Carina, hands still steepled, cleared her throat and murmured, “Full name.”

Astraeus’s dark eyes flashed at her once, and he began again, “I, Kellan Astraeus…”

Kellan. A distant memory blinked an eye open.

“I, Kellan Astraeus, swear on my last breath to assist you, Lyvia Cantor, in your call to protect the innocent from all threats to this world. My oath to you shall not break until the air of death escapes your lips, or my own.”

Something primal stirred. The puffs of air off Astraeus’s lips kissed my own as he spoke his oath. From the corner of my eye, Carina’s head bobbed, nodding to me. I’d chosen the words carefully, for both of us, ensuring Tiberius would not be tied to this oath.

“I, Lyvia Cantor, in return for your air oath, swear upon my last breath to assist you, Kellan Astraeus, in the search for the bone of power tied to your bloodline and restore it to its chosen owner. My oath to you shall not break until the air of death escapes your lips, or my own.”

A gust of lilac wind spun around the room, sending strands flying wildly from my braid. Lord Astraeus’s loose hair whipped around, shadowing my face from both sides. Kellan’s gaze was hard on mine as air siphoned from our lungs, where it mingled for a moment in the small space between us and shot into our mouths as we gasped. An exchange of breath.

Lord Astraeus’s eyes darted between mine as he caught his breath,our breath, his chest rapidly expanding, the wind tunnel around us settling. My eyes reluctantly traced the striking lines of his face. I slowed my breathing as my heart raced and noticed a small tug of air laced with notes of cedar and leather drifting from the man before me.