Page 103 of The Bonds of Indigo

I open my mouth to respond but Kayn cuts me off. “That’s probably not a bad idea. There’s a stream just north. Would you be so kind, Atlas?”

And just like that, his friend is jogging away, and I am doomed.

Kayn sinks to a crouch between my knees, and the earth tilts under me.

“You look tired,” he murmurs, reaching toward my face.

I forget how to breathe.

His thumb brushes the crack that splits down my forehead, feather-light but still managing to send a tremor through me.

“I’ve had a lot of quiet time to think about all the questions I have for you,” he says, voice low and threaded with something devastating. “And it seems Vendra favors me. Now, I’ll have plenty of time to get answers.”

I’m going to pass out.

“She doesn’t,” I whisper. “She’s obviously punishing me.”

His hands come down on my thighs—firm, guiding—spreading my knees apart just enough to make my pulse detonate. He’s respectful enough to tug my skirt into place between my legs, but that does very little to help the situation.

He leans in, close enough for his breath to ghost across my mouth.

“And, Amarah?”

I press my lips together tightly.

“Stop thinking,” he growls. “You’re a fucking lost cause.”

Chapter 27

Iknow I should be fighting this, but I’m not going to anymore. It’s starting to feel wrong pretending I don’t care about her. Pretending I’m not fucking desperate to touch her.

And maybe that’s because of the forced bond.

But… what if it’s not?

I’ve never been a man of faith. My parents dragged me to church, and taught me about Vaeloris and the Divine Twelve. I spent my childhood assuming it was all a beautifully wrapped hoax. In the centuries since, I’ve seen enough to know the Gods exist, but I’ve never believed they deserved the worship mortals pour into them.

…Except, maybe Vendra.

I won’t lie, my opinion of her shifted these past two months. I’ve watched her work through Amarah. I’ve felt her power ripple through the bond. Even so, I still don’t believe some glorified deity sits on a throne and strings together our fates.

I believe in choice.

In consequence.

In the twisted, messy tangle of decisions that build a life.

My path led me to Amarah. I don’t think it was destiny—not that bullshit—but I also don’t think it was random.

She said it herself: she could’ve sent me to find another Yldarwright. I could’ve left her cell and never looked back. I didn’t have to push for her name. I didn’t have to break her out.

But I did.

And now that I’m here, now that I’ve seen everything she is and everything she’s endured… I can’t go back.

Even if she is testing every last scrap of patience I possess.

I still can’t believe she tried to introduce us as friends.