Chapter 147: The Mate Bond Test
—
The castle was too quiet. Too grand. Too cold.
My feet carried me toward the east wing, where Rowan had locked himself away for days now.
I found the door half-open.
He was sitting in the dark, shirtless, back to the door, firelight reflecting off the faint silver scars on his spine.
"Rowan."
He turned slowly.
His eyes were unreadable. "You finally came."
I stepped inside. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"What would you have done?" he said. "Chosen?"
I didn't know what to say.
He stood. "That's what I thought."
"Rowan, I—"
He was in front of me in an instant, hands cupping my face. "I love you. But I won't die for a half-finished bond. Not again."
I stared up at him, tears rising. "I never wanted to hurt you."
"Then don't." He leaned in. "Claim me. Or let me go."
But before I could answer—before I could even think—a sudden flare of pain seared through my chest.
Rowan grabbed me as I collapsed. "Aisha!"
I gasped. "Kael—"
