Page 22 of Kissed By the Sun

She pushed against my chest, creating space between us. "That's not fair. You don't know what she’s been studying at the College of Mages.”

“All I’ve heard her talk about is healing magic, which is great, and I would love to bring her, if there were more than two of us. Facing the corrupted fae on the road is going to be hard enough as it is without having to worry about being Wyn’s bodyguard. Do you really want to put her in that much danger? You saw the group we fought earlier; that wasn’t even half the size of a horde. And what if there’s another mage controlling the corrupted? What if they can control Wyn’s magic? Use it against us?” The words were spilling out of me like wine into a nobel’s glass. “If you really want her to come, we can make it work, but at least think about it for a while first. It’s just going to be the two of us. Can we really fight and take care of Wyn on the off chance that we need healing? Can she really survive, emotionally and physically, something like you saw earlier today?”

“She could if I asked it of her, but I see your point.” Senara's eyes narrowed, her gaze searching my face. I could see the conflict warring within her – curiosity battling with her stubborn pride. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I assume you have a plan to get us out of the citywithout alerting the king and queen?” She popped her hands on her hips and gave me a sassy look that I wanted to kiss off her face.

I grinned. I couldn’t help myself.

Before I could speak, though, she held up a hand. “I haven’t agreed yet, but I’m considering it, so make a good case if you want to stand a chance of this working.”

Being around Senara was a constant strain on my self control, and if I wasn’t careful, then one of these days that control would snap and I’d do something that we could never take back. Maybe I should have her bring Wyn with us, at least that would limit the time when it was just the two of us. All the points I’d just made sat on one side of the scales in my mind, while on the other was an almost equal weight of Wyn forcing me to keep my hands to myself. I wanted to groan in frustration, but I kept it to myself. There was one more thing she needed to know before she made her decision though.

“Something else I should mention.” This was the part I didn’t want to tell her, whether that was because I was worried she would be excited to get to the elves or even more resistant to going I wasn’t sure. When I didn’t immediately continue she cocked an eyebrow at me. “There are rumors that the elves are able to manipulate bonded magic. I’m wondering if they would be able to break the bond between us. To free us from its constraints at the least, if not remove it completely.”

Senara's eyes widened, a mix of emotions flashing across her face too quickly for me to decipher. For a moment, she was utterly still, as if frozen in place. Then, she took a sharp breath, her fingers curling into fists at her sides.

"Break the bond?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Is that... is that what you want?"

I hesitated, unsure how to answer. The truth was, I didn't know what I wanted. The bond between us was both a blessingand a curse, a constant reminder of what I couldn't have. But the thought of losing it, of losing that connection to Senara, made my chest ache in a way I couldn't explain.

"I think it's something we need to consider," I said carefully, watching her reaction. "The bond complicates things, especially with the corruption and you being declared the wielder of the Moon Blades. Besides, you know if the King and Queen of the Moon Court find out it will be my head that rolls, if not yours, as well. Though they might keep you as breeding stock.” As soon as those last words left my lips I wished I could take them back.

The idea may have occurred to her before, but I didn’t need to put such a fine point on it. The thought made my stomach churn and an unparalleled anger rise in my chest. Just the idea of someone else touching her in such an intimate way made me want to burn the city to the ground and rage against the moon until the Goddess herself came down and begged me to stop.

Senara’s face paled at my words, her eyes widening in horror. “Breeding stock?” she hissed, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and rage, all barely above a whisper. “Is that really what they’d do?”

I nodded grimly, hating myself for putting that look on her face. “The fae courts aren’t known for their kindness or consideration, especially when it comes to power. The Moon Court had a big boone fall into their laps with you and they aren’t about to give it up. You’re a valuable asset to them now.”

She took a shaky breath, her hand unconsciously moving to her stomach. "And breaking the bond... it would protect me from that?"

"It might," I said softly. "At the very least, it would remove me as their primary leverage point against you."

Senara was quiet for a long moment, her gaze distant as she processed this new information. I could almost see thewheels turning in her mind, weighing the risks and benefits, the potential consequences and futures stretching out before us.

Finally, she looked up at me, her eyes shimmering with more moisture than usual. "And what about you? What happens to you if we break the bond?"

The question caught me off guard. I hadn't expected her to be concerned about my fate. "I... I don't know," I admitted. "But that's not important. What matters is keeping you safe."

She shook her head fiercely. "No, it is important. I won't agree to anything that puts you in danger."

Her words sent a warmth spreading through my chest, even as I tried to push it down and deny its very existence. “Senara, we won’t know any more until we speak to the elves.”

She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to the ground. I could see her mind racing, but when she looked back up at me, there was a steely determination in her eyes that both thrilled and terrified me.

"Okay," she said, her voice stronger now. "Let's do it. Let's go to the elves."

I blinked, surprised by the ferocity in her voice. "Are you sure?"

She nodded firmly. "Yes. If there's even a chance they can help us understand this bond, maybe control it... it's worth the risk. And if they can break it..." She trailed off, something unreadable flashing in her eyes.

"If they can break it," I finished for her, "then we'll deal with that when the time comes."

Senara stepped closer to me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from her body, close enough that I had to clench my hands into fists at my side to prevent myself from touching her. "When do we leave?"

"Tonight," I said, my voice low. "Pack light; bring only what you absolutely need. We'll need to move fast and quiet. You canlet Wyn know you’ll be gone, but don’t tell her the particulars, because you know they’ll go straight to her to ask when they realize we aren’t in the city any more.”

Senara nodded, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "All right. I'll meet you at the eastern gate in two hours. That should give me enough time to pack and say goodbye to Wyn without raising suspicion."

I reached out, my fingers brushing her arm before I could stop myself. The contact sent a jolt through me, and I saw Senara shiver slightly, the sight stirring something dangerous within me. "Be careful," I warned. "We can't afford any mistakes now. If anyone suspects what we're planning..."

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