Aria's Pov
His eyes widened slightly in surprise and intrigue, and he leaned forward with a mix of excitement and anticipation. "Yes, Aria," he confirmed, his voice tinged with awe. "The matelink has finally been established tonight, after all our efforts and patience."
"Matelink?" I echoed, my brow furrowing, Miss Margo had said the same thing earlier but I wanted to hear it from hi. "What exactly does that mean?"
Kaine's deep voice was solemn as he explained, "For the first time, your mind, body, and soul have acknowledged me as your mate. But now you must decide whether to accept or decline the bond."
A chill ran through me at his words. "What happens if I'm undecided? Or if I don't accept it?"
Pain flashed across Kaine's face, and my chest tightened in response. "A king cannot remain unmated for more than ten years. It is one of our most sacred laws. If the bond is not completed, I will weaken until I lose my mind and die a slow, agonizing death."
