Page 162 of A Baron of Bonds
I wondered how channelers got out of this trial. If they tapped any of these rings three times, would it move them on to the next? I’d be careful when handling them, I supposed.
I scooped up a handful of sliver bands, each holding a single teardrop emerald, each the same size and length, each exactly like the last.
I let them fall through my fingers, then took another scoop.
I wasn’t sure what exactly I was looking for. A feeling? A recognition of the ring I wore everyday?
I sifted through again, as the Blightress moved to sit across from me.
“Did you speak to Thalia?”
“Yes,” I mumbled, inspecting my next handful.
“Did you get the truth you needed?”
“Yes,” I spoke again, holding one ring up to the sun, looking for some sign I had found the real one quickly and with the greatest luck a channeler had ever known.
“Your answers are irritatingly short.”
“I learned from the best.” I grinned, standing and moving a few feet down.
She followed, watching as I scooped two handfuls of rings, letting them fall through my fingers, splashing back to the stream in light plops.
“How is my sister? Does she fair well?”
My gaze shot to her, taken aback. “You care?”
“Yes, Karus, I care about my sister. I have not seen her in some time.”
“She confirmed you gave her magic. You gave Felgren magic and the first Baron magic, too.”
“Just as I told you.”
I took another scoop, this time inspecting each one for flaws I knew wouldn’t be on my ring. “You can’t blame me for not believing something so absurd.”
“I can and I do. I hope you will believe me in the future when I tell you more of my story.”
I scoffed. “You’re not going to take this time to tell me now? That’s surprising.”
Each of these rings looked exactly the same. Each one a silver band that fit perfectly on my finger, each one holding a green stone with the same exact faucets as the others.
I tossed them into the stream and set my chin in my hand, elbow resting on my good knee.
“I wish you would believe I’d like to see you thrive. I do not wish to distract you so with my story when you are trying so hard to complete these trials.”
I glared at her across the stream, again not believing a word she uttered from her red mouth. “Then stop talking and let me think.”
I chewed my bottom lip and she fell silent for once.
What did I know about my conduit ring?
I knew Revich kept it safe for me while my mind had been lost. I knew he returned it to me the day he asked me to be his companion. I knew he cleaned it and slipped it on my finger during our ceremony.
But none of those things had to do with its origin.
I closed my eyes and went back to that day. The day I left Hyrithia, taken by Heimlen to Felgren Forest.
I relived it, step by step—Geyrand’s kiss, the lumens across the little bridge, my handkerchief flowing in the breeze straight to them. I saw Heimlen’s face before me as I declared the lumens broke at the slightest scent.
