“No,” I croaked.
“Look at her,” Vaeris murmured, his brow furrowed. “She’s traumatized. The poor thing has suffered enough. Gods only know what she’s been subjected to in Sanguir.”
Fuming, I faced Vaeris. “I said no!”
Soren peered at me. “She stays here.”
“Excuse me?” Vaeris snapped.
“She’ll remain in my court,” Soren said firmly. “She’s clearly not safe with you.”
White light flared. Kairos let out a sound like he was being ripped apart. He sagged forward, choking.
No.
I felt it in my chest—my heart clenching around a jagged piece of glass. I stroked his cheeks. His skin was clammy, too pale. My thumbs brushed his jaw.
His eyes cracked open. “Aelie.”
“I’m here,” I whispered.
“Run. Find Uther, and go.”
“No, I can’t leave you!”
Kairos convulsed, every muscle locked in agony as he tried to break free.
I cupped his face with shaking hands. “Stop, you’re making it worse!”
His broken eyes found mine. “I’m so sorry. The deal. I didn’t—” He arched with a guttural yell.
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
There had to be something I could do. My gaze fell onthe massive rune under our feet. It glowed brighter, readying another strike. I reached into a pocket in my dress, yanking on the gloves. Then I scraped at the floor until my fingers caught.
“She stays,” Soren said. “Until she can make her choice without coercion.”
“That’s not your decision,” Vaeris growled.
“It is now.”
“She has family in Skaldir,” Vaeris shot back. “A sister.”
“She’s welcome to join her here. Thalir always has room for unique bloodlines.”
“She’s not staying, damn it!”
“Give me one logical reason why she should be with you.”
I palmed the floor, feeling for the vibrating threads. I dug deeper, forcing my will between them. The magic sizzled.
Vaeris’s shadows rippled around him. “She’s mine by bargain.”
“Faerie bargain.” Soren’s tone flattened. “How predictable.”
“It’s a sacred bond,” Vaeris snarled. “One of the oldest forms of magic. You can’t just dismiss it.”
“We don’t recognize foreign bargains in Thalir.”
