For a moment, Liam did not react.
He simply stared at Arik, his hand still half-raised between them, while the conclusion settled into the silence of the study.
Whatever had crossed the Gate had entered through his mark. It had changed his scent, influenced his ether, and somehow turned three things Liam had either feared or considered unnecessary into urgent necessities.
The collar.
Felix's palace.
A child.
Liam's face went pale.
Then his hand flew toward the mark at his neck.
Arik caught his wrist before his nails reached the skin.
"Take it out."
The words came so quickly that Arik almost did not recognize his voice. Liam twisted his wrist once, attempting to reach the mark with his other hand instead, and Arik caught that one too.
"Liam."
"Take it out."
His ether burst around them.
