Page 72 of Oath of Betrayal
I felt a frisson of fear run down my spine, unsure if Orm could cage the power my careless touch had unleashed. ‘Orm, I’m so—’ I started, realising what I’d done, but he raised his hand, stopping me.
‘I’m not losing control, but be mindful of what you do next,’ Orm warned me when I reached out, wondering how to repair the damage I’d accidentally caused, and he backed away. ‘Don’t. If you touch me now, I don’t know if I will be able to stop. The need to be with you is so … overwhelming. Just give me a moment, Nivale.’
‘I didn’t mean to cause you trouble,’ I said remorsefully, but even as I spoke, I felt a perverse pleasure in knowing I had such an effect on him.
‘I know, but you must … you had to suspect how I feel about you. Anchoring someone who’s not a mage makes no sense. Alaric explained it to me yesterday, but I can’t help it. After yesterday, I can’t think of anything else. I want it so fucking much that it hurts. I keep coming here because seeing you sleep… I’m not explaining this right. You give meaning to my life, to this constant fight. My sacrifice is worth it if it brings just one smile to your lips. I didn’t lie to you. You called my name, and I came. I will always come to you. I can’t stay away,’
Orm’s words carried so much hope, such desperation, that I was speechless. I don’t know what he saw in my expression, but suddenly, he was pacing, a caged animal filled with frustration on the edge of violence. I studied the muscles of Orm’s chest bulging under the strain he was under before he halted in front of me.
‘Please say something. Am I making this up? If so, tell me you don’t want this. Tell me it’s just my imagination because I’m going insane. I felt your desire; there is something between us, I’m sure of it. It is not just your magic. The way we fight together, the way you challenge me, make me laugh … I may never have Alaric’s magic synergy, but in everything else, we are one.’
He ran a hand through his messy hair before hitting his chest as if trying to push his wildness back inside. ‘I wish you knew how much I crave you. I wouldn’t kiss you otherwise. I wouldn’t come here and impose myself on you like some wild animal. If this connection is all in my head, tell me to get the fuck away, and I will leave you. I swear I will leave you to Alaric and his magic; I’ll never touch you again.’
Orm stopped, his fist so tight I swear I heard his knuckles creak. He looked towards the door, on the verge of bolting. He was waiting for my answer, holding himself back and letting me choose. I looked at him, this mountain of a man, lost in a passion that burned brighter than dragon fire.
I wished I could say yes, but yes to what? Just becoming my lover was no longer an option. Not after my power had almost forced me to Anchor him. I couldn’t go through with it in this state, when my emotions were still a chaotic mess. I knew they would get worse before they got better.Ifthey got better.
Orm was already unhinged by the touch of my magic, and I couldn’t subject him to further strain. Having a dragon and his rider experience the pain of a broken bond could have devastating consequences. I didn’t even know how I would take it myself. ‘It’s complicated … I can’t right now. The spell …’
‘That godsdamned spell!’ I flinched at Orm’s curse. I couldn’t take my eyes off his bulging muscles, shocked by the power that he fought against. ‘Could you please listen to me? I can’t make this decision now; it’s too early. Alaric just—’ I tried again, but he startled me with a dark, menacing laugh.
‘Alaric. I should have known. It will always be Alaric,’ he said through clenched teeth, and I felt my own temper flaring. ‘Yes, but this isn’t about Alaric.’
‘If it isn’t, then choose me, bemine. Take all of my soul if you wish …’
‘I’m trying to tell you I can’t right now—’ I started, and he growled. Whatever my power had done to him, Orm’s wild magic was now in control. I could see yellow flames overwhelm his pupils. There was no point talking to him until he calmed down.
He wouldn’t hear anything except an enthusiastic‘yes’followed by an immediate Anchor bond. We both needed time. I clenched my own fist, looking the beast in the eye. ‘Oh, for fuck’s sake. If you’re too stubborn to listen, then leave.’
He looked at me with such pain and disbelief, then seemed to crumble into himself, one hand pressing against his heart. The yellow fire flared, and for a moment, I thought he would pounce, but Orm grabbed the bedpost, using its strength to force the magic back. When the eerie light in his eyes dimmed, then faded completely, I was once again looking at the stone-carved face of the lord commander.
He placed a trembling hand on his chest and bowed slightly. ‘As you wish, my lady. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.’ Iblinked as he spoke, his voice cracking and drained of emotion. When he turned to leave, I reached out, stopping when I saw him flinch.
I knew he thought I’d rejected him, but nothing could be further from the truth. As soon as Alaric’s spell wore off, I was going to drag that man to my bed and Anchor the hell out of him.
I was still struggling to contain my frustration when I walked into the workshop much later.
It amazed me how much the place reflected Alaric’s personality. The space was deep in the bowels of the fortress, with only one window on the northern side. It had little to no natural light but had candles and torches stuck on every wall or shelf to light specific areas, giving it a cosy feel. How he had managed it with stone benches carved from the mountain itself, I didn’t know. There were even heavy oak shelves filled with vials and ingredients so rare, and often so toxic, that they made my eyes water.
There were few items of decadence, but next to the workshop’s small fireplace, its mantle carved with intricate designs, was an oversized chaise lounge and a table where servants left snacks and drinks. It was kept filled under Orm’s order because Alaric, lost in his work, often forgot the simple necessities of life.
Usually, I enjoyed coming here. The atmosphere reminded me of the university workshops, but today, even this space felt suffocating. Yet when I approached Alaric, I was glad I came. He looked like he hadn’t slept at all, his chin resting on his forearm while he sat at his workbench with a bloodied quill in his hands.
‘What happened to you?’ I asked, placing my hand on his shoulder. He flinched as if awakened from a deep sleep, and the look he gave me in answer chilled the blood in my veins.
‘An old foe reminded me of his presence.’ Bitter laughter escaped his lips as he straightened. Only then did I notice he was lying inside a warding glyph drawn with his own blood.
‘Who is it? Does Orm know?’
‘No, he doesn’t. He can’t help, anyway. The Lich King tried to impose his will on me. Don’t worry, though, Ani—I’m difficult to break. Just give me a moment, then we’ll start working. Hah, it was a long night.’
I reached for him, simultaneously confused and worried by his words. ‘I don’t care about magic right now. How can you say the Lich King trying to reach you like that is no big deal?’
‘Because it’s happened before and will probably happen again.’ He took my hand and pressed it to his forehead. The relief I saw in his features made me pause. I stepped closer and hesitantly embraced him. The earlier spat with Orm felt childish now, and I focused entirely on my tormented fae, determined to find the truth in all this.
‘Is this helping?’ I asked. In the back of my mind, hidden deep in memory, I remembered Arno’s words. A conduit mage’s presence could regulate the flow of the aether in others, either smoothing or disrupting it, affecting nearby spells. The way Alaric reacted to me brought the memory back to the surface, and I suspected I may have disrupted whatever connection he had with the immortal Lich.
‘Yes,’ he answered quietly, wrapping his arms around me, ‘It helps a lot.’
