Chapter Four (NOVA'S POV)

“What do you mean bonding?” I ask, pulling away from him slightly?

“It’s like a pact… Grab my hand and state what you want me to be for you and I’ll serve you and protect you till the next generation of Lavina witches come along,” he explains, offering me his hand.

“What can you be?” I ask, officially curious about the offer.

“Anything you wish me to be, little witch.”

“Anything?”

“Anything…” he responds, his voice dropping to a lower octave.

“What have you been previously?” I ask, wanting to dig deeper before I made any rash decisions.

“I’ve been everything… A guard, a confidant, a business partner, a lover…” he trails off, looking me over as he states the last position, sending a chill down my spine. I can’t help but picture how he would be as a lover… Would he be gentle or rough? Would he give more than he took? “Careful, little witch… Your face is giving you away.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say in a hurry, a blush spreading across my cheeks.

“Oh, but you do and I promise you you wouldn’t live through it… I’ve been a lover to one witch and one witch only, and I can promise you she was much more powerful than you are, little one.” His words take on a seductive tone that has me leaning closer to him.

“And why was she so special?” I ask, slightly offended by his words.

“She was skilled enough to handle what I had to give. I am a rough lover… I like pain, both giving it and receiving it… I am darkness itself so you can imagine how much I like the dark and depraved… ”

“Who says I’m unable to tame you?” I whisper and his eyes flash with intensity.

“I can not be tamed, little one.” He warns, a sinister grin spreading over his face.

“And if I choose to embrace your darkness then?”

“I would have to refuse… My oath forbids me from harming you, unless it’s willingly, and it would lead to your death…” He explains, shaking his head at my suggestion.

“Then I know what I want,” I state, grabbing his hand.

“Just say the words and it will be yours…”

“I want you to be free,” I state without hesitation and his look turns to shock as the air around us shimmers and grows thick for just a moment before dissipating.

“Why… Why would you do that?” He asks in shock as he pulls his hand from my grasp.

“I figured you’d been trapped one way or another for your entire life and you deserved the chance to experience freedom for once” I explain, the faintest hint of a smile on my face.

“You can’t do that! Your bloodline, it’ll perish if-”

“Well I did… You're free, Sebastian.”

“What will I do now?”

“Whatever you want, I guess.”

“And if that involves murdering the rest of your extended family to complete my revenge?” He asks, watching for my reaction to his question.

“I had already lowered the barrier before our deal. I had expected you to leave and enact your revenge, setting you free doesn’t change my expectations?” I state with a shrug.

“And you don’t care I will be murdering your uncle?” He asks, confusion painted on his face.

“We have never been close to that side of the family,” I explain.

“You’re such a curious little witch…” He states, trailing off, obviously caught in thought.

“My name is Nova…”

“Hmmmm?” He asks, still lost in thought.

“My name… It’s Nova. You keep calling me little witch, but my name is Nova,” I state, not taking my eyes off of him.

“Well Nova, it’s quite nice to meet you,” he smirks, holding his hand out to me once again. I take it without hesitation this time and before I have the chance to react he pulls me close to him, our noses practically touching. All I would have to do is lean forward just an inch more and I could press my lips to his… “Thank you for setting me free… Though I think I will be sticking around. I have a pretty little witch to protect after all.”