn to water for a moment as we both melted into it.

The wave of pleasure passed, and the bed became solid again.

"Do that again," Ava begged with a blissful sigh.

"Shh…" I warned, placing a wet finger to her lips. Ava sucked the finger into her mouth, and ancestors, I nearly lost it right there. I had to force myself off of her. "Give me a moment."

Ava snickered in delight. She could tell there was a surprise coming. We both liked to try new things, but there was something I'd been dying to try for a long time. I really liked surprising her like this, giving us new things to experiment with. It kept things interesting, and Ava was always open to whatever I came up with. She was my good girl.

I went over to the dresser, where we kept our toys laid neatly in a row. Ava wasn't allowed to open it, because I didn't want her to see all the fun things I had planned. I felt around until I found a toy made of two silicone rings with a small mechanical device attached to one end. I grabbed a bottle of lube and returned to the bed.

Ava gasped when she saw the toy. "Is that a cock ring? Ooh, I've been wanting to try one forever."

"Me, too," I admitted. "It's supposed to make me last longer."

"Is it? I don't know how it works."

"Well, sometimes it's hard for you to come, so I want to try and last until you do," I admitted.

"Charlie…" Her tone softened, and nearly broke. "You were thinking of me."

"Of course. Always."

"Accessibility is sexy," Ava gushed. "I bet we can fuck forever with that thing on."

"That's the idea."

I was already hard, and the inner ring wasn't very big, so I knew it wasn't going to slip on easily. I covered my cock with lube, then slipped one ring over my length, then stretched the outer ring around my balls.

"How does it feel?" she asked.

I winced. "A bit tight. I think I was supposed to put it on before I got hard, but you're just so damn hot. It should still work."

The cock ring had a small device that sat at the base of my dick to stimulate Ava's clit. I knelt between her legs again, then pressed the button on the side of the device. Ava let out a gleeful laugh as the soft vibration sounds filled the room. Her laughter was the best sound in the world.

Wanting flared through my veins, and I couldn't tease her any longer. I slid inside of her, taking in every sensation as her warmness enveloped me. Euphoria passed between our bond, and the room spun around us. I thrust into her harder, and she moaned loudly.

I was a fool to think I could keep this slow. I could no longer hold back my desire, and I slammed into her. With each thrust, she let out a moan. I had to brace myself against the headboard as I filled her up again and again.

The cock ring made me last longer than I thought was possible. It was passionate and rough— everything both of us desired.

Right there, Ava begged as I came close to my peak.

I thrust one more time, then buried my cock deep inside of her as I pressed the ring's vibrator to her clit.

"Charlie," Ava gasped, before tumbling into another orgasm. The exhilaration of orgasm kicked back through the bond, until I felt what she felt throughout my entire body.

Surprisingly, though, I didn't come. I smirked. This cock ring was quickly becoming my favorite toy.

This time, the high of orgasm didn't settle. Instead, something broke free inside of us, and I went mad for her touch. My lips crushed to hers, and her tongue slid inside of my mouth as I moved inside of her. I tangled my hands in her hair and tugged, and she responded by biting down hard on my lip. An intoxicating fervor overcame us as we made out. My lips moved down her neck, then back up to her mouth, where I could tell she desperately wanted me.

Ava drew away, gasping. "Talk dirty to me in Elvish."

"Oh. Um…" I'd been taking Elvish lessons, but I hadn't picked up on that much yet.

"Do it," she begged.

She could ask me for anything right now, and I'd be a slave to do it. I tried my best. "Uh.... tiya kopala seksona sofine?"

Ava snickered.

What are you doing? Oberi's thoughts cut through the bond.

I'm talking to my wife. Go away.

I tried to shove Oberi out, but she responded dryly, You just called your wife a sexy sofa.

Ava burst into laughter. "You can be my sexy sofa, Charlie. I'll sit on your face."

"Maybe later."

I slammed Oberi's side to our bond shut, leaving Ava's wide open and surging with passion. Sweat began to drip down my chest the longer I moved inside of her. I could have slowed down, but she was so damn sexy I'd thoroughly lost control. I sought a much anticipated release.

It could have been fifteen minutes or a whole hour— I wasn't really keeping track of time. All I knew was there was no better place in the world than deep inside my pidge.

Ava's passion built up again, and her nails clawed into my back. "Fuck," she rasped.

