The four wolves lower their heads at their king. Evander’s muzzle doesn’t dip quite as far as the others, I notice. Following their king’s command, they race off.
“It is impressive to watch a witch work,” Conri appraises as we start walking in the direction of the next marigold bloom. “Your ability to summon spirits is uncanny.”
“Evander summoned a water spirit for our passage.”
“Evander is an odd lykin.” Conri laughs lightly. “It is best not to use him as a measure for the rest of us. And he is far less graceful than you with these skills.”
“Odd how?” I ask, trying to sound casual despite my deep curiosity.
“Careful, Faelyn, or I might be jealous of you inquiring about another man.” Conri says the words easily enough, but I see the flash of warning in his eyes.
I laugh and link my arm with his. “I am only asking if I need to be worried about my sworn protector.”
“Ah, nothing like that, my dear.” He pats my forearm. “While the lykin can see spirits, we cannot commune or bond with them in the same way as a witch. It is what makes our oath to the great wolf spirit so unique, and a notable exception—we cannot simply call upon spirits as we please, or communicate with them.”
I imagine that is also what makes Aurora so valuable to them… If they cannot call upon spirits, then they hoard what power they do have from them.
“There are some lykin who have an easier time harnessing our power and seeking out spirits than others, for one reason or another. But even then, it is not guaranteed the spirits will oblige. We cannot command their loyalty as you can.” His wording grates.
“I do not command spirits.”
“No?” He motions to the small flowers we’re following.
“Mary is a friend.”
“Are you not bonded?” Conri arches his brows at me.
“Yes, but?—”
“And a bond is a sworn oath to a witch that the spirit will lend you their powers as they are able, is it not?”
“It is,” I admit, feeling somewhat backed into a corner. “But to be given a bond is to be deemed worthy of it. And while it is, admittedly, almost impossible to unravel a bond once tied, I would pursue undoing one if asked.”
He’s silent for a few steps. “You think I should free Aurora.”
When I look up at him, he wears a slightly amused expression and an easy smile. If he’s taken offense, it’s not showing. So I dare to be brave. “I do.”
“And what happens when she’s freed and we lykin no longer have the strength to change into our wolf forms on command? When we are relegated to the moon’s cycle? You know now that we have no other powers than this, as mighty as they are. How will we defend ourselves or keep the vampir’s blight at bay in their mountains?”
“I am sure?—”
“How will a king be determined from among the alphas if not for control of the moon spirit? Without a method, we would inevitably return to the years of warring packs, fighting and squabbling amongst ourselves to the point that we lack any sort of real say or sway among the other rulers of Midscape should the Council of Kings ever reconvene.”
It’s my turn to be silent for a few steps. I know I should stop talking and let the matter drop…but my bravery continues walking with me, whispering in my ear.
“I do not know,” I admit. “I don’t know the politics of Midscape or half its magics.” I pause to look up and meet his eyes. “But what I do know is that a king who is only able to be king because of entrapping another is no real ruler. He is a coward.”
Conri stops as well and lifts his brows. The dull but somehow simultaneously dangerous look he gives me almost sets myhands to trembling. Almost. But I continue to stand tall. As long as I have Aurora’s powers, I am immune to many repercussions. I hope.
To my surprise, he says, “Then perhaps, as a witch, you can assist me in finding a way to do that without risking my people’s well-being.”
“What?” I say, utterly flummoxed.
“A king has never been wedded to a witch before. Perhaps, with your magic, we can find a way to sustain my people, keep the peace,andfree Aurora.”
“You really think so?” A slight breeze picks up over the hills. It smells of fresh grass and surprisingly of hope.
“If you are willing to truly be at my side, Faelyn, then I think we could accomplish anything.” The muscles of his arm tense around my hand. Somehow, I’d managed to forget that I had grabbed on to him.
