“And—” I try to continue.
“Holy fuckin’ Stars, there’s more?” All calmness has vanished from Merrik’s tone.
“She has the gods’ magic in her,” I wait for the remarks.
“What the fuck, Kael?How? What does that even mean?” Jax’s disbelief is mirrored in the rest of the group, too.
“We don’t know yet. All we know is that King Thalmyr and an unknown sorceress exiled the gods, and they left the last remnants of their magic in her.”
“Well, fuck Kael. Any other realm-shifting tidbits you’d like to share with the group?” Torvyn’s sarcasm never ceases, no matter the stakes.
“Oh, there’s more,” Therion mutters under his breath.
I give him a callous sideways glance.
Elyssara would skin me alive for telling them this. But fuck it—if I don’t, they’ll never grasp how deep this runs. And they need to. Because this? This is war.
“I think... we have some sort of,” I look to Therion for assurance, who gives me an imperceptible nod, so I continue, “... connection.”
“Yeah that’s what happens when you fuck, Kael,” Jax states drily. “Why can’t you just choose someone else? Plenty of girls back home would literally sever their own legs off to get in your bed.”
“That’s what I said,” Therion concurs again.
“Would you all fucking listen? It’s not about that. There’s somethingelsebetween us. It’s somethingmore. I can feel it. It feels like she’s part of me.”
No one dares to speak.
“I think we’re bonded in some way,” I venture, the words leaving a bitter taste. Saying it out loud makes it heavier—real.
The silence is pregnant. No one breathes. This truth has the potential to reshapes battle plans—kingdoms, even.
“What does that even mean?” Jax presses after a heartbeat, leaning forward.
“I don’t know. But it’s not just emotion. I can feel her. Her pain. Sense where she is.”
Torvyn lets out a low whistle. “So if someone gets to her...”
“They get to me,” I finish, the weight of it heavy in my chest.
“So the entire rebellion rests on where you stick your cock? Brilliant, Kael,” Jax’s frustration bursting through.
“It’s not about that,” I snap.
“Could’ve fooled me. You’re tied to her now, Kael. Anyone who wants this rebellion gone? They’ll go through her.”
As much as I hate what she’s saying, she’s not wrong.
“Well, fuck me sideways, lad,” Merrik interlaces his hands and stretches them over his head. “I thought we’d be talking about the compass.” He huffs a laugh then, and his levity is a welcome respite from the intensity.
“Yeah, we got it. Well, Elyssara got it. Only Skaedor’s heir could touch it,” I offer.
“Right, well she’s turning out to be quite important in this whole thing, I’ll give ya that.”
“She’s thekeyto it all, and I hope you all fucking understand that,” I grit out. “If any of you mention a godsdamned thing about the gods’ magic, her role as heir, or the bond to another living soul, I’ll skin you alive myself and leave you for the fucking duskprowlers.”
They all acquiesce and nod. They may not agree with my choices, but they’ll godsdamn kneel to my orders.
Despite the conviction of my words, I feel like I’m in over my fucking head.
