Page 167 of A Baron of Bonds
The blossoms opened wide in brilliant white and pink, scenting the air, and I pulled all of my power back, just as the tiny tree, a miniature version of the one I had grown in Felgren, unfurled its last bud and the last green portal opened in front of me.
That was the easiest trial yet.
I’d passed them all.
I’d done it, proving I was a conduit for the Baron of Felgren.
I gently touched the petals, wishing I could take the tree home with me when the Blightress moved in front of the portal, inspecting the flickering green light.
“I’m leaving now. You need to move.” I stood in front of her as she faced me.
“Where do you think this leads?” she asked.
“Home. I’m going home. Now, move.” I swiped at her arm, finding only air.
So she really wasn’t there, somehow projecting herself instead.
“He lies,” she declared, refusing to move out of my way.
“I’m leaving.”
“This portal does not lead to Felgren, Karus.”
I tilted my head back and groaned. “Why are you like this? You want to see me thrive? Then leave me alone with the man I love.” I shook my head, my anger rising to the surface quickly. “You only want to tell me this, tell me that. What about whatIwant? You see me as yours? As a daughter? Fuck. You. I owe you nothing, and you owe me nothing. You will not take Revich’s power, you will not take over Felgren, you will not take back what you gave to me. Go sit in your white palace with your creatures and leave me alone. Leave theislealone. Your time is finished.”
I stepped forward, ready to go through her if I had to.
Her hand shot out and grabbed my arm.
I looked down, confused. “How did you?—”
“Do. Not. Go.” Her eyes flashed in iridescence, anger pooling from her in black tendrils.
Her grip tightened, and I grabbed her hand, pulling at her fingers. “Let me go! I thought you weren’t really here!”
Her face flickered for a moment like a flame about to extinguish. “That portal leads to the B?—”
But I didn’t stick around to listen. I was done listening to her. I rushed through the portal, yanking my arm from her grip, finding my way back to my love.
Chapter 74
Rev
THE AGRICOLA TRIAL
Fastest one yet.
I laughed to myself, so fucking proud of her, when I felt another soul enter the trial.
What the fuck?
There were two people in there. I could feel an enormously powerful presence in that room with Karus.
It could only be one person.
This wasn’t going to work. I was going to have to go in there.
I sought my power as Baron, starting my hands low to the ground, then slowly lifting, separating them while a viridescent green light shaped into an oval portal that would lead right to that room.
