Page 152 of House of Embers
“And because of that magic, the bonding wouldn’t take. I learned how to use something called a crux bond,” Kerrigan said, drawing the magic gently between her hands. It was a fickle golden line that connected her two hands. “If you focus your intent into it, the bond becomes a two-way bridge between you and your dragon. Once set into place, only you, your dragon, or the loss of your magic can take it away. This is how Tieran and I were able to appear as if we were bonded through training and beyond. And I can teach you how,” Kerrigan said.
The buzzing of annoyance turned to interest.
“Hook, line, and sinker,” Fordham said.
“How do we know it’ll work if you’re not a Doma?”
Kerrigan had been prepared for that question. Not only because Cleora, who was not a Doma, had taught it to her, but she figured they would need to see it in practice.
Fordham held his hand up, and Netta flew to their position. “Because Netta and I have already bonded successfully again.”
“When do we start?” another voice cried out.
A few of her generals had already gone through similar training, sothey all spaced out and trained them on crux magic. Those that got the hang of it quickly turned to others in the army and began to pass it on.
Kerrigan watched it play out. She reserved her magic to reach their allies in Bryonica and Galanthea, who were bracing the eastern and western fronts of the assault. She’d have to open two portals today. And then one tomorrow. The final one.
“I wish you were here to see this, Mom,” Kerrigan whispered as she fiddled with her mother’s bracelet. “You would have been proud.”
Dozan nudged her. “Hello, princess.”
Kerrigan shot him a look. “That nickname never gets old, does it?”
He smirked. “It fits you now as well as it did when we first met.”
“So not at all?”
“Like a glove.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “What do you think of the new bonds?”
“Kids at a candy store.”
“Fair assessment.”
“Any chance I can make one of those new fancy bonds with this?” Dozan asked, handing over his amulet.
Kerrigan weighed the thing in her hand. It was surprisingly heavy with the RookRetched into the center. She couldn’t feel magic in it, but somehow the tendrille and the ancient Fae written into it gave it the power to do what she did herself innately.
“Truly, I have no idea,” she said, handing it back. “The bond connects to my magic in my core. I don’t know if the bond would connect to the amulet. If you’d be able to touch the bond but only when you’re wearing it. There are a lot of unknowns.”
“Would you be opposed to me trying?”
“You’d have to get a dragon to choose you.”
He nodded. “Always a dragon’s choice.” Then he winked at her and went off after Wynter.
Fordham returned to her side with one eye on Dozan. “What was that about?”
“Still don’t trust him?” she asked.
“He’s sharing my sister’s bed. As her brother, I have a right to be disapproving of her choices.”
“Right,” she said with a laugh. “He wanted to see if he could bond with an amulet. I don’t know the answer to that, but I told him he could try if he could get a dragon to accept him.”
“Well, we’re free of that then. What dragon would accept him?”
Kerrigan laughed as she swatted at him. “Stop!”
