Page 147 of The Throne's Undoing

"If it means he will return home, yes. It does," Fynn said, running a hand through his hair. "At least in her mind."

"Do you mean to suggest this is just a rouse to get everyone to return to Pontia?"

Rocking back on his heels, Fynn pursed his lips in thought, then shrugged. "I cannot be certain, but I would not put it past her."

Kallie hummed in acknowledgment. Then, sensing another question coming from him, she asked, "What?"

"Is that all you wish to ask me? What my mother's motivations are?"

She dropped her gaze and dug her toes into the sand. "Did you know?" Kallie asked lowly.

"Did I know what exactly?" Fynn asked with the faintest trace of an amused smile.

Kallie rolled her eyes. "You can read my mind, can't you?"

He half shrugged, the grin only growing. "Sure, but then I wouldn't get to hear you ask, and that ruins the fun."

"By the gods, you are even more tiresome than I recalled," Kallie grumbled.

Fynn simply stared at her, patiently waiting.

But this was one of the reasons she came here, wasn't it? To learn the truth?

She groaned and rubbed her hands across her face in frustration. "Did you know Graeson and I were soul bonds?"

Fynn laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Yes, sister. We all knew."

"Everyone?" she balked.

He shrugged. "Pretty much."

"Then why didn't he tell me sooner?"

He quirked a brow. "You mean when you just had your mind ripped apart or before that when you were trying to kill him?"

Kallie's lips parted, but she had no answer to give. Fynn had a point. She supposed there hadn't been an appropriate time for Graeson to tell her, yet it still did not sit right with her.

"Graeson has known you were his soul bond since he was a child. His mother had a premonition that only one path would lead you together."

"What do you mean only one path?"

"Our futures are ever changing, and Lysanthia, Graeson's mother, had seen various futures, most of which resulted in the two of you being torn apart, one way or another. Graeson has hung onto the small hope that he could prevent that future from happening. He has known there was always a risk that you would either not accept the bond, or..."

"Or Domitius's hold on me would get in the way?" Kallie guessed.

Fynn nodded in response. "He never gave up on you. However, I understand your hesitancy towards accepting the bond. But if I know Graeson, I know he won't force you to make a decision. He will let you decide when you're ready."

Frowning, Kallie twisted her mother's ring around her finger. "What if I'm never ready?"

A pained expression passed across Fynn's face as he said, "Take as much time as you need, but sometimes, we do not have all the time in the world. I do not regret much, but I do regret not realizing that Dani was my soul bond sooner. Because if I had..." Fynn's words trailed off, grief shadowing his features.

He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair.

"I cannot change my past, and I cannot force you to accept the bond. No one can. But perhaps you shouldn't dismiss it so quickly," he said softly.

When Kallie awoke,Terin had since vanished, perhaps knowing she would need space once she woke up. But as she sat alone with Fynn's words circling in her mind, she was left more confused than before she talked to him.

She thought he would give her the answers she needed, but instead, she was left with only more questions.

---