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“Do what?” I bit out.
“Deny the bond.”
I blew out a breath and stopped pacing. I tossed him my circlet and ran my hand through my hair.
“No,” I whispered. “I won’t. But I’ll give her the chance to. She has the right to make this decision herself.”
“Well hurry up. You don’t have much time left. And I’d like to know in advance if we’re going to war with every other Nation on the godsdamned continent, or if you’re going to becomeunruly and brooding for the rest of your life,” he said with a smirk. “Whatever happens brother, I stand behind you. Fuck the world.”
“Thanks, Mav.” The side of my mouth twitched up.
We talked for a bit longer about the state of the border as well as what I had drafted up for treaties with Dusan and, thanks to Ayen, Ulrik. Then we went over his list of potential towns and villages for the refugees and made adjustments, taking into account their available resources. After a farewell, Mavris returned to the palace.
I looked to Theron, and he nodded before he Traveled us back to the patch of forest near my mate. Relief flooded me instantaneously, the piercing intensity of the bond reduced to that of a slight irritation.
“A word of advice,”Theron said.
“Of course.”He rarely gave any, and I had always listened to what he had to say.
“Claim your mate. It is your duty and your right,”he growled. Then he was gone.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kya
“Kya.”
“Hmm,” I mumbled.
Nikan’s voice stirred me awake, and with it came that burning sensation once again. But at least it wasn’t as intense. I gripped my shirt tightly in my fist over my chest, unable to ignore it.
“Kya, wake your ass up and get out here.” Nikan sounded like he wasn’t in a particularly good mood that morning.
This should be fun.
I crawled off the warm furs I slept on and left the shelter, shielding my eyes from the sunlight cresting over the hill as I emerged.
Nikan was standing with his legs braced firmly on the ground. His eyes were nearly bulging out of their sockets, and he was breathing heavily out of his nose. I could feel the tension of the rock beneath us as he had a hold on it with his terbis, ready to use it to strike. My hands immediately grabbed for my daggers, my bow and quiver still on the ground inside the stone tent, before I saw what had Nikan so worked up.
Odarum was standing in front of him. His pitch-black mane and tail swaying gently in the breeze. His wings were spreadwide and they were captivating, each black feather glistening in the morning’s rays.
I released my breath, my shoulders slumping in relief, and I put my daggers away.
“Congratulations. You’ve gotten my brother on edge. Not much can do that to him,”I said to Odarum.
“This mindless oaf threatens me with harm, holding the terra such as he is. Does he not know what I am? Tell him to release his terbis,”Odarum said. He glared at Nikan with his ears flattened back against his neck. His hoof stomped against the grass and he snorted heavily through his muzzle in warning.
“Nik, stand down. This is my Spirit guardian.” I gestured to the pegasus in front of me before walking between them. “Nik, Odarum. Odarum, my brother and fellow Roav, Nikan,” I introduced and looked at Nikan pointedly. “Odarum is no threat.”
I felt as Nikan released his hold on the ground. Odarum’s ears shifted forward and became relaxed. He ruffled his feathers and pulled them to rest against his sides. I lifted to my toes and smacked the back of Nikan’s head with my palm.
“Ow. What was that for?” he said, rubbing the back of his head.
“What were you planning to do? Throw some dirt at a Spirit?” I whispered loudly.
“He startled me. I came out and he was just…there, all menacing-like,” he said defensively as he threw his hand up toward Odarum.
“Menacing? I was simply standing here,”Odarum said. I ignored him.
