Page 55 of Bound By Blood
"Not when you're running from someone you—"
She stopped. She'd almost said it, and that was dangerous. Biting the inside of her lip, she closed her eyes. If she and Ryul were going to be together, she would have to one day speak those words. Terrifying as it was. But how could she allow anyone the power over her that that wish granted?
"Did he hurt you?" Traelan asked softly.
"Farthest thing from it. I probably hurt him." She explained briefly, trying to keep it focused only on what was relevant. But more than she intended spilled out. Before she knew it, she had told him even what had happened with her family.
Traelan clicked his tongue. "Well, since you know I'm a kytobar, this likely won't be as meaningful. But I've heard far worse. Done far worse. And as far as that voice goes, well, when you're dealing with consciousnesses trapped inside buildings, things get testy fast. Especially if it wants to protect him. What matters, though, is what he thinks of you. And he's smitten. I saw it when I barged in on you. I don't think the feeling is the problem between the two of you, unlike for some. It's that wish."
"Have you ever known a couple who were able to avoid it?"
"No," he said. "Not for long. You can hold it off for a time. But eventually, those words will be spoken. The only way to avoid it is to stay away from him. Which—if things go as badly tonight as I fear, that won't actually be too hard."
No. Ryul was going to come for her. She knew that deep down. Of course he would. She wasn't going to die here. Not as long as she stalled. Among her many random skills, that was one she was quite good at.
She paused then. The way Traelan had said "unlike for some" stood out.
"Did you grant someone the power to make such a wish?"
He laughed softly, but there was a sharp ache in his voice. "What conclusions you leap to."
"Well, you were out hunting blood fae, and you have strong opinions on the subject."
"I have strong opinions on many things, and I am not only hunting blood fae." His jaw tightened. "But—"
Footsteps sounded outside again. The light filtering past the corner of the passage was a dull orange now. Was it time for this ceremony already?
Ilvan returned, this time with Alrik and Thurra. He strode over to her and started to pick her up.
"Wait, wait." She lifted her hands as best she could, the movement small. "I'm not going to give you any trouble. I promise I'll cooperate. The truth is, I'm really fascinated by these portals, and I almost walked through one before but got stopped, so I'm happy to help you sort this out, right? It's not like I could get far even if I tried to run."
"Aye, we'd cut you down before you got more than a few paces." Ilvan scowled down at her, his eyes narrowing and nearly disappearing in the mass of wrinkles.
"Then trust me enough to walk out. I made friends with the kytobar like you said. I don't have anywhere to run, and I am very curious about this staircase."
Traelan nodded, his manner still casual despite his being bound up like a bird for roasting. "It's true. We are friends, and she does like portals and staircases in the forest. She came through one, so I think she might actually have a better chance at surviving this than most."
Ilvan nodded slowly, then stooped and cut the bonds from her limbs. "You keep your word."
"Don't worry. Even if I wanted to, I don't think I could run." She winced and rubbed her wrists, then her ankles. That horrid sensation of pins and needles surged through her, making her shiver. Still she kept her voice chipper, hoping to lull her captors into a more unguarded state. "It'll be so exciting to see where this portal leads. I don't suppose you could cut my friend free as well if he promises not to run away? It would do him great honor."
"No. We don't honor kytobar that way." He took hold of her arm, his grip tight enough it stung. "Now walk."
This time she obeyed, though her legs remained shaky and her hands continued to sting.
Alrik and Thurra carried Traelan out between them, their steps heavy but confident.
Patchy grass and thin firs clung to the rocky soil outside the small cave. An open firepit dominated the center of the camp just a few feet away with two leather tents beyond that before a sheer slate cliff. Large worn leather bags with supplies were neatly stacked beside the tents. It looked as if they had been here awhile.
At the front of the camp though was the staircase, practically glowing in the golden sunlight. Though it wasn't the same as the one she'd climbed to end herself all those years ago, it reminded her of it nonetheless. It was made of round grey stones and had easily over thirty steps and two arches cut in to its broad side. Moss and ivies covered it like a carpet and draped more and more over the sides the higher it went. The one she'd climbed on her own had looked like a giant curling staircase of moss, defying gravity in its steady ascent upward.
It'd take a little bit to climb this. She could get a few minutes stalling in that climb, but that wouldn't be nearly enough.
She glanced around again, searching for something she might use. Large iron stakes had been pounded into the ground at the front and back of the staircase. Though most of the stakes weren't visible, at least from the top, she could see runes had been carved in. Perhaps that was what kept the staircase from disappearing?
At the back of the staircase just beneath the stone platform where the portal would appear, there were two logs situated like chairs on either side of a stone slab with a groove cut in it and a crudely cut stone vessel.
Alrik and Thurra carried Traelan over to it and set him on the farthest log.
