The Binding

by Bridget Collins

‘Yes.’ I blinked, trying to stop the room from spinning. The momentum wouldn’t release me. I took a step sideways and reeled. Darnay caught my elbow to hold me steady. The heat of his hand seeped through the fabric of my shirt like water.

If Farmer seems guileless, and honest, and strange, it only means he’s clever as well as a liar; and if he’s beautiful – well. That only means that I should be even more careful not to trust him.

I glance at him. It sends a shiver to my heart. Soon I’ll want to stare at him and go on staring. I’ll want to relearn every freckle, every trick of his mouth, every eyelash. But not yet. It’s as much as I can do to catch his eye and go on breathing.