"So," Camila jogged a few steps to catch up to Declan. "Why did you save me?"

They'd been trudging along in silence for a while. Spoon wandered happily from one interesting smell to the next, her stubby tail wagging vigorously, but Camila and Declan walked in sullen silence. Camila's phone was back at the palace, charging on her bedside table, so she had no idea whether it had been minutes or hours since they left. When it was quiet, she couldn't help but think about her parents.

Did the vampires kill them quickly? Or did they draw it out, torture them, make them beg for death? Did they drain their blood or just rip their hearts out, eager to end the battle?

When she wasn't thinking about her parents, she was thinking about Alex. 

She wanted to believe that he was alive. That the vampires had seen him as an ally and by some stroke of luck, they'd let him live. She wanted to laugh with him and hug him and finish every Marvel movie by his side. They had just become friends again. She couldn't lose him now, not like this. Camila wanted to scream, to tear at her hair, and to beat the floor with her fists.

Instead, she talked to Declan.

"I think you know why, Camila."

"Actually, no, I don't. Are you planning on ransoming me for something? Trying to prove a point? I don't know a thing about you."

He glanced back at her, the light from the flashlight reflecting against his emerald eyes. "You'll just have to wait and find out."

Maybe talking to him was more trouble than it was worth. Camila adjusted the bag—the straps dug into her shoulders with every step—and started walking again.

When she was thirteen, her mother started teaching her etiquette. She'd spent hours learning the proper fork to eat your salad with, when it was appropriate to curtsy and when a simple handshake would suffice, and everything in between. An entire year focused on how to make proper conversation.

Silence is a missed opportunity, her mother had told Camila every morning. Avoid it at all costs.

"You know I'm never actually going to mate with you, right?" Her words echoed in the narrow corridor. "In case that's what you're waiting for."

Declan didn't even glance in her direction, but his body tensed. "Really," he said after a moment. "Why is that?"

"Because you're a horrible person who got my parents killed. You didn't actually think this was going to work out for you?" Deep down, Camila knew she should stop pushing. Like it or not, this place was a maze and Declan was her only way out. But she was so angry, so frustrated with her own inability to do anything, and it was easier than being sad.

She laughed, mockingly. "That's it, isn't it? You thought, what, because you're my mate everything you've done will just be forgiven? I'll just roll over and let you claim me, give up everything I care about and be a good little criminal by your side? Goddess, you're pathetic."

Declan stopped walking.

He turned towards her. Fast as lightning, his hand flattened against her stomach, pinning her to the stony cave wall.

Her breath stuttered. Her heart thumped against her ribcage.

Now that she was securely in his grasp, Declan stilled. His eyes were dark. Dangerous.

The dress was ripped, torn, and thin with wear. Camila felt every crease and callus of his palm flush against her stomach.

"I might be pathetic," He lowered his head to her neck, breathing in deeply, his mouth a mere inch away from her skin. Camila trembled. "But when I claim you, you'll let me."

His lips brushed her collarbone.

"I won't-" Her voice was high. Breathy.

He kissed her, this time on the hollow at the base of her throat. Camila stopped talking.

"You'll want me."

His free hand buried itself in her hair, pulling gently. Her head fell against the rough wall, giving him access to her neck. Why was she angry at him? Camila tried to think-

He placed another kiss on her neck. She let out an embarrassing moan.

"And when I ask you to," The words were soft, but confident. His lips brushed against her ear. "You'll join me."

With her last shred of self-control, Camila pushed him away.

"No." She was breathing hard. "I won't."

Declan smiled, taking a slow step backwards. "I guess we'll see." He grabbed the flashlight—he must have dropped it at some point—and started walking again.

Blushing furiously, Camila adjusted her dress, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. Now that he was further away, regret hit her like a tidal wave. She should've pushed him away earlier. She definitely shouldn't have enjoyed it as much as she had.

But with the mating bond, every touch was electric. When he was close, her mind quieted, every rational thought vanishing in an instant.

"You know, I didn't actually plan the attack." Declan looked calm, collected, like the kiss had barely affected him. "I knew it was coming, but I wasn't in favor of it. I just came to get you out. And I am sorry about your parents. That's- tough."

Camila processed this new information. On the one hand, she was relieved. At least he wasn't totally evil. And he did get Spoon out, which was probably a lot of trouble. But she wished she had someone to blame. Someone to focus her anger on.

"Who did plan the attack?"

