* * *
Returning to the estate, I peeked through her window before landing to find she wasn’t in her chambers. Just as I turned to leave and search the surrounding town, however, a young man exited from the front door, not much older than Ara.
A spike of jealousy shot through me.
He was clearly not related to the general, considering Evander was dark-complected and this man was red-headed and pale. He was too young to be a higher up in the general’s ranks, so not one of his close working men, and I highly doubted Evander’s wife would take a lover so openly.
He must be attempting to court Ara or at least one of her friends.
He walked with purpose, so I followed. We continued for about three miles, stopping outside a small building with a dainty metal sign hanging above the door:Asha’s Library.As he entered and closed the door behind him, I crept up to one of the few windows, looking through.
Sitting in a worn, oversized chair was Ara. She was slumped to one side, resting her head on the inside of one elbow, and her legs tucked in a blanket, an open book dropped in her lap. She looked at peace, content—completely unlike how I had last seen her.
The man walked up and lightly tapped her shoulder. His touch was so casual, so sure. They must be close.
My lip twitched, my heart racing.
Ara startled awake, looking at him with searching eyes before her face solidified with anger. He muttered something I couldn’t quite hear as she started to leave. I inched closer to the window, sitting just under it to overhear their conversation.
“Let’s be honest, you’ve always known how I felt for you. I want to be married to you and I can provide for you. We can be happy. I already have a nice house with plenty of room. You could even add a library and read all day long.”
My fists clenched, cracking my knuckles. He wasn’t just courting my mate, he expected to marry her.
“Finn, I meant it when I said I never wished to marry. It’s not you. It’s anybody, everybody. I have been locked away in our estate my entire life. Never tasted true freedom. Never been given the choice to decide anything for myself. My father would never allow me that and now he has taken away even my choice in who and when I marry.”
Relaxing slightly, my heart ached for her, understanding the lack of freedom all too well.
“Did it really never occur to you that your father allowing you to leave the grounds with me, so casually and so often, these past few months was unusual? You seem so utterly surprised that he’s given your hand, but how many times has he been so casual about you leaving? Whom else are you permitted to leave the grounds with?”
He paused and I held my breath, waiting for his next words, every muscle in my body tense.
“We had hoped you’d wish to marry me on your own terms by now, but he’s decided it’s time. I have cherished my days with you so far and I will cherish every day we have to come. You were promised to me, Ara. I will have you.”
Rage blinded me. It took everything I had to not barge in there and grab him by the throat, just to choke off whatever nonsense he was about to spew.
“You will learn to love me, in time, and I am a patient man. I will be waiting for that day.”
And that was that. Fury enveloped me as smoke drifted from my palms.
She is mine.
My mate.
I knew it was the bond causing this reaction, but the knowledge did nothing to dampen my temper.
Finn stepped out of the library, clearly frustrated. I couldn’t control my feet as they followed after him. We continued until we arrived at, what I assume, was his manor—no doubt bought with his father’s money, considering his enormous sense of entitlement.
Surrounding the house was acres and acres of farmland, stretching out in every direction, with every type of vegetation: potatoes, barley, corn, cotton, flowers. Clearly his main source of income.
Studying the large house, heat flushed me as I was reminded of his promise to “provide” for her, my mate. Before I could control myself, the fire sparked at my fingertips.
Willing it forward, the flames rapidly crossed the land, racing toward the crops and scorching the ground in its wake. My mouth twisted into a vicious grin as the fire devoured everything with an insatiable hunger, razing every crop, leaving nothing but ash and char behind.
The flames edged toward the house, licking up the brick walls, growing higher until it latched onto the wooden roof and engulfed it. In mere seconds, the entire house was ignited.
Every human inside raced out the door and away from the house, turning in shock, mouths agape, as they watched the entire manor go up in flames and smoke.
Let’s see how well you can provide now, Finn.