Page 107 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

I stand, cross the room, and pull Raea into my arms.

She’s now dressed in loose-fitting pants and a loose shirt that’s so soft I want to run my hands all over the fabric.

“Let’s go,” I say quietly instead, leading her out of Clara’s room.

We knock once, and Trysten answers. Wordlessly, he opens the door, allowing us to step in. Unlike our private suite, this has a central living space with halls and stairs leading in different directions. It’s a mini home inside here.

We find most of our friends already gathered in the living space, drinks in hand and plates scraped clean.

“Some wedding present,” Tate mutters as Raea and I take a seat.

I don’t bother responding.

Raea groans softly, drawing her knees to her chest.

Our Bond pulls at me.

I shift, drawing her back against me until she’s tucked securely into my side.

“How are you guys?” Raea asks.

Kamden and Ciara answer first, appearing oddly unfazed, while Tate announces he’s merely here for the ride. Nothing ever rattles him. Aolyn murmurs that she’s fine, though she’s hugging her middle like she’s bracing for an impact that’s already happened.

Then there’s Kellan. Gods, I wish he had stayed behind. He stops his pacing, his eyes darting toward Raea with demanding energy. “I want to know what the hell is going on.”

I don’t look at him right away. Instead, I adjust my arm where it rests around Raea, a slow and deliberate movement that reminds him she is mine lest he forget where he fits in. Only when she is anchored securely against my chest do I lift my gaze to meet his.

“Careful,” I say, my calm carrying the promise of violence. “That’s the last time you speak to her that way.”

The room goes silent. I don’t need to shout. Not when the silver swirling in my eyes says enough.

“And to answer your question,” I continue, hiding my disdain, “the reason we are here is the same reason we left Malaya behind—survival.”

Kellan’s jaw tightens, but the fire in his eyes flickers.

“We knew we had to come to Auralan,” Raea cuts in, her fingers curling into my sleeve. “To train and meet with Caelus. We’ve been told, repeatedly, to complete our Bond if we want any hope of winning this war”.

Kellan stills. “And why exactly is your Bond so important?”

Raea shivers.

I pull her even closer, my chin resting atop her head. I let the possessiveness in my blood settle as I lift a bored gaze at the man who used to think he had a claim on her. It’s all a game, and I have been playing it for a long time.

I pick a piece of lint off my pants as Raea says, “It’s our Mating Bond.” Her voice carries a weight that silences the rest of the room. “Gifted by creation itself. Not even the gods can form one. There are trials we must face before it settles completely. I think it has to do with our magic.”

I tilt my head, daring him to say something stupid. He’s the first to look away. I smirk. “And just so we’re clear, this isn't a debate. This is our reality. You can either catch up, or you can stay out of the way.”

Trysten clears his throat. “What kind of trials?”

I shake my head, explaining that there have been no clear answers other than it’s essential that we complete it to help win the war.

“I didn’t know she was your sister.” Aolyn looks up from where she is curled into a chair. “I never saw her. My father said Boyce and I were to go to Malaya for the ceremony because he had more important things to attend to. He’d been growing more and more agitated each time we talked, but he kept Boyce and me away from the palace. I haven’t even spoken with my mother since we left school. I only learned about Draerr from what I could learn on The Link.”

Raea softens. “I believe you, A. I’m sorry we brought you across the galaxy.”

Aolyn looks shattered. The fact that her father was working with Morana for a year, that he knowingly sent his children into a palace slated for slaughter, is a betrayal that rivals my own father's.

“My father made us ghosts in our own home, Raea,” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the crackle of the fireplace. “And I didn't know I was being used as a weapon until I saw you standing on that beach.”