Yiselda swings the cell door shut with a heavy clang, sealing Alec and me within the shadowy enclosure. The metallic click of the lock echoes like a final decree, and Magnus is left standing on the other side, grappling with the reality of the choices he's had to make.
Alec, swift, materializes in the dimness, a flash of shadows coalescing into a tangible form. In a sudden movement, he swoops me up in his arms, his touch bringing immediate ease to the burning pain that had plagued me moments before. The sweet warmth replaces the searing agony as Alec holds me close in the corner of the cell, his back turned to the cold steel bars.
Alec’s skin heals as he caresses my face and lovingly gazes at me. I cup my hand over Alec’s, and he pulls me closer into his chest.
We continue to gaze into each other’s eyes, but his aren’t the usual light brown they usually are, but primarily ebony. I can see he is straining himself from doing something, but I’m unsure what it is.
Our lips draw closer to one another, and that’s when I taste the blood along my lip from where I bit it, trying to fight the burning pain. Alec’s eyes momentarily light up. And I realise he wants blood—my blood—and he's fighting himself from taking it.
Freed from the searing agony, my flesh and Alec's are mostly healed, and I crush my lips onto his in a fiery kiss. As he relishes the lone droplet of blood on my lips, our kiss doesn't fully break. Instead, Alec tenderly sucks my bottom lip, an ardent desire evident in his actions. His tongue fervently licks over the wound, but my wolf's healing prowess swiftly closes it, ending his delectable indulgence.
In an instinctual surrender, my head tilts to the side, offering Alec access. Alec's teeth graze across my nape on the unmarked expanse opposite Magnus's claim. A tingling sensation courses through me, eliciting a gasp. His teeth pierce my skin, and a moan escapes him as he savours the taste of my blood. After a minute, Alec withdraws, his eyes tenderly locking onto mine. The ebony that had taken over in his eyes return to its light brown hue. Raising my hand to his face, I delicately wipe the blood that drips from Alec's lips. Our connection solidified in the shared intimacy of this moment.
'My Nina, my darling, my queen,' Alec's voice rings with happiness.
Reaper caws in acknowledgment.
'Alec,' I reply, and a surge of joy fills me as I wrap my arms around him.
We revel in a loving embrace, the world around us fading into the background. Alec, with tender reverence, licks the puncture marks he left on my neck, and my body arches, gasping at the thrilling and desirous sensation coursing through me.
As we share this intimate moment, I notice Magnus, who has turned away, unable to witness our connection. Yiselda shares a concerned glance at Magnus, then returns her gaze to me. ‘Usually, a mate would feel horrendous pain when the other mate becomes intimate with another. Magnus shared with me that he thought it was odd he felt no physical pain, just jealousy,’ she conveys to me, and she walks away towards Magnus to give us some privacy and to offer Magnus support.
Looking at Alec, I confirm, 'We’re okay?' My fingers trace along his arm, ensuring the complete absence of burns.
Alec nods, his smile filled with relief. Tucking my long brown hair behind my ears, he gazes into my eyes, and we passionately kiss.
Suddenly, Magnus storms over to the cell bars. 'That's enough. Now, give me back, my mate,' his scowls.
'Magnus,' I call his name, my voice tinged with anguish, and approach him. Before I take more than a step, Alec's firm grip wraps around me, holding me to his chest.
'She's my blood flame,' Alec declares firmly to Magnus, a possessive edge to his tone. The tension between them intensifies, their gazes locked in a battle of dominance.
Sensing the escalating conflict, I interject, 'Alec, it's okay. You know Magnus is my mate too, and I need to return to him.' I attempt to disentangle myself from Alec's hold, but his arms remain resolute, creating a protective shield around me.
Alec turns me to face him and cups my face with his hands, his forehead pressing against mine. 'When will you be back?' he asks, a mix of yearning and concern in his eyes.
'Tomorrow,' I reply, my fingers resting on Alec's forearms, reassuring him with a gentle touch. Seeking confirmation, Alec turns his gaze to Magnus, who responds with a fierce grip on the cell bars, narrowing his eyes at Alec with disdain. 'Nina is my fated mate. She is my entire world. If bringing her back here each day keeps her alive, then so be it,' Magnus growls, a clear reluctance in his words but an acknowledgment of our grim reality.
As I approach the cell door, Alec whirls me around, capturing my lips in a final, gentle kiss—a poignant promise of our reunion. Magnus, locked in a silent battle of territorial growls, conveys his disapproval.
Yiselda unlocks the cell door, and I step out carefully, avoiding the faint line on the ground. Magnus swiftly envelops me in his arms, pulling me tightly against his chest. His kisses rain down on my forehead, tracing a path to the nape of my neck. Alec hisses in protest, both of their conflicting emotions echoing through the dungeon.
'I'm sorry,' I whisper to Magnus, my eyes meeting his with sorrow.
'It's not your fault, Nina. It had to be done,' Magnus responds with a softness that attempts to conceal the pain beneath.
'Let's go home and spend some time together. Just you and me,' I suggest, my hand taking his.
Magnus nods, leading me out of the dungeon, away from the shadows.
Back home, we spent the remainder of the afternoon at Shadow Crest Lake, revisiting the towering trees of our childhood. Alec and anything that happened in the dungeon are not spoken of or mentioned in the slightest. Instead, Magnus devotes every second to me—kisses, touches, making love, shared laughter, swimming, and more tender moments in the water. We revel in the simple pleasures of splashing each other, rolling in the grass, and losing ourselves in the nostalgic embrace of our past. Reaper, respectful of our intimate moments, takes flight each time Magnus and I share a more private connection, allowing us the space to reclaim the innocence of our love.
We remain inseparable until the following day, recognizing the inevitable return to Pandora’s Box for my designated time with Alec.
Mastering the path to the dungeon and the necessary spells, I don't wait for Yiselda. Magnus shadows my steps until we stand before the imposing dark door adorned with sigils—the entrance to the dungeon.
'I'll wait here,' Magnus frowns, the prospect of witnessing Alec and me together creating a visible discomfort. I gently cup Magnus's face, tenderly kissing his lips. 'I'll be back soon,' I assure him.