“When did this start?” He took my hand.

“The physical stuff? It’s been getting worse the past few weeks. It’s been ten times worse today.”

“You were with Levi last night?”

“Yes.” Had it really only been the night before?

Toby sighed. “All right, try to sleep. We’ll figure this out in the morning.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m here for you. I always have been, and I will be for as long as you let me.” Those were not the words of someone who believed their ex had come back to them.

***

“I’m taking you to him.” Toby sat on the edge of the bed watching me. I was hot, oppressively so.

“Who? And why’s it so hot in here?” I struggled to pull my sweater over my head. I still had a tank top on underneath.

He helped pull off my sweater and set it down next to us on the bed. “Levi. I’m taking you to Levi.”

“Why?”

He let out a deep breath. “Come on, Allie. You’re sick. You only got more sick when you started spending time with Cade and with me. You need Levi.”

“You think it’s related?”

“Yes. You already know that, just like you know that you’re going to pick him.”

“But—”

“Save your energy. You said his name like twenty times while you slept.”

“Toby…” I struggled to find the right words.

“I know why you’re here. You want to know how to fix your bond with Levi.”

“And you’re okay with that…” I attempted to sit up, but gave up, eventually relaxing back against the pillow.

“I don’t want you sick. You look like hell, and you’re only getting worse.”

“Do you know how?” My voice was strained again.

“You have to get the ring off.”

“But how?”

“You think I know?”

“You have to know. You told me you knew how we could be together.”

“Of course, I did. I wanted you to pick me.”

“So you have no clue how this works?” Panic filled my voice.

“I thought you did.”

“Oh my god.” This had been for nothing. Absolutely nothing. “You knew I didn’t know. You just said you knew I was here about the ring.”

“I figured it would just come to you.”

“It’s not coming to me.”

“Obviously, but it’s now a bigger problem. If we can’t fix this damn bond, you’re probably going to stay sick.”

“You’ll really take me to Levi?”

“Yes. Your life means something to me. I care about you whether you want to accept it or not.”

“Can we go now?” Just thinking about being with Levi made me feel strong. The problem was that it also reminded me of how angry he was going to be. There was no sense worrying about it, what was done was done.

“When are we going?”

“As soon as I figure out how we’re going to get there. Buying a plane ticket isn’t exactly going to stay under the radar. My grandfather would do anything to prevent you from leaving. We have to keep this quiet.”

I nodded. “Okay.” I worked out exactly what I was going to say to Levi while I waited for Toby.

“Fuck.” Toby rarely cursed. It had to be bad.

“What?”

“My grandfather and a few of his men are on their way.” Toby let go of the curtain he had pulled back. I didn’t see anything, but something had to have tipped him off.

“I thought they weren’t coming yet.”

“I guess my grandfather didn’t trust me.” He pressed the palms of his hands against his forehead. “For good reason.”

“We’re going to have to act like things are okay. We’ll sneak out later.” I wished I had the energy to muster some confidence for my words.

“You’re right. He can’t stay forever.”

***

Toby and I had barely made it downstairs when the door banged open. “There you two are.” Mr. Blackwell’s words were simple, but the way he said it still frightened me. I moved closer to Toby.

“I left you a message. We need more time alone.” Toby looked his grandfather in the eye.

The old man hung up his coat on a hook. His eyes never left us. “Surely you don’t mind my presence.”

I used my anger and fear to stay strong. “How can I choose Toby with you here?”

“Choose Toby?” He grabbed my hand. “Then why are you still wearing this?”

“Maybe if you hadn’t interrupted us…” I tugged my hand from his.

“By all means, carry on then.” He gestured to the stairs.

“I know how well Pterons hear.”

“I assure you, it won’t bother me.”

Ugh. Dirty. Old. Man. “It will bother me. This isn’t a little thing, it’s big. I want privacy. It’s only between Toby and I.” I picked up Toby’s hand. He squeezed mine. The worst part of all of this was that I knew it had to hurt Toby. I reassured myself that once I picked a king, Toby would be back to normal and could finally move on.

“You aren’t in the position to have an opinion, Ms. Davis. Your stunt this afternoon was quite enough of a temper tantrum.”

“A temper tantrum? Wanting to get my friends away from their kidnappers isn’t a temper tantrum.” I resisted the urge to stomp my foot. That would have just played into what he was saying.

“Inviting the Dalys to partake crossed a line.”

“You never would have let them go. At least not alive.”

He grinned. It was an evil, horrible grin. “I see you’re learning not to be so naive.”

“I’m here. You can leave my family and friends alone.”

He laughed. “Why would I listen to you?”

“Because you have to.” I had the power—it was all about my choice.

“I don’t have to do anything. I can make you do whatever I want. You just don’t want to know how.”

I shivered. “Are you threatening me?”

He stepped toward me. “Yes.”

“Don’t move any closer.” Toby pushed me behind him.

“Don’t tell me what to do, boy.”

“Allie’s going to be my mate. I’m the only one who touches her or tells her what to do.” Normally I would have snapped at him implying he could tell me what to do, but he was probably acting—just like me.