Candor

I wake suddenly, sitting up, every thought in high definition. My eyes take in every ray of moonlight before grabbing the sore muscles on the back of my neck.

When did I fall asleep? Where am I?

Looking around, I couldn't really make out the room in the darkness as the memories of what happened earlier, slammed into me.

Alistair.

Tossing the furs aside, I jumped up.

"I'm going to strangle him," I seethed, feeling my body heat up but it wasn't either Faelin or River's anger I felt, it was my own. Raw annoyance at the fact I was rendered unconscious.

"I was wondering how long you would sleep."

Startled, I backed up, my rear falling to the bed again before looking in the direction of the voice.

In the darkest corner of the room, I saw two legs as the voice echoed in my head again.

"Alistair," I questioned cautiously.

Why would he be over there?

The figure leaned forward, elbows on his knees and fingers laced together.

I cringed, staring at him.

"By the Gods, must you be so creepy? Why are you sitting in a dark corner anyways?"

"Given the circumstances of how you fell asleep, I doubt it would have been wise to be next to you when you awoke," Alistair spoke lazily, unmoving.

Crossing my arms, I stood again and glared.

"You're right. I would have strangled you if I would have woken first," I growled, pausing.

Staring at him, I pointed. "It doesn't explain why you're in a dark corner or even in this room with me though."

"I just happen to like this corner, thank you," Alistair said as he stood and moved to the fireplace.

He grabbed a shard of flint from the mantle and began striking it, its little sparks falling on the kindling. When a flame picked up, Alistair stood, the hearth illuminating the room. Dusting his hands, he turned to me, a look of boredom across his face.

I looked around and realized where I was.

"Why am I in your chambers?"

"I am responsible for the state you were in and I wasn't about to let you out of my sight."

What?

Laughing, I turned away from Alistair and ran my fingers through my hair before spinning around to face him.

"I wasn't about to let you out of my sight," I mocked. "YOU SENT CUYLER AND NEBO AFTER ME! What the hell?"

"If you hadn't noticed or in your case, have completely forgotten, we were in the middle of a war council. Dealing with you myself wasn't exactly an option," Alistair scolded, now running his hand through his hair and down the back of his neck.

"But as always in your case, you act without thinking and force my hand."

Before I could say anything, he moved and was in front of me causing me to take a step back.

"I will admit however, it was quite interesting watching you best Cuyler but I wonder how you would have bested Nebo, my Beta, without the help of—," Alistair paused as he reached into a pocket, removing the powder I had taken from the apothecary earlier, "—something you shouldn't have had your hands on to begin with."

How did he get that?

I just stared at the powder.

Crossing my arms, I glared at him before puffing my chest out, recalling the fight.

"I guess they aren't as strong as you take them for or maybe, I came prepared for a fight. Either way, I won."

I smiled before whatever pride I felt, deflated.

"Wait, that was here," I said, pointing to my the spot under the loose tunic. "How do you have it now?"

"I retrieved it, how else do you think I got it but if it is any comfort to you, your bosoms were warm and soft to the touch," Alistair teased yet his voice was laced with undoubted sarcasm.

I just stared at him, void of any emotion as he tossed the small bag up, catching it then throwing it lazily into the fire.

"You shouldn't invade a woman's space like that without permission."

"You are mine. Your body is mine. I will do as I see fit with you, mo grá," he said as he leaned down and poked my cheek.

Hmph.

Jumping back, I pointed at him.

"You might have claimed me but I haven't claimed you. You can't just do as you please with me, bond or not."

Alistair stood there, an expression on his face that I had never seen before. His shoulders slumped and his eyes stared down at me in a mournful gaze. Then it hit me.

Sadness.

But as quickly as it came, it was gone as he straightened himself then spoke, his voice hard and blended with fresh annoyance.

"I am painfully aware, Noir. I do not need you to remind me nor do you need to counsel me on why I only removed the item from you rather than tearing your clothes off and taking you in the process."

I took a couple of steps back and stared at him, rendered completely speechless.

"You overstepped, Noir and not in your usual way either but you crossed an emotional boundary," River growled.

"I have to agree. The bond's spiritual, mental and emotional connection is a one-way dirt path right now. Alistair. Rune. Hael. They feel everything you feel. Anger. Heartbreak. Love. Confusion. All of it because you have been marked, twice at that, yet because you haven't marked your partner, you can't feel what they're feeling," Faelen scolded, taking her place beside River.

"Apologize," both said in unison.

They were right. I tried to ignore the bond in a sense but it called to me, like the moon itself.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I took a step towards Alistair.

"Alistair... I...," I held my breath for a moment and looked away.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that... I've wanted to mark you. We were interrupted the first time and you wouldn't allow it the second. Earlier, I..."

I didn't see him but I heard him as he closed the gap between us. Slipping his thumb under my chin, he raised my head to face him.

Alistair's eyes were closed for a moment as he took in a deep breath. When he opened them again, heterochromic eyes stared back at me. One green, one aurum.

"So what's stopping you now," he asked, his voice deeper than usual.

Just then, a strong pressure pushed against my skull then flung me back, winding me as both River and Faelen took over.

What the fu—

"Nothing."

Alistair, in a single movement, much too fast for me to apprehend, crashed into me, pinning me against the wall.

"Be careful, girls. Once you go down this path, there is no turning back," he said as he rested his thigh between mine, looking down at me.

"We know."