The silver light tightened around the bond until I could see the thread running from my chest to Callan's.
“No.” He reached for the mate mark. “Selene, please. Don't do this.”
I had made that bond with my own life force. He had worn it while calling me a monster and giving my place to Iris. I would leave with my own name.
I closed my eyes and turned the last of my power inward.
Callan felt where I aimed it.
“Selene, I forbid it!”
His command carried no hold over me now.
The light cut through the thread.
A clear chime sounded inside my soul. The Mate Bond snapped.
Its severed half struck Callan and threw him across the square. Blood poured from his mouth as he clawed at his chest. The wound remained inside, where no healer could reach it.
My pain stopped.
The chains, the lashes,
