9
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<
1:30
“I guess it was meant to be,” I said.
Pax smiled at me, looking as if he agreed.
After the ceremony, we went to the bridal
chamber.
On the human side, a bonding ceremony was
basically a wedding.
We were supposed to sleep together.
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But I knew Pax was different. As we entered the
bedroom, I asked, “Do you want to take that
final step with me?”
Maybe I was too direct. Pax’s face turned red.
He sat on the bed and didn’t look at me. He
clenched his fists.
I spoke again, “It’s fine. If you don’t want to, I don’t care.‘
<
1:30
“Beatrice, do you hate me?”
I looked at Pax. His eyes were red.
“No, I just…”
“Then why don’t you want to do it?”
“I’m trying to respect you.”
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Pax didn’t say anything. The atmosphere was icy. To break the tension, I said, “I want to do it, but can you even handle it?”
Pax grabbed my sleeve. “What did you say?”
He bared his teeth, looking like I’d just insulted his entire bloodline.
I realized he must have gotten the wrong idea. “No, wait, I didn’t mean it like-”
Before I could explain, the little hellcat had me pinned beneath the covers.
<
1:30
75
I didn’t properly wake up until the sun was high
in the sky. And when I did, Pax was gone.
The usually quiet courtyard was now filled with
the sound of a white–clad dude wielding a
sword. The sight was gorgeous, but the peace
didn’t last.
10
“Congrats on the bonding, Bea.”
My sister, Evie, appeared out of nowhere.
She stood at a distance, her eyes locked on mine with a look that didn’t match her words. “Congratulations, big sis. You picked a good one. You even got blessed by the beast gods, and your heart’s suddenly cured.”
I pretended not to notice her bitterness, and gave her a hug. “Thanks for congratulating me,
Evin
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1:30
(75)
Evie. I knew we were close. But hey, if I can get the beast gods‘ blessing, I’m sure you can too.”
“Really?”
Evie seemed surprised by my move. “You think I’ll get a blessing too?”
She played the part of the hopeful little sister,
but all I could see was pure hatred. I pretended
not to see my parents lurking behind her.
I gave her a pat on the head, just like a loving
older sister would.
Then, I whispered in her ear, “If the beast won’t
bond, you can always take matters into your
own hands. You’re smart, Evie. You know what
to do, right?”
“That doesn’t seem right.”
She said that, but her eyes were glowing. She
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<
1:30
already had a plan.
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I sighed. “Do your best, Evie. I’m sure you’ll get bonded. I promise that if you do, I’ll let you be
the next candidate for Head of the House.”
“Is that a promise?”
Mom and Dad rushed out, looking thrilled.
Dad beamed. “I knew you were sensible. If you
let your sister be the candidate, she can lead us
to greatness.”
“Exactly.”
I stayed silent.
Evie ran to their arms, gave me a smug look. “I
knew you all loved me the most!”
!
”
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<
1:30
They left without a word to me, eager to tell
everyone about the news.
I pondered for a moment, then ordered Ike,
“Pack our bags. We’re going to Phoenix
Springs.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
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Pax stared at me. “You’re supposed to be
fighting for the Head position. Why would you
do that?”
I laughed. “Some things are mine by right, Pax. Evie will never get them. Unless I decide to give them to her.”
I added, “Or if I don’t want them.”
I glanced at the red fabric in the corner. The owner vanished.
Then, I took Pax’s hand.
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1:30
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I recognized Kai instantly. He’d been reborn
too. But so what?
He didn’t love me. He loved Evie. I’d let them
have each other.
12
Pax only had one tail, and his wounds weren’t
healed.
Phoenix Springs was home to the miraculous
Dr. Liv.
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But less than three days later, I got a message:
Evie tried to kill herself. I had to go back and
atone.
I laughed. “Why should I atone if Evie tried to
kill herself?”
The guard was Dad’s man. “You said she would
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get the beast gods‘ blessing!”
I laughed. “So what?”
The guard looked angry. “She wasn’t blessed at
the bonding.”
I glared at him. “Did she even have the
ceremony?”
He stayed quiet.
I sneered. “No ceremony, no blessing. Why should I atone? Get out!”
I had him thrown out and sent Dad a message:
“I’m giving up my claim to the Head position.
Evie can have everything. I hope that makes you happy.”
13
After that, I enjoyed a comfortable life.
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1:30
75
Pax and I got closer. We traveled and found a
doctor for him.
Within three months, he had four tails.
Finally, we started back towards the city.
At a tavern, we heard people talking about how
Evie was chosen as the next Head of the
House. They also said that she got the beast
gods‘ blessing with Kai, the merman. He was
supposedly descended from the sea god.
“Did you know about this?”
