A week. A full week since her father told her the truth, that she and Bram weren’t just partners in the prophecy. They were the key. Not because of their titles. Not because of their magic. But because of their bond. Their mate bond. And it was growing stronger every day. Ari sat at Bram’s long oak table, surrounded by ancient books and scrolls Torin had dragged out of the archives. None of them had answers. None of them explained how to break a curse forged in betrayal and sealed in blood. But the bond? That was changing everything. Bram paced behind her, restless, his bear pushing at the surface like a caged storm. Every time Ari shifted in her chair, his head snapped toward her. Every time she sighed, his bear rumbled. Every time she touched her pendant, his eyes flashed gold. Torin

