Page 18 of Season's Greetings
“Ah, but thereisa record. A shadow imprint logged during a full moon nine winters ago—a soft flare in the ether grid. It shows a resonance consistent with Hollow Moon merging. Their bond marked territory. It’s faint, but it’s there.”
Keiran slid out a thin scroll etched with faded sigils. A gentle glow pulsed as he placed it on the table.
Matthew gave a soft gasp.
Daniel stared down at the parchment in wonder, his fingers inches from its surface.
Claudia flew up from her seat so fast her chair rolled back against the wall with a dull thud. Chest heaving, eyes flashing, her voice thundered as she pointed an accusatory finger at Keiran.
“You expect me to believe this dusty myth-chaser? That a midnight cuddle and blood in snow counts as a legal bond?”
Daniel admired Keiran’s composure. Even as a veteran lawyer, he was half-tempted to knock her on her ass.
“Not just legal.Binding.Bond law predates Council law, and the archive holds it still. You may sneer at tradition, Ms. Hamilton, but it’s tradition that built your father’s seat—and your claim to it.”
It was hard, but Daniel managed to keep a straight face. He had to give it to the wily old bird for putting her in her place while staying factually correct.
Unfortunately, Claudia’s reaction was less than exemplary. It was almost as if her earlier outburst had been a dress rehearsal for this one.
“If he’s bonded, he should have registered it! If Matthew gave consent, where is the proclamation?WHERE IS THE VOW?”
If hearing the vow was what the shrew needed to believe the soul-bond was real, then Daniel was more than willing to oblige.
“Buried in snow. Lit by match. Made in silence.”
Claudia’s hand slammed down on the tabletop with such force the wood creaked.
“Then let silence be the sound of your ruin!”
She lunged forward, slapped the scroll aside, and stormed out—heels stabbing the floor with every step. Her legal team stood stunned, then hurried to gather their things and rush after her.
“Well, she certainly didn’t disappoint, did she?” Grady glanced at Claudia as she disappeared down the hall, then turned back to Daniel. “I suspect you haven’t seen the last of her.”
With that, he retreated to his office, leaving Daniel alone with Matthew and the lorekeeper.
They stood in silence for what felt like hours—but was only a few minutes—as they gathered their thoughts. Keiran carefully rolled up the scroll and placed it back inside his satchel.
Reaching out, Daniel took Matthew’s hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of it.
Matthew’s glassy eyes met his, and he pulled a deep breath into his lungs before looking over to Keiran.
“Old rites don’t care for spectacle. But they remember. And so do those who dared to speak them into flame. I fear your brother is correct—you may well have just kicked a hornet’s nest. I wish you well. And please call on me again if you need me. I now bid you good day.”
With that, he walked to the big window and opened it.
A gentle light encircled his body. His arms extended. His hands turned into fiery feathers.
In place of a man, there was now a firebird.
With a few beats of his wings, he was airborne—soaring through the window and into the sky.
They watched until Keiran disappeared from view, then quietly closed the window.
“Well, that could’ve gone better,” Matthew said, giving Daniel’s hand a squeeze.
“It also could’ve gone a lot worse,” Daniel replied. “Let’s forget about her for the rest of the evening, collect Toby, and head home.”
Chapter 10
