Page 147 of The Ashborn

They returned late from the camp with Connak, exhausted. They danced around the topic of the bonds for a while until Kienna found the words to share exactly what they meant. It didn’t change anything. Connak spent weeks alluding to it. Danek was prepared. But all in meant honesty. He was hurt when she told him everything, and he felt like an idiot. Who the fuck wouldn’t be able to see it right there in front of them? The way Tristian glowed when he got too vulnerable near Kienna. The mind link between Connak and her.

Still, none of it bothered him. He held her tightly that night, as if he might never feel her warmth again. Now, staring out at the still forest in front of him through the window, Danek needed time to process. He glanced over his shoulder at her, sitting perfectly under the blankets, and gave her a half smile. “I’ll see you out there. I need to take care of a few things.”

—Connak—

Danek showed first. Connak expected him to. The way his eyes scanned Kienna at the mention of bonds struck a chord between all of them.

“I won’t do it,” Connak said.

Danek’s fists clenched. “Why not?”

Connak turned to the trees, staring at the swaying canopies. In the darkness of the forest, at the edge of the city, the runes flickered with silver and gold. “Did you even ask her?”

Danek fell in next to him, watching the distant horizon. “I love her, Connak. Why can’t I have what you have? She chose me, didn’t she?”

The words stung Connak’s heart. Not because Kienna chose Danek. It wasn’t about that. “It’s not a blessing of love. If she died, so would you.”

“Fine, let me die. I’ve vowed my life to her anyway.”

“It’s not that simple. A bond goes both ways. Her life hangs in the balance of yours, too. If you died, she would die. So would me and Tristian. We’re all tethered together.”

“I can take the responsibility.”

Connak faced Danek, his brows low. “You won’t find anyone here willing to do anything of the sort. Her own parents hesitated to do it. They wouldn’t have if they had a choice.”

“Have I not proved myself worthy?” Danek’s palms were lit. Connak was sure he wouldn’t do anything with them, but the anger radiated. “So, you get to make that decision? She and I don’t get a say?”

“I like you, Danek, a lot, but I’m not willing to put my life on the line for you so you and Kienna can have a love story. She wouldn’t either, if she knew.”

“She doesn’t know?”

“Why would we tell her that? She’d never go down this path if she knew. It’s a lot to bear knowing our lives are tethered to hers. She can barely stand killing the evil creatures Vaerin created.”

Danek ran his hands through his dark hair and exhaled heavily, unpleased by Connak’s answer. He wouldn’t drop this topic easily. His love for Kienna blinded him. Connak could relate, but he also knew the downfalls of their connection. He saw the way it pulled on every single one of them daily.

Kienna approached through the brush with Broan trailing behind her and Ruva licking his hands. Connak looked twice to confirm if he registered that correctly. The wolf. And Broan.

He shook his head, smiled, and then placed his hands on Danek’s shoulder. “The way she feels about you is real. Tristian and I are respectful. This only means we’re part of the family and nothing more. Our role is to keep her alive. Take comfort in that.”

Danek’s shoulders loosened. He nodded once and greeted the others.

You should have told him sooner, Connak said, turning his back to the trees.

Kienna’s voice brushed into his mind. You’re right.

I told her! Ruva huffed.

Kienna pushed them both out. Connak swallowed his laugh before addressing the rest of them. He pointed to a mound of supplies. “Help yourselves to any weapons and food. The trip to M’Ran is short, but we should always be prepared.”

They strapped on a few weapons and pouches, but ultimately, everyone chose to travel lightly. The forest posed no danger to them except for unruly vines. Connak placed a light sword into his scabbard. He stepped inward toward the forest. “Let’s go.”

—Danek—

The wind held its breath with a dense coldness that wasn’t there before. As they walked, Danek pondered what Connak told him about the bonds, how he suddenly felt responsible for shielding three lives for the sake of one. How did they manage to stay sane in the midst of it?

If they died, she died.

How cruel a fate. Bonded as children, and none of them had a choice but to stay alive long enough to get to this point. Danek had to laugh a little. He couldn’t help it. Connak was reckless, fighting sandwraiths and toiling with a leviathan.