Her cry was my undoing. The room seemed to flip on its head as an intoxicating sensation burst through our bond and down my entire body. My cock contracted, filling her up as I curled my body close to her. Ava became tight as she spiraled into the orgasm alongside me.

I fell to the bed, panting. In my delirious state, I forgot that the cock ring was still vibrating. The world seemed to settle around me, and I realized how uncomfortable it had become. It was really tight and almost hurt. I pressed the button to turn it off, then slipped it down my length.

"You went for a really long time," Ava remarked breathlessly.

I smiled. "You want to go again?"

She sighed happily. "I thought you promised me I'd come six times."

I beamed. "Six times it is, my love."

Ava and I went at it until our bodies couldn't do it any longer. It must've been really late by the time we finished, though I wasn't exactly keeping track of time. I cleaned up while Ava rested on the bed, then I carried her back through the mirror and into our bedroom. I threw on a t-shirt and a pair of sweats, then left the room to get her glass of water. It was pretty late by this point.

"Aw. We missed dinner," Ava said, checking the clock.

I snickered. "I didn't."

She slapped my arm. I stepped out for a moment and asked a servant to bring us something from the kitchens to eat.

I was hungry, because I'd just put in a lot of work. I ate an entire slab of ribs, while Ava nibbled at a fruit salad. When I was done eating, I fed her strawberries while she sat on my lap. I felt her contentment across our bond, and I knew neither of us would ever want to be anywhere else.

She was nearly half asleep once we'd finished dinner. I helped her into the bathtub, and we washed up together while I gave her an entire body massage.

"I don't know why I'm still so tired. I slept most of the day, and you did everything during sex." She sighed as I lifted her out of the tub, and I set her in a chair so I could wrap her in a towel. She had learned to do a lot of this stuff by herself since she'd gotten injured, but I didn't let her do it most of the time, because I liked doing it for her and she liked being taken care of.

"The ceremony this morning took a lot out of you. I could feel it draining you across our bond when you were experiencing the vision," I said. "It's okay to rest. We'll get back to normal life tomorrow."

She nodded, because she was too tired to give much more of a response.

I pulled a nightgown over her head, then rubbed lotion over her wrists to treat the fabric burns from the tie. The cream was infused with special healing herbs. Eddie suggested it after he'd seen the marks one day. I hadn't realized I'd been leaving any behind, and I wasn't thrilled at the idea. Ava seemed to like them and wore them as a badge of honor, but I'd insisted all marks remain in non-visible places and that we didn't get too rough. It was non-negotiable.

Once I put her down, Ava sank deep into the bed, and her breathing rate slowed as she drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

I was crawling into bed when a light knock came at the door. Ava gave a soft sigh as I pulled the blanket up around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. She completely relaxed as I tucked her in. I crossed our suite to answer the door, hoping this didn't take too long. I wanted to get back to bed.

"Hey, Charlie," Kallie greeted in a small voice. "I came to talk."

She barely sounded like herself. It was obvious something was really bothering her. I could hear the whizz of Alette's small wings hovering slightly above Kallie's shoulder. The faekin let out a few tiny noises that sounded deeply upset, and I knew she was concerned for her sorceress.

"Sorry. Ava's already in bed," I started. I didn't want to disturb her.

"I don't want to talk to Ava," Kallie stopped me. "I came to talk to you."

My brow furrowed. "Me?"

"I need advice… about Marcus," she admitted.

I leaned against the doorway. "You're upset he wasn't at the ceremony."

Kallie sighed. "That's part of it… but it's more than that."

"How can I help?"

Kallie hesitated, like she had a hard time talking about it. "You almost lost Ava, but when the time came, you were ready to let her go. I need advice from someone who's been where I'm standing. Ava's my best friend, but if I talk to her, she's going to convince me to keep holding on… and I don't know if I can do that anymore. I know you'll be straightforward with me and tell me how it is. Not how I want it to be."

Holy shit, this was really serious. I wasn't sure how much I could help Kallie, but she obviously needed a friend right now.

"Let's take a walk," I suggested. I put on some shoes and shut the door quietly. Kallie followed me out of my quarters and down the empty hall. "You're talking about breaking up with Marcus?"

Kallie scoffed. "Breaking up? We're not really dating. And that's just it. I can't keep going back and forth with him. He says he wants to be with me, but he won't make the commitment."

