'Then why are we all in here? Let's split up and find him,' Fern says.
Josie, quick on her feet, dashes downstairs while the rest of us 'Skedaddle Dash' outside. Josie, hands on hips, frowns. 'That's not fair,' she pouts.
'Life is never fair, Josie,' May retorts playfully.
Josie and I shift into wolves, ready to pick up Magnus's scent more effectively. The witches squeal in delight, showering us with belly rubs until May clears her throat, signalling our mission.
'Oh, yeah, Magnus, right,' Ela says.
My coven sister's familiars join them, dispersing in separate directions.
I sprint to the summit of the forest mountain, thinking he might be staying at one of the camping lodges. Darting in and out of trees, I hope to catch his scent, but I’m unsuccessful. Exhausted, I sit, moping, contemplating where he might be. Then it hits me—Shadow Crest Lake, a place filled with cherished memories. Determined, I make my way there, eager to find Magnus.
I dash down the hill through the woods until I reach the lake. The scent of Magnus hangs in the air, guiding me to where he sits on the edge, staring into the water.
My wolf whimpers as I approach, and I lower myself, resting my head on his lap. He looks down, his eyes revealing exhaustion and sorrow. Bags under his eyes, unkempt hair, and puffy eyes tell the story of a sleepless night and tears. I whimper again, a silent apology.
Magnus lifts me onto his lap, holding me close to his chest. As I shift back into human form, I place my hand on his cheek. Sparks fly between us, a bittersweet reminder of our shared connection. His face presses into my hand, seeking solace. 'Although I feel so hurt and broken right now, I know none of this is your fault, Nina. We will work through this together,' he says, his words carrying a mix of pain and determination. Then he kisses me, and we tumble into the water. Despite the cold, he pulls me closer, wrapping my legs around him, holding onto our connection amidst the turmoil we now share. He gazes into my eyes, and we make love.
We take our time returning to the packhouse as we approach the entrance of the packhouse. I come to a halt, turning to face Magnus. 'I want you to know that Josie, May, and my coven sisters all know. I told them this morning,' I confess, my eyes searching his for any reaction.
Magnus nods, his expression a mixture of understanding and resolve. 'Good, because the more who know, the more who can help find a way to sever the bond between you and Alec,' he declares, his voice steady.
Entering our home, we find the others gathered, discussing their search efforts. Lilac's face lights up when she sees us. 'You found him, Luna,' she beams.
Magnus acknowledges their efforts with a nod. 'Thank you all, but as you know, it’s a lot to take in, and it took some time to absorb it all,' he shares. 'I also am thankful for your support toward our Luna in my absence,' he adds, expressing gratitude.
Lilac responds, 'Of course, Alpha.'
Magnus turns to me, his eyes softening. 'Let’s have some lunch, then we can talk privately and see what resolutions we can come up with,' he suggests.
Once our lunch is finished, we enter our office and close the door. Magnus takes a seat on the two-seater couch, and I settle beside him. He pulls me onto his lap, creating a conflicting mix of emotions within me—yearning for Alec's touch while finding solace in the embrace of Magnus. I smile at Magnus, my eyes reflecting love and adoration.
He sighs, his expression carrying a weight of concern. 'I love you so much, Nina, but I don’t want you going back to Pandora’s Box,' he says calmly, his finger gently pressing against my lips when I begin to protest.
'Until we figure out how to sever the bond, I can’t have you going there. I can’t have you near him. It’s not forever; it’s just until you are no longer his blood flame,' he reassures me. I shake my head, expressing my disagreement.
'Magnus, I think it would be better if Yiselda could join this conversation to give you more insight. It’s not going to be as simple as just not going near him, and what if it takes months or even years to figure out how to break the bond?' I express my concerns.
'Then that’s how long it will be until you return to Pandora’s Box,' he declares with finality.
I argue, 'Magnus, Pandora’s Box is my second home now. There will be times I may have to be there to help Yiselda and the others.'
'Then they will have to do it without you,' he asserts firmly.
I plead, 'Magnus, please, let’s talk to Yiselda and see what she has to say.'
'Yiselda isn’t my mate, nor does she have any authority over me, Nina. You are not returning to Pandora’s Box until the bond between you and the Vampire King is broken, and that is final,' he says with a growl, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
I remove myself from Magnus's lap, dash to our bedroom, and slam the door behind me. Slumping down on the balcony, I find solace in the cool night air. Reaper takes flight from his moon tree and lands on the railing.
'I'm guessing things aren't going so well?' he mind-links.
'No, Magnus won't let me go back to Pandora's Box until the bond between Alec and me is severed,’ I convey.
'What if it's unbreakable?' Reaper suggests.
'Then I'll have two options. I can go against Magnus's wishes and see Alec, or I can wait it out and eventually die from being separated from Alec for too long,' I grimace.
In the following three days, I spend most of my time in the basement, concocting potions, practising spells, and delving into the pages of "Mysteria: The Origins of Magic". My internal struggle persists—my mind and body yearn for both Magnus and Alec. I already feel like I've betrayed Magnus by kissing Alec. I don't want to betray him again and defy him to see Alec in Pandora's Box.
Every day, it becomes worse, and my skin constantly warms. It's not enough to hurt but serves as a persistent nudge, reminding me of my complex situation. Still, I persevere, focusing on the bubbling cauldron before me, creating potions that distract me momentarily from the emotional chaos.