Page 100 of Twisted Bonds

She blinks at me for a moment, before realization blossoms. “Oh the magic? No… Why?”

“I-”

A deafening explosion rips through my eardrums and reverberates deep into my bones, causing the ground beneath us to convulse violently. My heart feels like it’s being squeezed in a vice as terror engulfs me for a split second. Desperately, I clutch onto the nearest stable object - a table - to keep from falling and grab Lisa’s arm to help steady her. The air is filled with piercing screams from all around, as the world seems to be crumbling apart. Then the shaking abruptly stops, replaced by the ominous tolling of bells throughout the city, signaling impending doom.

Elora races through the door, eyes wide with terror.

“We have to go. Now!”

fifty

Sunder

It’s midmorning when I notice the rumbling in my stomach. I reach into my saddlebag, grabbing a piece of jerky Mira packed especially for you. The mischievous grin on her face told me exactly how much I’d like that meat. My body aches from riding, but my mind is still preoccupied with the strange conversation with Cor’than. Bobble and Callum flank me, each riding in their own silence. Their bonds to Mira are like echoes in my mind. Like shadows in the moonlight, they’re only there if you know where to look.

They are so familiar now, distant but ever-present. I could amplify my connection to them if I wanted, feel for them with my blue magic. But no, every time I open that ability, I’m so overwhelmed I can barely stay awake. The weight of the world falls on my shoulders as soon as I touch that thread of Chroma that pokes and prods emotions.

I’ll never understand why the Gods bestowed that power on me. Some things are better left alone, including the emotions of those around you. Especially if those emotions belong to unstable half souls like these two.

A distinct birdcall echoes through the trees, causing Cor’than to hold his fist in the air to halt the army. That bird is only native to Valenfall and has no business being this far from its borders. Officers shuffle and send messengers to other commanders in the back. It takes me a moment to realize that bird call must have been a scout signal.

“Something ahead?” I ask, my voice barely loud enough to reach Cor’than. My mind races with possibility. Was Yurghen alerted to our presence and come to take us by surprise?

Then a shadowy figure appears ahead in the trees, head high as a king come to face down an entire army. Like he knows he’s powerful enough to take them. My heart pounds against my chest, demanding action. My horse feels it too as it begins to dance in place, begging to be released from the agony of stillness.

The figure walks closer, almost as if he’s out for an after-dinner stroll. Casual and in no rush, he makes his way closer.

“Are we just going to stand here?” I demand.

“It could be a trap,” Cor’than snaps back. His archers lock in on the target, but hold their fire.

“Well, if it is, it’s a pretty bold one. Let’s meet it head on.” I tap my heels into the flanks of the antsy beast, urging it to the front of the line, where I can get a better look at the man approaching us.

I let instinct guide me. I’ve got my sword and enough Chroma to at least give the guy pause. With a sweeping glance to Cor’than and then back to Callum and Bobble, I take off in a trot that soon breaks into a full gallop.

Callum’s protest rings behind me, but his voice gets swallowed by the wind rushing past my ears.

As I draw closer, the man becomes clearer. My stomach twists as his features hit me, a common fae with his sharp ears peeking out from beneath dark locks. His eyes, like two emerald jewels, meet mine with a cool detachment that chills me to my bones.

He doesn’t move or try to reach for any weapon. The confidence emanating from him is palpable even from a distance, like he’s daring me. I pull my horse to a halt several feet away, only seconds before Bobble and Callum. Cor’than, I note, is staying back for now. Coward.

“Imagine finding you three here,” Tairyn drawls with a familiar smirk, leaning against the nearest tree. His gaze lingers on me with such casual familiarity it sends my blood into a raging boil. “Did you miss me?”

Callum snorts, crossing his arms over his chest. “Like a hole in the head.”

Bobble, ever the diplomat, offers a polite smile but remains silent. I glance at him, receiving an encouraging nod. Right. Diplomacy.

“Cut the crap, Tairyn,” I bite out, dismounting with a fluid grace I’ve learned from countless battles. My palms itch with unreleased Chroma, ready to defend against any possible attack. “Have you come with Yurghen’s demands, then?”

I step up to him with square shoulders as he still lounges against a tree like I’m no threat to him. He may have more Chroma than me, but I have an army at my back. I steel myself against glancing over my shoulder.

With a huff, he pulls himself away from the rough trunk, closing the space between us until only a hand span remains between us.

“You’ve misjudged me yet again, brother.” He bites out the moniker like a curse.

“What’s this about then, Tairyn?” Bobble says, swinging from his own saddle. Callum keeps his eyes on the trees, surely looking for traps or tricks. Good man.

Instead of answering, his eyes flick over my shoulder as Cor’than and his men finally approach the lone fae. I suppose they’ve deemed him not a threat by now, but that just shows what they know. This is the most dangerous fae alive right now, as far as I’m concerned. Mainly because I can’t be sure whose side he’s on.

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