I shoved my hands into my pockets. I wished I had some insight to help Kallie, but I couldn't say I understood Marcus. I knew if I were in his position, I wouldn't think twice about committing to the woman I loved. And I knew he loved Kallie— without a doubt. So I wasn't sure why he kept holding back.

Still, I tried to comfort my friend. "I'm sure he'll come around."

I flinched as soon as I said it, because I knew it wasn't the right thing to say.

"People keep saying that, but the longer this goes on, the less hope I have," Kallie admitted. "Danny was right when he said I need to make a decision. And I don't think I can until someone hears me out."

We stepped onto a large balcony. The air was cool outside, and the city was quiet.

Kallie leaned against the banister. "I figure I can either stay and let Marcus string me along, or I can leave and have my heart broken. Either way, it's really fucking hard. I just want to understand why you didn't walk away from Ava. She's put you through so much."

I shrugged as I came up beside her. "Even when things are hard, I know we'll get through it. Things keep getting better between us, because we're both committed to growing together. Even when we were having problems, Ava was willing to put in the work. Do you think that's something Marcus will do?"

Kallie didn't answer right away, like she was mulling over the idea. "I want him to, and that's what's kept me holding on this long. But I haven't seen any progress."

"The way I see it, you've got two choices— leave, or stay. Both options are going to be painful, but one of them is going to hurt less. I don't know which one that is for you. You need to make that decision for yourself."

"It doesn't feel like I have a choice." Kallie's voice broke. "Even if I walk away, Marcus and I are still magically bound together. I just feel…"

Kallie sniffled. It was so quiet up here on the balcony that when her breath caught, it seemed to shatter the air around us.

Kallie was crying, which was a big fucking deal, because she only ever cried when things got really bad. Out of all the terrible shit we'd been through together as friends, I'd only witnessed her break down twice— once when we found out Marcus had joined a prison gang, the other when Ava was fighting for her life in the hospital. Kallie always held it together— always kept her guard up and presented a rock-hard exterior. For her to cry meant she was already beyond her breaking point.

Kallie turned away from me. "I just look up at the stars and realize how fucking massive this universe is, and I feel so alone. Marcus is supposed to be my person, but I'm so lonely."

She broke into full sobs that racked her whole body. "I've tried to… break our bond, but I'm… not strong enough to go through with it. I don't want to let him go… but I know I have to. Because if I don't, this connection is going to kill me."

My heart broke for her. I was really rooting for Marcus and Kallie, but this wasn't my decision. If Kallie didn't want to be in this relationship anymore, she shouldn't be bound by the magic of their bond to stay. It wasn't fair.

"Elves can break bonds, too," I told her. "My grandpa taught me how. If this is really what you want, I can help you."

Kallie grabbed my arm so hard that I thought it might bruise. "Will you? Because I can't do this alone. I need you to support me."

"What about Marcus?" I asked. This could destroy him.

Kallie dropped my arm. "What about me? Everyone's always concerned about Marcus and how fragile he is, but nobody asks what I want. This relationship isn't all about him. I'm a part of it, too, and if I don't want to be anymore, then I shouldn't be forced to!"

I frowned. "You're right. It's not fair."

"Not even close," Kallie bit. "Believe me, I've thought about the consequences a million times. The last thing I want to do is hurt Marcus, but I don't think it's fair for me to stay in a situation that's hurting both of us. I can't be in a relationship with someone who isn't there for himself, let alone there for me. I'm terrified Marcus is going to hurt himself one day, and I can't be there to wonder if it's my fault."

"Do you really think he would?" I knew Marcus had attempted to take his own life before, but I assumed he was past that.

"I'm not talking about suicide, Charlie." Kallie's voice grew heavier than before. "There's a reason he has so many tattoos on his arms. I've gotten close enough to see what he's covering up."

My heart plummeted to the bottom of my abdomen. I hadn't realized. "Has he stopped?"

"He swore to me he hasn't done it since he got to the Institute, but who knows. I'm worried if we get into another blowout argument, it could start up again. And I'm really tired of having these fights. We never resolve anything, we just go in circles. It's the same issues over and over."

"If it does happen, it's not your fault, Kallie. He's always been in a really dark place."

"It is if I don't make a decision to change things between us, instead of dragging it out. I want to help him more than anything, but I only feel like I'm making it worse. I think it'd be better for both of us if I'm not around. I just want us both to stop hurting."

Kallie was begging me, and her vulnerability made me want to shred her bond right there on the spot. I knew her relationship with Marcus wasn't great, but I hadn't realized how bad it truly was.

