My father called the pack into the hall at dusk, and I stood at the front like the heir I had been raised to be.
I even wore my good flannel. That is how sure I was.
Alden: Della takes my place when I am gone. Greyfen needs a steady hand at the dam.
The room clapped. Della stepped forward in her blue dress and smiled like she had practiced it in a mirror.
Twenty-six years of dam boots and four a.m. water checks went up in smoke right there.
Alden: Rhea answers to her now. I expect everyone to remember that.
Rhea: You had me counting water levels before I could count to ten. You raised me for that dam.
Alden: Which is exactly why you will do as you are told and keep your mouth shut about it.
Rhea: Wow. Say it louder, Dad, I don't think the back row heard you humiliate me.
I looked at my mother. Maren studied her shoes like the floor owed her an answer.
Rhea: Mom. Say something. Anything.
She said nothing. Honestly, the silence hurt worse than anything my father managed.
I walked out before anyone could see my face do something embarrassing.
The dam sat behind me in the dark, holding back a lake I had spent my whole life guarding.
Fine. If I couldn't have it, I could sure as hell make them feel what they threw away.
The bar by the dam smelled like wet coats and old beer. My kind of place tonight.
Two drinks in, the bond in my chest went hot and restless. I knew what that meant before the door even opened.
Kael: Heard the news, Greyfen.
Rhea: Go away, Kael. I'm not in the mood to be somebody's victory lap.
Kael: No. You're in the mood to get drunk and prove a point. I can smell both.
Rhea: You came all the way across the border to gloat. That's pathetic.
Kael: I came because the bond went electric the second your daddy opened his mouth. Like it was laughing at us both.
Rhea: So the universe is an asshole. Great. Congratulations on the news.
Kael: Get up.
Rhea: You don't get to tell me what to do.
Kael: Watch me.
He walked me backward until my shoulders hit the wall, and his hand slapped flat by my head.
The bond pulled hot and stupid in my chest. Every instinct told me he was a predator and I was standing in his teeth.
Kael: Last chance to tell me to stop.
I answered him with my mouth.
I kissed him back like it was his fault and mine and I wanted to break something, and he made a rough sound against my lips that I felt in my knees.
Kael: That's it. Don't think.
His mouth slid down to my throat and he bit the cord of my neck, just short of breaking skin.
My knees went useless. Desire, bright and reckless, ran down my body and pooled low.
His hand went up under my shirt and along my ribs, palm rough from work, warm on my bare skin.
He cupped my breast and dragged his thumb slow over my nipple through the thin cotton, and I made a sound I will deny until I die.
Kael: You're shaking. Not from cold.
Kael: You're wet already. I can smell it from here.
Rhea: Shut your mouth.
Kael: You want me. Say it out loud and I'll give you more than tonight. Say it and the bond settles.
I could feel how much he wanted it. How much he wanted me. It was heady as a drug and twice as stupid.
Rhea: Here's the thing, Kael. This isn't fate. You're a stray dog sniffing around my family's water, and I'm convenient.
Something cracked behind his eyes. Good. I wanted it to.
Kael: Careful, Rhea.
Rhea: Did that sting? Good. Now you know what tonight felt like for me.
Kael: You can wound me all you like. It won't change what you are to me.
I shoved off the wall and left him standing there with his hand still open.
My blood was loud all the way to the door, and the bond pulled after me like a hook in the ribs.
I could run. That was the smart thing. So why did every part of me want to turn around?