Ilain tugged on his arm, forcing him to a stop beside her. “Ethenn,” she wore a look of awe, “are you sure?”
“You love me?” he asked.
Her expression softened tenderly. “Yes.”
“For how long?”
“Truly?” She shrugged, causing her sleeves to flutter like flowers in the breeze. Her fingers brushed his forearms. “When you told me about these.”
Realizing she meant his scars, he furrowed his brow. “Why—?”
“I loved you before then, I’m sure, but it was at that moment I realized that I would give up anything—” She gripped his hands, pulling them to her chest. “Anythingto see you happy.”
And she had, Ethenn understood. She’d willingly rejected the Alliance and the future she’d prepared for the last thirty years...for him.
Ethenn kissed her then. Deep and full. The Fire Relic burned against his chest with excitement, but his magic sent a cooling spiral through his veins. Ilain returned the kiss, still clutching his hands as though desperately afraid to let him go.
Drawing back, Ethenn tugged her closer. “I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “I was a fool. The things I said—”
“You didn’t know.” Ilain’s gaze was soft. “And you were right. The whole time I’ve known you, I’ve been trying to protect myself by manipulating you and lying to you. That’s why I pushed you to seal our betrothal before we were ready.” Her voice dipped lower. “Iwas the fool, Ethenn. From the moment we met, I knew you were different. And I feared that my heart would attach itself to you, so I pushed you away. Then you turned out to be a Warrior, and I knew you wouldn’t believe me... So I tried to convince you of my affection without ever being vulnerable enough to tell you the truth.”
Seeing the glimmer of tears in her eyes, Ethenn’s chest tightened. They stood along a walkway under the light of a large window, in full view of the palace. He supposed he ought notto be concerned since he’d just kissed her, but he thought this conversation should be held somewhere less public.
Swiftly, Ethenn drew Ilain through the hallways, down the final few curves toward his bedroom. There, he shut them in, drawing her toward the small settee that sat against the wall. He guided her to sit, though the flickering urges of the Fire Relic kept him standing.
“Ilain,” he began, flexing his hands at his sides, “whatever the path before us, I want you to know now: I’m not a good man. I’ve made numerous mistakes, I’m prone to violence, and I refuse to trust people because I’ve been hurt too many times. But I don’t want to be that man anymore.”
And so, Ethenn told Ilain about his past. He told her about his parents, Fredrik and Leannah, and his sister, Terrina. He didn’t leave out any details of their family life or their upbringing. He didn’t hesitate to tell her about Vernon and his abuse, the years spent in the fighting pits, or the accidental murder of his fellow fighter. He explained Terrina’s marriage, his presumed killing of her husband, and his subsequent volunteering to become a soldier to escape the wrath of the law.
He trusted her with everything because he didn’t want to be a weapon any longer, and he thought perhaps Deckard was right: Ilain could make him better. The true Ilain Calder, the gentle, reserved, and tender woman she was within, was perfectly suited to quell the fire within him purely with her love.
And with everything in him, he hoped that his loyalty, determination, and ferocity might make her feel safe and cared for enough to become that woman in full.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
38TH OF HYDRAE, 1574
One month had passed since the establishment of Allund.
After Ethenn and Ilain’s offhanded acceptance of the position in Mouroc to help facilitate the government’s control on the western half of the continent and their abrupt departure from the council chamber, the Administration had requested Deckard and Evylin do the same there in Loclight.
“It will be temporary,” Archminister Essen assured. “We have much to do to gain the faith of the people. We feel that with your assistance, we can accomplish it well.”
They were granted time to confer, but they didn’t need it. After the first four days, Deckard and Evylin had seen this request coming and chose to accept it. As Thom had said, someone had to ensure the country gained good, honorable leaders. Deckard could help with that process as they worked alongside the Alliance. And he could determine for himself just how truly noble they were.
And there was the promise of the short-term nature of the assignment. “A month or two at the most,” Essen said.
Ethenn and Ilain’s wedding and Bonding ceremony marked a turning point for the troop. For the first time in months, they were to part. The newlywedded Loxley couple, along withVayden and Reyana, would return to Wauld—now West Allund—while the Deckards and Brea remained in Ephria—now East Allund. Due to their Bonds, the couples were given charge over the Relics of their halves of the continent, four and four. It was the natural choice, though they required Thom and Vayden to carry the extra three Relics as a guard against the influence of the Warriors’ and Mages’ dispositions. That meant that the Bonded couples also became a sort of bodyguard to the non-magical men.
“See,” Ilain teased Thom when the announcement was made. “You are special, after all.”
With the choice of delegates made, the Alliance requested that Brea stay with Evylin to continue her training and help reform the Eastern Army. She accepted without hesitation.
Deckard and Evylin spent much of the following days with the ministers, Carlile, and Obel, determining East Allund’s next steps. There was plenty to figure out within the palace’s halls and in the capital city, so they started a running list of tasks to complete during their first days as delegates.
Two days after Ethenn and Ilain’s Bonding, which allowed them time to celebrate their marriage, the troop came together for a final dinner before the West Allund party headed to Mouroc the following morning. It was already evident that the marriage had positively influenced the couple. Ethenn’s demeanor shifted significantly. In the short span of time, he’d become more confident and expressive, speaking up more often—though his contributions were still less than most people in the room, it was a notable improvement for him. Ilain also seemed more self-assured. While she continued to joke and maintain her playful nature, a composed and thoughtful sense of self began to moderate her previously flippant and unpredictable behaviors.
The two of them worked well together, their internal flames easing each other, providing a safety of heart where each couldtruly be themselves. This convinced Deckard that he was correct in Olbury—Ethenn and Ilain did need each other, and their lives would be better with one another in them.
