Elaine's eyes opened slowly, and the bright morning light cut through the stone walls.
She winced at the sharp pain in her body, which was still very fresh from the bonding ceremony. She had never felt pain like this before, and the weight of the bond, which was now heavy in her chest, made it hard to breathe.
The pain from the forced union clawed at her, and she couldn't help but feel drawn to Kael.
The cool sheets wrapped around her as she moved in bed, and her muscles screamed in pain. She gritted her teeth and fought the urge to scream from the pain. But there was nothing she could do about it. The bond was sealed, and now her fate was in his hands.
Kael's huge body lay next to hers, still and quiet, with his arm protectively draped over her waist.
His warmth seeped into her, b
