Rinka squealed, and Alison watched as she looked around the room in confusion. “Oh Gods, what happened to us?”
“The fairies,” said Alison. “I think this was their way of helping me—”
“Step forward and face me, you rogue,” said Idris.
He had a sword in his hand again, and he was pointing it at Keir.
Alison screamed.
“I guess that makes sense that it worked for Rinka but not him,” said Keir. “Dragons are pretty much made of fire, so I guess the water couldn’t do much—”
“Are you going to fight me or just keep talking?” asked Idris. “There’s a fair maiden’s honor at stake.”
“Fair,” perhaps, but “maiden,” well…
“Drystan, stop this,” said Rinka. “I mean, Idris.” She held up her hands in surrender.
Idris smirked. “It seems at least the orc has come to her senses. But this rogue that stands beside you, Alison, that dares to steal kisses from your lips. He must pay the price for his treachery.”
“Very well,” said Keir. “I accept your challenge.”
“What are you doing?” asked Alison.
He held a hand up to her, then turned to address Idris. “But I haven’t brought my sword.”
“Do you have a silver on you?” asked Idris.
“Alison, we’ve got to stop this,” said Rinka. She climbed over the bed to join them. “You broke me out of it with water. How can we break him out of it?”
“With a cut,” said Keir.
“No!” cried Rinka.
Alison was surprised by the strength of Rinka’s response. Was there something between them?
“Not to him, to the bond between him and Alison. I can feel it. Can you?” Keir asked them both.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Rinka.
“I don’t either,” said Alison. She searched around with the newfound sense that she’d used to locate her own power withinher. She couldn’t see anything, but she did feel something there: an invisible string tying her to Idris.
“Wait, he’s right,” said Alison. “There is something there.”
“That’s the bond of fate, my little hedgehog. You can’t fight it,” said Idris.
“Give him a silver,” said Rinka.
Keir had nothing in his pockets, but Alison found her coin purse on the stand where the water basin had been.
“Here,” she said to Idris.
“Come here and give it to me, sweet starfish,” he said. “And then get out of the way. I will defend your honor for you.”
“Starfish? My honor?” asked Alison, unable to stop herself from snorting with laughter. “I’m very sorry to disappoint you but—"
“It matters not,” said Idris. “What matters is this fool that thinks he can claim you.”
“I mean, ‘claim’ is a bit much, don’t you think?” asked Keir.
