Arisanna lowers herself to the edge of the bed at Rominy’s side. Her eyes are wide, mirroring the shock Rominy feels as he tries to calm his racing heart.
Then Tharios says something to Viala in Elvish about protecting her and magic and fire. And Cerian.
Rominy glances at Arisanna.
“He said he can’t protect her easily from errant fire magic, and he would have burned himself trying if Cerian hadn’t been here.”
Viala pales before speaking rapidly in what doesn’t sound like Elvish.
She’s clearly frustrated. And apologetic. But before she finishes, Tharios wraps his arms around her and pulls her close, and Rominy looks away as Cerian returns to Arisanna’s side.
“What’s going on?” she whispers to him.
Cerian hesitates as he glances back at Tharios and Viala. “She’s frustrated by her lack of control over her magic. It was an accident.”
That much was obvious. It seems unlikely that Viala would set the hotel on fire on purpose.
“They are oathbound,” Cerian says. “Tharios is bound by magic to protect her, with his own life if necessary. It’s...a lengthy story.”
Oathbound?
“Is that why they can’t be separated?” Rominy asks.
“It is,” Tharios says as he holds his wife. “You can’t see it unless I make it visible, but a physical bond between us prevents me from traveling too far from her.”
He waves his hand, and a rope made of threads of golden and blue light illuminates the room. One end wraps around Tharios’s wrist, and the other end is lashed to Viala’s arm.
Stars above. That...was unexpected.
All of You
Episode 101
Rominystaresattheblue and gold rope coiling between Tharios and Viala.
Then it vanishes again.
Questions fill Rominy, but he’s too drained to put words to any of them.
“Are you both all right?” Arisanna asks in quiet Elvish. Rominy understood that.
Viala sighs before responding, but Rominy only picks out parts of her Elvish words. She’s all right, and she misses home? More words about magic?
“We’ll visit soon,” Tharios promises with other words Rominy can’t quite make out.
Arisanna leans near. “She said she’s fine, but she misses home. Her powers have grown stronger since she last visited New Valderi. Tharios said he’ll take her there after our trip to Celesta once Elowyn is well.”
Rominy whispers his thanks as he looks down at Elowyn again. She slumbers peacefully now. It’s been a while since she last stirred, and he tries not to let the thought unnerve him.
“I believe it’s time to send you back to her,” Tharios says in Nunian. He checks Elowyn, and Rominy does his best tokeep his heart steady at the thought of being with her again in the heartlanding.
“My father said he spoke to you?” Tharios says quietly.
Rominy glances at the others before nodding. “He did. Thank you.”
“She’s worked hard today,” Tharios says. “Let her rest if she needs to, all right?”
Rominy clears his throat. “Of course.”
