“Everlasting life would be the greater cruelty,shei’tani. Mortal souls were not fashioned to endure the darkness of the ages. They become... twisted and bitter.”
“Is that the fate in store for me?”
“Nei, never. Theshei’tanitsabond ensures eternal strength for both our souls, until the gods call us home. But a mortal soul unanchored by a matebond has no such protection.” When she continued to frown, he added gently, “You know as well as I do your mother would never accept that gift at such a price, even if we could offer it to her.”
Ellie’s gaze fell. He was right. Mama would never risk corrupting her soul.
Rain drew her into his arms. “This much at least I can offer: If your family comes to the Fading Lands, they will live free of illness and the effects of age until the end of their time.”
“Thank you, Rain.” She knew how jealously the Fey guarded their borders, Rain more than most. Not since the end of the Mage Wars had the Fey opened the Fading Lands to any but their own kind, but his offer still seemed small consolation. Her parents were the beacons in her life, standing bright and strong even against sometimes terrifying darkness. She couldn’t imagine facing centuries of life without them.
“I have upset you.”
“No, you haven’t... not really. All mortals know they must eventually face the fact of their parents’ deaths, but it’s never been a thought I could bear without crying.”
“If I could offer you more, I would.”
“I know.” She rose to her feet. “It’s late. I should probably go to bed.”
“Of course.” With a wave of his hand, her shimmering gown changed back to her plain, cotton night rail. He helped her slip back in through her bedroom window. “Will you be able to sleep now? Your fear is gone?”
She bit her lip. “You knew?”
“I knew.” He laid his palm over his heart. “I felt it here, through the first thread of our bond. It’s why I left Teleos’s dinner. I could not stay there once I sensed your distress. You should have asked Bel to call me earlier. I would have come.”
“I didn’t want to be a bother.”
“You could never be that.” He nodded towards the bed. “Shall I stay with you again, as I did last night?”
“Would you?” The hopeful question popped out before she could censor it. Immediately embarrassed, she hurried to demur. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to. Really. I’ll be fine.”
His brows rose. “You think spending another night holding you in my arms is an onerous task? Surely I did not leave you that impression.” Without waiting for an answer, he swept her up into his arms and deposited her on the bed, then deftly stripped off his weapons belts and leather tunic before joining her. His arms slidaround her, pulling her to the warm security of his chest, and as her eyelids began to droop, she felt the press of his lips against her hair.
“Sleep,shei’tani.” His whisper spun over her like an enchantment. Without a whisper of protest, she did, and for the first time in weeks, she passed the entire night in dreamless peace.
Chapter Eight
I live
I fight
I bleed
I die
For love.
I am Fey.
I am Fey,a warrior’s poem by Evanaris vel Bahr
Dressed in a form-fitting coat and trousers, with a waistcoat woven of Tuelis Sebarre’s precious spider-silk in shades of blue and green to accent his vivid eyes, Kolis Manza climbed Celieria’s palace steps. Appreciative female gazes followed him as he went, but he ignored them. When he donned the persona of Ser Vale, Queen Annoura’s Favorite, the Sulimage was used to drawing feminine attention.
Everything was progressing on schedule. The butcher’s son, Den Brodson, was packed and heading up the North Road to put Master Maur’s plans for Ellysetta Baristani in motion, Selianne was delivering Kolis’s gift for the Feyreisa, and Kolis’s newest pamphlets were already papering the streets of the South End, their incendiary accusations stirring the mobs into a frenzy. Now, as Vadim Maur and Kolis had agreed last night, it was time for Jiarine Montevero to earn the gifts and titles Kolis had bestowed upon her.
Kolis made his way towards the back of the palace, where thegrand ballroom opened to marble terraces overlooking sprawling, immaculately groomed gardens and fountains. King Dorian and Queen Annoura were hosting a luncheon to introduce their son’s soon-to-be betrothed to the lords and ladies of the court.
A large white canopy had been erected on the lawn to keep the warm summer sun from overheating Annoura’s noble guests. Snowy linen tablecloths fluttered in the slight breeze. Long serving tables offered an abundance of culinary delights: plum-stuffed hummingbirds artfully arranged in fields of candied flowers, roast peacock displayed in a fan of brilliant feathers, spit-roasted boar served on a bed of sautéed greens, iced fruits, and tiny vegetable sandwiches. A small string orchestra played beneath a blue-and-cream-striped canopy.
