In hindsight, the middle finger salute was spectacular. Five stars. The aftermath was what bent him over and spanked him bare-assed in front of five hundred witnesses.
Maddox's hand was still raised, royal-fuck-you still intact, fangs still buried.
He had never had a matebond before. But he knew enough to know that a matebond was supposed to lock in during the marking. He held. Waited. It didn't arrive.
His dragon tore through his chest with a sound that was more grief than rage.
WRONG. We should feel her. Something is blocking.
He retracted his fangs. Blood beaded on her neck where the mark sat, fresh and gleaming. Her eyes were closed, and her body was limp beneath him.
"Guinevere."
She didn't answer.
He said it again, quieter, his mouth against her temple. "Baby, open your eyes."
They stayed closed.
