The spell that turned land to darkness - Part 3

I couldn’t escape. That much was clear. I was no longer bound, but I wasn’t free either. Blake had released me only to drag me toward — God knows what hellhole he came from.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked, trying to kick him and slip my hand free, but he only tightened his grip.

“I already told you we belong,” he said. “So either you come willingly, or I carry you home.”

Home.

I almost laughed in his face. Where he was taking me was far from anything I’d ever call home. Heat and anger coursed through me faster than any lightning ever could. It spiraled at immense speed.

Even though his warning was clear, I couldn’t resist testing him to see if he’d live up to his threat or not. I kept straining and pulling back, but he was too strong. If I kept this up, I knew it would end badly for me. I’d seen what he did to those men…death didn’t seem to bother him one bit.

What’s one more body to him?

The only thing that calmed me was knowing he needed me: wanted to marry me and gain access to my power.

What a joke. My power was useless. Uncontrolled.

My hand slipped, and I lost my balance, but he was before me in a second, fingers digging into my waist and preventing my fall.

“I’m… sorry,” I stuttered, lips trembling.

He ignored me.

“Lyra? What did I tell you?” His words were slow and calculated. He stood too close — too close to breathe, to calm my nerves, to steady my pounding heart. All I could focus on were his eyes, the dark gaze of a murderer, yet deep within them lay a softness, a warmth.

I tried to look away, but he caught my cheeks with one hand. I tried to wrench free, but his grip only tightened.

I felt helpless, and it made my eyes prickle with tears. Before I could stop myself, I kicked him where I knew it would hurt most.

He groaned, grimaced, and let me go, but otherwise showed no indication that it had hurt him at all.

I didn’t hesitate. I bolted in the direction we’d come from. I never heard him behind me, but before I could even reach safety, he was already in front of me, and I ran straight into his chest. His arms wrapped around me, squeezing tight. His warm breath and dark chuckle reached my ears.

“Is this how you thank everyone who rescues you? Or just me?”

I snorted. “I didn’t need saving.”

He laughed outright. “Really? Then tell me, how exactly were you planning to get free? Before or after your impending death?”

Shame burned my face and neck. “I was working on it,” I bit out slowly. The words leaving a bitter and foul taste in my mouth.

He smirked.

Smirked? How dared he?

But at the sight of his curling lips, my stomach flipped, and it became too heavy to breathe this near him and to feel his hands on my body.

“Please, let me go,” I said, but the sound was weak and coarse. It was barely more than a whisper.

His smile disappeared, and his features hardened. “You know I can’t do that.”

“Please.”

“Lyra, don’t ask that of me. I can’t…”

“What?” I mumbled, unable to stop myself. My eyes lowered to his lips. I wanted to know what it would be like to kiss them. What he’d taste like. Would he feel soft against mine?

But his words interrupted my train of thoughts, and I regained clarity. He was my savior, but also my kidnapper.

“Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for you?”

“I — “

“It wasn’t until your spell that I felt it. That I felt you.”

I heard the words, but I didn’t understand what he was saying.

“I’m not human. But I’m not a supernatural being either. At least… not like before.”

I couldn’t do anything but stare at him. He was obviously some sort of creature. He had strength, speed, and power that thrummed within him.

It sang to me.

“I’m a man who has been forced to live without his powers for centuries.”

I found my voice and spoke without looking away from his eyes. “It’s there.” I lifted my hand to his chest and felt the power surging within him.

“It’s locked. I can’t reach it,” he explained. “The magic in your blood is the only thing that can release it.”

I took a step back, but he grasped my hand and held on to it, as if I were his anchor, his strength.

“If you help me get my magic back,” he said softly, “I’ll help you revoke your spell.”