Darkyn's Mate

"I refuse to believe you," she cried. "Tell me what you want or just leave me alone!

"I did. I want you to accept that you belong here, and I want to hear the words."

"What words?"

"The ones where you tell me you're mine."

She shook her head.

"You've started to admit the truth to yourself," he added. "I want to hear it out loud."

"If I say the words you want, are you manipulating me into this bond, the same way you did to get me into Hell?" she demanded.

"You're mine either way."

"No, I'm not. I'm Gabriel's," she retorted.

Darkyn gave a slow smile. "How certain are you?"

"I'll never say those fucking words, and I'll never be blood bound!"

"My bet is that you will do both before the hourglass runs out."

"I'm not about to be tricked into another bond or whatever it is you're trying to trick me into," she replied.

"No tricks," he said. "How about this. A private deal, just between us. If we become blood bound, you say the words."

"If we don't?"

"You don't," he said with a shrug.

"What about the unwritten terms?"

"None. Simple deal."

She studied him. She'd never let him blood bind her, but he wasn't someone who took no for an answer, even if it was allegedly voluntary. Double-bound, though, meant she was fucked as far as Gabriel.

"I'm not playing your game," she said and turned away again. Her body was trembling. She didn't know why, couldn't get control of either her emotions or the hunger in her blood. They left her beyond confused, terrified and certain she didn't want anything to do with Darkyn right now.

"You know I'm right. You know Past-Death will stop at nothing to get what she wants," Darkyn said. "I foresee you winning your deal. I also foresee Gabriel refusing to kill her. He cannot. She's his mate by Immortal laws, and we both know how seriously he takes his duty. He will protect her, as is his obligation. No one will challenge Death to kill her. Which leaves you here. With me. For eternity. My informal deal is one week. At the end of it, if you've not bound yourself to me, then the deal expires. We can spend eternity together and you never say the words."

Darkyn was right. She knew Gabriel. He'd sworn to protect her, even while pushing her away. He followed the laws. She found no flaws in Darkyn's logic, which only made her despair soar.

"Are the words part of the blood binding rite?" she asked. She was almost ready to say whatever he wanted to get rid of him. Her world was crushing her; she needed to be alone.