When Wishes Bleed (When Wishes Bleed, #1)

by Casey L. Bond

Fate, I knew all too well, was real. He wasn’t an obscure concept of destiny, or a dream of what the future might hold. And he certainly wasn’t luck or a wishing well. He was sentient and very much alive. I was Fate’s daughter, and he lived inside me.

Bay was Priest of the House of Water, and his eyes and robes were the deep blue color of the ocean where it fell off the sandbar and stretched deep into the earth. The fabric of his robe ebbed and flowed around his feet, pulling and pushing the blades of dried grass.

Heavy was the head that wore the crown, though many coveted the weighty circlet.

“The Kingdom of Nautilus is arranged like its namesake, a nautilus’s shell.

The palace is located at the center, and the sectors spiral out from it in ever-increasing waves. The first four are the smallest, but densest in population. As they are closest to the palace, they house the most affluent and influential persons in the Kingdom. A great deal of the Royal Guard is also stationed within the first four. The sectors begin to spread out from there, and each grows larger as the spiral expands to Sectors Five through Twelve. Twelve is best known for the timber industry. Nine, Ten, and Eleven for farming. They produce goods the Kingdom requires. Seven and Eight are filled with factories, and Five and Six are best known for their artwork. You’ll find painters, writers, chefs, and sculptors there. Both Five and Six are very beautiful and worth visiting if you have the chance.”

The palace was nothing short of breathtaking. The stone encasing it was a pale pink. The entire, magnificent structure glittered in the distance, set on a knoll and surrounded by the most luxuriant, green grass I’d ever seen.

The palace was a city unto itself, a glittery star in a vast sky.

“I need to be present,” I said, finally understanding what he meant. “I need you at my side,” he corrected.

My hand twitched at my side. For the first time in my life, I wanted to smack his face. To scream for him to take back his vile words.

I peeled the t-shirt and skin-tight jeans from me like a snake shedding skin,

Tauren’s eyes caught mine. He ran his fingers over his cheek, over the trail I’d left, and one side of his lips curled up.

Rose, I thought. Her parents should have named her Thorn.

Besides, every girl, witch or not, dreamed of becoming a princess. Not with crowns and gowns, but princess of the heart of someone she loved, and who loved her in return.

“What am I to you?” he asked softly. “You are my prince.” He took a step forward, then another, until our bodies almost touched. “I am the Prince of every subject in the Kingdom. What am I to you, Sable?” “The boy with the golden eyes, and heart to match,” I admitted before I lost the nerve to say it aloud.

it had never felt as intense as this. Tauren definitely wanted me in this moment. He raked a knuckle down my cheek. “I don’t understand.” My brows furrowed in confusion. “Have you cast a spell on me?” “I would never do that,” I answered, shaking my head. “Then what is this?” Fate, I wanted to say, as a warm sensation filled my stomach. This is fate.

Tauren’s eyes searched mine. The corner of his lip curled upward. “I believe you owe me a kiss.” I was about to protest, but then the tip of his nose brushed my cheek and his lips raked across mine, completely undoing me. I pushed forward, pressing my lips to his, a shuddering breath escaping as I pulled away. I kissed him. I kissed Tauren. The trembling born of fear transformed into shivers of need, and his chest swelled against mine as he fought to regain his composure. I was glad I wasn’t the only one affected. This… whatever this was, it was as glorious as it was dangerous – for both of us.

“That’s how I felt last night when I learned you’d worked that spell.” With one sentence, he cleaved me in two. I deserved to be split down the middle. With my actions, no matter how well intentioned, I took away any say he had in the matter. “Does the spell work both ways?” he asked. “I don’t know what you mean.” “If something happens to you, will my soul save your life?” I shook my head. “I did it to protect you, Tauren. Let Fate worry about me.” He reeled me in against his body. “I can’t do that.” “Why?” I breathed as his nose brushed against mine. “Because I care for you, Sable. So much.” “Too much,” I added. “Too much,” he agreed. “And yet, not nearly enough. Do you have any idea how –?” His words dried in his throat and his eyes searched mine, begging for permission. In the dark, abandoned corridor, I lifted my chin and positioned my lips just shy of his. If he wanted a kiss, he would have to claim it. And then… he did. His hands gripped my waist and then slid around to press against the small of my back. A kiss that was tentative at first quickly became all-consuming, and for a long moment, we lost ourselves in each other.

