Page 98 of A Baron of Bonds
Mychael’s eyes widened with awe as he gaped at the structure. Philius took an air of indifference, but I saw right through it. He was curious, and I hoped for the hundredth time then that Rev was right—that this new life would help him let go of the one he left behind.
Rev stepped closer to them both, holding out his hand first to Mychael. “It’s tradition for the Baron of Felgren to bestow new clothing and a conduit ring onto channelers before they enter the Fortress.”
Mychael nodded and took a step forward to grasp his hand. Instantly, his attire changed from that of a Hyrithian guard to a new channeler of Felgren. Sleek black boots replaced his brown riding ones. Fitted pants, the color of deep green verging on the edge of midnight blue, wove over his legs. Lastly, a black shirt clung tightly to his chest and rose halfway up his neck along with a fitted vest in the same color.
I smiled, a small laugh escaping me as Rev glanced my way, one brow raised, and I bit my lips together.
Mychael, the former royal guard, was quite handsome. And it showed now even more so in the waining light of Felgren.
He took his hand from Rev as his conduit ring appeared on his right forefinger in a band of gold, offset with a middle ring of mother of pearl.
“That was…fascinating,” he finally spoke, pulling on his vest and sleeves.
Revich shrugged. “It’s a subconscious part of you who chooses the garments and the ring. I just have the power to give them to you.”
He turned to Philius without a word, holding his hand out in question. Philius glanced to me first and took a deep breath, taking it in his. A suit of emerald soon hugged his tall form. Bands of gold-embroidered flourishes cuffed his wrists and climbed up his overcoat, spilling onto the collar at his neck, stiff and upright. He looked more like royalty than I’d ever seen, and I smirked slyly, crossing my arms as he gazed in awe at his new attire.
He pulled his hand away and held it up in front of his face. His conduit ring contrasted his blackened fingers in a brilliant flash of iridescent orange opals that spun through a band of silver in a pattern the shape of a flame. He twisted his hand around, his face falling slightly as he shoved his hands in his pockets and looked up at the Fortress once more.
“You both look so handsome.” I slid my arm through Philius’s, our arguments not over, but my heart at a truce.
He stumbled forward with me as I yanked him up the steps of the Fortress, my simple white dress snagging on the stone. I pushed the heavy iron-lead doors open and welcomed him to my home.
Chapter 44
Saelyn
I would beseventeen in seven days, and I glared at the checklist I’d written.
Cake. Check.
Clean dress. Check.
Colorful garlands. Check.
Invitations…empty box that seemed to mock me in its lack of pigment.
I tapped my fingers on my chin and then quickly stopped, remembering I would just summon more blemishes if I continued.
Since starting my preparations for my birthday celebration, I had decided I wanted to invite everyone. I wanted all the servants, all the people I knew, to be there and we would have one giant party with music, and lights, and delicious food from the kitchens. We’d been living such a rote, dull existence for so long now, I wanted to change that. I wanted to celebrate the new arrival of summer. I didn’t even care that the party was on my birthday.
But as I continued to stare at the list, my thoughts crept once again to my mother. I hadn’t told her my plans. I hadn’t even confessed I wanted a party to begin with.
All my past birthdays had been small, quiet gatherings—if gatherings really at all. Our home felt its darkest on those first days of summer, and everyone seemed to tip-toe around as if in mourning.
I knew some details of my birth. I knew it had been hard on my mother, coinciding with the day my father died, so I had stayed quiet too. I’d usually hold my mother’s hand those nights as she, Pah-Pah, Thevin, and his parents gathered around to eat my favorite strawberry cake together in the quiet.
She never seemed to want to let go of me on those days, and I’d gladly held onto her.
I wasn’t sure how she’d react to an invitation to a grand party, and I didn’t want to hurt her, so I had done everything in preparation except send the invitations to everyone I knew, which was really not many people at all.
As if my thoughts summoned her, a soft knock came to my door, and I quickly shoved the checklist into a drawer in my desk.
I could feel her presence at the door and called, “Come in, Mama.”
She entered quietly, smiling my way and closing the door behind her. She walked to my bed in the corner, picking up the wooden lumen I still kept on my nightstand.
She cleared her throat and spoke, finally looking at me. “I just spoke to Pah-Pah. He let slip that you’re planning a grand celebration for your birthday this year.”