"What does the future look like if I break your bond?" I asked. "Because if we do this, it's permanent. It's not something you can take back, or something I can fix once it's gone."

Kallie took a moment to catch her breath. "I still have a duty to fulfill. I'll save the world with you guys, but once that's over, I can't talk to Marcus anymore. It's too painful to be reminded of how much I love him. I'll have to move on and go live a different life, and I can never see him again. So tell me, Charlie. Is this the right decision?"

A lump formed in my throat so large, I could barely speak past it. "If you're looking for me to talk you out of it, I can't do that. Because one way or another, you've already made up your mind. You just have to admit to yourself what you really want."

I wasn't sure which side she'd chosen, to be honest, but I had my suspicions. If Kallie had her way, she'd have broken her bond by now. I knew fae had the ability to sever their own mating bonds, and Kallie had tried, but she was too attached to Marcus to go through with it. That's why she needed me to do it for her.

It was overwhelming to consider. The Villain's Club wouldn't be much of a club without Kallie and Marcus. We'd never hang out as a group again. I knew once this happened, the four of us would never get to connect as friends like we had before. If I did this, it would create a broken family. I couldn't imagine the weight Kallie took on in making this decision.

But it was her decision, and as much as I didn't like it, I had to respect it. I just wished they could work this out, because following through on this would be life-altering— hell, it was a soul-altering decision.

"You should talk to Marcus," I encouraged. "Give him one last chance to convince you to work this out, and if you still mean it after you talk, I'll break your bond."

"That's it?" Kallie asked. "One conversation, then you'll break it?"

I nodded. "One conversation. Then you make the call."

"I just want this to be over," Kallie insisted. "I'm texting Marcus so we can do this right now."

I heard her furiously typing on her phone. Kallie paced around the balcony as we waited for Marcus to get her message and meet us here.

It was only a few minutes before his footsteps approached.

"What's so urgent?" Marcus asked. He'd come so quickly it appeared he'd left Rishi behind in his room. I had no idea what the text had said, but it'd made him move.

"You might want to sit down," I told him. Kallie and Marcus took a seat at a patio table overlooking the city, while I remained standing.

Marcus' voice raised a pitch. "You guys are freaking me out. Where's Ava?"

"Sleeping." I crossed my arms. "This is between you and Kallie. She has some things she'd like to say to you."

Marcus' chair squeaked as he shifted uncomfortably. "I'm listening."

Kallie drew a deep breath, but her voice wavered. "I'm thinking that maybe… maybe we should…"

She trailed off, then turned to me. "Charlie?"

The desperation in her voice was heartbreaking. She couldn't do this on her own, and that said a damn lot for a girl like Kallie.

"My grandfather taught me how to break bonds," I blurted.

"Uh, okay…" Marcus sounded confused— until it hit him. "Wait. You mean… you want to break our bond? You can't do that, Charlie!"

"It's not my decision," I stated coolly.

Marcus huffed. "What is this, some sort of threat? An intervention?"

"No," Kallie insisted. "I just can't keep doing this anymore."

"So you're just going to give up on me?" he demanded.

"You say that like I want to!" Kallie shouted. "Marcus, all I want is for us to get along. I want to secure our bond. I want us to be together, and it's killing me that we aren't. If you can't do that, fine, I'll respect your decision. But you need to respect my decision to walk away, because I can't stay here and love you if I can't love you fully."

Marcus surprisingly kept his cool. "You're giving me an ultimatum. You're threatening me so I'll behave."

"If I have to do that, clearly you're misbehaving!" Kallie snapped. "This isn't some empty threat. I need to know where this is going, and if you can't make a decision, I'm done trying to beat an answer out of you."

Marcus sat there in silence for a few beats. "I don't believe you. You're not going anywhere."

His words hit me heavy, so I couldn't imagine how they must've affected Kallie.

"Oh my gods," Kallie said in realization. "Is that why you're doing this? You're stringing me along because you know I'll never leave? That's abusive as fuck, Marcus!"

He blew a breath. "Wow. That's a strong word. I would never?—"

Kallie slammed her hands on the table and shot to her feet. "I don't care what you think you're doing. I'm telling you that I'm hurt, and you don't seem to care!"

"Of course I care!" Marcus insisted.

"Then why don't you want to be with me?!" Kallie screamed.

"You think that's why I won't secure our bond— because I don't want it?" Marcus raged.

