“The shard was powerful. It drew me in,” I whispered.
The king hummed in the back of his throat. “A melder gives a mortal form a piece of an immortal soul. It strengthens them, brings vitality, more resistance to disease and death.”
What was the cost? How was I to explain the darkness, the shadows that swallowed me? It had been a world similar to my own, only more like a dark mirror. If it was such a gift, why was there a foreboding when the shadows overtook me?
“Of course, soul bones are rare, and it is not the only duty of a melder. Have you heard of a binding, Lyra?”
“No, sire.”
“It is a ritual of fealty. A true connection forged between me and my Stav as their king and commander. A sliver of their bone is melded to me. This creates a bond that is nigh unbreakable lest they wish to die from the power of it tearing them apart.”
My heartbeat quickened. “All Stav do this?”
“It is the mark of a Stav’s loyalty during their tenure. When they retire from the ranks, it is removed.” Damir clasped his hands behind his back. “However there is one Stav who will keep the bond until death. You’re to bind the Stav to me, and in returnI will begin to prove to you Stonegate does not mean the end of your life, Lyra Bien. It is the beginning.”
The king looked over my shoulder when the same doors I’d entered opened with a groan.
My heart dropped.
“Kael.”
18
Lyra
Kael was tucked between Emiand another Stav Guard. He flashed his wicked grin my way like there was nothing amiss, but his wrists were bound in thick rope.
“Bring him to me,” King Damir said, stepping away from me to square against Kael.
I cast a look to Ashwood. His face was unreadable save for the twitch of a muscle on the hinge of his jaw. He hadn’t expected this either.
When Kael reached the king, he lowered to one knee, chin dipped in submission. His golden curls slid off his neck, baring the flesh, and I hated the sight of it, like my friend—my brother—was offering up his neck to Damir’s blade.
“Ser Darkwin, you completed training with the Stav Guard crafters, and you showed gratitude by concealing the very melder three kingdoms have sought for seasons.” King Damir clicked his tongue in derision. “I’d be wise to flay you on the walls fortreason, but it seems your fellow Stav and even the Sentry think I ought to give you an opportunity to explain yourself.”
Roark spoke for Kael? I blew out a soft breath to keep from glancing at the Sentry. Doubtless he would not care for the scrutiny, and his odd show of gentility might again return to violence.
Kael lifted his head, but remained on his knees.
“I do not deny it. Lyra is my family.” Kael glanced over his shoulder, giving me a weak smile. “My actions came from a misplaced fear that the only person I loved was in grave danger and should be kept from all the kingdom’s sights.”
King Damir had the decency to give Kael his time to speak uninterrupted. My heart beat against my ribs like a mallet. I didn’t move, didn’t dare breathe.
“And what do you think now?” Damir asked.
Kael hesitated. “I will always be loyal to my family, my king. I will not do you the dishonor of lying. But I am loyal to Jorvandal in equal measure.”
Once more, King Damir clasped his wrists behind his back and took to pacing. The brush of his steps rattled in my head the longer he took to respond.
All at once, he stopped. “You are a naïve man, Ser Darkwin, but I am a merciful king who takes the word of my most trusted into account. I will not be so forgiving a second time. Still, if you wish to live, I’ll give you the chance, but you will be bound to the Stav Guard. Your life will be to serve Jorvandal and its people. Any future aspirations belong to these walls, any family home you wish to build will be in these peaks. Do you understand?”
Kael nodded. “I do.”
The king’s bright eyes lifted to me. “We have need of a melder,Súlka Bien. Stav Darkwin will be bound to the royal line of Stonegate until he meets Salur.”
Every limb, every muscle tightened like a rope growing taut. If I refused to fasten Kael’s life to this fortress, he would die. But it was taking away his choice, his own will.
“Ly,” Kael whispered. “This is what I want.”
