Page 177 of A Baron of Bonds
“You do not face it well, but it does not make it less true. I see in you the same power that once brought Felgren to its knees, breaking it almost beyond repair before I could heal it.”
“Was that before or after you killed your child?”
He stilled. His eyes darkened, and his irises filled with black. “Is that what she told you? That I killed our child?”
“It is what she believes.”
He nodded once, his gaze flickering above me, following another maple seed falling. “Revich is calling to you, and I do not have much time. If you take this power, you are taking more of her into you. She gave you the power you wield, and yes, Karus, you would have been a channeler regardless, but she gave you that.” He pointed to the charred tree. “She gave you that darkness, that rage that burns under the surface, and if you accept this piece of her as well…” He shook his head. “I don’t know how you could not be more hers.”
“I’m not?—”
“You will becomeher, Karus. She seeks to replace the child we lost. She will not give up on that pursuit. Everything she does is in that one desire.”
I began to fade, my breath catching in my lungs, my eyes closed even though I could see him, mournful before me.
“Remember that, Karus. Never forget what she wants most.”
My eyes flashed open, catching on the eyes of my love, a deep blue, brimmed in dark night, his hair falling into his face as he held my head in his hands. The moon rose high above us, almost a full, brilliant silver circle.
“Karus. Karus!” Rev shook me and I blinked, then filled my lungs completely with Felgren.
“Dammit, Karus, say something!”
I grinned. “That was five trials, not four.”
“Fucking dam?—”
I didn’t get to hear the rest of his curse as he slammed his mouth to mine, pulling me up, pulling me to him, breathing all of me in.
I scrambled into his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck and my fingers through his hair.
I ignored the tugging on my mind as his hands pressed to my back. The insistent pull was no more in this moment than an irritant to be set aside until we were done.
I didn’t need to breathe. I didn’t need food, or water, or sleep.
I needed him. I needed this sustenance more than?—
“Do you accept, Karus of the Blightress, the power of the Baron of Felgren?”
The question was more of a scream than a breezy whisper, but I recognized Adaynth’s voice. I broke from our reuniting to cover my ears, pressing my head into Rev’s chest.
“It will only get worse the longer you wait to reply,” he whispered, pulling on my chin to meet his gaze. He shook his head. “It is your question to answer. I will love you and care for you either way, but I wanted to give you the choice. I wanted you to see that you are more than capable of wielding this power. I will give it to you. I will share it with you. This is your path to choose. I come with you regardless.”
His eyes were so much like his mother’s. So brilliant and loving.
“I saved her. I saved her for you.”
“Ah, Karus,” he said, kissing each of the hallows of my eyes, “that is the lesson of the Baron trial. You return to the current Baron’s most painful day outside of Felgren and you save themfrom that sorrow. But here, after the trial, you are reminded that time is not ours to change, even as a Baron.”
My lips trembled, and I held off another yank at my chest.
He pressed his forehead to mine. “Thank you. Thank you for saving her in there.” He paused, a small grin crossing his face. “She was beautiful, wasn’t she?”
I nodded, muttering, “Yes.”
“DO YOU ACCEPT, KARUS OF?—”
“I accept on one condition.” I addressed the force, staring into the bluest eyes I had ever seen.