"It sure as fuck feels like it, because why else would you avoid it this long?" Kallie demanded. "There's no reason why we can't be together! Nothing is stopping us but you!"

The air shifted around us, and magic tingled up and down my arms. A glowing rope appeared in my vision, and I realized the heat of their argument had brought their bond energy to the surface, where I could see the spiritual tethers tying them to one another.

The rope was so thick I didn't think I'd be able to wrap my hands around it if it were solid. An ethereal glow pulsed back and forth between them as passion surged across their bond.

"I want you to have the world," Marcus said.

"All I want is you!" Kallie shot back.

"You're not going to have any options if you're stuck with me!" Marcus shouted. "Once we secure our bond, that's it. This is all you're ever going to get. I'm a sorry excuse for a mate, and I don't deserve you."

"What's going on?" Ava's voice cut across the balcony. We all turned as she wheeled outside beside us. Her voice sounded groggy, like she was still trying to wake up. "I could hear you guys screaming from our room."

Kallie plopped back down into her chair. "We're just having a friendly chat."

"Kallie wants to break our bond!" Marcus cried.

I felt my wife's panic flicker across our connection. Ava's tone turned sympathetic. "You can't do that. Kallie, I know you're hurting, but you two can work this out."

"I know you think that because Charlie would never give up on you, but Marcus has already given up on me," Kallie said sadly. "He did a long time ago."

"You're the one giving up," Marcus sneered.

"Marcus, you aren't even trying," Kallie stated firmly. "We haven't made any progress in our relationship— and don't act like fooling around is progress. If anything, it hurts even more. Do you understand how fucking shitty it feels to be intimate with you, then just gather my shit and leave instead of staying the night? You didn't even say anything the last time. After it was done, you just let me walk out!"

"For fuck's sake, Kallie, it's not like we've slept together!"

"I don't care if we haven't had sex. By this point, we've done everything else, and it still means something."

Marcus let out a scathing sound of disgust. "Well, you fucked Scarlet, so I guess you would know."

"How dare you throw that in my face. We weren't together, so I don't know why you're upset."

"Because we're mates! I'm still pissed you did that."

"We're supposed to be mates, but we aren't, so why does it matter who I sleep with?"

Kallie wasn't even yelling at him anymore. She was too upset to do much of anything but protest and cry.

Ava grabbed my hand, her unease growing through our bond. This was hard to watch for both of us, but we had to let them have it out.

Marcus sighed. "I just don't get why you want to be with me."

"Because I love you," Kallie urged. "I love the way you express yourself through art. I admire that about you, because I can't express myself the way you can. I have to be so tough all the time, because that's what the world expects from me, but you're such a gentle person. You soften me up."

I could understand that. It was one of the reasons Ava and I worked so well together. I was a guy who had a pretty cold exterior, but Ava could melt me with just one touch. When I was with her, I could just be me. I knew Marcus was that for Kallie.

"You teach me how to see things from a compassionate perspective when I'm being too hard-headed," Kallie continued. "Nobody gets me like you do. Being at the Institute was hard, and there were times when you were the only thing holding me together. But ever since we broke out, it's like you're the one tearing me apart. Sometimes I wish we'd stayed there, because at least things wouldn't be different now."

"They're not all that different," Marcus muttered.

"And that's a problem!" Kallie insisted. "They should be different. We should be a couple. When things are good, Marcus, they're really fucking good. You surprise me with gifts, and even though we're not technically dating, you take me on the best dates. And when you go down on me… holy hell. It's moments like that when I know you really care. Sometimes, things will be really good between us, and I'll think everything is perfect."

She blew out a breath. "But gods, when it's bad, it's fucking awful. We'll have these big heated moments where you think I'm going to leave, and I promise you I won't, but I can't seem to convince you otherwise. You won't let me in, no matter how hard I try to help you. I'm just so sick of having this fight. It's really easy to see who you care about, because you're always there for them. I love how much you care about people, yet when it comes to me… you either care too much, or not at all."

"I care more than you know," Marcus said harshly. He wasn't being kind; he was being defensive.

"If you care so much, then show me," Kallie begged. "I love you so damn much, but I'm terrified you can't say the same, because it seems you only want me around to torture yourself."

Ava's grip tightened on my hand, and the tension in the air grew. We were both terrified of where this argument might end, and yet nothing we could do could stop what needed to be said.

