Chapter 2 The Weight of the Bond

"Did you miss me already?"

The voice slid like silk through the dim room, and my heart lurched. I turned, trembling, to find Kai standing there, his black hair catching the light of the torches.

His lips curled into a knowing smirk as he stepped closer, each stride deliberate, predatory.

My pulse hammered as he reached me, his hand rising to brush against my cheek. His fingers were cool at first, then warmed against my skin, trailing down the side of my neck with agonizing slowness. I shivered.

"Stop," I whispered, but my voice wavered.

"Stop?" His smirk deepened as his other hand snaked around my waist, pulling me flush against his tall frame. His scent filled my lungs-rich, dark, intoxicating.

The mate bond throbbed within me, muddling my thoughts, twisting my body into a betrayer. My breath hitched, my knees weakening as his touch burned like fire.

"I-" The words crumbled on my tongue.

"You crave it," Kai murmured, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. "You crave me."

I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms as I fought the heat pooling in my chest. I hated myself for responding to him, hated how the bond wrapped around me like invisible chains.

And then-just as my control began to slip, just as I thought he would take me-Kai pulled away. His hand lingered for a heartbeat longer, then fell to his side.

"Not yet," he said, his eyes glittering with unreadable intent. "When I touch you, it will be special. Not here, not like this."

My lips parted, confusion flickering across my face. "Why... why stop now?"

His smile turned sharp. "Because Rowan was clever. Locking you away here only proves how desperate he is to keep you to himself." He chuckled, the sound smooth but edged with mockery. "But he forgets that nothing will change what you are to all of us."

I stiffened. "All of us?"

The words tumbled from my lips before I could stop them. My voice trembled, but the question clawed its way out. "Why am I feeling the bond... with both of you?"

Kai tilted his head back and laughed-a low, amused sound that echoed in the room. He leaned closer, his blue eyes boring into mine.

"Both of us?" he repeated, savoring the words. "No, Mira. You are mated to all four of us."

The world spun. My breath caught, my vision blurring for a moment. Four? My heart thudded painfully against my ribs. I staggered back, shaking my head in disbelief.

"No... that's not possible. That bond-it's supposed to be for one. One mate."

Kai's smile was merciless. "And yet, here you stand, trembling before me, bound by what cannot be denied." His eyes flicked over me, sharp and calculating. Then his expression shifted, and disgust curled his lips.

"You look unkempt," he muttered, as though my very presence offended him. His gaze swept down the plain gown I still wore. "Dirty. Ungraceful. It will not do."

He straightened, brushing invisible dust from his coat with an air of arrogance. "You will have new dresses, jewelry, cosmetics, shoes. Everything befitting your station."

I stared at him, the words sinking like stones into my chest. "Do you think a gown will make me... want you?" My voice quivered, half defiance, half desperation.

He smirked as though amused by a child's question. "When you stand adorned as you should, you will understand."

With that, he turned and left, the sound of the door clicking shut behind him echoing like a sentence passed.

For a moment, I sat frozen. My skin still tingled where he had touched me, and shame burned hot in my veins. I had nearly surrendered-nearly let the bond consume me. My stomach churned with loathing.

I cursed myself silently. "Have you forgotten? You are here for her. For Mother. You cannot falter."

I drew a shuddering breath, gripping the edge of the bed until my knuckles whitened. I must break this bond, I told myself. It is the only way I will be strong enough to finish what I came here for.

The door opened again, and this time it was not Kai.

A woman swept in, tall and poised, her beauty like a blade honed to perfection. Her gown shimmered in the light, jeweled embroidery catching every flicker of flame. Her dark eyes narrowed as they landed on me.

"And who," she asked coldly, her tone dripping disdain, "are you?"

I rose slowly, my body taut with unease. "I..." My throat tightened. "I was sent here. I am the one your kings brought."

Her gaze raked me up and down with a curl of her lip. "So you are the one. The one meant to bear their children."

My chest tightened. "Yes," I whispered bitterly.

She stepped closer, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. "Listen to me carefully," she said, her voice low, venomous. "I am their queen. Their wife. You will never take my place."

My eyes widened. "I have no intention-"

She cut me off with a scoff. "Do not lie. Women like you always believe a little affection, a little power, can change their fate. But you are nothing more than a womb to them. Cross your bounds, and I will make your life a torment you cannot imagine."

Her words struck like blows, each one leaving me smaller, weaker. "I don't want to take anything from you," I managed, but my voice broke under her glare.

"You'd best remember that." She leaned close, her perfume suffocating, her whisper sharp. "One step out of line, and I will see you destroyed."

Then she turned and swept out of the room without another word, leaving only the echo of her threats behind.

I sank onto the bed, my hands trembling. My chest ached, torn between fear and confusion.

"She's Married... to all four brothers?" The thought coiled in my mind, strange and terrifying. Was that their tradition, to share one woman between them? Or was I something else entirely-something cursed?

Before I could unravel the thought, the door opened once more.

This time, a group of maids filed in. Their arms were laden with gowns, silks, and sparkling jewels. Without a word, they surrounded me, pulling me to my feet.

"Wait-" I tried, but they did not listen. Their hands were rough, insistent, stripping away my old gown as though it were rags.

"Stop!" My protest echoed uselessly as they dragged me toward the waiting bath. The water steamed, perfumed with oils, but the way they handled me made it feel less like luxury and more like preparation for sacrifice.

Their hands scrubbed hard against my skin, washing me as if I were an object, a vessel to be cleansed. I clenched my jaw, humiliation burning hot under my skin.

When they finished, they dressed me in silks finer than any I had ever seen. Jewels were fastened around my neck, my wrists, even in my hair. The weight of them felt like shackles.

A guard entered, bowing stiffly. "The Black King requires your presence in his chambers," he announced.

My heart thudded painfully. Kai.

But before I could move, a figure passed the open doorway. He paused, his steps halting as his eyes fell on me.

Silver hair, bright and gleaming like moonlight, framed a face strikingly similar to Kai's and Rowan's. His features were sharp, regal, yet different-colder, more mysterious.

And then it hit me.

The same pull. The same searing, unbreakable tether of the mate bond.

My breath caught. My heart stumbled.

"Him too..."