Page 135 of Faeling
Is the bond formed with him?he projected loudly at both Ravenna and Vallek.I need to speak with this one directly.
Vallek nearly tripped, his wide gaze fixing on the unicorn with alarm. “That voice…”
Ravenna sighed. “It seems you can hear him now thanks to the bond.”
If she wasn’t mistaken, Vallek seemed to turn a little greener as the realization sunk in. Oberon hardly gave him time toadjust to the idea, launching into a thorough lecture about why Ravenna’s need for revenge was ill-advised and dangerous, complete with hoof stomps and mane tosses.
Ravenna took no pity on either of them, crossing her arms and watching the foals rather than acknowledge Vallek’s sidelong looks pleading for help.
Their dozen guards stood a respectful distance away, fanned out to cover more ground. This just meant more obstacles for the foals, weaving between the silent orcs, in their new game. At least one foal attempted to provoke a guard into dueling with her while another had his muzzle buried in a guard’s pack searching for snacks.
The mares looked on, obviously amused by the orcs’ discomfort and happy to have someone else entertaining their young. That they allowed the little ones anywhere close to the guards spoke to how much they trusted Ravenna’s word that the orcs meant none of them harm.
The guards went to pains to prove it, none of them wanting a protective unicorn mare bearing down on them.
And another thing—
Vallek threw up his hands. “I understand your concerns,vini mun. They are mine as well. I have every intention of keeping her alive. I’ll protect her with my life.”
Ravenna threw him a sour look, but Oberon bobbed his head, apparently pleased to hear it.
I understand you orcs are fierce about protecting your mates.
“We are. There’s nothing more precious.”
Oberon couldn’t help a sidelong, patronizing wink at Ravenna hearing Vallek call herprecious.
She stuck out her tongue and rolled her eyes, looking away again. The foals were far more amusing than her nanny goat and mate anyway.
Oberon listened as Vallek explained the sacred bond between mates, that when it was formed, it was the strongest magic in this realm. Smoothly, he transitioned into describing their plan for ambushing Amaranthe, and Ravenna tried not to scowl at how well his politician’s silver tongue worked on Oberon.
It wasn’t long before the infernal pony was nodding along as if helikedthe plan.
“And why are you considering it whenhetells you?” she grumbled. “Just because he’s a male too doesn’t mean—”
Becauseyouaren’t capable of objectivity,Oberon replied primly.
“Neither is he!” she spluttered. “He’s myazai!”
Yes, but he can look at this rationally, unlike you. Or at least, his sister can. I should like to meet this Eydis.
Oh, fates, no. The two of them together would be far too cunning and insufferable to bear.
A warm puff of breath on her head had Ravenna looking up to find Callistix hovering over her shoulder.
Don’t pout. It isn’t becoming of a queen.
Yes, grandmare.
Good. Now, I wish to speak to this young man of yours.
A strange choking sound escaped Vallek’s throat. “I can hear her, too. Why can I hear her?”
Reaching up to pat Callistix’s neck, she explained, “Well, as a mare, and a powerful one at that, Callistix can talk to anyone she wishes with enough concentration.”
Ha, it hardly takes any effort. What takes a little concentration is scrambling up a mind.
Vallek turned his horrified gaze to Ravenna, obviously unsure if he should dare laugh at Callistix’s joke or take it as a threat. Ravenna just shrugged, for it was honestly both.