"Maybe I am tortured," Marcus spat. "The view you have of me is false. I'm not this kind, noble guy you talk about. I'm just Marcus Taylor— some nobody theater geek who was smoking weed in his bedroom while you were being a princess by day and assassin by night. Before you got to the Institute, you were making the world a better place. I've done nothing with my life. One day you're going to wake up and realize that. Eventually you're going to get sick of me, and someone better will come along. It's easier to prepare myself for the disappointment."

I understood feeling inadequate, but Kallie was right. Whether Marcus realized it or not, he was doing this to punish himself, and he'd let that consume him to the point where he was only thinking about how to protect his feelings. Kallie desperately wanted to be with him, and he couldn't see that's what would make her happy. He was afraid to be happy with her, so he deliberately made them both miserable by pushing her away.

I'd made the choice to let Ava go because I loved her. Marcus wanted to keep Kallie in this limbo state where he could claim her as his own without ever having to take responsibility. That wasn't a relationship. It was a prison.

Kallie blew a breath in disbelief. "I'm so tired of being your fucking idol. I'm not some god to be worshiped; I'm just a woman who wants to be loved! You're not preparing yourself for disappointment, Marcus. You're already disappointed— constantly! You're making it worse by expecting the worst. It shouldn't matter if you lose me. What matters is if we're together now. You're so afraid of losing me in the future that you don't even want to try. You need me, but you're not willing to give me what I need."

The passion surging between their bond grew in intensity. Magic pulsed back and forth across their spiritual tether so fast that it was making me dizzy.

You aren't really going to break their bond, are you? Ava worried telepathically.

My stomach hollowed. I don't want to, but it isn't my decision. It's Kallie's. And this isn't fair to her. She doesn't consent to being in this relationship against her will, and I'm not going to violate that.

Ava understood deeply. So deeply, she didn't object further.

"Because I'm just so inadequate, aren't I?" Marcus sneered. "No matter what I do, I'm always going to be living in your shadow."

"You're being a coward," Kallie spat.

That really pissed Marcus off. "Forgive me if I know what it's like to lose someone! No matter how much I love you, I'm not a safe choice. So let's just keep what we have going, without putting any labels or obligations on it, and enjoy ourselves for whatever time we have left."

Marcus wanted to remain in the comfort of his despair more than he wished for Kallie to have peace. He didn't care if she was suffering, as long as she didn't leave him.

If that's how he was going to treat her, I didn't think they should be in a relationship at all. My job was to provide whatever Ava needed, even if there was a price I had to pay for it. And Marcus' complete refusal to make himself even the slightest bit uncomfortable so Kallie felt secure angered me. Greatly.

Kallie sighed in defeat. "You don't get it. Our time is up. I know you went through something hard, but you've deliberately made this harder for us. And you know what I think? I think you know exactly what it's like to lose someone, and you're okay with that. What you're really afraid of is that someone might actually want to stay, because you can't handle things going right. So maybe I should give you what you really want, and we'll both get our way. I'm sick of having this argument. This is the last time I'm having it. If this is how things are going to be, I can't be happy with you. We could have been happy together, but not anymore."

Ava's heartbreak filled our bond. We both knew where this was going, but Kallie had made her decision. We couldn't stop her now even if we tried.

"You're really going to walk away?" Marcus demanded. "Go ahead, but it's not going to mean anything. I'm your mate. You can try, but you can't be happy without me. You're not going anywhere."

I didn't need to have a connection with Kallie to feel how winded she was at Marcus' words. What he'd said had completely crippled her, and she was my friend. I wasn't going to allow him to keep hurting her like this.

Something broke within me— within us all. The spirit rope tethering the two of them together shattered like glass. A gust of wind blasted across the balcony, blowing my hair back. Fatigue washed over me, hitting me so suddenly that I fell to my knees.

"Charlie!" Ava gasped. She reached out to try and yank me to my feet.

"What— what just happened?" Marcus panicked. His voice was full of terror. "What did you do?"

He didn't need to ask me. He'd felt what had happened. But he had to hear me say it.

"I… broke your bond," I rasped.

I hadn't meant to do it… or maybe I had. Kallie had made her decision, and I was going to help her one way or another. I just hadn't meant for it to happen that soon. My grandpa had warned me this could happen if I lost my temper, and I didn't realize what I'd been doing until it was already done.

"You broke our bond?!" Marcus screamed.

