Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos

Rueben mutters something under his breath. Did he really believe that I'll gladly bend over and let him fuck me just because he suddenly decided that I'll be his bonded? "I'll give you some space for tonight. But tomorrow, we will continue what we started here. The sandwich is for you. I thought you might be hungry," he says before leaving me alone with Ansel.

I exhale loudly and almost jump on Ansel and shower him in kisses for appearing at the right moment.

"You should grow a backbone," Ansel says as he drags in his wings.

"And give Rueben more reasons to beat me? No, thank you."

"If dares lay another finger on you, he will become food for the worms."

"Poor worms," I say, making Ansel laugh.

Ansel puts the wings next to me on the island. I grab one and look at it. The wing doesn't appear to have signs of decomposition. Do demon wings even rot away like human bodies?

"Do you think you can... put them back?" Ansel tries not to sound excited, but I can hear that glimmer of hope in his voice.

"I don't know unless I try. Take off your hoodie."

"So eager to see me naked," Ansel chuckles as he does as I ask.

When he remains only in his pants, he turns away so I can examine his back. The wounds left by the demons are all healed. I trace the scars where his wings should be. Tears fill my eyes. He got hurt because of me. I kiss his back. His shoulders tense.

"Thank you for protecting me," I say as my lips caress his scars.

"Always," he promises, and I believe him. I trust him more than I trust Tyson.

He did so in the facility as well when he was taken to me. It was after Tyson fucked me. I was scared Ansel would either beat me or want to fuck me as well. He did neither of that. Instead, he sat in front of the door, his back pressed to it, and watched me, not uttering a single word. I didn't understand back then what he was doing, but he was protecting me.

My lips trail up until they reach his ear. "Our bond is permanent." My arms come around him, and I press my chest to his back. "My ring size is 7. I prefer salt and pepper diamonds. I like the Alexandrite styles."

Marriage is the next logical step for a bonded Lord. I thought about this while I watched **919** pace back and forth through his cell or did push-ups. If I become a Lady, the Dukes can't touch me anymore. It will also protect me against my brother and father. I don't want to marry Ansel only for this. I truly believe I can learn to be happy with him. Plus, Jasper and Mose are a package deal-three in one for the same price.

It will also mean that I have to see Tyson and Rueben daily, but I've endured worse.

Telling Ansel my ring preference will only guarantee that I get someone that I like. After all, I'm going to wear it all my life.

"Noted," Ansel says.

I kiss his neck before saying, "Back to your wings. How about you show me the other ones, so I can get an idea of how they should...ummm...look."

"You don't have to do this."

"I want to do this because you matter to me."

Ansel looks over his shoulder at me. "I should have fought for you as you did for me. I should have looked for you and not believed the lies your father said about you leaving the country."

I don't blame Ansel for believing my father. He's a very good liar. It comes with the job, I guess.

"I should have known better. I am your Guardian, after all."

"If you want my forgiveness, you have it."

"Why do you make this so easy for me? Why aren't you angry? You should hate me, not want to marry me."

Because I have no other choice than to marry. Sure, I can always go with Wasp, but everyone has a hidden agenda. The question is, who will use me less? The Lords or the hellstars?

Wasp seems interested in my powers. I saw the expression on her face when she realized I could heal. She wanted me to go with her. I am not her pawn in whatever game she's playing with the Lords and the Dukes. I have my own things to worry about. Like my father and brother.

As for the Lords... they will use me to take down my father. I could use that to my advantage. If he thinks he can come here and hurt, kill those I care about, and get away with it as he did for years, he is wrong.

Ansel is right. I need to grow a backbone. I let everyone step on me for years because my family conditioned me to do so. That's why I saw Tyson as my savior, that one person who would take me away, and we would have this amazing life together. I don't need him to come to my rescue anymore. I've made friends, if I can call them that, who proved that I can count on them.

When Azael comes after the daggers, who will fight beside me? The hellstars will. But how many of them are out there? Are they strong enough to face the Dukes? Placing the experiments with the hellstars was a bold move. I'd rather have them somewhere I can keep an eye on them than have them scattered all over the city. As long as they don't forget what I did for them, I know I can call them in time of need. If I'm a Lady, the Lords will protect me.

With only two moves, I secured three allies against the Dukes and the Blight.

Now I only have to get ready for when they come.

"The opposite of love is not hate but indifference," I say. "Besides, hate is such a strong feeling. I don't have the energy for it right now. I'd rather focus on other things like now." "Like what?" Ansel asks..

"Like fixing your wings," I huff. "Show me your good ones because I don't plan on being here all night long. Jasper is waiting for me." "Lucky fella. Can I join?"