Footsteps came from down the hallway. Brecan, Mira, and I turned to find Knox waltzing down the hall. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. The same must apply to thoughts.

I wished it were as simple as Brecan thought it was, but nothing was simple now that Tauren was in my world. He was the only one I wanted, and at the same time was the fruit from which I was forbidden to eat.

“Why do you say such things?” He shrugged. “Like you, I’m just being honest. There’s only one woman I want to have dinner with every evening, lunch with every afternoon, and breakfast with each morning.” “We’re impossible,” I breathed. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“Witches have senses of humor,” I said to lighten the mood. “We aren’t all darkness and despair.” “I’ve yet to see it,” she smarted. “The only thing you know how to do is wear black and be creepy.” I quirked a brow. Creepy? She hasn’t seen creepy from me yet.

“It’s beautiful.” “It definitely is,” he said. But when I glanced at him, he was staring at me, not the sea.

Tauren was livid. “You could’ve been killed!” he seethed. “But I wasn’t,” I argued, turning my attention back to him. “You shoved me away,” he accused, his voice rising with each word. “Of course I did!” “Why would you do that?” “I had to protect you.” “Why, Sable?” he angrily demanded. “You’re my prince,” I offered weakly. “Why, Sable?” he growled. He was insufferable. He knew why. “Why, Sable?” he repeated, softer this time. I threw my hands in the air. “Because I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you!” I couldn’t. If he died, the weight of my soul would bring his back. But still, the thought didn’t just sour my stomach. It ripped my heart to slivers. The anger melted from his face and he pulled me into his chest and wrapped me in a hug. I held tightly to his back, fighting tears that threatened to spill. Cyril could have killed us all. “I love you, too,” he whispered, sliding

Most were wise enough to cut ties with her and move on with their lives. And now, we had to do the same. We had to move forward, one minute, one day, and one choice at a time…

I appreciated her help, but was sad it came to this. To death. But with death would come rebirth. That was the cycle of life.

In all my years of dealing with death, I knew there was a moment of numb shock that hit each person after they lost a loved one. Even though they knew death was inevitable, in that moment it suddenly became real. The fact that their loved one was truly gone would pierce them like an arrow to the heart.

We had to process death with emotion, and experiencing death, and mourning the loss of someone you loved, was not only inevitable for all of us, it was something that transformed us into a stronger version of ourselves. Tauren would be stronger in time, I reminded myself. For now, I would be strong for him.

“I know I’m to be crowned tomorrow, but I can’t do it without you by my side.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “I can’t marry you, Tauren. It isn’t our custom.” I glanced to Brecan and then to Mira, noticing the small smiles of… approval on their faces. Sucking in a breath, I turned back to Tauren. A strand of dark hair fell into his eyes. He smiled nervously. I brushed his hair back in a habit I’d come to adore, and he continued. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and if we have to hand-fast one year at a time, so be it. We’ll come back to this spot next year and the year after that, and so on. If this is what it takes to make you mine, I will hand-fast to you again and again and again. I love you.” The moths in my stomach took flight. My lashes fluttered. I pressed my hand to his cheek. “I love you, too.”

lesson. You, Sable, are more potent than any silly potion.” His grip on my waist tightened. He kissed me again and again,

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he whispered. “And I’m the luckiest man in the entire world.” My heart fluttered. “I love you,” I told him. He smiled. “I love you more.” That night, among my peers and his, Tauren and I danced, toasted, and most of the time, though we were surrounded by an enormous room full of people, it felt like it was just him and me. One king. One queen. One fate.

We’d made our own vows the night we were hand-fasted. We promised never to lie and never to conceal anything important from one another. It was me and him. Him and me. Against everything else.

“I am so happy, Sable.” He hugged me and spun me around, gently setting my feet on the ground. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” “I’m not a piece of glass, Tauren.” He smiled sheepishly. “Right.”