He crossed the balcony in less than three paces and grabbed me by the collar. He yanked me to my feet and shoved me against the side of the palace. I should've been able to fight him off, but the spell had left me exhausted.

"Put it back!" Marcus shouted in a pained voice that echoed across the city. "Put it back, Charlie!"

"Marcus, stop!" Ava yelled, but he didn't listen.

Feathery wings flapped from overhead, and talons scratched against the banister. Oberi panted, like she'd flown as fast as she could get here.

Oh, no, Oberi whispered. I'm too late to stop it.

"You shouldn't have done that!" Marcus raged. "You had no right!"

Air swirled around his fist as he drew his arm back to punch me, but Kallie caught him and yanked him back.

"It's not his fault!" Kallie yelled. "I asked him to do it."

"No… no!" Marcus insisted, as if he could deny the truth.

I righted my shirt and stood up straighter. "I'm sorry. I really am. But I wouldn't have done this if Kallie hadn't asked. Whatever the situation is between you two, Kallie doesn't consent to being a part of it. She was born into this, and she didn't have a choice. All I did was give her that choice back."

Ava reached out for me. Do you think this might've been a mistake?

No, I told her. This is what Kallie wanted.

Marcus shuddered so violently beside me that I felt his tremors against my arm. All the rage melted from his tone. "I— I can't believe you did this."

Kallie breathed a sigh of relief. It sounded like it was the first unlabored breath she'd taken in ages. "This was the right thing to do."

"But you broke our bond," Marcus whimpered, as if it needed repeating… like he wasn't quite convinced of it.

"I told you I was going to! You didn't take me seriously," Kallie replied.

Marcus began to weep. "I didn't think you'd actually do it. I'm— I've been blindsided!"

Kallie huffed. "Charlie's blind. You're just a fucking moron."

Marcus dropped to his knees. "You can't leave me, Kallie! We're mates. We're?—"

"Don't," she warned. "We're not mates anymore. I don't have any obligation to you. I'm never going to let you touch me again."

Sobs broke from Marcus' chest, and he turned into a blubbering fool at her feet. "I'm sorry. I'll do anything. I can change! Just give me one last chance."

"You had your chance. You didn't want commitment, so I gave you exactly what you wanted."

Marcus wailed. "I didn't want this!"

"Marcus…" I started, but he turned on me.

"Leave me alone," he snapped. "How could you do this?"

"You couldn't make up your mind. Kallie wanted this, and it'd be wrong of me to say no. I didn't do this to hurt you. I did this to help her," I replied.

Marcus got to his feet. He stood so close to me I thought he might try to throw another punch.

Instead, he sneered, "You know what, Charlie? I thought you were like my brother, but you're no brother of mine. Now that you've done this, you mean nothing to me. Just… go to hell."

I gaped at him. How could he say that after everything we'd been through? How could he throw our friendship away, when he was the one who'd caused all this in the first place?

Marcus shoved past me. His footsteps echoed down the hall as he ran away. I turned to go after him, but Ava grabbed my wrist.

"Let me," she offered. "You're the one who broke the bond. I need to be the one to talk to him, because he won't listen to you right now."

My shoulders sagged. I wanted to be there for my friends— both of them— but it seemed impossible, and that was more than devastating. To help one friend, I had to hurt another. There'd been no good way to solve this, and the damage had been done. This was a permanent decision, and now, it was over with. The only thing left to do was pick up the pieces.

Ava followed Marcus, and Oberi flew behind her. Silence settled over the balcony until Kallie turned to me.

"Thank you, Charlie," she said in a stronger voice than I'd heard her use all night.

"Are you sure this is what you wanted?" I asked.

"Yes. This was the right decision."

"How is this going to affect your powers?" I asked. "I know fae magic is closely linked to their mating bond."

"Now that the bond is broken, my powers won't be as strong as before, but it's worth it," she admitted. "I'm certain I wouldn't be able to time travel right now, but I'll be able to once I recover. My demigod magic will regenerate my powers eventually. It just… sucks that I never got to see how strong I could really be, because Marcus and I never secured our bond in the first place."

"You're strong without him," I told her. "You don't need him to be everything you were born to be."

"I know. I'm glad for it."

Then Kallie did something unexpected… she pulled me into a hug. Tears rolled down her face and soaked into my shirt. "Thank you so much."

I hugged her back. "I'm really sorry, Kallie. I wished this could've ended in a different way."

"Don't be. I know I made the right choice," she whispered. "Now, I'm finally free."