His bright eyes finally met mine. He was a determined, stubborn angel, but right now, he was scared, too. Though he probably thought he could hide it, there was fear lingering behind that gaze.
I put a hand on his arm and squeezed. “I wouldn’t volunteer unless I knew I could succeed.”
He clenched his jaw, but he didn’t argue. It was as close to an agreement as I’d get from him.
And I’d take it.
“There is a way we can ensure this plan succeeds,” Huntyr said, stepping forward. All eyes turned to her. “The only way to ensure Rummy can handle more magic. She’ll be able to control it better—much better than Cornelius ever will.”
Jessiah was already shaking his head like he knew what was coming next.
“Rummy has to bond with someone.”
Chapter 30
Jessiah
The thought of Rummy completing the bond with someone made me dizzy. Bonding was an incredibly rare, incredibly intimate sacrifice one made in order to strengthen their magic. Years ago, many people would complete the bond during the final test to enter The Golden City. But those times were long gone, and the need to bond had slipped away with the old tradition.
My ears rang as Huntyr continued talking. I nearly zoned out entirely until I heard my name.
“What?” I stuttered.
“Absolutely not—” Rummy argued.
“Just listen to me,” Huntyr pushed. “I would complete the bond with you if I could, but I’m already bonded to Wolf. Jessiah is the most powerful option. He’s an angel, Rummy, and if you really want to take on more magic, if you really want to stabilize your gift so you can use it against our enemies, it has to be Jessiah. Bond with him.”
Holy gods. “I don’t think she wants to?—”
“I can’t bond with him.”
Rummy had already been very clear with her feelings toward me. Bonding would mean a more intimate connection than shecould even imagine. Bonding would mean everything she’d been avoiding for so long.
She was never going to agree to it.
But Huntyr held firm. She took a long breath. “Then we need a new plan. Letting you walk right into that man’s arms with a power like yours will backfire on all of us. If you aren’t willing to bond, you’re not stepping foot in Pericius.”
For the first time since the Whispering Caves, Rummy looked at me.Reallylooked at me.
“This is the only option?” she asked.
“Yes,” Huntyr replied. “As long as Jessiah agrees.”
Blood rushed to my face. “It’s not like I can say no, right? It’s for Scarlata, and I’ve sworn to protect Scarlata at all costs.”
“Don’t sound too enthusiastic,” Rummy said.
Huntyr held her hand up. “Then it’s settled. Jessiah, you know the bonding ritual, right?”
I cleared my throat. “I’ve seen it done a few times, yes.”
“Good,” she said. “You’ll bond with Rummy. Tonight. Tomorrow, we plan how to put an end to Cornelius’s reign.”
Rummy and I hadn’t been alone like this since she rejected me. Again. Since I was stupid enough to think she could ever be different.
But here she was, ready to give up her stubborn, raging independence. She would regret this bond. I knew she would. She was never willing to open up to me before, and this? This would make closing herself off impossible.
Our emotions would be tethered. Our magic would be linked until the bond was broken.
