Page 28 of Untraceable
Amori stared at her. “What do you look like?”
“Sort of like Hey but with a thick streak of silver that I got when our mother made a deal for me. I was extra, so they didn’t need another daughter. I got traded away, so I ran when I was thirteen.”
Heyval handed the king a cup of coffee and fished out two pastries for herself.
Heyval took a bite and said, “You didn’t get traded; you were betrothed.”
Rage flipped her hand. “Same difference. You went to school, and I went to learn how not to insult my soon-to-be husband. Fortunately, I haven’t seen him in five years and a bit.”
Amori sat up. “You are engaged?”
“Yeah, but it was supposed to be finalized when I was twenty-five years old. Oops. Missed.”
Heyval chuckled. “She’s twenty-eight now, same as me. Three days younger.”
“Yeah, I think Mom is still pissed about that.”
Heyval laughed. “Yeah. I came out with the wrong magic, and you wouldn’t come out at all.”
Rage snickered. “Well, glad you have found some companionship. Can you toss me some death magic?”
“Why?”
“Because the ten-year blinding spell is over, and the name recognition started rippling tonight because this one was busy binding you by name.” She gestured toward Amori.
The king froze. “You caught that?”
“Her name rippled three times and yours in return. Congratulations, bro.”
Heyval stared at Amori, and he looked resigned. “Fine. Caught me.”
Hey had half a bear claw in her mouth. “Seriously? Is that what that was about?”
He smiled and reached out to brush crumbs from her lips. “I wanted you bound to me. Names are easy.”
Hey prodded around and found their link. “It’s a small link.”
Amori smiled. “It will grow with proximity.”
Heyval examined the link and frowned. “But why?”
“Because when your magic touched me after the blast, I felt a true connection with someone. When it faded, I felt the loss. Looking for you has occupied my time, and I want you to be at my side for my party.”
“Party?” Her mind scrambled. “Your birthday is right around the corner.”
He grinned. “You have it.”
Rage reached into her jacket and pulled out a card. “Go here. Get a dress.”
The card flapped its way over, and Val caught it. “This is pricey.”
“She’s waiting with some samples. She owes me... a bit.”
Heyval smiled. “You said you needed blood?”
“Oh. Yeah. Blood or necromancer magic. Either one will have them chasing me instead of you, and I am much more willing to fight if they corner me. I have practice.”
Heyval handed one of the last pastries to Amori. “When do you want it?”
