Page 171 of A Crown of Lies

Giza nodded.

Kat threw his head back and laughed like a madman.

Rixxis frowned at him. “I see nothing funny about this.”

“This is good news!” the mage declared, and then launched into an explanation. “Spellwork has several ingredients, the most important of which is intention. Tofi was only able to forge the link he did because the three of you are already bonded. It wouldn’t have worked if it were me or anyone else. That link must already exist to create the chain. This link between you, it must be so strong that magic cannot break it. They say there is only one power in the world stronger than magic.” He put his arms around both Rowan and Rixxis, grinning ear to ear. “That fool is in love with you two!”

“I don’t understand,” Rixxis said, shrugging off Kat’s arm. “Won’t there be long-term consequences? I passed out when he got worse.”

“Absolutely,” Katyr agreed. “Your lives are linked. Woven together like the threads of a braid. Beyond that, it’s hard to say. This sort of thing… Well, I knew it was possible in theory, but real, true love is sorare, and even then, it isn’t always strong enough. It hasn’t been documented outside of myth and story.”

Rixxis swallowed. “So if one of us dies…”

“All of us do,” Rowan finished.

Kat shrugged. “If you want to be fatalistic, certainly. But there are other possibilities. In some stories, bonded lovers learn to hear each other’s thoughts, or feel each other’s pain… and pleasure.” He flashed a wide grin that made Rixxis turn red. “It depends on the story. I’m certain you three will figure it out in time.” He reached to collect Aleks from Rixxis’s arms.

“Where are you going?” Rixxis asked as she handed the baby over.

“Now that I know my prodigal brother in arms is going to live, I’m going to take my son, and we are going to take a well-deserved nap.” Kat turned and lifted a hand in a wave as he walked away. “Wake me when he’s ready to talk!”

“We’d like to see him.” Rowan said.

Giza nodded. “He’ll be drowsy and weak for a while still. It’ll be a few weeks before his body replaces all the blood lost, longer before he has full use of his arm. But he should be awake in an hour or so. I think it would be best for him if he woke up in a familiar place.”

Rowan nodded. “Bring him back to my quarters.” He glanced at Rixxis and amended his statement. “Ourquarters. If we are all to be joined at the hip, I’m not letting either of you out of my sight for a while.”

Therewassomethingheavysitting on Ieduin’s chest. Ieduin’s arm and his side hurt terribly, but the weight on his chest was the most annoying thing of all. His eyes fluttered open, and he stared at two big brown eyes, a flat snout, and pink floppy ears.

Hamlet’s ears perked and he let out a happy squeal, surging forward to nudge at Ieduin’s chin.

Ieduin’s nose wrinkled, and he tried to fend off the pig’s aggressive cuddling. “Funny. I don’t remember ordering bacon. Aw, don’t look at me like that. You’re a pig, Hamlet.”

“That’s Lord Hamlet to you,” said Rowan.

Ieduin finally pushed the pig away enough to see that he was back in Rowan’s bed and Rowan was leaning against the nearby wall next to the window, arms crossed, a hint of the usual mischief in his features.

Ieduin snorted and rolled his eyes. “Pretty sure I still outrank him as the king’s consort.”

Rowan pushed off the wall with a hip, pacing closer. “You would if you were the king’s consort. Which you’re not. Not yet.”

“Are you suggesting I apologize to a pig, Rowan?”

“He’s clearly the wounded party. Look at how you’ve offended him.”

Ieduin turned his head and found Hamlet standing on the bed next to him, wagging his little tail as if he were a dog. He dipped his head in a mock attempt at a bow. “My apologizes, Lord Hamlet. The king is right. I think you’d make much better sausage.”

Rowan chuckled and picked Hamlet up, setting him on the floor, much to the little pig’s discontent. He climbed into bed, leaning over Ieduin. Ieduin’s heart fluttered as Rowan took his face in his hands and stole his next breath with a kiss. “Hello again,” he said gently, letting his forehead rest against Ieduin’s. “I’ve missed you.”

“Obviously, not enough if you’re still dressed,” Ieduin quipped dryly.

Rowan’s lips turned up in a smile that made Ieduin’s insides melt. “I don’t think you’re up for that just yet. You very narrowly avoided death just now.”

Ieduin finally let himself grin back. “I think I can manage to lie here doing nothing while you ravish me with that devilish mouth of yours.”

Rowan’s laugh was thick and velvety. “I’ll tell you what. When you’re strong enough to walk on your own, I’ll spend an entire day making sure you can’t sit.”

“Yes, please.”

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