"I don't want to do this," I said flatly.
"Too bad," replied Rylan.
He crouched in front of me bare-chested, sleeves pushed to his elbows and his dark skin softly shimmering in the firelight. Between us was a black stone bowl containing water, mashed leaves of moonvine, and a single drop of my blood.
I sat facing them, arms folded.
This ritual is illegal in all territories," I told him. "Bond magic is sacred. You interfere with it, you undo it.
He didn't lift his head. "This doesn't violate anything. It reveals. If your bond was severed completely, nothing will happen."
"And if it weren't?"
"Then your wolf will not be able to lie."
I swallowed hard.
"Last chance to change your mind," he said.
I should have.
But instead, I whispered, "Do it.".
He lit the herbs with a match, and the bowl sent up a violet flame that sizzled.
Smoke curled upward in a lazy spiral.
Rylan then leaned out and gently placed two fingers on my pulse.
"Calm down."
His fingers were warm.
