Soulbound by Heather Brewer Page B

would be no other boys for me. It meant that we were an item, in a way, and that I had no choice but to go through with it if I truly valued my parents’ lives. It meant that I had better suck it up and stop moping, because there was no other choice in the matter.
    In short, it meant that I was royally fakked.
    After running a comb through my freshly dried hair, I checked my reflection in the mirror, pausing when I heard hushed voices from the other room.
    “Is she awake?” Trayton. Even though we’d hardly spoken, I would have known that voice anywhere.
    Maddox’s voice followed with a hint of harshness. “Yes, but I’m not letting you in. You know the rules, Trayton. And I’m not breaking them for you again.”
    “You do know that we’re due at the temple in a half hour.”
    Maddox’s voice took on a more formal tone. Something in it suggested it wasn’t the first time the two of them had butted heads. “I’m well aware of that fact,
Barron
.”
    When I opened the door, the looks on their faceswere priceless—a mingling of surprise and embarrassment. I forced a smile, despite the sick feeling that was churning in my stomach. “Good morning.”
    Trayton brightened. Maddox cleared her throat, and grumbled, “Are you up for breakfast, Princess?”
    My stomach clenched at the thought of food, threatening to cramp. Nerves, I supposed. “I don’t really feel like eating.”
    The corner of Maddox’s mouth lifted in a smirk. I was sure she was looking at Trayton with her peripheral vision. “Nauseous, huh?”
    Trayton ignored her jibe and stepped closer, careful not to touch me. “Did you like your flowers?”
    For an all too brief moment, my tension waned, and my smile didn’t feel as false, as forced. “I love them. Thank you.”
    “Are you okay?” He flicked a nervous glance about the room before returning his eyes to me. “About…about today, I mean.”
    “Fine. I’m fine.” But I wasn’t fine. I wasn’t even in the same hemisphere as fine. My legs were wobbly and my heart was racing. I felt sick to my stomach and so very sad. All I could think about were my mom and dad and how my binding would save them from the wrath of the Barrons, from the twisted, vengeful actions of the headmaster.
    I stepped back, my thoughts shadowed, my eyes on the floor. It wasn’t Trayton’s fault. None of it was. Butthat didn’t change the fact that I was being forced into this.
    Without saying a word, Maddox crossed my room to the door that led to the hall. She opened it and caught my eye, a fierce protectiveness washing over her features.
    Maddox got it. Maddox knew exactly what was going on and exactly how fakked up it was.
    That lightened my mood some, but it still didn’t change things.
    Silently, like monks on a journey to someone’s funeral, the three of us made our way across campus to a small stone building near the north gate. Trayton took the initiative and knocked on the wooden door using the large iron knocker. None of us spoke.
    After several seconds, the door opened to reveal a tall man with stark black hair and a pointed black beard. He was dressed in navy blue robes that hung to the floor, a hood on his back. Though there was no familiarity in Trayton’s eyes, the man barked, “Trayton, come inside. Bring Kaya with you. The guard remains outside.”
    The strange man disappeared inside once again and Maddox met my eyes. “I’ll be right here, okay? You need me, you scream.”
    Nodding, I fought back a chuckle at how serious we were all acting, like I was going to my death or something instead of being Bound to a really sweet, really good-looking guy like Trayton. “Should I scream anythingin particular, or will wordless noise attract your attention?”
    Maddox grinned. “Depends on what they’re serving in the dining hall, but you might try yelling help.”
    That brought a smile to my face—but it faded quickly once I laid eyes on Trayton, who looked like he’d just had his heart stomped