Bonds Of Darkness (Of Courts and Desires) by Rachel Hailey

Author:Rachel Hailey [Hailey, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Rachel Hailey
Published: 2021-11-22T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

When Palmer stopped and turned off the engine, it was a shock. Candace sat up, blinking unfocused eyes.

“Come on, Candy-Baby. We're here,” Valen said as he slipped from under her.

She shook herself and followed. Her feet hit gravel, and a wave of vertigo sent her reeling. She stumbled, her back hitting the SUV.

“Close your eyes and take a sec to center yourself,” Valen said with a deep chuckle.

The sound made her shiver and smile as she did as he suggested. She couldn't wait until later.

She found the ball of energy inside her chest. It was vibrating and pulsating with heat. Going on instinct, she pulled from their bond, borrowing some of Valen's calm. A breeze battered her face, cooling her heated skin and clearing her mind. When she opened her eyelids, her body and mind were quiet – Until she looked up and saw the building in front of them.

Daina hadn't exaggerated. The house looming in the distance was a palace.

“Holy crap,” Remi said with awe from beside her.

Candace nodded, unable to speak. Rising more stories in the air than she could guess at, it was wider than her entire apartment complex. As if that wasn't intimidating enough, a cemetery surrounded the monolith.

Giant stone and marble sculptures dotted the landscape. Gravel paths meandered through the graves and mausoleums, making it look almost like a Halloween-themed park.

“Damn,” Valen whispered.

“Never been here before either?” Candace asked with surprise. Valen seemed so experienced, it was hard to believe there was a kyn court he'd never visited.

“Never from this side. The Ard Ri doesn't particularly like dreamkyn. We're never allowed to Blood Court events. Until the last few days, I'd never even spoken to the Ard Ri.”

“Oh.” Candace eased closer to Valen. His hand hung by his side. She wanted to take it, but there was something in his voice that made her pause, unsure if he'd welcome the affection.

“We don't want to keep her waiting. She isn't a patient person.” Palmer clapped Valen on his shoulder before he started down the path.

They'd only gone a few steps when Candace gave in to the impulse and snatched Valen's hand. There was a pressure in the air that made her body vibrate. It felt like humidity against her exposed flesh, sticky and wet. A cool breeze whipped through her hair, and she leaned against Valen. Shadows fell over the path. Her steps faltered.

Valen stopped. “What?”

She shook her head and shrugged. She couldn't explain it, but there was something off about the shadows. They didn't seem natural. Some latent instinct screamed at her to avoid them. Candace stared at a shadow, holding her breath, but it didn't move. It was just a shadow. Maybe she was just tired; it had been a really long day.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I don't know. I think I'm losing it.”

Remi shoved her forward. “Lose it later. I want out of this freaky place.”

She stumbled and swore.

“I don't think it's just you.” Valen said, catching her and glaring over his shoulder. “I feel like a ghost gave me a wedgie.

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