“You’re going somewhere?” I asked.
“Not anytime soon,” Tasia said with a wave. “But yes, in a few months.”
“The four of us will be meeting a few other families with Evers our age,” Amalyss said, a sly smile pulling at her lips.
“We thought about holding off, given the recent development, but that’s precisely why we’ll carry on.” Lydia reached for Clesian’s hand and squeezed it tight. “It’s what the girls want, and all Evers have blight, so they won’t be at any additional risk of contracting it or sharing it.”
“We just want to keep living our life, is all,” Tasia said with a sheepish grin. “And I do mean living ineverysense of the word.”
“Tasia,” Clesian muttered as he cleared his throat. “We’re at the table.”
“It’s common for Evers to visit other families when they come of age,” Seville said. She reached for her wine and swirled it once before taking a delicate sip. “My father did the same for me, though that hardly worked out.”
Lydia snorted. “You nearly killed every possible suitor just for looking at you wrong.”
“He had horrid ideas for who I should end up with.” Seville shrugged.
“At least we agree about that,” Lydia said.
“How many other families are there?” I asked. Once, while readingFable or Fact: A History of Evers,I’d stumbled upon a lineage chart detailing hundreds of Ever families, but outside of the Ferngloves, I’d only ever met the Starglens and Waterstones—neither of which seemed to appeal to Amalyss and Tasia.
“There used to be more,” Clesian said. He nodded his thanks to an attendant who’d set an arranged plate of duck, grilled squash, and freshly baked bread before him. “Back when I was courting, there were dozens of families with eligible partners. But there was only one Lydia.”
She chuckled softly, and a pang of longing spurred in my chest. I busied myself with my squash, spearing the vegetable before taking a quick bite. “How did you two meet?”
Clesian twirled his fork along his plate. “I used to be an emissary for another prominent house, and I was traveling between families to extend them an invite for a fete. When I got here, Lydia answered the door. Before I could even start, she took one look at the invitation in my hands and tore it to shreds. Then she slammed the door in my face.”
“You make me sound so horrid,” she murmured, but didn’t deny it. Both Amalyss and Tasia giggled.
“Of course you were immediately taken by her absolutely unhinged behavior,” Seville drawled. But her words lacked any bite, and her lips curved with the barest hint of a smile. Heartbonds were so revered in Ever society, and here I was, bonded to a colossal ass who would’ve rather seen himself tied to literally anyone else. Possibly even a Waterstone.
Rude, though I’m flattered you’re thinking of my ass.
My fork clattered to my plate, and all eyes rounded on me. I turned in my chair, expecting to find Rorik leaning indolently against the opening to the dining room, but he was still absent.
“Edira?” Seville’s brows drew together. “Something wrong?”
My eye twitched. Slowly, I turned to Lydia. “Can heartbonds talk to each other down their bond?”
“Of course.” Her smile was wide. “I’m assuming that after your physical sparring match there was some additional contact?”
Clesian’s brows shot toward the ceiling as Seville nearly choked on her wine.
“Not like you’re insinuating,” I said through clenched teeth.
“Continue to nurture that bond however you can. Intimacy helps immensely,” she said. “Shame on him for not telling you about mind-speak, though.”
I started cursing vehemently within my mind and prayed Rorik heard every lastfuckI threw his way. He must have, because a delicious chuckle sounded in my ears.
I can’t hear everything, just what you choose to share with me.His words were a velvety purr against my consciousness.Unless,of course, you’re not in control of your emotions. Again. Then yourthoughts scream so loud I can’t help but listen.
Grimacing, I forced myself to ignore the weight of his voice in my mind. I needed to get a grip on my emotions quickly. He was already under my skin; I didn’t need him loitering around in my thoughts, too.
“He’s such a prick.” Seville snorted. “I suppose the good news is that means he’s finally agreed to help?”
I nodded, and a visible wave of relief washed through the entire family. Seville raised her glass to herself in a mock cheer. “What did he say to you?”
“Nothing of consequence. As per usual.” This time, I intentionally sent the words his way.
