Page 117 of A Conduit of Light
“Iasked around.IleftFelgrena few times, looking for people with potential.Itworked.I’vetrained two other conduits since you’ve been gone.Andthis group now, well, they’ve only just begun their training.”
“ButViridis…how do they study?”
“Weuse what we have.Whatwe’ve taken out ofViridisover the years.I’vecalled for books throughoutArcaynenas well and they’ve arrived.Notnearly as many as inViridis, but we make do.”
Iperked up, my eyes brightening. “Iwant to help.Iwant to do whatIcan to help train them.Iwant to pick up whereIleft off and complete the trials.”
Ididn’t tell him whatHeimlenhad said that night.Hehad said fighting theBlightwas my trial.He’dsaidIhad become a conduit.
But, even thoughIknewHeimlenwas right, andIunderstood more than anyone the powerIheld,Iwanted it fromRevich.Iwanted to go through the trials, just as any other channeler would have.Iwanted to experience the same tests, pass them, and make it official.
Hesighed heavily.Wewere sitting in our chairs, pushed close together, my bare feet tucked in under his legs, keeping them warm asIread through one of the booksIhad brought from my room in the tallest tower.
TheLanguageofMagic, aGuidetoSpeakingWithaConduit’sSoulbySeraphynAntynn.
Itwas the same one that had revealed my true name, andIwas glad he had saved it for me.Iwasn’t sure how, but he had been able to retrieve some books fromViridisbefore theBlightgrew to where it was now.
Iwanted to see it again.Iwanted to go back there, more prepared to witness all that was lost, and maybeIcould try again.
SimulairSolum.
Iwas feeling stronger, as if my magic was slowly returning to what it had been.
Hereached over, my feet still tucked under him, and pulled my chair even closer, my knees bending as the black and blue fabric almost touched.
“Ithink that’s a great idea—you completing the trials, but…I’vebeen meaning to ask you something.”
Iset my book down gently on the floor and folded my hands in my lap. “Yes,”Ianswered, shrugging. “Whateveryou want—yes.”
Hesnickered, shaking his head, rubbing his hands down my calves, pushing my skirts back to my waist, kissing the tops of my bare knees. “Idon’t think you should give in so easily.”
“Oh, really?BecauseIdo.”
“You’regiving me a lot of power here,Karus, andI’mtempted to take it.”
Ileaned forward and took his hands in mine. “Doyou really think my answer will be no?ThatI’lldeny you whatever you’re asking for?I’mpowerless,BaronRevich.Ilove you.You’vecaught me in your charms, andIhave no desire to escape.”Ilaughed, loving to see him surprised still at whatI’dsay.
“Alright.Bemy companion then.Let’smake it official.Youand me.We’llshow the world our love.We’llbe bonded by magic, we’ll have babies, and memories, and we will fill this fortress with joy, and light, and all things good.Ourlove will filter through the trees, and we will do this together.Youand me.”
Itwasn’t whatIexpected to hear.
“Baronscan’t have companions.”
“Baronscan’t be bound by love, either, yet hereIam.”
“But—”
“Butwe make the rules.Wedecide our future, not some history books, not some tradition that doesn’t apply to us.”Hepulled me onto his lap, leaning back into his chair, running his fingers through my hair.
“Wewrite ourownhistory.WechangeFelgren—the isle—for the better.Nomore loneliness.Nomore single soul to reign over the most powerful place in this world.Iwant to share it with you.Iwant to live this life with you, not as a conduit who stayed, not as a servantIkeep around, but as my equal, my life companion.”
Mybreath was soft above him, looking down into the face of the manIloved, whoI’dnever willingly leave again. “I…Idon’t even know what to say…”
“Technically, you’ve already given me your answer.”
Hissmile was something else.Theway it had always captured me, even in the daysIhad convinced myselfIfound it annoying—Iwas trying my very best to resist it.Ithad never really worked.
“Yes, then.Myanswer is still yes.I’lllive this life beside you.You’llnever have to bear it alone.”
