The Mark of Defiance

The bond between us shakes violently.

I can feel it.

It is like a rope stretched to its limit, threatening to snap inside my chest. The pain runs through my body, but this time I do not back away. I do not move my hand. I do not stop.

Lorcan lowers his head and places one hand against the floor as he tries to catch his breath. His shoulders tremble, and his fingers dig into the stone.

And this tim