Chapter 74 Chapter 74
_Leah's POV_
The air in the room grew still after I said it.
“Yes.”
The word left my lips in a whisper but it echoed through my chest like thunder. My pulse quickened. My palms felt cold. Kayden froze. His eyes were searching mine for any hint of doubt.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice low.
I nodded, even though part of me wanted to run. “Yes,” I said again. “Do it before I change my mind.”
Kayden took a slow breath and came closer. His movements were gentle, almost careful, like he was afraid I might shatter. His hand lifted, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. I could feel the warmth of his fingers trail down my skin. My heart beat faster.
“Then tilt your head for me,” he said softly. “It won’t hurt long.”
I obeyed, though my stomach twisted. My throat felt tight. I tilted my head to the side, exposing my bare neck to him. His fingers brushed through my hair, pushing it gently to one side. The gesture was slow and tender. I shivered under his touch.
“It’s all right,” he whispered. “I’ll be gentle.”
His breath touched my skin. Then his lips brushed my neck. They were soft. He was testing me, as if asking permission again. My breath caught in my throat. The next moment, I felt the sharp pressure of his teeth sinking into my flesh.
A gasp tore from my lips. Pain shot through me. It was hot and bright, spreading like fire under my skin. I couldn’t stop the small cry that escaped me.
Kayden’s hand slid up to my cheek. “Shh,” he murmured, his voice full of warmth and care. “It’s almost done.”
Then, his mouth softened against my skin. His tongue moved over the mark, soothing the ache, and I felt the sting fade. A strange light spread through me. My pulse matched his. I could feel his heart beating somewhere deep inside my chest, as if it had become my own.
When he pulled away, his lips lingered near my ear. “It’s done,” he said gently. “You’re safe now.”
I lifted a trembling hand to touch the place where his teeth had broken skin. The flesh was tender, but no blood ran. It throbbed faintly, glowing with warmth that wasn’t just mine.
Athena stirred inside me. He marked us, she said softly. We are one with him now. Do you feel it? The steady pull? The calm in your chest?
I feel everything, I whispered back. It’s strange. It’s terrifying.
Kayden watched my face carefully. “Are you all right?”
I nodded. “It feels… strange. Like something inside me shifted.”
He smiled faintly. I could notice the relief softening his eyes. “That’s the bond taking hold.”
The Seer, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. “Now it is your turn, child.”
I looked up in shock. “My turn?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice deep and calm. “For the bond to be complete, you must mark him too. Both souls must be tied, not just one.”
Kayden turned toward me. He didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned closer and pointed to the side of his neck, just above his collarbone. “Here,” he said quietly. “It’s where you should place it.”
My hands shook. “I.....I don’t want to hurt you.”
He smiled a little. “You won’t. Just do what feels right.”
Athena’s voice was firm inside me. Do it, Leah. The mark must go both ways. Only then will the bond be full.
I took a deep breath. My heart thundered. Slowly, I leaned forward until my lips touched his skin. His scent filled my head—pine, warmth and something faintly smoky. I hesitated, then pressed my mouth harder. My teeth sank into his flesh.
Kayden’s body stiffened. His breath hitched but he didn’t pull away. I felt the sharp taste of blood on my tongue. I gasped and quickly let go. My hands pressed against his shoulders as I stared at the mark I had left. It was a small red circle. It was raw and swollen.
“Kayden…” I whispered, guilt twisting in my chest.
He smiled through the pain. “It’s all right. It means we’re one now.”
The Seer moved closer and knelt beside us. “Let me help,” she said. She took a small wooden jar from her bag. Inside was a white and shimmering cream that smelled faintly of lavender and smoke.
She murmured a few words under her breath. It was an old chant that I could barely understand. The air around us felt heavy. It was humming with quiet energy. Then she dipped her fingers in the cream and applied it first to my neck, then to Kayden’s.
