Page 49 of Only Cold Depths
In the vision, I stormed over to my mother and started yelling at her. Not such a happy memory after all, especially given the cruel things I’d said that day. I grimaced and spun away from the sight. As much as I cared about Vesper, I could have done without the odd visions her seer power showed me from time to time.
Lady Verona was sitting at a table in the middle of the circle, sipping tea and swiping through screens on her tablet. A single place setting was laid out across from her, as though she had been expecting me, while silver platters heaped with food covered the rest of the table.
From Holloway’s research into the Colliers, I knew Verona and Aldrich were both psions, and I’d seen them telepathically communicate with each other in the library yesterday, but Verona anticipating my arrival was a tad unsettling.
Verona looked up at me, a wide smile splitting her face. “Hello, Kyrion. Care for some breakfast?”
“Of course,” I murmured the automatic response.
I might be an Arrow, a monster, and a ruthless killer, but my mother had drilled good manners into me since I was old enough to walk. Desdemona had been a stickler for following protocol, although she’d also had a sly, subtle habit of bending societal niceties to her own will. More bittersweet longing spiked through my chest. So many horrible things had happened with my mother that I had almost forgotten how clever and devious she could be, even when she and my father had been under Holloway’s thumb.
I fixed a plate of food and sat down across from Verona. Cranberry scones, apple pancakes topped with sweet vanilla-bean cream, decadent egg frittatas filled with vegetables, crispy bacon covered with a tangy, blood-orange glaze. Everything was delicious, and I found myself relaxing.
I also gently, carefully checked my connection to Vesper, and a hum of happiness rippled back to me. Whatever she was doing in Asterin’s workshop was pleasing her. Good.
I dropped my napkin onto my empty plate. “Thank you. The food was excellent. My compliments to your chefs.”
Verona set down her tablet, lining it up perfectly with the edge of the table. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope your suite is also to your liking.”
“Everything has been lovely so far,” I replied, matching her politeness.
To my surprise, Verona let out a loud snort. “Except for my stepdaughter’s rude welcome yesterday in the antiques emporium.”
“I have received far worse welcomes, my lady.”
She snorted again and waved her left hand, making an emerald ring sparkle on her finger. “Verona, please. We are not nearly so formal as you Regals are.”
“I will try to keep that in mind, my lady.”
Verona picked up her teacup and studied me over the rim. “You want to know if Aldrich and I are going to betray you to Callus Holloway. If we are plotting your capture at this very moment. That’s why you’ve been prowling around the guest wing all morning, giving the servants and guards fits.”
“If they were true guards, they wouldn’t have such fits,” I countered. “But yes, those thoughts had crossed my mind.”
A delighted laugh burst from her mouth. “I can see why Asterin likes you, Kyrion. You don’t mince words, do you?”
“Words are meant to be used, not minced, my lady.”
She laughed again. “Well said, but let me reassure you anyway. Aldrich and I would never do anything to harm you or Vesper. We gave you our word and our order of protection. Unlike Regal society, words mean a great deal to Erztonians.”
Her voice rang with sincerity, and the same emotion twinged my telempathy. A tight knot of tension unwound in my chest. I didn’t care so much about myself, but knowing Vesper would be safe here lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders.
“But safe shelter isn’t the only reason you came here.” Verona set down her teacup. “You also want to know what’s wrong with your truebond with Vesper.”
“Yes.” I saw no reason to lie, especially given my awkward conversation with Vesper last night.
“Well, I hate to disappoint you, Kyrion, but nothing is wrong with your bond.”
I frowned. “What do you mean, nothing is wrong? You and Aldrich both said the bond hadn’t solidified and wasn’t stable. That it was a danger to Vesper and me and everyone around us.”
“Each truebond is unique to its individual couple. What works for one couple might not work for another. And yes, your bond is new, so it hasn’t fully solidified yet. And yes, it is a danger, but not in the way you think.” Verona gestured at the garden. “The two of you won’t suddenly lose control of your collective magics and decimate the estate with psionic lightning the way you did the Crownpoint throne room.”
“But?”
She dropped her hand. “But the bond will only solidify once you and Vesper figure things out.”
“Whatthings?” I growled.
“A truebond is about more than just trust. It’s also about balance.” She paused. “And conquering your fear.”
