Page 93 of Twisted Bonds

Cor’than chuckles, a low, rumbling sound that somehow manages to radiate warmth. “Yes, they do, don’t they?”

A smile tugs at the corner of my lips. He seems so much older than the story the faint lines around the edges of his eyes and dark brown hair tell.

“But you’re wrong, I think,” I say, hesitating a moment before meeting his gaze. “Regret isn’t a poison. It’s a reminder of the lessons we’ve learned and the growth we’ve achieved. Without regret, none of us would ever change.”

The comment renders him silent, his gaze dropping to the stone beneath our feet. His fingers brush through his hair, ruffling the strands in an absentminded gesture. I hadn’t expected my words to hit so close to home.

“You’re quite wise for a human,” Cor’than finally says, his tone carrying an underlying note of respect. He continues to stare down at the ground, deep in thought.

I think better of my initial urge to blow on my fingernails in a gesture of mock gloating, instead taking the opportunity to dig for information. “I heard a rumor about another human here.”

His eyes meet mine, widening in surprise. “I’d almost forgotten with all the excitement of the last couple of days. There is a human here, from your world. She’s looking for you.”

I blink at him, confusion rolling through me. The sounds of birds chirping in the trees and crickets chirping seem to echo in my mind. “Looking for me? Why?”

“She saw the poster with your face on it. Traveled with some thugs to get here and search for you.”

I struggle to wrap my head around his words. The ‘Wanted’ poster for killing the Keeper of the Portals. Is she a bounty hunter, maybe? I open my mouth to ask more questions, but we’re interrupted by a guard approaching.

Cor’than stands to receive the message, so I mimic him. My mind is spinning with so many questions that I barely hear the man tell us that a scout has returned with news of Yurghen.

After the guard is dismissed, the king turns to me. “You seem like a decent human, Mira. I hope you and my brother find some peace after all this. For now, I must attend this meeting.”

He says the last as a way of parting before turning on his heel. The crunching gravel beneath his feet acts like a summoning to my guards. Amirah arrives first, looking at the area as if searching for clues at the scene of a crime. Elora, however, gives me a calculating look, scanning me top to bottom. Perhaps trying to figure out if I’m a threat after all.

Mind still reeling, I say half to myself, “Better get back to my mates. A scout has just returned.”

I just hope they brought news we want to hear.

forty-four

Mira

As the day wears on, our group reconvenes in the same informal council meeting room as before. We sit around the large wooden table, idly tapping our fingers and fidgeting with nervous energy as we wait for Cor’than to join us. The late afternoon sun filters through the windows, casting warm golden light on the walls. Outside in the hallway, Elora and Amirah stand guard along with ten other members of our elite team, taking turns holding our Shields and keeping an eye on us.

But in this room, with its thick carpeting and plush chairs, it feels almost peaceful. The quiet murmur of conversation among us is a stark contrast to the chaos and danger that constantly surrounds us.

Bobble and Callum sit on either side of me at the round wooden table, while Sunder leans against the window frame with crossed arms. His jaw jumps periodically, as if he’s grinding his teeth. His muscles are tight with tension, as if they are all holding their breath together.

If the scouts come back with no signs of Yurghen’s army, we’re in trouble. We have nowhere to turn and no enemy to face. And what if Cor’than decides not to let us leave, thinking that we deceived him?

The door clicks open, and a procession led by King Cor’than enters the room. Two guards take positions in each corner while the rest of the seats at the table are filled by generals and advisors from Cor’than’s court. However, Sunder remains standing by the window, unmoved by the commotion.

The king doesn’t spare him a glance and without preamble says, “The scouts have reported a group of thousands of faeries gathering near Penestall Lake led by the old Master Yurghen. A few have been left behind to monitor their movements and report any disturbances. There is currently no indication about what this group is doing or where they’re going, however.”

One of the men standing next to Cor’than unfurls a map of Illuemera on the table, using small figurines to mark various locations. Sunder reluctantly leaves his pouting and leans in for a closer look at the map before speaking up. “We’ve already explained his plan to you.”

“Yes, but we don’t know when or where this supposed activity will take place. I can only go on facts, and currently there is a massive force with unknown intentions gathering too close for comfort. We can’t risk them coming here. We have to meet them where they are. Perhaps Yurghen will be open to discussions. I have no intention of sending my men to war without cause.”

Both Callum and Sunder start to argue, but Bobble beats them to it. “Your Majesty, Yurghen will never agree to negotiate,” he says firmly. I can’t help but observe the way Sunder winces when Bobble addresses him by his formal title.

Surprise flickers across Cor’than’s face, but it’s quickly replaced by a stern nod. “We can’t know that until we try. I won’t rush into war without exploring every avenue for peace first.”

Sunder scowls, seething like a kettle about to blow. “Peace? With Yurghen?” His voice is brittle, sharp, threatening to shatter into a thousand biting pieces. “That’s a fool’s hope.”

Cor’than’s eyebrows rise at Sunder’s outburst. “Well, it’s a good thing we have a room of fools, then.”

Sunder grunts, the sound a hissing volcano, but doesn’t retort. His muscular arms cross over his chest, ink-black tattoos rippling with the motion. I’ve seen that look on him before–it’s the one he wears when he’s wrestling with tumultuous emotions he doesn’t fully understand.

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