Page 37 of The Rebel's Prize

Chloe couldn't think of a response, mind whirling. Silya wouldn't have made the suggestion if she didn't genuinely think it would help. Andalyssians didn't use bonds in the same way as Illvyans. Chloe wasn't even sure they used them in any real fashion. Andalyssians believed magic should be balanced. In harmony with the goddess's intentions. Bonds could give a mage access to magic that they didn't usually have. She'd been able to use a little of Lucien's truth seeking, despite the fact that she lacked any real talent for illusion. And he'd been able to work earth magic he'd never managed before. They'd both been stronger.

But that, to Andalyssian eyes, meant they were out of balance. Reaching for things the goddess had never granted them in the first place. At least she thought that was the basis of Silya's objection.

Of course, there'd been the other part where she and Lucien, not married at the time, had spent the night together in a cave after a storm and had been discovered naked under a pile of clothes. They'd been trying to keep warm, not do anything scandalous, but Silya had taken advantage of the situation to throw a wrench in the Andalyssian mission and insist the two of them marry.

That part had been more politics than faith, most likely. And yes, maybe Silya was still playing some political angle. But she was also supposedly on their side for this mission. If she was suggesting it, perhaps it was truly what would be best for Lucien.

Not for the first time, she wished that she had never broken the bond. If only in that moment so she could tell whether Silya was sincere in her advice.

Clearly Lucien needed something. And Chloe owed him that much, didn't she? She had abandoned him on their wedding day. Exposed him to gossip and scandal. Possibly harmed him by taking away the healing access that her magic had been giving him.

And yet...what would it mean to be bonded to him again? It would give him power, yes, but they could feel each other's emotions through the bond if they didn't guard against it. And while the first time she'd only formed the bond to save their lives, she'd had no doubts that Lucien cared for her. And this time, well, if he didn't trust her...feeling that directly might be torture. Still, she needed him strong. Well. For that, she would endure his dislike if she had to.

"Maybe we should consider it. If it would help, then it might be the wisest course."

His eyes opened. "No," he repeated flatly.

"Why not?" she asked, indignation suddenly pushing past her hesitation.

"You made it clear you didn't want to be bonded to me. You broke the bond we had. Youleft."

"I didn't want you to be able to follow me," she said. "That was the only reason. It wasn't—"

She stopped before she could finish the sentence when Lucien's expression darkened, and she realized they were heading back into the same argument they'd had before. Not one she wanted to have in front of Silya.

"Fine. We will discuss this after you've rested."

He was glaring at her now, eyes as green as a cat’s. She narrowed hers in return. Let him be angry. He was also as weak as a kitten, so it wasn't as though he could do much more than glare.

She turned her attention to Silya. "There is a method our healers use, where they share energy with a patient to boost their healing. Is that something you can do?" She knew the theory herself, and the healers had taught her a form of it when Lucien had been recuperating. But that had been utilizing the bond. She wasn't entirely sure she trusted herself to do without it. "I know the basics, so I can try if you don't."

Silya gestured apologetically. "I am afraid healing magic was never my preference. I know herbcraft, but that is different. If you know more than that, I think it would be wiser if you attempted it. I would not want to risk making things worse. He needs rest most of all. As much sleep as possible."

There was no clock on the wall in the small room, but in the distance, the bells began to chime the tenth hour. The caravan would be moving off early. They tended to travel with the sun. If Lucien was to get a decent night's sleep, they needed to stop talking and let him rest.

"Very well," Chloe said. "I'll try. Then we'll see if he improves. If he doesn't feel better, I'll call for you again, or we'll send for the healer."

"Good," Silya said. "I do have some remedies with me. One of them is...well, not a stimulant, but something he can try in the morning if he is still weakened."

A stimulant didn't sound like what was needed, rather something to put the stubborn man to sleep. But she could question Silya more about what exactly she had in mind in the morning before she agreed to Lucien taking it. As long as Silya's wasn't entirely made from plants native to Andalyssia, Chloe would be able to judge for herself what it might do. She had an extensive knowledge of herbs after years of owning her store in Kingswell. Well, at least the common herbs used by earth witches to the extent allowed in Anglion. It was more the magical side of healing that she was less versed in, having not been able to touch her power in that fashion in her exile. It had been a long time since her classes at the Academe. The healers had taught her a little about sharing power through the bond during Lucien’s recovery, but that was very different to doing it without one.

But it seemed tonight, she was going to have to try, experience or not.

She drew a breath, pushing away the tremor of nerves in her stomach. "Thank you, Sejerin. I will call for you if I need you again."

Silya nodded and left, leaving Chloe staring down at Lucien, wondering if she was going to have to talk him into accepting any help from her at all.

"Very well, husband. It seems tonight you get me playing valet. Let's get you undressed and under the covers so you can sleep."

He opened one eye. "Why do I need to get undressed?"

"Well, for one thing, sleeping in your boots will be uncomfortable, and for another thing, it'll be hot."

One side of his mouth quirked. "You just want to get me out of my clothes."

"If I wanted to get you out of your clothes," she retorted, "I would tell you so. Not that it would do me much good. I don't mean to cast aspersions on your manliness, but at the moment, I doubt you would be able to do much even if I wanted you to."

He grunted softly. Hardly a denial.

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