"I suppose they are," Fawn murmured with a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Samantha let out a cry of happiness and threw herself at Fawn, wrapping her into a huge hug. "Oh, I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you." Fawn hugged her back. "I actually came today to see if you could tell me if I have a hex on me, not my immortality curse, but any type of hexes."
"No, you do not. You never have," she answered Fawn, pulling back with her brows knitted together in confusion. "Why are you asking?"
"I just had a dream that was really weird, so I wanted to be sure." Fawn nibbled on her lip with a frown.
"You would see a hex on yourself," she reminded her. "You're a spirit mage."
"Yeah, I know, you're right." Fawn sucked in a shaky breath. "Another thing I wanted to ask is if you had any more protection ideas from hexes. We're being sent on a mission to the Revivium Empire to rescue Matthieu, a bone and metamorphose mage that I don't trust."
"Yes. I know of that mage. I would not be rescuing him." Samantha cut her gaze to me and narrowed it. "But I'm sure this has everything to do with the fact that you're bonded to the Lethium Empire's shield."
"It's still my choice," Fawn assured her. "Even if I don't necessarily agree with it. I just want to be prepared."
Samantha cut her stare back to Fawn for a few moments before letting out a steady breath of air and placing her hands on her hips. "Make sure you're reinforcing all protection wards for monsters at home. The monsters have been acting so erratic."
Bastian fumbled with his rune and pulled a couple of rage antidotes out, handing them over to Samantha. "That's because the monsters are under the effects of a rage potion created and distributed by the Revivium Empire. These are the antidotes. I've written the recipe on the vial label."
Samantha's lips parted as her brows rose. "That makes a lot of sense, actually. Thank you." She smiled at Bastian before whispering to Fawn, "What's that one like in bed?"
"Just as good." Fawn winked, and Bastian chuckled as he rubbed the nape of his neck.
Samantha focused on me again with a deep frown. "Youneed to give everyone a tattoo, including yourself. A protection rune that will ward off any hex or attack--for both body and spirit."
"I made us all bracelets." I held out my arm to show the bracelet on my wrist, but she just cackled in my face.
"Bracelets can be taken off or broken. Do the runes," she told me.
I blinked at her for a moment, not understanding her bossiness, before nodding slowly. "Um, sure. Okay. Makes sense."
"Very articulate that one," Samantha whispered to Fawn.
Fawn giggled. "He is, actually. But I do agree with Samantha..." Her eyes met mine. "If you're okay with it."
A spark of determination flooded through me, and I nodded. "I can do that."
"Fantastic!" Samantha clapped her hands together. "Fawn and I will just be in the next room while you do your magic. You can do her last."
With that, she ushered Fawn out of the room, and I could hear their chatter until the air shifted. I could tell they had gone somewhere warded to block off their voices.
Jasper pulled his shirt off and strode over to me with a cocky smile. "Guess I'll go first."
"Whatever," I muttered, conjuring a glob of ink to float in front of me.
I'd never taken orders from anyone but Emperor Lloyd, but I found myself wanting to follow Fawn's desires. Samantha's request at the moment felt like an extension of Fawn's, and I would do anything she wanted. That was a scary thought.
Shaking those thoughts from my head, I held out my hands and focused on forming the protection rune. "With ancient magic and ink's grace, I ward off malice in this sacred space. By Hexarium's spirits, let protection bind, both body and mind." The rune formed and floated into Jasper's flesh, just above his heart. "A shield of power shining bright, weave a shield and block all harm. Spirits of Hexarium, heed my call, wrap this rune in your protective shawl. Ward off all dangers, visible or concealed. Spirits of Hexariumbless."
The rune glowed, and a wave of magic surged through the room.
"Fuck, that felt cool." Jasper shivered, goosebumps visible on his arms. "Anyway, Silas... Hate to break it to you, but that lady has itoutfor you."
"I don't know why." I shrugged, motioning for the next one.
"I do," Casper noted with a snort as he took his shirt off and stood next to his brother. "You were such an ass to Fawn last time we were here."
