“No,” I reiterated. It was neither a lie nor the full truth. Faylinn’s eyes rounded in shock, that hazel turning glossy again.
Something entirely too mortal rattled deep inside at the sight, causing momentary insanity, and spurred my next admission.
“His magic is gone.”
Faylinn froze at my statement, her sniffles the only sound in the room.
“What—what do you mean?” she croaked out as she rubbed her eyes with her soiled shirtsleeve.
I wrinkled my nose in disgust.
She just touched her eyes with fabric soaked in blood and other unidentifiable liquids.
No wonder mortals died so often and so easily—they couldn’t even keep other people’s bodily fluids out of their own open orifices.
“I mean exactly that,” I continued, relaxing slightly when she stopped pawing at her face. “His magic fled moments before you arrived here. It’s innervating Meru as we speak.”
Faylinn hummed thoughtfully. “But I Life Bonded him—shouldn’t his life force feed off of mine?”
“Theoretically, yes. But whatever killed him was apparently extensive.” Faylinn cocked her head as I spoke, her mind clearly working through the problem. “You willbothdie if I allow him to return—a permanent death.”
She narrowed her eyes for a moment before canting her head side to side.
“You know of a solution, don’t you.” Her quiet accusation was less of a question and more of a statement.
“I do,” I admitted.
“But it’s not for free.”
A slow smile spread across my face as I lounged back in my throne of bones. “As astute as your mother. She was always my favorite child.”
Faylinn scoffed. “Not hard to be, considering the alternatives.”
I barked a laugh, surprised at her nettle.
Her eyes traced my form, lips moving quietly as she catalogued every minute detail.
I was quite certain she would figure out what I wanted in return for bringing her beloved back. The answer, after all, was written in the runes that bound me to this godsforsaken chair.
Faylinn’s eyes widened in quiet understanding before a grim smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. Her arms dropped loosely to her sides, and her fingers twitched as if wanting to reach for something.
“I have a bargain for you, Fate,” she announced.
I smiled, a feral and relieved thing.
Finally.
Chapter Two
Cotton
Small footprints stamped in dust and debris, revealing the glittering black floor beneath as I padded down the hall. When I first ventured from our rooms, I’d hissed and shook my paws, desperately trying to dislodge the particles that got stuck between my sensitive toes.
Now, I just ignored the grimy feeling and bite of sharp rocks against the pads of my feet. Years kept as Faylinn’s pet in our little cottage were followed by months of luxury in Vespera; I slept on fluffy pillows and buried deep into thick blankets.
Not now. Today, I was a regular outdoor cat, a ferocious feline on a mission to save his girl.
Faylinn would be so proud of me.
