Chapter 131 But I’m Not
Simon’s eyes darkened at her boldness. The confident tone in her voice sent a sharp jolt through him, and he had to draw in a slow, steady breath just to keep himself composed.
“Melva,” he said warningly, his voice low and gravelly. “You have no idea what you’re playing with.”
But Melva only grinned, leaning forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with mischief, something that made Simon’s chest tighten. “Oh, I do,” she replied softly. “You think I don’t feel it too? The pull. The bond. Every time you’re near, it’s like my heart’s no longer mine.”
Simon’s jaw clenched. “That’s exactly why I’m trying to control it.”
She tilted her head, studying him, her tone turning tender. “Then stop fighting it.”
He looked at her, really looked at her, and it struck him again how stubbornly fearless she could be. She wasn’t trying to tempt him, not exactly. She was just being honest—open, real—and that was what made it even harder to resist.
“Melva…” His voice dropped, almost a growl. “If I lose control, I might not stop.”
“Then don’t stop,” she whispered.
That quiet plea hit him harder than any command. His fists tightened again, knuckles pale from the pressure. The chamber suddenly felt smaller, the air heavier. Every instinct in him screamed to claim her, to give in to the matebond that was clawing at his restraint.
But even through the haze of desire clouding his mind, he still saw her, the woman who looked at him with trust instead of fear. That simple truth anchored him. No matter how strong the pull between them was, he didn’t want to lose himself or take advantage of her faith in him.
He refused to be unfair to her, especially when he knew he couldn’t give her everything she deserved. His heart still belonged to another woman, and no matter how much he tried to bury that truth, it lingered. To take Melva completely while still holding on to someone else would be far too cruel.
Simon took another deep breath and stood up abruptly, putting distance between them.
“Eat,” he said curtly, his voice rougher than he intended. “Before I forget what I promised myself.”
Melva blinked, watching him with a mix of surprise and affection. “You promised not to touch me?” she asked softly.
He turned away, not trusting himself to look at her. “I promised to wait until we’re ready,” he muttered.
“I’ve been ready,” she said under her breath.
Simon froze, every muscle in his body tightening as if he were holding himself back. “But I’m not…” he muttered under his breath, the words heavy with meaning he couldn’t bring himself to finish. Before Melva could respond, he turned and strode out of the bedchamber.
At Stone Manor
Since Gavriel was away from the palace, Ava stayed at their family manor. She had allowed the dark witch, Maera, to reside there as well while completing her potion.
Besides, Ava had been busy. The annual Hunt was drawing near, and she was the one overseeing the entire event. Everything had to be flawless. After all, this was also her chance to finally get rid of the thorn in her life — that breeder.
Ava pulled the sheets around her body and reached for the small bottle of potion Maera had given her from the bedside table. She walked to the window, watching the first light of dawn spill across the sky. The formula was complete. Now all that remained was to make sure Gavriel — and that wretched woman — drank it.
Once they did, the dark witch could begin the unweaving of their bond, as long as all three requirements were met. Two were already fulfilled; only one remained.
“Do you think this will work?” a deep voice murmured behind her. Midas wrapped his arms around her waist, his breath brushing her ear. Since Gavriel had not summoned her for weeks, Ava had allowed Midas’s company.
Their arrangement was simple, just fleeting moments to satisfy their physical desires. Nothing more. Yet Ava knew, deep down, that Midas’s feelings ran far deeper than that. He loved her, completely and without hesitation, the kind of love that made him willing to do anything for her.
“This will work,” Ava muttered, tightening her grip on the potion. “The Queen Mother and I are prepared to take the risk.”
“But aren’t you worried about what Maera said?” Midas asked quietly, his fingers tracing the curve of her shoulder. “That the unweaving won’t work if Gavriel and his breeder have already formed a connection beyond the mate bond.”
Ava’s eyes darkened. “And what could possibly connect Gavriel to that woman aside from the mate bond? He marked her out of instinct, nothing more!” she hissed. “That woman carries Cain’s blood. She’s the reason his beloved sister ended up worse than a corpse. The reason most of his kin are dead. The reason this kingdom was thrown into unrest!”
Her voice dripped with hatred. “That woman, Althea, only breathes because fate made her Gavriel’s mate. Once the bond is undone, Gavriel will finally be free of that wretched curse.”
Midas hummed softly, a faint smirk curling his lips. “But haven’t you heard the latest rumor spreading across the kingdom?”
Ava’s head snapped toward him, brows furrowed. “What rumor?”
“You haven’t heard?” Midas asked, raising a brow.
Ava’s face darkened as she hissed, “Will I ask you if I heard about it?! Now tell me.”
Midas shrugged. “There’s a rumor going around that Lady Althea Grayson isn’t Cain’s real daughter. They say her mother was already pregnant when she became Cain’s mistress. After all, she came from traders who sold slaves, and I heard those traders would rent the women out as sex slaves to nobles until someone bought them. They specifically said Lady Althea bears no resemblance to her supposed father in any way.”
“Who’s the fool spreading those lies?!” Ava snapped, jaw clenched and fists tight.
“That’s why I asked if you were confident,” Midas said. “This rumor will change Gavriel’s view of his mate. Knowing Gavriel, he’ll look into it to see if there’s any truth.”
Ava wrapped her arms around Midas and leaned in, kissing his neck and jawline. “You must help me, Midas. Make sure that wretch stays Cain’s daughter at any cost. Go to Gavriel and do something to turn him away from her,” she coaxed, knowing she was his weakness.