Lost in a chapter

Chapter 2 - Seven

"So, you broke the deal. Freed the Fayb. Gained a portal." Sylvain’s voice was low, unreadable. He held the portal in his hand, a book. Almost identical to the one he had destroyed. Tora’s breath caught. Her eyes widened, flickering between the book and his hollow gaze. How did he get that?

Tora moved closer to him; she needed that portal to bring her sister back. “What do you want Sylvain?” Sylvain shrugged, the motion slow, deliberate, mocking. "Hmm. Possibly a mate who doesn’t bed my men." Tora’s eyes burned into his, refusing to flinch. "Like I told your brother, it didn’t mean anything." Her voice was measured, cold. "Besides, why are you sad about it? I can smell females all over you." She spat the words like venom, letting them hit. Sylvain’s expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes flickered. Was she jealous?

“So, what will it be Sylvain? The deal is broken. The Fayb suggested I marry someone to break our bond.” She said, noticing his subtle move. “But looks like, all I have to do is sleep with your men and you’ll leave me alone.” She said, as a threat but really, she was testing him. How deep did his feelings for her run? Or was it just hate festering now?

Sylvain snapped, he was done with the distance, in an instant, he closed the gap, a force, a shadow, a certainty. His hand braced against the wall beside her, caging her in, his presence suffocating in the best way. His voice was low, lethal.

"Touch anyone else but me."

A pause, deliberate, intensified.

"And I’ll erase everything. Everyone you ever loved."

Not hurt. Not destroy. Erase.

Like they never existed.

His gaze burned into hers, dark, unwavering, daring her to test him. Every breath between them hung heavy, charged. She could feel the storm brewing beneath his skin, ready to break. "I mean it, Theanna." His voice was rough, edged with something sharp, dangerous.

"Do. Not. Test me again."

The words weren’t shouted, weren’t reckless.

But gods, they hit harder than any scream could.

“After all I did to you, you still want me?” Tora didn’t know why she asked.

Didn’t know why she needed to hear it from him.

Sylvain didn’t hesitate. Didn’t waver.

His gaze burned into hers, deep, unshaken, pulling at emotions she didn’t know existed.

"I’ll say this again, Theanna."

"You are my mate. Mine."

The words were final. Unbreakable.

"You didn’t understand the bond before."

His voice was low, steady, laced with something fierce.

"But you do now."

There was no escaping it.

No denying it.

And no matter what she did, no matter where she went, Sylvain would always want her.

His voice softened, a rare break in the storm.

"I told you; I will try to right my wrongs." He paused, not for himself, but for her. To let her hear it. To let her understand the weight behind his voice.

For the first time, there were no walls, no threats, no carefully measured restraint.

Just him. Open. Exposed. Vulnerable.

"But I can’t do that if you won’t let me."

Tora went to bite back, instinctively ready to challenge him, ready to resist. But she hesitated. His words rang with truth. Truth from a heart she hadn’t believed he had.

To her surprise he handed her the portal. “I’ll help you find your sister.” She stared, searching his expression for the price.

"What do you want from me in return?" Her voice was measured.

He didn’t hesitate. "To try." That was all he said, before black smoke coiled around him, swallowing his form, and then, he was gone.