Page 144 of The Ashborn

Kienna knew they would certainly try. The mountains pressed on her chest more than she thought when she first saw them. Mentioning it to Connak only filled her with dread. I get the sense the mountains aren’t a place for me to learn my place. I think she means to dispose of me there.

I would die before I let⁠—

I want in. Kienna finally slowed to a stop before stepping in front of him. Fully. Connak’s brows pinched together as he stared at her inquisitively. The rebellion. I want to know what you’ve been up to, and why we’re rebelling against the Elvish in the first place.

I’ll get you there. Out loud, Connak said, “I want to show you my home. There’s a lot of history in M’Ran that will explain why we do this, and why we’ve had to do it without anyone knowing.”

“A field trip?” Broan’s voice boomed from behind them. He stood with Ingrid and Lief, though they did not seem nearly as interested in venturing anywhere else in the forest. To Kienna, he grumbled, “Pretty Boy’s been sick over you.”

Ingrid looked at her nails. “I’m going to find Ithril. See if she can find us somewhere else to sleep for the night.”

She and Lief strode off, yet Broan remained, arms crossed. His large shadow flickered over them in the moonlight. Kienna looked to Connak, unsure if it would be fit to take Broan. She knew him well enough to know he would want to go on an adventure, but she couldn’t tell if speaking against Trinity leadership with an alliance on the brink would be wise.

Connak appeared bored, like Broan posed the smallest of threats to anything he had to show Kienna. He shrugged. “Come with us. Danek, too. M’Ran holds a rich history for the entire world. Better yet, start a fire, and I’ll share it with you all. That is, if you can pry yourself from your posse for longer than five minutes.”

Broan scoffed a laugh, stepping closer to Connak to size him up. Connak was tall, but not nearly as tall as Broan. Kienna shifted. Between them, she wondered who would win if they did break out into a fight. It’d be Connak. She was sure of it. Eventually, Broan sighed through his nose. “I’ll get Pretty Boy.”

I’ll go with them. Make sure they don’t get lost doing…well, Broan and Danek things. Ruva bounded after Broan, stalking cautiously next to him.

Connak looped his arm around Kienna’s again and escorted her through the forest to find a spot in the camping grounds where they could sit peacefully under the stars. He set out a seat of stone for her before starting the fire. He glanced up now and then. Kienna sensed his stares, but she was too busy admiring the milky gems in the black void above.

The fire curled next to her. It was home, a place where they were safe enough to sit and dare to dream. A hidden city in the forest could do that. It was as if the danger held no power there as they hid from the world, like a book that refused to open without a key. It made sense why the Elvish were drunk with power—why they tried to rule the world years ago. Tucked away, they didn’t face the dangers like everyone else. They could aspire to something greater while the rest of the world fought to survive. Kienna brought her attention from the sky back to Connak.

“I never said thank you,” she said softly, fingers curling around the hem of her sleeve. “I’ve spent a long time blaming you for everything that happened since the dungeons in River Storm, but you’ve been pushing me. You got me here, and I need you to know that I see that. I see you.”

Connak tended the fire with an idle hand, but the tension between them finally lifted after many weeks of fighting. “Even if your parents never bound me to you, I’d be on your side.” He tossed another piece of wood into the fire, sparks illuminating the smile crossing his face. Almost to himself, he muttered, “Queen of the Ashes.”

The emotions pressed heavily against Kienna’s chest. If her parents bound her to Connak and Tristian, she’d never be able to break it. It wasn’t that she hated the bonds, nor that she didn’t want them. She didn’t get to choose them. It was a complicated situation that put her in an uncomfortable position with Danek, whom she still needed to reveal this to... She bit her cheek until the tang of copper filled her senses. “It was my parents who placed the bonds?”

Connak nodded once. “After M’Ran fell, Vaerin was getting too close. Avenna knew he wouldn’t stop until he had you. He already took Danek from M’Ran. They bound our minds together so I could find you no matter what. Even when Vaerin wiped my memory in River Storm, and yours,” he tapped two fingers against his temple, “I had you in my head. Always.”

“And then Maren got you out,” Kienna said, remembering the puzzle pieces Connak dropped in front of her since leaving the king. “Who is she?”

“The Mother never said.” He paused. The forest stilled around them, stealing the smell of blooming moonflowers. “I genuinely don’t know, but I have theories. I think she’s⁠—”

The sound of breaking twigs snapped Connak and Kienna away from each other to see Danek and Broan approaching.

Ruva wagged her tail happily behind them. My Little Flame, she panted, her tongue lolling to the side of her jaw. She nestled up to Kienna, pressing her belly to the soil to rest. Gentle rumbles tickled the walls of her mind. I’m glad you’ve left that awful palace.

Sitting next to Kienna, Danek wrapped his arm around her and twirled her hair. She leaned into him, not realizing how much she needed to feel his warmth.

Broan started to sit and then paused. “Hold the fuck up.” His eyes darted between them, his brow dipping low. “You two are fucking? How did I miss this?”

Danek’s cheeks reddened. Kienna thought it cute that he’d be humble enough to feel embarrassed. Regardless, he chuckled, nudging Broan’s leg with an elbow. “Don’t worry, we’ll find someone else who can put up with you.”

“With me? She must have hit her damn head to put up with you!” Broan said, pushing his boot into Danek’s thigh.

Danek released Kienna and lunged, engaging Broan in a playful wrestle. Seeing the two of them back together eased Kienna further. She only wished that Moira were there to share in this reunion. In River Storm, they would have frustrated her with this type of behavior. None of them carried the weight she did. Even now, they still didn’t, but they understood it more. They were behind her on this journey, and there was no life in which she would ever want to embark on it with anyone else.

You’ve all spent too much time apart, Ruva affirmed.

I think I love them all, Kienna said. Even Broan.

Even Broan. Ruva’s voice trilled. I love them, too.

Kienna ran her hands over Ruva’s head. Will you protect them with me, Ru?

I will give them the same care I give you, Little Flame. You have my word.