Page 176 of A Baron of Bonds
I stood there, taking one last look at the woman who gave him so many of his features, his mannerisms, and what I now knew was his heart.
I loved her.
I murmured a promise that I would take care of him and give him everything we both knew he deserved.
Filling my lungs one last time in her presence, I stepped into the portal that would take me to her son.
Chapter 78
Karus
Green grass lay brilliantlythrough a grove as I stepped out of the portal. The dry seeds of the maple trees spun lazily to the ground in an elegant twirl.
A man leaned against the trunk of a tree, his arms crossed at his chest, his attire in the form of a Baron, but different than Revich’s, a slightly more jaunty cut, the collar of his shirt flicked open at his tanned neck.
I circled around, looking for Revich, who, once again, was not there. My face fell into my hands, and I was ready to scream.
“I do not wish to cause you distress. I only wished to see you here, before you do or do not accept Revich’s offer,” the man spoke to me, but I didn’t want to hear any more.
I wanted to go home to Revich.
The silence stayed as the light flutter of maple seeds cascaded down on my head, still buried in my hands.
I finally rose from them, masking my face in strength with a deep inhale of my lungs, pulling from some place where my sanity still held firm.
He was tall, with a square jaw, hazel, deep-set eyes, and a piercing stare. A shadow of a mustache grew above his lip. Hishair was a dark brown, cut short, but longer on the top, one piece curving over his widow’s peak and curling onto his forehead.
I lifted my hands, gesturing to my body. My channeler clothing was filthy, covered in soil, blood staining the space of my knee, the hem wet and layered in a dark film.
He raised a brow, and I shrugged.
“Do you know who I am?” He kept his arms folded and pushed off the maple tree, walking my way.
“Of course, I do. How could you be anyone but him?”
“Who?”
“Adaynth. First Baron of Felgren, First Trainer of Conduits, Lover of Visalia, Betrayer of Visalia, and apparent Person Who Should Be Long SinceDead, but isn’t, and is standing in my way of getting home to the man I love.”
He smirked, his eyes brightening. “You seem to know much about me, Karus of Hyrithia. Karus of Felgren? Or was it Karus of the Northern Steppes? I’m not entirely sure.”
The maple tree he had been leaning against burst into flame. The crackle of wood lighting on fire echoed through the grove.
He turned slowly and shook his head. “You’re good at that, aren’t you? Growing trees,”—he pointed to the maple seeds falling—“setting them on fire.”
I took the flames back. My rapid exposure of wrath extinguishing with the smoke that rose from the damage I had done. “What do you want with me?”
“Truthfully? Nothing. In fact, I’d prefer you weren’t here at all.”
“Then whyamI here?”
“Unfortunately, you passed the Baron trial and now will have the choice to take exactly half of Baron Revich’s power for your own.” He paused, slowing, but stepping closer until we were a mere three feet apart. “I hoped to convince you to decline.”
I scoffed, folding my own arms across my chest. “Why? Because I am a woman?”
“No,”—he shook his head, closing our gap—“because you arehers.”
I swallowed. “I am not.”