The effect was instant. A cool and soothing feeling spread through my skin. The burning stopped. The marks glowed faintly with silver light, and when the glow faded, both of them were healed. Where his bite had been, a crescent moon symbol shimmered faintly. It was etched like silver against my skin.
Kayden touched it gently with his thumb. “It suits you,” he said while smiling softly.
I blushed. “You’re ridiculous,” I muttered but my heart was not steady anymore.
The Seer stood and took something else from her bag. It was a small velvet pouch. From it, she pulled an amulet. It was beautiful and strange. The chain was made of fine silver threads, almost like woven moonlight. The pendant was a small round stone, milky white, with faint veins of blue light running through it. Around the stone were runes carved so small that they looked like dust.
She held it out to me. “This,” she said, “is for you. I prepared it specially for you. I knew the time would come when you would need it.”
I stared at it in awe. “What does it do?”
“It will protect you from dark magic,” she said. “From spells that twist the mind and poison the heart. You must wear it at all times, Leah. Never take it off....not even in sleep.”
I reached out and took the amulet. It was cool in my hand. It was almost pulsing with a faint life of its own. “Thank you,” I whispered.
Kayden spoke then, his tone turning heavier. “Seer, we need to talk about Tariq. He’s a constant threat. He won’t stop coming for her. I can’t protect her alone.”
The Seer’s face grew grave. “It will not be easy to defeat him,” she said slowly. “He is strong and older than you can imagine. And he is not alone. Susan helps him. She is skilled in dark witchcraft. Together, they are dangerous.”
A shiver ran down my spine. I felt Athena stir. We knew it, she whispered. It is very difficult to defeat Tariq.
The Seer turned to me. “You, Leah, hold great power. If you learn to control it, you may one day be strong enough to face him. But you cannot rely only on your gift. Dark magic does not play fair. If you strike and miss, he will destroy everything you love.”
Kayden clenched his jaw. “Then what do we do?”
“We plan,” the Seer said. “We prepare. I will search for a way to weaken him. There must be a spell or charm to strip his strength. Until then, you both must stay cautious. Do not trust anyone too easily. Darkness hides in friendly faces.”
Her words sent a chill through me.
She turned to me again. “Train, child. Learn to control your fire. With Kayden’s mark upon you, he can steady your power. Let him guide you. Learn to trust him again. Together, you may yet stand against what is coming.”
Kayden nodded. “We will.”
The Seer packed her things and stood up. “I will send word if I find something. Be strong. Both of you.”
Kayden thanked her and walked her out. I sat on the couch, holding the amulet tightly in my hands. The silence in the room felt too heavy.
After a moment, I stood and went to the bedroom. I needed to be alone.
A few minutes later, Kayden came in. He stopped at the doorway, watching me. “What are you thinking?” he asked softly.
“Nothing."
He smiled faintly. “I know you’re uncomfortable staying in the same room as me. But this is safer for you now. You still have trouble controlling your power. I’m the only one who can help you steady it.”
I looked up sharply. “If you can read my thoughts now, why ask such silly questions?”
He laughed. “Because I like hearing you speak,” he teased.
I could feel his emotions through the bond. There was warmth, affection and something softer underneath. Athena’s voice came again. He is trying to flirt with you.
I know, I muttered inwardly. And it’s working a little.
Kayden stepped closer. His gaze was soft but intense. I could feel what he felt—desire, longing and restraint. The bond made it impossible to hide. My cheeks flushed and my heart raced faster.
This is so awkward, I told Athena. He can feel everything. Every thought. Every heartbeat.
You will get used to it, she said calmly. This bond is your protection now.
Protection? I sighed inwardly. He’s staring at me like he wants to kiss me. How am I supposed to live like this?
Athena chuckled softly in my head. Maybe you should let him. It might calm both of you.
I glared at Kayden, but the corner of his mouth lifted into a knowing smile. The pull between us was strong. It was almost magnetic. My heart beat in time with his, and for the first time, I wasn’t sure where I ended and he began.
And though I told myself to stay calm, I knew deep down.....everything had changed forever.