Good Morning! Thank you to Mel and Pamela!

Chapter Three

Bella

Despite my determination, it was nearly impossible to return to my normal day-to-day life.

Every movement in my body was a labor, a shooting ache that latched deep into my soul and tugged. I knew that it could all be cured by a single touch, and by the end of my work day, I was so tired and worn down that I began to believe being bound would be better.

I'd never known such pain as this.

Al let me keep the gloves, and with a tired wave to my employer, I left the shop more fatigued than I'd ever been.

It was dusk as I set out down the dingy streets. I was starving and would benefit from stopping for food and maybe even a drink, but I was afraid I would see the prince out and about, and with my willpower already shaky, I didn't want to risk it.

Instead, I walked home, my hands stuffed in my pockets as I tried to mentally go over the reasons why I was doing this to myself.

My life wouldn't be my own if I was bound, but at least I wouldn't be in pain, right?

My mind flashed to my mother who had abandoned my father and me when she'd found her sultra. I'd hardly spoken to her since, and each time I had, I'd been left more angry and frustrated than before. My mother was a weak fool for giving into her magic and allowing it to consume her as she had.

I would not make the same mistakes.

My thoughts were so loud and distracting that I didn't realize what was happening until it was too late.

Three large men stepped before me, forcing my feet to come to an abrupt halt. I hadn't been paying attention, and now, I was going to pay the price for it.

Internally I swore as the men leered at me, their smiles malicious as they glared down at me.

"Okay, kitten," the man before me growled. "We can do this the easy way, or we can do this all painful-like," he sneered.

I rolled my eyes despite the fear running up and down my spine. "I don't have any money," I told them truthfully. I knew better than to walk around with my pockets jingling.

The man in front scowled. "No?" he asked. "Then maybe something else we can take."

Behind him, one of the other men snickered, and together they all stepped toward me, forcing me back into a wall. I felt the cool stone against my palms and took a deep breath. "Fellas, I'm not what you're looking for tonight."

"I don't know," one of the men in the back said. "I'm hungry and you look like a morsel."

The men all laughed and I slipped my hand into my pocket. If my magic was stronger, I'd be able to convince them to walk away from me. I'd be able to redirect them without any difficulty and I'd be able to get home safely.

But my magic was weak, and I could feel that it was growing weaker the longer I resisted binding to the crown prince.

Thankfully, I wasn't a fool. Just because my magic wasn't strong enough to always protect me, it didn't mean I couldn't find other ways of defending myself. I carried charms of protection on me, but sometimes more valuable than even that was the switchblade in my pocket that my fingers began to curl around.

I wasn't above killing to stay alive.

Once I had the knife in my grasp, my fingers stretched in my pocket, reaching for the talisman I kept there. The moment my fingers were on the smooth metal, I began to chant under my breath, trying to activate it.

"Oi," the third man shouted, his beady eyes narrowing on me. "She smells like magic."

I realized my mistake too late. The men's eyes all glazed over as greed overtook them. Magic was a precious commodity in Eventid, and people would do just about anything to get their hands on it.

Even if that meant ripping it directly out of my body.

Most humans couldn't identify the scent of magic anymore. It had been gone for too many for too long, but clearly these men were familiar with it.

I drew out the switchblade, flicking it open and letting the moonlight above glint on the metal. It made only one of the men pause, but after assessing the size of the blade and the size of me, he continued to advance with his companions.

I had to wait for the first man to step within striking distance and then take another step closer to me before I reacted. It gave me the smallest of windows to make my move. I couldn't afford for this to go wrong.

The man closest to me stepped forward, his eyes greedy, his hands raised up as if he could rip the magic out of me by strangling my throat. Just as his fingers brushed my skin, I ducked down, relying on my smaller size and faster reflexes. I brought the switchblade around, jamming it into the man's left side before I yanked hard to release it again. The man swore and stumbled back, tripping on one of his companions. The third grabbed me by the hair, pulling his arms around me and pinning my arms to my side from behind. "Now, now, kitten," he snarled. "Play nice."

I brought my knee to my chest before slamming my leg down, my foot stomping on his. The man screamed in surprise, and the moment his arms were loose enough, I spun around and brought the blade toward his belly. I felt the metal snap as I shoved it into his gut and internally I winced. That had been a good blade and it would be a pain to get another. The man let out a pained cough, but before I could find another weapon, the other two had regained their balance and yanked me back, pinning me against the wall.