"A different faction of the Vindicators. They're a bit more violent. They led the vampires to the castle."

Declan was a couple of steps ahead of her. Camila jogged to catch up. "Why? The vampires usually stick to quick skirmishes, not full on battles. They don't have the numbers for a war."

"I'll tell you if you tell me something in return."

"Alright." Camila braced herself, ready to lie if she has to. "What do you want to know?"

They reached a massive cavern. A slim opening, far above them, let in the faint glow of starlight.

"This way." Declan stuck to the edge of the cave. In the center, there's a deep, black lake, the water dark as oil. "Why haven't you rejected me? As your mate, I mean."

Camila stumbled. A hand caught her arm, steadying her.

"T-Thanks." She swallowed.

"No problem."

They kept walking.

"I thought rejection was a myth." Camila stalled. Why hadn't she rejected him? Declan was a thorn in her side, always planning something she didn't want. There was no hope of anything permanent; after all, if she wanted to take back her family's castle, she would still need money and soldiers, which meant marriage. Anything temporary was best avoided.

"Rejection doesn't last. You'd get maybe a week before you'd be drawn to me again."

"Huh."

"Are you considering it?"

"Well." Camila shrugged. Rejection was supposed to be immensely painful, second only to the death of a mate. And if it wasn't permanent, what was the point? Still, the mating bond had brought her nothing but stress. "I mean, this is obviously a mistake."

Declan's eyes burned into her. "A mistake? Really, Camila?"

"Yes. We couldn't have less in common and we have very different priorities. I do appreciate you getting me out of the castle, but don't mistake my gratitude for anything else."

"You're welcome."

"Sorry?"

"You said you were grateful. I figured that's as close as I'm getting to a thank you." There was a large rock blocking the pathway. Declan offered her his hand. Camila took it.

Her hand fit perfectly in his.

"Fine. I haven't rejected you because it's pointless. It's not permanent. Besides, you wouldn't have saved me if it weren't for the bond, so it's practical as well." Camila took her hand back. Her skin tingled with the memory of his touch. "Now tell me why the vampires attacked the palace."

"They're looking for something."

Camila waited. Finally, she asked, "What are they looking for?"

"I never said I'd give you a good answer."

"You can't be serious." When he didn't reply, Camila elbowed him. Hard. "Declan. C'mon. You're being ridiculous."

He shrugged apologetically, ran a hand through his hair, and said, "It's not something I want to tell you. You gonna yell at me again?"

Camila remembered the last time she yelled at him, the feel of his hard body pressed against hers, the touch of his lips on her neck. Even the memory brought a blush to her cheeks. She couldn't resist him, she realized.

And she couldn't afford to fall in love. Or worse, lose her virginity.

"I'm not going to yell at you." Camila turned towards him, her chin held high. "But we need to make a deal. I'll agree to being a peaceful prisoner. I won't run off or yell at you. I'll make an effort to be friendly."

"And in return?"

"You can't kiss me. Or touch me in any way."

His eyes darkened. "Afraid you'll get attached?"

"If you don't agree to the terms, I will run off into these tunnels right now. Should you catch me, I will do my best to blind you with the knife I still have on me." Camila actually had two knives in her possession: one strapped to her thigh and another hidden in the heel she'd worn to the dance. But he didn't need to know that. "Failing an escape, I will try my best to kill myself in front of you."

"You wouldn't." Declan's words were hard, commanding.

"Everyone I know is dead. Try me."

They reached a narrow, rocky passageway at the end of the cavern. It sloped downwards at a steep angle. Declan grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"Camila-"

"You've got ten seconds to decide." She wrenched her arm away. "Remember the rules."

"Now you're the one being ridiculous."

"Nine. Eight." Camila stared him down. Surely, he'd break. It was a simple command and the death of a mate was excruciating. He wouldn't be so stupid.

Would he?

Declan looked frozen. Like he wasn't sure what move to make. Camila felt a shred of satisfaction at finally, finally, being one step ahead of him.

"Fine." He said, when Camila's countdown reached two. "Fine. I think it's an idiotic plan, because we're mates for a reason, but fine."

Then, as if nothing ever happened, Declan smiled. He walked towards the new passageway.

"Besides," He winked at her. "You can always kiss me."

Have I told you you're the best? Because you're not.

You're better than the best. You're the best of the best. Dare I say, the best of the best of the best.

Really, thank you for taking a chance on my writing. I hope you're enjoying it!

-Harley