“Ellowyn, there you are! Let’s walk down to the ceremony together.” My brother’s voice broke through the tension between Alois and I, and he released my chin sharply. I resisted the urge to rub wherehis fingers had been—the grip was borderline painful, and I couldn’t be sure there weren’t bruises adorning my chin.
“Lord d’Refan, good morning,” Peytor snapped with a sharp bow. His tunic was a lily white with deep-green stitching and pants to match. It was a sharp look, though I didn’t envy the heavy fabrics in the summer heat.
Alois grunted a response before whirling on his heel and striding away from us and down the stairs.
Immediately Peytor’s expression changed to one of worry, his brows set low over his eyes, and he raked his gaze over me. “You okay?” he whispered.
“I don’t know,” I said, honestly, finally giving in to the urge to rub my chin.
Peytor hummed before offering his arm to me, which I gladly took. We walked slowly and quietly, taking our time to meet the rest of our family at the carriages out front.
“Areyouokay?” I finally asked, looking up at him. He ran his free hand over his freshly shaven jaw and nearly ran it through the waves of his perfectly styled chestnut hair but thought better of it at the last second.
“I don’t know,” he returned with a sad smile. I squeezed his arm in solidarity.
“It’s all going to be okay,” I whispered as we descended the stairs, but Peytor didn’t respond.
I hope.
Chapter 63
Ellowyn
The square buzzed with anticipation and conversation. A small platform stood at the north end where the shopping district came to a dead-end at Kaos’ unused and vacant temple—we’d combined temples years ago, so all worship occurred in the House of Fate. There were vendor carts along the outside of the square, selling everything from coffee to roasted lamb hocks and everything in between. The sheer size of the crowd was overwhelming, it appeared as if everyone in Hestin came to watch the Bonding Ceremony.
The acolytes from Fate’s temple were stationed at the sides of the platform, able to witness the Bondings performed by Fay, but not participate. It was clear that Lord d’Refan wanted to protect this information as much as possible. Even our family—though we were the technical leaders of Hestin—were not allowed on the platform. We had our own box, elevated from the crowd to provide a better view, but it was a hastily prepared structure.
Those that Alois brought with him to be Bonded—the Mages with the Sickness—stood off to one side of the platform in a line, the volunteered Vessels, including Peytor, were contained in a small corral.
Like cattle.
The comparison unnerved me, and I shivered despite the heat. My parents hired a few Air Mages to keep a continual slight breeze throughoutour box, but it didn’t do much to dispel the stagnant humidity and heat in the air. I could already feel sweat dripping down my back and was certain my makeup would slowly melt off my face throughout the morning.
Mother would be so pleased about that.
She and Father sat together on one side of the box, not speaking, eyes trained on the platform. Any citizen bystander would think they were simply anticipating the ceremony as much as anyone else, but I could see their slight tells. My mother clutched my father’s arm tightly, and Father’s fists were balled to the point his knuckles were white.
I sat in the back of the box, behind Mother and Father, away from prying eyes. There wasn’t enough space for Matteo and Finian, and they had reluctantly joined the crowd near the front. The platform was empty aside from a large, low table and a stack of cloths.
The buzzing of the crowd hushed as Alois climbed the stairs at the back of the platform, the General and Fay right behind him. A few Mages spread out on the perimeter of the stage, a few others going to the pen where the Vessel volunteers were kept. I tried to catch Peytor’s eye, but he was pointedly not looking at our box, and was most likely searching for Finian in the crowd.
I truly hoped this wouldn’t drive a stake through their relationship. They both deserved happiness. Or whatever version of happiness they could get.
Lord d’Refan came to a stop in the middle of the platform, and the General stopped just behind his right shoulder. Fay continued to where the large table was positioned, and she took out a book from the waistband of her black linen dress, intently studying it as the Warlord spoke.
What is with all the black clothes?
“Welcome, people of Hestin! I am honored to be here with you today, not just as your leader, but as a concerned citizen of the Northern Territories,” his voice boomed unnaturally across the square, clearly enhanced by an Air Mage. “I’m sure word has already reached here about the growing rebellion and their baseless, vicious attacks against not just towns and villages allied with us, but those who are left vulnerable and unprotected in the Borderlands.” The crowd was quiet, hanging on to his every word.
“Just recently, an attack on Isrun left the residents there starving and barely holding on to their livelihoods. Luckily, a brave villager escapedand rode straight for Vespera, where he was intercepted by General d’Alvey. He immediately took a group of Mages to this village in the Borderlands and, after witnessing the horrors and atrocities the rebels committed, put an end to their unlawful occupation, saving the village and its residents.”
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, and I found myself leaning forward in my seat, intent on catching every word of the story.
“One of those residents, was this woman here, Fay,” Alois said as the crowd quieted once more. “A diamond in the rough, she was a Healer in her village, taught in the ancient ways of Blood Magic and runes, a practice we previously thought lost to time.”
Whispers canted through the crowd at his announcement, and I saw Fay’s back stiffen slightly at the attention.
“After General d’Alvey’s brave and daring rescue, she decided to return with him as a token of gratitude, to share her talents with us and our allies. As such, she will be performing the ritual for a new Bond. A Bond that cures Mage Sickness!”
