The Bondsmith huffed as she pulled at the sleeves of her tunic, exposing a spattering of runes that rivaled the number of Faylinn’s. Some were newer than others, and I recognized one that was also etched on Itanya’s skin.
“I’ve warded her room—all exit and entry points as well as the walls themselves. In the unlikely event someone knew how to break my runes, then she’s sleeping in a rune circle. If they break throughthat, then I’ve etched a Protection Rune on her skin as well as twin runes on her and me that will alert me if she leaves the room. She’s safe. Do you really think I’d fuck around with that child’s life, Torin?”
I opened my mouth to say something about Faylinn, but bit my tongue when her eyes flashed.
“Don’t you dare bring my daughter into this as an example, Torin d’Eshu. You will not like the repercussions,” she hissed, eyes flashing with something dangerous and otherworldly.
I quickly nodded in acquiescence.
“Not to mention our rooms are connected by a hidden passageway. I’m your neighbor,” the Bondsmith said, all earlier notes of danger bleeding from her tone completely.
Unhinged bat.
My feelings about my new ‘neighbor’ must have been written across my face because she cackled loudly before sobering once more.
“Tell me of the battle,” she said, eyes unnervingly boring into mine.
“What of it?” I asked.
“Everything.”
I sighed and cracked my neck.
“What, you have something better to be doing?” the Bondsmith asked, annoyance lacing her question.
My eyes unintentionally flicked back to Ellowyn at her words.
“She will be gone from us for some time more. She’ll return when she’s ready.”
I combed my hand through my hair once more before settling back against the couch to recount the Battle of Vespera.
What felt like hours later, my voice was hoarse and my emotions fried from reliving every moment where I thought Ellowyn would be ripped from this world to a place I couldn’t follow.
The Bondsmith was an attentive listener, asking questions where she needed clarification and grumbling in outrage at the appropriate parts. Once I reached the end of my tale, however, she was silent, seemingly lost in thought.
“Say that last part again,” she asked, pushing herself off the couch to pace as I had earlier.
“Where Ellowyn collapsed?”
She waved her hand at me. “No, that part I understand. She overused her magic, created something so powerful in emotion and desperation that Meru pulled her home.”
She’s in the Dreamscape.
“Which part, then?”
“Kaos saved Ellowyn.” It was a statement rather than a question, but I answered anyway.
“Yes. Before Solace’s magic could reach her, he grabbed her from behind and portaled to a different part of the battlefield.”
“Why the ever-loving fuck would he do that?” she pondered, shaking her head in exasperation. “It doesn’t make sense.”
I shrugged, not really caring why an immortal god decided to intervene on Ellowyn’s behalf. Ultimately, his newly developed savior complex meant little; he would die just the same as his despotic sister. The godshadto be eliminated to ensure Ellowyn’s safety. I would not sacrifice her for anything, Fate and Elyria be damned.
Silence stretched between us for moments before the Bondsmith sank back onto the couch, brows still drawn in concentration.
“What happened in Lishahl while I was away?” I changed the subject, desperate for information from the Bondsmith while I had her as a captive audience.
“You need to be wary of Razia, Torin,” she stated, surprising me with her opening statement.