I couldn't move, could hardly breathe with their massive bodies pressing against me.

"Stop fighting, you bitch," the first man I'd stabbed snarled. His breath reeked of decay and stale ale, and I could smell the stench of his sweat stained into the collar of his shirt. I struggled to free one of my legs, but they were being held firmly against the wall, and as I twisted, I felt the ligaments in my knees tweak in protest.

Shit.

Desperate, I began to chant again, trying to summon the last dying shreds of magic from the world around me.

In books, I'd read that magic used to come to humans easily. They hardly needed to call upon it because it was always there, a silent companion ready to act. We may not have been born of magic like the fae, but we had been gifted magic and it had become a part of us in its own way.

Now, I could hardly sense a single trace of it as I chanted.

"Shut her up," the one with the blade in his belly snapped. Someone shoved a greasy hand over my mouth and I felt my eyes widen. No, this couldn't be happening, not like this.

"Grab that crystal," someone ordered. "We're going to suck the very soul out of this witch. Then, we'll have our fun." The words were followed with a husky laugh and I tried not to let my panic show.

There had to be a way out of this. There had to be …

A wet thunking sound met my ears, and I looked up into the eyes of the man holding his hand over my mouth. His eyes went wide and glassy before his body went slack and he fell to the floor.

His grip gone from my body, I sucked in a deep breath and continued chanting as I tried to wiggle out from the second man's grasp. Someone was shouting, but I was too focused on getting myself free to pay close attention to what was going on.

There was a loud cry, and I looked up in time to see a massive winged creature descending on the man with my blade in his gut. With a single swipe of a glinting sword, the man was struck down and the man holding me let go, his fear stinking the air around him. My heart lodged in my throat when I realized the creature with the sword was the crown prince.

He looked like a god, swathed in shadows, his face etched in beautiful fury.

"Your Highness," the man croaked. "P-please."

Edward lifted his sword in the man's direction. "What is your name?" he demanded.

The man's eyes widened. "F-felix," he whimpered. "Felix Balstra."

It wasn't legal for Edward to be killing people in the streets, even if they were attacking someone. We had a justice system, one that was supposed to hold even Edward accountable, but right now, I wasn't so sure he cared. He looked murderous.

As much as I wanted this man dead for what he was threatening to do to me, I knew this wasn't right. Edward needed to abide by the law—all the royals had to.

"Edward," I said, my voice surprisingly steady.

His eyes slid to my face. I didn't know him well at all, but the look in his eyes was one I'd never seen in anyone's gaze. He looked feral.

"This isn't the way," I said, trying to stay calm. "Please."

Edward's nostrils flared and he turned back to the man. "You will be placed under arrest," Edward announced. "Pending a full investigation of your crimes."

The man looked terrified but grateful that he wasn't going to be slain tonight. Behind Edward, a man dressed in the royal guard armor materialized out of the shadows. I watched him bind Felix's wrists before a second guard appeared and escorted them both away.

I was still pinned against the wall, two dead men at my feet.

Edward looked at me, and even in the dark, I could see his green eyes blazing. "You have to come with me."

I shook my head. "I just want to go home."

Edward grunted, shoving his sword into its sheath on his back. At some point I realized his wings had vanished. How had he done that?

"Your stubbornness is going to get us both killed," he hissed, angry now. "You're coming with me, or so help me I will pin you down right now, finish our binding and make you."

The breath drove out of my body at his threat. I could see the tension still radiating through him and knew that he meant every word.

Finally, I swallowed. "Don't touch me," I warned.

Edward nodded and offered me a gloved hand. "Come on."

I ignored him and looked down, trying to step around the bodies. When I was away from them, I looked back up at Edward. "You killed those men."

"They would have done worse to you," he pointed out.

"That doesn't mean you get to kill them without consequence," I argued.

Edward looked down at me as I approached his side, and I was acutely aware of how much taller he was than me. Had he been this tall earlier? He seemed to have grown in his fury.

"Actually, it does," he said, his tone sharp.

I opened my mouth to protest but he gestured ahead of me. "Please," he grunted. "We need to get out of here."

