Page 22 of A Baron of Bonds
“You came to find me in Felgren?” I had never heard about this. But knowing who was Baron at the time, it did not surprise me I had not been told.
“We left by night without telling anyone and traveled for two days to the edge of the forest. When we arrived at the border, we could not get in. A shield of magic protected it all the way around. We spent days traveling the outskirts trying to find a weakness and push our way inside.”
Tears welled in my eyes and I shivered.
“Finally, the Queen found us. She sent half her guards to bring us back. I was reassigned to patrol the north and the Prince was followed at all times at the castle. We could not try again.”
He looked down and shook his head in shame. “I’m so sorry. I thought that was it. I thought I’d never see you again and that it was time to let go. I put everything I had into building a life here, and a year later, I met Viv. She helped me heal.”
Vivianna cupped his face and pressed her forehead to his.
“By then, we had received word that you were dead. The Queen was told that you had emitted a power so forceful, you could not control it and it killed you. We were all devastated. Myself, the Queen, but the Prince…”
He trailed off and placed his elbows on the table, covering his mouth with his sun-kissed hands. “Prince Philius is not the same. He is a different man now, Karus.”
I took a shaky breath and pushed my bowl forward. “Thank you, Geyrand. For trying to fight for me. I don’t know if Revich told you?—”
“He did. He explained why he lied.” Geyrand chuckled, a light settling back into his eyes. “He’s a good man. And he loves you better than I ever could.”
I could not bear to hear his words. The tears fell and I needed to sleep. I needed to fall into a place of dark where I could move closer to Revich’s embrace.
“I am tired. I don’t doubt that Revich will be here soon once he realizes I’m not far.” I stood to find a place of rest, wherever that may be.
“There’s one more thing, Karus.” Geyrand rose with me, moving around the table. “Baron Revich has been arrested by the Queen.”
I scoffed. “How? She has no authority over the Baron of Felgren. Besides, no cell could hold him. He is too powerful.”
“She does not hold him in a cell. She keeps him under guard with her, and he wears a silver band of amethyst across his arm which holds his power within. He is to stand trial for crimes against Hyrithia and lying to Her Majesty. The Lady of the Spire and the Madame of the Mountains will arrive to weigh in on the trial in three days’ time.”
I shook my head profusely. “Crimes?” I huffed. “That’s not possible. Revich didn’t do anything wrong. He protected me when my mind was lost, and he protected all of you by lying.” A silent rage stormed in my chest and my gaze darted to the window to observe the night.
If Revich was in danger, I would not stay here a moment longer, storm or no.
Vivianna rose as well. “Karus, you cannot leave now. The storm is strong and our old horses could not make the journey to the castle. Your lumens need rest.Youneed rest, love.”
“I’m not going to just sit here and?—"
“He is safe for now.” Geyrand grasped my shoulders. “The Queen needs him to find you. I have already sent word across the plains and news of your safety will make its way to Hyrithia before dawn. He will know we are coming. He made me promise on your life that I would bring you to him if I found you out here.”
Sobs shuddered through me and I slid to the floor on my knees, my hands over my face. I did this to him. Whatever he had faced since I had left with the Blightress, I was the reason. Geyrand sat in front of me and pulled me to his chest where he rocked me back and forth, saying nothing in the cries of a defeated woman.
Chapter 17
Karus
The rain-soakedgrass squelched under my boots as I watched the sun rise in the east. I inhaled the fresh morning air through my nose and held it, counting to ten before releasing the breath through my mouth.
Dark green slivers of my magic escaped my lungs as well, and I took another breath in a feeble attempt to stay calm.
I was bad at this.
Even at twenty-seven years old, I had not learned to control my anger. Images flashed in my mind of Revich being watched and his magic subdued in the Queen’s custody. If I did not gain control of my rage, I would arrive at the castle and burn it to ashes.
“Are you ready?” Geyrand uttered softly in the cool dawn, his breath leaving his lungs in a gust of white.
I pulled my borrowed cloak around me tighter and nodded. Standing in front of Geyrand’s home, I wanted to scream. I wanted to tear the very ground open at my feet and scar the earth so that it looked as I felt about myself. I wanted to storm into the Castle of Hyrithia and rip through every single room until I found Rev.
Today would be a day of reckoning for all I had put him through. I would have him see that I was sorry—that I would find a way to make up for our lost time, for his despair in my leaving him again, and I would beg for him to forgive me.
