“Another costume for your captive?” I mutter.
“Another chance for you to feel like yourself again.”
“I’ll feel like myself when you remove this,” I say, tugging at the ruby necklace.
His eyes darken. “You know that’s not possible.”
“You're the King, shouldn't you be able to do whatever you want?”
He sighs, the sound almost weary. “You truly hate me for this, don’t you?”
I tilt my head, considering. “Should I not?”
“I’m trying to protect you,” he says. “That bond—”
“Don’t,” I snap. “Don’t talk about the bond.”
He stops, studying me with that unnerving calm. “You asked me before why you can’t feel it anymore. Do you still want to know?”
I hesitate, my anger warring with curiosity. “Fine,” I say finally. “Explain.”
He walks closer until the faint hum of the necklace deepens, reacti
