Chapter 30 · The Original Hunt Order

"Take your hand off my mate mark."

Dorian's fingers tightened beneath my jaw.

"If I do, you'll collapse."

"Then let me hit the floor with my pride intact."

His thumb pressed over the black crescent at my throat.

Heat cracked through me.

My knees buckled. Dorian's other arm locked around my waist before I could slam into the archive desk. His chest hit my back, solid and hot through our clothes.

I hated that he caught me.

I hated even more that my body leaned into him.

"Mara," he warned.

"Don't use that voice on me." I shoved at his chest. "You rejected me in front of the whole council. You don't get to sound worried now."

His breath brushed my temple. "I rejected the bond to keep the council from using you as leverage."

"You made me their favorite target."

"And you're still alive."

"Barely."

The archive doors slammed open.

Three guards stormed inside, silver shield pins gleaming at their collars. A needle of blue crystal sat in the center of each pin. The light inside them pulsed once.