As far as requests go, it wasn’t as malicious or diabolical as I originally anticipated.
Unless there’s more. . .
“You can’t do that!”
“I’m the heir, I can’t be Bonded to someone not of station.”
“He needs to be here, in Hestin!”
Voices collided, the men of Hestin shouting over each other at Lord d’Refan. Everyone except my father.
“Silence!” he roared, slamming his fist on the table. Instantly the noise died, and everyone found their seats once more. Ineverheard Father yell.
“Peytor, you will Bond tomorrow. End of discussion. We will figure out how to continue your education while you’re in Vespera with your new Bonded.” Peytor said nothing as he glared daggers at our father. His fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly before he responded.
“Understood,” he gritted between his teeth, and Finian’s face turned white.
“Thank you for being so generous, Lord d’Refan,” my father said with a bow. “If that is all, I will dismiss my family so they can rest. Tomorrow is going to be an . . . emotional day for everyone.” Lord d’Refan said nothing in return, just stared unblinkingly at my father over his whiskey glass. When he didn’t respond, my father swallowed deeply before continuing. “Lord d’Refan, I have the same rooms prepared for you and your guests as last time. I will have a servant escort you there immediately.”
Father snapped his fingers, and a servant appearedfrom one of the doors, waiting for further instruction. He rose from his seat and shot a look at everyone at the table, and we quickly followed, offering bows and curtsies coupled with murmured “goodnights” to those present.
Lord d’Refan said nothing as we rose and strode quickly to the door, but I could feel his eyes again.
Something wasn’t sitting right, and I had the distinct feeling that this was not the last of his demands.Not by far.
Chapter 62
Ellowyn
The sky whirled overhead, the storm of colors and magic even more tumultuous than before. The wind whipped my hair and tossed it into my face. I looked across the barren landscape to the mountains in the distance.
The home of the gods.
I wasn’t shocked that I was pulled into the dreamscape tonight, especially with the stress of Lord d’Refan’s arrival and his announcement about Peytor.
Poor Peytor and Finian.
My heart ached for them, but I was too tired and too preoccupied with my own problems to see a way around his demands. Peytor would be Bonded to someone with Mage Sickness and underhandedly pressed into the service of Lord d’Refan.
I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest, waiting for either Torin or Fate to make an appearance. I was growing increasingly irritated, and the lack of communication from Torin in the real world wasn’t helping my mood.
“Child.” The raspy voice spooked me, and I jumped before turning around to face Fate. They appeared as they always did—a floating specter covered in black robes.
“Hello, Fate,” I said, suddenly emboldened, something I simply couldn’t be outside of the dreamscape. Fate wouldn’t hurt me, of that much I was certain.
Fate cocked their head at me. “You’re in turmoil.” It was a statement, not a question, and I laughed sardonically.
“What gave me away?”
They didn’t say anything, just regarded me in quiet.
“Your path narrows soon, Child.”
“What does thatmean?” I practically yelled at them. I was tired of the cryptic messages and lack of understanding. “I don’t know what you mean when you speak in riddles! I have no patience or time for them right now, Fate. If you were unaware, things are happening out there in the real world. Bad things. Things I have no control over, and I’m pulled in so many different directions that it makes my head spin.” Fate just floated in silence, letting me unload on them. “And where is Torin? I haven’t seen him or spoken to him in weeks, I don’t even know if he exists out there, or if he’s simply a figment of my imagination.” I threw my hands up in the direction that I thought was the real world.
I didn’t know anymore.
“You’ll see him soon, though not under the circumstances you believe.” At least that was less cryptic.
