Page 64 of Where We Belong

“I shall. Upon your return.” He glances up at Aiden’s blank face, “Like I promised your brother.”

Chapter 57

Ashley

She sees my heart, just like my God,

and does not mark my missteps,

Courtesy of Aiden, she’ll be coming with us tomorrow, but I haven’t told her yet. I just kicked off my sandals and slumped onto the bed next to her, throwing an arm over her like a big spoon. She should at least have this quiet moment to herself before she’s thrown into the reality of belonging to Aiden. “I made these for Nyk a few years ago.” A small smile plays on her lips. “He laughed. Cause they’re so tiny and he’s a big, strong warrior. But, when I showed him what they could do, he asked me to make him a hundred.” She spins the perfectly symmetrical five-pointed weapon between her fingers, the metal catching the light. She’s clearly made up her mind. I just hope she can live with it. Hundreds of years with my brother would be actual hell on earth.

“Urgh. Aiden’s such an idiot, Eira. Are you absolutely sure about this?” I ask. “What will you do if Nyk moves on, and you’re still tied to Aiden?”

She lets out a long breath. “I don’t have a clue, Ash. Maybe it’s stupid to give away my life for love. But he’s innocent, I know it. And it doesn’t look like he’ll be freed any other way. These times require a lot from us all. I’m just playing my part. Is it stupid to give away my life for freedom too? Even if it’s only one person.”

*

Kaed’s already next to the basin, carved from hard muscle and soft onyx smoke. Even with anxiety swirling in my mind, right on cue, my body lights up. It aches for him in a way that feels like a death sentence. I convince my eyes to look at the temple host instead. He looks around five years old, but he served even before the days of Herod. Sapphire sleeves rolled to the elbow; he sets up his candles and incense.

Cook has come to show support for Eira, but I’m not sure if she’s even noticed him. Her eyes are fixed firmly on the ground, avoiding Aiden’s unblinking stare. Something like a lion studying a gazelle. I’d love to know what’s going on in his head. Which reminds me. I nudge Kaed. “I accidentally used my mind magic on Aiden today in the library.” And Fawn, six Volker, and two chefs. I need to stop touching people. “It wasn’t like yours. Yours were centred on you. His were different; one was about a male I’ve never seen before, but most were about our dad being exiled.”

“That’s got to be a really bad memory for him.” He whispers.

“Yeah, but…I can’t explain it.” Words fail me as the host kisses his thumb and traces symbols in the air.

Kaed frowns, “We may have to do a little more research, perhaps we had it wrong.”

I hope so. I’ve started to love the things about myself that I used to hate, the things that made me different. But I’m not sure how I could ever love this.

“We stand before the essence of our God. The sacred witness of our blood, of our will.” The host begins, lighting the last candle with a click of his fingers. “Do you both enter this vow freely?”

Eira lifts her chin. “I do.” Aiden, with a barely perceptible nod, mirrors, “I do.” His sharp, green eyes follow one of the tears dripping down her neck. Her hands tremble as she pulls back her sleeve. The host’s glass dagger is no bigger than a butter knife, but as sharp as anything. Eira extends her arm first, and the blade meets her skin. She winces as a thin line of blood wells at the surface. The pattering sound of it dripping into the basin is swallowed with a hiss, as the dagger turns red. Kaed’s heart thumps in my ears, each beat thick with fury and he clenches his hands behind his back. Aiden’s forcing Eira’s hand for his own gain. But it’s still her choice. Just like it was with Magenta. A choice wrapped in manipulation. And I can’t help but wonder, is that what my journey to Cinder Cliffs is? Have I ever really chosen anything or has fate been guiding every step? The Creed said I would be willing. And apparently, I’m getting there. It said Kaed and I would be bonded, and every day I feel myself slipping a little deeper into him. Sometimes it feels like we’re all just trapped inside someone else’s story.

“I, Eira Skarde, of Obsidian Hold,” she repeats, “swear by my blood, my life, and my soul, that I will never take a lover. That my body and heart shall belong to none but Aiden Xerxes.” The words are fighting to stay inside her, and God knows I wish they would. “For eternity.” My stomach drops. This is really happening. Centuries from now, Eira will still be by Aiden’s side, eating at his table, sleeping in his bed. All while her heart wants another. I wish I could drag her away from here.

Aiden stretches his arm out as the blade that now glows a cyan blue, slices a clean line into his skin. His blood joins hers in the basin, and the inscriptions around glimmer a faint purple. All the magic of Feye is based on intent, so the Chasm won’t open because Aiden doesn’t want it open. That still doesn’t stop me from glancing up. And I wish I didn’t, because the sight of the monstrous Mer Army meets me. They stretch as far as my eyes can reach, thousands of violent shadows blotting out the light. The tangy incense is doing nothing for my nausea.

“I, Aiden Xerxes of Feyes blood,” his frosty, deep voice rips my attention from the seas, “accept this vow.”

The host dips his fingers into the basin, now pulsing with magic, before tracing a bright red streak across their throats. “On pain of death.”

We leave Aiden at the basin, eyes closed, a faint smirk on his lips as he inhales deeply as if something dark inside him has finally settled.

Chapter 58

Ashley

my submission is hers and all that comes with,

I will follow to any heights, and depths.

I’m strapped into the world’s worst rollercoaster. One second, we’re on solid ground. The next, the centaurs launch us straight into the bloody sky. I yelp, grabbing for something and missing Kaed’s massive bicep by about half an inch, sliding right into him. The King and Aiden already soaring ahead, their own carriage swallowed by clouds. Even Eira looks a little rattled, which makes me feel better. If she’s queasy, I’m allowed to be terrified. From the outside, the carriage is this little pumpkin-shaped thing balanced on two large wheels, but inside, it makes no sense. Multiple cabins, luggage compartments, bathrooms, even kitchen staff. We chose the closest cabin to the entrance. Two long padded benches face each other, a wide table between them. Eira unwraps the food Cook made her and takes a massive bite, catching my stare around her mouthful. “Stress makes me hungry.”

I snort, gripping the edge of the bench as the carriage dips. “Stress makes me think I’m about to die.”

I got my sword back from Kaed this morning. He seemed delighted. I swing it onto my back as we file out at the edge of a forest that seems to stretch forever. It’s beautiful and wild, half woodland, half jungle. The tangled canopy glows with Corelight, and birds chirp cheerful songs. In the very centre stands an iron door. It has no walls, no frame. Like it fell from the sky, the iron engraved with Here lies Checheen and Chakah. I wonder who they are and if they’re buried somewhere in the forest.

“Are you sure I cannot convince you to come back home?” My uncle asks, worrying his bottom lip.