Page 41 of My Blood Is Yours

“It’s a long story, and it’s too late to matter. Unless you’ve got 300,000 sovereigns, what Ineed—above all else—is to find a way to escape this pretty hell and a fresh start.”

I glance over my shoulder to where Elowen and Sariel stand across the alleyway, enjoying the theatrics. I squeeze my eyes shut as I am forced to experience the last ten years of hoping and planning are tossed right out the window like a fucking chamber pot.

“It is then we will meet again.”

It feels like Ffion herself is whispering the words in my ear.

Still, I have to force the words out through clenched teeth.

“I can help with that.”

I release mysoulbound’swrists, and a pang of guilt goes through me as she absently rubs them, and turns to face me, her expression slackened with shock even as her brows pinch with disbelief. “The 300,000 or my escape?”

“We can take you with us. To Atratus.”

Her eyes shift from mine to land on Sariel and Elowen. “Interesting company you’re keeping. Where is that exactly?”

I don’t actually have that answer, but I doubt admitting that would instill any trust in her. So I just shrug. “Does it really matter?”

My heart cracks a little as I take in the all-too-familiar, haunted look of despair darkening her eyes. “Will we be safe?”

We.

The ache in my chest burns anew at that singular word.We.How long have I yearned for there to truly be awe.

For being a thief, she’s awfully trusting, and that alone is enough to have my protective instincts rearing up. Fuck me. Elowen was right.

“I’ll make sure of it.”

She hesitates—all of her earlier bravado gone—and I’m left to witness all the vulnerability underneath. The bond between us throbs with the need to replace it with safety and reassurance.

Eventually, she nods. “Come with me then.”

ELOWEN

Sariel and I watch Evandriel and his mate from across the narrow alleyway—as though entranced by a theatrical production. “Do you think we should stop them? Before one of them gets hurt?”

Sariel shrugs. “Neither would die from a flesh wound. Best we leave their business as their business.”

Fair point.

Sariel and I hold our breath as Evandriel grows silent and the blue-skinned woman continues.

“… Unless you’ve got 300,000 sovereigns, what Ineedabove all elseis to find a way to escape this pretty hell and a fresh start.”

My jaw drops, and my elbow nudges at Sariel in shock. “It’s kismet, darling. Did you hear that? I don’t believe in coincidence.”

Sariel glances down at me, a soft grin curling his lips. “It would seem so. Perhaps she even knows how to use the mana siphon. Even if she doesn’t, I have no doubt my father—or one of the books in his library—will have the answer.”

My heart flutters with a hope I’d never dared to dream of. Not merely for the mana siphon and potentially being able tosee my mother again—even if it’s only in a vision, just to see that she’s safe—but most of all at the fact that the universe has brought Sariel and me together. Against all odds, no matter the unfathomable distance.

A fuzzy image of what Sariel’s brother might look like enters my mind—and guilt coils in my gut.Again.

I have no doubt in my mind that my mother’s soul is in a far happier place than our shared servant’s quarters in London. I’d blurted out my desire to use the siphon to see her—purely out of my own selfish desire—and the moment the words left my lips, “Well, either way, I think we should use the mana siphon to find your brother first and foremost. If there’s enough power left, then I can use it to check in on my mother.”

Sariel looks down at me, his eyes studying mine as though they’re the most precious thing he’s ever seen. “Even if there isn’t, the Queen of Atratus—where we live—is the daughter of a death god. She is… surprisingly compassionate. I have no doubt she would help, if need be. My parents and I communicate with her and her mates regularly?—”

“Mates? As in plural?”

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