I could hear tension growing in his voice, and at the same moment realized my own body growing more and more pained. We were standing so close, we could easily reach out and finish the binding. Being this close, my magic rushed to the surface of me, screaming at me to end this suffering.

I shoved my gloved hands in my pockets and began walking with him, away from the dead men.

Edward motioned toward a horseless carriage a few yards away. I'd seen photos of the machines but I'd never encountered one in person. It was long and sleek, with dark windows surrounded by a steel frame.

"How does this work?" I asked, eyeing the empty space where horses should have been pulling the machine.

"Magic."

When I glanced up at Edward, it was impossible to tell if he was being literal or facetious. He flashed me a tired grin before reaching past me and yanking open one of the gleaming doors. "After you."

I hesitated before climbing into the carriage. Inside was just as luxurious as the exterior, with supple leather seats and dark mahogany stripes that ran along the interior walls and were lit with tiny white lights.

I bent my head toward one of the panels, curious. How was this done?

I felt the carriage jostle, and I glanced up as Edward folded himself into the seat beside me. Before I could ask how the machine was meant to go, it was launching forward, startling me. As far as I could tell, there was no driver nor coachman.

What the hell was this thing?

Sitting beside Edward trapped in the confinement of the carriage, I became acutely aware of the scent of him.

Magic, I was told, smelled different to everyone. I'd only ever known it as the smell of leather, tart cherries, sandalwood, and smoke.

It was as if Edward had bathed in the combination.

I'd never smelled magic so strong, and my gloved hands curled into fists so tight, I wondered if my nails would shred through the leather.

I wanted to crawl under his skin and devour the scent of him whole.

I brought my fist to my nose, trying desperately to stop myself from breathing any more of him. My self control was on dangerously rocky ground. One fraction of a second unfocused and I would snap, like a sampling in a halestorm.

Edward stayed quiet as well, his posture rigid as he gazed out the window. I wondered if it was as hard for him as it was for me to resist the binding.

Finally when I felt like I could take it no longer, the carriage pulled to a graceful stop.

Immediately, Edward was stepping out, leaving the door open behind him for me to follow.

I bunched my hands into fists as I crawled on the leather seat and out the door.

I had expected he would bring me to the palace, but I was surprised to find instead that we were in front of a large stone home. I hesitated when I glanced up at the manor, taking in the ivy that grew along the stone walls and exemplary kept gardens.

"Where are we?" I asked.

Edward looked at me. It was easier, in the open night air, not to launch myself at him, but not by much.

"This is the home of Doctor Sterla, the court physician," he explained.

I frowned. "I'm not injured," I argued.

He ignored me as he turned and started up the stone walkway to the large double doors. I hurried after him, curious about where we were and why we were here. In all my life, I'd never seen this part of the city before.

Edward reached for a large brass knocker in the shape of a dragon's head. I stared at it curiously as he banged it thrice.

After only a moment of waiting, the door cracked open revealing a young woman with long blond hair tied back into a plait behind her head. I could see by the tips of her pointed ears that she was fae, which really wasn't so surprising because she was easily the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

"Edward," she breathed, her slender eyebrows dipping in a frown. "What brings you to my home at this hour?"

Her eyes were the color of ice chips, and when she glanced my way, I felt a shiver race over my skin as if her gaze was just as cold.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Tanya," Edward said quietly. "I'm afraid it is urgent."

Doctor Sterla's eyes widened but then she nodded and opened the door wider, motioning us inside.

I'd never been inside anywhere this nice. The front doors led to a foyer of gleaming white stone. Large marble columns framed hallways in three directions off the entry, and a spiral staircase sat on one side of the circular room, making the space easily two stories high. Over my head hung the largest crystal chandelier I'd ever seen.

"Please, follow me," the doctor said. Edward fell into step and I hurried after him, trying not to get hung up on looking at every detail in the manor. There was enough wealth on display here to feed my entire neighborhood for at least a week.

We entered an opulent parlor and the doctor gestured for us to take seats. I sank hesitantly onto a silver and blue silk lounge, acutely aware that I was grimy from being attacked in the streets, as well as sooty and sweaty from working in the press all day. I wouldn't be surprised if I stained her expensive furniture.

