When it was clear Deckard didn’t intend to say anything more, Fishere spoke. “I can appreciate your hesitation, Colonel, and I resent that your introduction to our organization was one fraught with mistrust and coercive action. I assure you that such a practice is not our preferred method of presenting ourselves. But I hope you can forgive the duplicity, knowing that secrecy and underhanded techniques are necessary when you’re a rebel faction.”
“As a soldier who has betrayed his own country,” Deckard said stolidly, “I’m in the unique position of understanding completely.”
Fishere gave a single, appreciative nod.
“Regardless,” Deckard added, and the archminister’s ease disappeared, “that doesn’t negate the fact that you’d like to separate me and my wife.”
“I wouldn’tliketo,” Fishere said. “I feel it’s best for her safety and the safety of our people. Do you know what would happen if Prince Blount had the opportunity to Bond?”
“I’m sure I wouldn’t like to find out,” Deckard replied. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I won’t be leaving without my wife.”
Fishere raised an eyebrow. “Then you won’t be leaving.”
A handful of men rose to their feet throughout the room, a show of force marking their position with clear intentions. If Evylin tried to leave or if Deckard or any of their friends tried to take her on this mission, they would be stopped.
Ilain muttered a curse and dropped her head into her hand as the three Ephrian soldiers rose too. “You’re making matters worse, Edmaund,” she warned.
Fishere regarded her. “The entirety of Wauld is looking for Private Deckard. To allow her to leave our protective custody is to hand her over to Blount. Renaul’s capture of you is proof that you can’t keep her from him forever. There are hundreds of other nobles just waiting to prove themselves to the prince, and the entirety of the Orders of the Night, Wind, and Flame are looking to assist him in his endeavors.”
Evylin’s heart pattered traitorously. The danger was abundantly clear and frightening. Should she leave the Alliance’s custody, she would be putting herself directly upon a path to be forced to Bond with Blount. Even if he didn’t capture her on their journey to retrieve the Relics, they would have to face him eventually. And yet, if she stayed in Mouroc, she was as good as taunting Blount to find her, to take her.
Unless . . .
The answer struck Evylin with its obviousness.
Evylin dropped Deckard’s hand, stepping forward, her mind made up. “Sir,” she said, drawing the archminister’s gaze, “I don’t believe you’ve asked my opinion on the matter.”
Fishere blinked, then let out a thin chuckle. “By Allore’s grace, you’re right. My sincerest apologies, Private Deckard. What is your opinion?”
Without letting herself question her decision, Evylin answered honestly. “I agree with you,” she said.
She felt Deckard approach from behind her. “Evie—”
She ignored him, continuing, “It is dangerous for me to continue this mission. Blount already has four Relics. Seeing him Bonded would secure our defeat. Though I would like to say I am brave enough to withstand his coercion, I don’t know what a century of torture might do to me.”
The words tasted bitter on her tongue, and she felt Deckard bristle. “But there is one course we haven’t considered,” she said.
“And what is that?” Fishere asked.
Evylin turned to Ilain. “Can an individual Bond with more than one person?”
Ilain’s nose scrunched instantly. “No,” she said as though Evylin had suggested a particularly heinous crime. “Bonding is the picture of balance—one Mage with one Warrior, one of them male, the other female. It is unbreakable and indestructible. Even if a person wanted to, they couldn’t Bond a second time. Not so long as their first partner lived.”
With a nod, Evylin turned back to Fishere. “Then we have our solution,” she concluded. “Jonn and I will Bond.”
“Evylin!” Deckard’s voice landed like a hammer on an anvil as the rest of the room was filled with murmurs, both of approval and surprise.
Archminister Fishere’s eyes narrowed. “You’re asking to Bond with your husband?”
Before Evylin could reply, Deckard’s hand latched onto her arm. “Give us a moment, would you?” he said, then began tugging her down the aisle.
Evylin knew he’d be surprised. She’d even anticipated his frustration with her for making this decision on her own. But in the end, she knew it was the only course left. If it were between Bonding with Blount or Bonding with Deckard, there wasn’t a question in her mind of which she would prefer. She loved Deckard. She intended to spend the rest of her days by his side. And if taking such action ensured that future—if Bonding protected her from Blount and provided them both enough power to guarantee their success, to secure her husband’s safety—she would do it in a heartbeat.
But would Deckard?
He pulled her out of the hall and into the foyer, the low-burning lamps casting blue-purple shadows into the corners. The hum of surprised conversation still drifted to them as he released her. Immediately, he began to pace the tiled floor, then he stopped to face her.
“Evylin, you can’t be serious,” Deckard began, his brow pinched together in concern. “You know that once it’s done, there’s no going back.”
