Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 242728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1214(@200wpm)___ 971(@250wpm)___ 809(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 242728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1214(@200wpm)___ 971(@250wpm)___ 809(@300wpm)
For a few tense moments, Solin didn’t speak.
Our eyes met from the two sides of his home, the air dancing with motes of dust and ash as the sun beamed on the lifeless fireplace. Finally, he uncrossed his arms, raked another hand through his tangled hair, and sighed. “What happened last night—”
“Where’s Darro?”
His entire body tightened. “I don’t know. He vanished into his shadows after he...” Rubbing his mouth, he shook his head. “He’s started to remember, Runa. The fire warned me what would happen when he did. And you’re no longer safe. None of us are.”
It was my turn to cross my arms, hiding my wince at the discomfort in my bones. “He would never hurt any of us.”
His eyes darkened. “He hurt you last night.”
“He hurt Aktor. Not me.”
“I told him what the blood bind entailed. I told him that to hurt Aktor would be to hurt you. To kill him would be to kill you—”
“How could you do it, Solin?” I snapped, hugging myself to keep my temper in check. “If the bind means my life is now forever tied to a male who went out of his way to belittle and abuse me, how could you do it? You know how I feel about him. About what he did. He won’t treat me better just because you say so—”
“He will.” Solin’s jaw clenched. “He has no choice. Just like I had no choice to bind you.”
I laughed blackly. “So I’ve been bound into a life of living with a male who won’t lay another finger on me in pain, not because he cares for me, but because he’d feel that pain himself.” I shook my head. “That isn’t a life, Solin. If I would’ve known that was the price of becoming your successor—the price of staying with the Nhil—I-I—” I looked away, unable to stare into his kind eyes as I threw all his gifts back in his face.
“You wouldn’t have stayed,” he whispered with a wince.
My heart pinched, but I nodded. “I wouldn’t have stayed. I would’ve left with Darro when he asked me.” My chin snapped up. “I choose him, Solin. Him. Not Aktor. I always will. And I always have if my memory is right.”
“But you lost each other for a reason,” Solin murmured, accepting my anger. “You deliberately forgot each other to prevent you from finding each other, from being with each other. If you cannot trust the fire’s way of protecting you or trust that I won’t let Aktor hurt you ever again, then trust in your own commands to the elements and beasts to keep you two apart.”
“I don’t want to talk about this again,” I moaned, rubbing my temples as a fresh headache struck. “It’s the same over and over. Nothing changes the fact that you’ve trapped me.”
“I agree.” Solin shifted and climbed to his feet. “And it will haunt me for the rest of my days.” Padding barefoot toward me, he sat back down beside me, careful not to touch but his very closeness offered understanding and an aching apology. “I know I might not earn your forgiveness and I know you might never see I did it to protect you, but you have my word that I’m doing my utmost to keep you safe and prevent a future that is nothing but suffering and heartache.”
Reaching out with a slightly shaky hand, he tucked wayward hair behind my ear.
His touch was gentle and kind but filled me with none of the magic that Darro’s did.
He sighed. “Once we step out of this lupic, life will unfold on its new journey and the past will not be mentioned again. You are fire-bound and betrothed to Aktor, heir to the chiefdom. On the night after the Aium festival, you will be mated, consummated, and move into a lupic that will be built for the two of you as the next leaders of our clan. Tomorrow, two runners will be sent to Karfe and Lagol to announce yours and Aktor’s succession and matehood. Clans will travel from all over Quelis to visit and watch your matrimonial.”
Dropping his hand, he added quietly, “Be aware, Runa, the fire now lives within you. Even I wasn’t aware how much of its power you wield. The heat and light you burned with...” He shook his head. “It’s more than I’ve ever seen. You became that light. Such a white, hot light. And I’m beginning to fear that it’s not just Darro who is embarking on an awakening.” He gave me a quick, tight smile. “All I ask is that you are careful. You no longer need ash symbols or rituals in order to speak to the fire. Unlike Aktor, who had to be drawn with the ashes of the flames in order for the fire to be able to see him and tether the blood bind to you last night, you need no such markings. The fire has felt you, touched you, lives within you. It will speak to you when you least expect it, and it will answer questions you don’t intend to be answered.”