a Fae woman. He had given up the right when he treated her like a
piece of trash.
“You’re tearing yourself apart over what happened out there, and
I’m not sure which part is killing you. You aren’t responsible for the
fact that you’re losing control. You should have been bonded five
years ago. If I recall, your parents had already betrothed the two of
you to a nice royal girl.”
Beck snorted. He remembered Maris. How could he forget? He’d
known since he was very young that she was his future bondmate. She
had been a cool blonde and very aware of her position, even as a
young teen. If she had been with him in the arena, she would have
slapped him silly. “I don’t think my uncle intended to honor that
contract.”
The vampire sighed impatiently. “That’s my point, asshole. You
did everything right. It’s not your fault that it all went wrong. Meg
saved you.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Beck asked irritably.
“Then why did you treat her like crap?”
“It’s your fault,” Beck snarled, lying through his teeth. Maybe if
he pissed his cousin off enough, he would go away and leave him
64
Sophie Oak
alone. “You were the one who was stupid enough to bring her into the
arena.”
Dante stood. He walked to the water’s edge, proving he did,
indeed, have a death wish. “It was the only way I could think to
salvage the situation.”
“I can think of another,” Beck replied, narrowing his eyes in
challenge.
Dante threw his head back and groaned. “I am not going to inject