That caused Evylin to freeze. “How is that possible?” she asked.
“Bonding was lost to us,” Ilain said. “As is much about our history. The Mages of Auld wiped out the Warriors, making Bonding impossible for a time. Further, they destroyed much of the texts regarding it out of spite, and while some have been recovered through the years, many of the core tenets of its tradition remain a mystery. Even that,” Ilain motioned to the book, “we only have because the Alliance found it in the rubble of the old palace in Aulton. Thankfully, I was able to convince them to give it to me, helping me become the foremost expert in Bonding in this era.”
“You’ve read it, then?”
“Many times.”
“Really?”
Ilain chuckled. “It isn’t the easiest to read, is it? But it is important, so I’d suggest you and Jonn make time for it.”
“Tonight?” Evylin asked with worry.
“Of course not tonight,” Ilain said, amused. “But soon. Hand me that oil, would you?”
Evylin did as requested. “Ilain . . .”
“Yes?”
Playing with the tie of her robe, Evylin stared at the wall while Ilain ran her fingers through her hair. “You’re married to Ethenn,” she noted.
Ilain paused, then resumed her work. “I am betrothed to Ethenn, which is a provisional marriage in Wauld.”
Evylin smiled. “I’m happy for you.”
After another pause, Ilain thanked her softly.
“Last we spoke,” Evylin continued, “you thought you loved him. I take it that you’ve determined you do?”
Ilain picked the brush back up, working silently for a time. “As I said before, I’m not altogether certain what love feels like,” she admitted quietly. “But...yes, I think...I think I’m starting to understand it enough to say definitively that I do love him.”
“That’s wonderful!” Evylin turned and took Ilain’s hand. “And he admitted his love for you?”
“He did,” Ilain said as though in awe.
“Then you’re getting everything you ever wanted,” Evylin said. “A Warrior whom you love and the chance to Bond.”
Ilain’s small smile grew, a light pink wash coming over her cheeks. She looked younger than Evylin had ever seen her, bashful like a teen in the midst of her first crush. “It seems too good to be true,” she said softly. “I can’t help fearing that it is.”
Seeing the sudden well of tears in Ilain’s eyes, Evylin gripped her hand more tightly. “Ilain, what’s wrong?” she asked.
With a sweep of her free hand, Ilain waved her concern away. “Nothing,” she said. “I’m just emotional. After all these years... I’ve wanted to be Bonded since I was sixteen. Now, nearly thirty years later, it’s finally going to happen. I’m betrothed to a man who loves me—whom I love and will Bond with in a year’s time. Or sooner if we can get Allund in order. Yet, all I can think is... What if something happens? We still have a month of travel to get the rest of the Relics. We have fights and trials to face. We will have to come against Blount himself, whether with three Relics or four. And through it all... What if we die? Worse, what if, in that time, Ethenn realizes that he doesn’t love me? I’ll lose everything.”
Evylin rose, knowing those exact fears intimately. She’d faced them herself only days ago.
Setting her hands on Ilain’s arms, Evylin leaned close. “Ethenn loves you, Ilain. Nothing will change that.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because he’s a good man. And you make him feel alive, in a way nothing else in this world can.” Evylin smiled brightly at her. “Trust me. As a Warrior, I know what it’s like to love a Mage. It’s not something you simply change your mind about. We feel it, here—” She set a hand on her stomach. “The magic draws us. It calls us to you. We couldn’t ignore it if we tried.”
Uncertain, Ilain nodded. Then she let out a low huff. “Enough,” she said, drawing back. “This night is about you, not me.”
“It is your wedding night,” Evylin teased.
Ilain winked. “Oh, I won’t forget that. But it’syourBonding night,” she said. “And we have to get you ready.”
Ilain helped Evylin into her dress, a complex piece of layers and buttons. First came an elegant black silk slip dress (in place of a chemise) with a matching silk scarf draped over her neck to hang until it brushed the ground. After that came a thick wool coat that buttoned over the scarf with black metal clasps. While the sleeves and bodice hugged her torso, the skirts flowed like ripples on a pond. Finally, Ilain attached a draping silk cape to the epaulets on the shoulders to trail out behind Evylin.
