Page 80 of Deadly Maiden

The iron-lined box sits on the table, mutely saying what he wanted known:We can help you be safe. We can give you information.

And there is something I need to know.

“What can they expect me to do?” Wyntre murmurs. “The Aos Sin, that is. Even if I could make her come back, which I can’t, she would be undead?”

“I don’t know, but if we’re staying here?—”

“Which we are.”

I nod. “I need to find out if my old rooms are safe to visit. I used a different name when I rented, but that is no guarantee. I might ask him, Andacc, to check them.”

I’ve decided to trust this C of U pair after this one encounter, because we’d be arrested already if they were not trustworthy.

“Sure but. This is just…” Sighing, sounding disturbed, she runs her hands through her hair then leans her elbows on the table and props her chin on her folded hands. “Is it not something we should concern ourselves with? This rebellion of theirs.”

“A rebellion that is not really a rebellion? They’ve been perched on their butts for many years. A king wants you for terrible reasons.” I regard her, trying to see what she is seeing. The innocence of the young. “You lack the power to do anything. Lend yours to this C of U and you may get swatted when they are swept up by the enforcers. That’s my serious take on this.”

“I’m a necromancer,” she whispers, “and you are a dragonshifter.”

“Yes, and you know next to nothing about your magik, and mine has gone to pieces. This king destroyed an army of mages and thousands more.”

Her parents among them. Both of us are thinking that. One day…one day I have to say it.

“It’s just that I want to help fix this, Rorsyd.”

And this is a big part of why I love her.

I understand her and why she wants that. I, too, would love to fix this. I also know it’s going to fail. I’ve seen too many fucking wars, too many rebellions where the rebels get their heads removed.

The waitress arrives to clear our plates. While she makes a clatter piling up the crockery and cups, I sit back and study Wyntre.

If I deny her, would I lose her love? Because if she joins their cause, she might die. And if she joins, and I don’t?—

No, scratch that possibility. I would join just to be near her and protect her.

I’m not certain she will listen to me saying don’t do this or that.

Most important of all, can soulmates break that bond? I don’t know, but that scares me more than anything.

“So we’re visiting the Fromeaux Library tomorrow?” she asks brightly.

I barely hesitate. “We are. Let’s go put the crystals in this box.” On the way up the stairs I think to ask her, “Are you able to feel the magik same as he could?”

“Yes. Sorry. I hadn’t really thought about it, but yes. The pendants are close to a background level. Like Andacc said, it’s the clumping of them together that might betray us.”

“And the iron in the box works as a shield.”

She sucks on her lip. “I should’ve thought of that. Landos taught me blacksmithing. I could make another or a bigger one. The gheist pistol won’t fit. Handling unadulterated iron without gloves can be tricky, of course. Rashes, illness even if you get an overdose.”

I listen to her sorting through the possibilities, and I’m happy. Happier than I have ever been. Just being with her is the world to me.

Yet, she is not immortal.

That thought is a rumbling warning.

I place my hand on her back as she unlocks our door, feeling her soft curves, smelling her hair, her scent. She turns and tilts up her head for one of those beautifully lazy kisses.

I don’t want to ever lose her.

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