"This is a test," she said. "You're testing whether I'll stay.""No." Alaric's voice was firm. "This is us giving you real power. Real choice. What you do with it is up to you."She stood up. Walked to the window. Looked out at the grounds.She could leave. Could walk out the door. Could go back to her mother. Could rebuild her life.The contract would be dissolved. The obligation would be gone. She'd be free.But the bond...The bond would hurt. Would pull at her. Would make every day away from them feel wrong.And next month, when the full moon came, they'd suffer without her. She'd feel it. Would know they were in pain. Would know she could help but chose not to.Could she live with that?"This is cruel," she said quietly. "Giving me this choice. Making me decide between my freedom and your suffering.""This is fair," Alaric corrected. "This is you getting to choose what your life looks like. Not us choosing for you."She turned to look at them."If I stay," she said slowly. "If I
Read more