Page 285 of The Ascended
"What were you thinking?" The words came out soft, which was infinitely more terrifying than if he'd shouted. "What possible logic led you to believe this was acceptable?"
"I’ve already explained myself to you."
"You weren't thinking at all." His control never slipped, but I could see the effort it cost him. Veins of shadow pulsed beneath his skin. "Even if you refused Nyvora, even if you defied every expectation and threw away every alliance—this? You've done something that can never be undone, never repeated. A union deeper than marriage, more binding than any contract."
"I know what I've done."
He stepped closer, and I felt the weight of his power pressingagainst me. "Do you truly understand what this could cost us? How carefully I've cultivated the alliance with Davina's domain? Your marriage to Nyvora is the cornerstone of our entire political strategy. Without it?—"
"My soul was never part of that bargain," I growled, drawing on every ounce of strength I possessed. "It's mine to give, and I've given it to Thais."
"A woman you barely know."
"She declared herself to Sundralis. For you—to help her brother further your endless ambitions," I spat, feeling another spike of pain through the bond. "If you think for one second that I wasn’t going to find a way to protect her there, you’re delusional. Not when she’s forced to get close to that monster for your cause."
“Ourcause,” he corrected, staring at me as if seeing a stranger. "You sound like a lovestruck fool."
"Perhaps I am." I ground out through the splitting ache in my side. "But I'm a fool who chose his own fate rather than having it chosen for him."
"And what of the consequences? You'll feel everything she feels now. Her pain, her joy, her fear. If she dies?—"
"Then my soul will follow." The words came out steady, certain. "That's what the binding means, Father. I know the price."
“You’ll be a shell of a man.”
“And much easier for you to bend to your will, then too, I suppose.”
He grabbed my arm, fingers digging deep enough to bruise. "Does Thais know?"
"No."
"You will never speak of this to anyone. Not to Nyvora, not to Davina, not to a single soul. Do you understand me?"
"I never planned to tell anyone."
"Good. Keep it that way." His grip tightened to the point of pain. "If our enemies learn of this—if they realize they can destroy you by destroying her?—"
"They won't." I yanked free, already turning back to the portal. "Because I won't let anything happen to her."
"You arrogant child." The words chased me as I resumed tearing at reality. "You think your power is enough to protect her from the forces we're moving against?"
"I'll do what I must." The portal finally stabilized, showing glimpses of ancient stone and darkness. Through the bond, I felt Thais's fear spike into terror. "But right now she's in danger, and I can feel?—"
Another wave of pain, sharper this time. But underneath it, threaded through her fear, was desperate worry. Not for herself.
"She's worried for Thatcher."
Interest flickered across my father's features at the mention of the other Morvaren twin. Of course—his newest blood-sworn. Vivros incarnate.
The irritation that flashed through me was petty but undeniable. Even now, even in this moment, he was calculating political advantages.
"Where?"
"Some kind of structure," I said, studying the images the portal showed. "Beyond the Primordial ruins."
"She hasn't learned to create portals yet."
"Then that means she's with someone who can."
