Page 16 of Degradation

“I do, Garron. Completely.”

He brushed my temple with a kiss and then sent me to help the others.

Once we were all in the yard and double-checking the weight of our packs, Brandle closed the cottage door for the final time. Edmund and Eadric stood behind him, each placing a hand on his shoulder. Daemon and Darian placed their hands on the twins before them. Then Garron and Liam.

The love they felt for one another filled my heart and touched something deeper within me. The need to protect them as I did Eloise rose swiftly and fiercely. They feared what they would find in Turre. They feared I would leave them. However, that was now as impossible for me as it would be to abandon Eloise. It would never happen.

But how could I prove that?

Watching them and seeing their bond, I knew of only one way.

I sent my love to them, visualizing it as a barrier around them like the one surrounding the glade. So long as I lived, nothing born of man or magic would ever harm them. I sent my intent outward into the air, and the glade exploded in a vibrant kaleidoscope of multi-colored particles. They floated toward the men I held so dear, condensing and swirling.

Garron glanced up then back at me.

“Snow?”

“I love you. All of you.”

They turned toward me, and any confusion on their faces was quickly changed to surprise.

“Is the air glowing?” Eadric asked.

“You can see it?” Garron asked.

They all nodded.

“What is it?” Brandle asked.

“It’s Kellen,” Garron said, watching me.

“It’s not me but my love for you. Welcome it, and it will bind us together.” I felt Edmund and Brandle’s worry. “It means I won’t run from you. No matter what secret you’re still hiding, I won’t run.”

“Then I welcome it,” Eadric said, opening his arms wide. The colorful dust settled on his skin and disappeared.

“His amulet didn’t flare,” Edmund said.

“Because I didn’t directly cast on him. It’s an indirect cast like the healing tea. You can accept it or not as you choose. And if you choose to accept it, there are no conditions you must meet for this spell. It binds me to you, not the other way around.”

“I wouldn’t mind being bound by you,” Darian said with a smirk. Eadric cuffed him for a change, which made me smile.

“Shall we go?” I turned my back on them so they could choose as they wished without any guilt. However, when I went to pick up my sling bag, Brandle’s hand closed over mine.

“I packed it for you before you woke.”

I tipped my head back to smile at him.

“Thank you.”

“I found the letter from the king of Drisdall.”

“And you wish to know how I came to have such a letter in my possession?”

“Why didn’t you go to the king to save your sister? With that letter, he would have helped you.”

“Maeve didn’t use her amulet like you do yours. She invited men into our home for dinners— noblemen or men of significant standing in the kingdom. Men who likely had the king’s ear in one form or another.

“With barely a word, she had them under her spell. Yet, for all appearances, she was an upright, moral woman of standing.

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