Bound by Death: An Arranged Marriage Fantasy Romance by Jes Drew

Author:Jes Drew [Drew, Jes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boo's Books Publishing
Published: 2023-08-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Euthalia

There’s a smile on my face and dread in my heart.

My heart that no longer feels like my own.

I gingerly reach one hand to feel my chest and my heart that beats to a new tempo now. One arm keeps my sheets around my shoulders as I sit up in bed, not from the chill of the night but the feeling of exposure.

Not so much exposed to Ahmed. Beautiful, sweet Ahmed, who is stumbling around the floor, searching for something for me to wear at my request. I should, but I don’t. Not when it’s Ahmed and not now after . . . after . . .

My heart stutters, and I wince as it tries to re-constructure its heartbeat to match Ahmed’s.

I don’t know much about such things, but when my chest seemed to explode, light magic and shadows suddenly coiling around the room for mere moments, I knew something was wrong.

And when all that magic dissipated and my heart suddenly felt stronger and more whole than ever before, I knew exactly what.

A khet-bond has been forged between Ahmed and me, fueled by the eros connection we explored this new moon. I was told it would take at least three wanings, but apparently, I am the exception to every rule.

Now I am bound to Ahmed. To this court. To becoming his destroyer.

Unless we run away together.

“Oof!” Ahmed calls, and I hear a crashing sound.

Trailing the blanket with me, I move to the end of the bed, even knowing it’s useless to try and see anything in this darkness. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” There’s a wince to Ahmed’s voice. “I just found my tunic is all.”

“Your tunic will do.”

“It will?”

“That is, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t.” His voice is much nearer now, and I feel his presence looming over me. Sense his warmth. Hear his heartbeat.

It beats in rhythm with mine.

Panic chokes me, and I push it down. If need be, I can still run away without him. This isn’t a Fate-Bond. We are still free.

But I very much do not want to be free.

Reaching out my arms, I let Ahmed dress me in the dark. Then I wrap my arms around his neck to draw him into a kiss as we fall back against the bed.

Happiness and dread swirl around me in confusing intervals as we hold each other, him dusting kisses down my neck. I never expected any of this, and I’m elated and terrified at the same time. Why does it feel like by securing Ahmed’s life, I have condemned us both to death?

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