"What's the matter?" the doctor asked, pulling my attention toward her.

Edward let out a breath. "This is Bella," he said, motioning to me. He was sitting three chairs over, but even that felt too close. I quickly folded my hands across my chest, tucking them in my armpits. Doctor Sterla's eyes traveled to me again faintly. "She is my sultra."

The word hung heavily in the air, and I glanced at the doctor to see the surprise on her face. She stood from the chair she'd settled in and came to stride before me. She stopped, reaching one long fingered hand under my chin and tilting my head up. "Hold still, my dear," she said softly, as her fingers gently tucked my hair behind my ears. I saw her eyebrows knit together in confusion and she looked back to my face, her eyes searching.

"You're human," she said, sounding surprised.

I nodded stiffly. She still had my chin in her hand, and as soon as I moved my head, she let go of me, blinking.

"Edward, I'm sorry you must be mistaken. Fae cannot bind with humans."

I blinked in surprise. So there was a chance this wasn't what I feared? If fae and humans truly couldn't be sutras, then maybe something else was happening to us. Unbidden, hope swelled in me. Maybe I was still free after all.

"Tanya," Edward said, shaking his head. "I don't know how it's possible, but what I've said is true. Bella and I are fighting the bonding as we speak"

Tanya turned to look at him and frowned before she nodded. She turned to me and reached my scalp, swiftly yanking out a hair.

"Ow!" I yelped, my hand rising to my head to rub. She ignored me and turned to Edward, plucking one of his hairs as well. She placed both strands on her palm and I watched in horror as they came to life, wiggling together as if drawn like magnets. The strands wrapped around each other so fiercely, I could not differentiate them anymore.

I swallowed hard as the doctor's eyes widened. "I don't know how this is possible," she said, shaking her head.

"Nor do I," Edward agreed. "But it's happened."

I cleared my throat. "What's the problem?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Both Edward and the doctor turned to look at me. "I assume you know our history, don't you?" Doctor Sterla asked.

When I frowned she sighed. "When the Veda created this world, they crafted the fae out of magic and gifted humans the ability to use magic. The source of our powers is completely different. When the Veda divided magic, they divided souls. You cannot be sultra simply for the fact that you two different species."

I frowned. "But fae and humans mate," I said, feeling my cheeks grow flush. "I mean, I've heard about the half fae-human children in stories."

Doctor Sterla shook her head. "It is extremely uncommon for a child to be survive in such a union."

"But it is possible," I argued. "So if humans and fae can mate, I don't see how we can't bind."

Edward was giving me a strange look and immediately I felt self conscious. "Not that I want to be bound to you," I said, backtracking. "In fact, I want the exact opposite."

"There has never been a binding of magic between the fae and humans," the doctor said, shaking her head. "We inherently use different kinds of magic. It is like calling a candle flame the same thing as lightning."

I supposed I was the flickering candle in her analogy. I felt myself scowl.

"Not to mention," the doctor continued. "That humans cannot contain magic like fae. Their bodies are not designed for it."

As annoying as she was, I knew she was right, at least about this. Humans were weaker, and magic had seeped out of us faster. But it didn't mean the fae were immune to decline either. Our kingdom was evidence of that.

"So what would happen?" Edward asked, drawing our attention to him. "If we were to touch and complete the binding?"

Doctor Sterla looked at him and let out a breath.

"At best I imagine your power would overwhelm Bella. It could easily kill her if she takes it into herself." She looked between us and shook her head. "I advise that neither of you gives in to the temptation, not until we understand what is happening."

Edward sighed. "Is there a way to dampen the severity?" he asked. "It is … taxing."

Doctor Sterla frowned before nodding. "There may be a way. It will take me a few minutes though. Wait here."

With that she left the room, leaving us alone. Under my armpits, my fingers curled into fists.

"What do you think is going on?" I asked.

Edward looked at me and frowned. "I don't know," he said slowly. "But we have to sort it out."

I nodded in agreement. "How often do you get away with murder?" I asked after a moment.

Edward looked at me sharply. "What are you talking about? I don't murder people."

I scowled. "So what do you call what you did to those two men tonight?"

Edward grunted, running a hand through his hair. "It is punishable by death to attack any member of the royal family," he said, as if I didn't know the laws.

"Right, but I'm not a member of the royal family," I reminded him.

Edward looked at me. "Our magic is trying to bind together, making you an extension of me, so legally, you are."

I glared at him. A technicality in the law and he got to get away with murder? How was that justice?

Before I could say anything, Doctor Sterla was returning with two long silver chains. "This should help," she said, shaking her head. "Though I don't know for how long."

She showed us the pendants on the ends of the long chains. They looked like small vials.

"Is that for my blood?" I asked, alarmed.

"Yes," the doctor said, producing a syringe from her desk. "Holding the blood of each other against your body should help."

Instinctively I stepped back. I knew better than to go around handing my blood to anyone who asked. Blood was power, and mine held power over my life. I would not surrender that easily.

"I'll go first," Edward said, reaching for his sleeve. Doctor Sterla nodded and moved to his side as he bunched up his sleeve, producing a strong forearm. I watched anxiously as she pierced his skin, drawing his blood. Like all fae, his blood was gold.

Doctor Sterla transferred the liquid to one of the vials before she retrieved a second needle and turned to me.

Letting out a strangled breath, I unwound my arms and began rolling up my sleeve. When it was high enough up, she gently took my arm in her hands and slid the needle beneath my skin. My red human blood began filling the needle and I looked away, taking a deep breath.

When she was done, she pressed a small gauze to my arm before allowing me to roll my sleeve back down. She transferred my blood into the second necklace then turned to each of us. "Put these on," she instructed. I took the necklace with the gold vial, examining it. There were small etchings on the metal, elven runes that I didn't recognize. The moment Edward's blood was in my palms, even through the glass vial, it began to twist and swirl, as if it was trying to find a way to escape and come for me. I slid the long chain over my head, and for a terrible moment, felt like I was going to get choked by the sudden feeling of Edward so close to me. He was still across the room, but I was acutely aware of him, his blood swirling in the vial that settled between my breasts stealing the breath from me.

After a few minutes, my body began to adjust to the new presence of him, and I took a shaking breath. I no longer had the desire to rip out of my skin and crawl across the room toward Edward, which was a relief, though I could not shake the feeling of his presence. I suspected that I would sense it now even if he were a hundred leagues away from me.

"Better?" the doctor asked.

"Yes," Edward nodded. "Thank you, Tanya."

She looked us over. "If I were you," she said, her mouth pursed in thought. "I would try to figure out what is happening as quickly as possible."

"How?" I asked.

Doctor Sterla looked at me. "Have you ever heard of Ananka?"

My eyebrows rose in surprise. "The isle of the Soul Tree?"

Doctor Sterla nodded. "If you can find it, it may reveal the truth of the connection between the two of you," she said thoughtfully. "It may even allow you to stop the binding your magic is trying to do."

I frowned. "But Ananka isn't a real place," I argued, shaking my head. "I mean, it's just a story, isn't it?"

Edward frowned contemplatively. "I'm not sure," he said slowly. "I guess we can do some digging in the archives and see what comes up." He sounded uncertain and I let out a tight breath.

"Okay, well have fun with that. I have a life to get back to."

Doctor Sterla's eyebrows rose. "Those charms won't last forever," she cautioned. "Their potency will continue to wear down over time. If you truly do not wish to bind, you'll need to find a solution sooner rather than later."

I shot her an annoyed look. "I can't just uproot my life and go on a magical goose chase," I snapped.

"Bella," Edward said, his tone admonishing.

I shook my head. "No, I can't do this, okay? I don't want any part of this bullshit anymore! I want to go home right now!" I was dangerously close to having a breakdown, and if I had one in front of Edward, I'd never forgive myself.

Edward and Doctor Sterla exchanged glances before Edward sighed. "Very well, I'll take you home." He turned to the doctor. "Thank you for your help. We'll see ourselves out."

She nodded, her icy eyes on me as I turned and stormed out of her parlor. I was too far from home, too far away from everything I'd ever known. All I wanted was to return to my crappy studio flat and crawl into my lumpy bed and cry.

"Come on," Edward said, leading me through the front door.

"Are you taking me home?" I asked, my voice hopeful.

"No," he said, not looking back at me. "Let's go."

I was going to fucking kill the crown prince before the night was through.