Page 145 of The Ashborn

Connak stared at Danek, then Broan, before his eyes returned to Kienna. She knew it cut him, seeing her with Danek like this. He loved her—she felt it—but she couldn’t choose him. Even if her heart leaned that way, River Storm poisoned too much between them. She forgave him, but Danek was there when Connak wasn’t, even with their minds bound together.

Danek and Broan settled, covered in dirt. Kienna picked twigs from Danek’s curls before falling back into his arms. Connak leaned against the mossy stone, one knee up. He crossed his arms and studied them. “Have you all ever thought to ask yourselves why Trinity’s trees are larger than any other forest in the realm?”

“Magic?” Broan shrugged, picking at the dirt around him.

“Partially.” Connak leaned forward near the fire. Lower, he said, “I need you to ask me that question.”

Kienna furrowed her brows. “Ask what question?”

“What I asked you.”

Danek shifted behind her. “About the trees?”

Connak checked over his shoulder. He cleared his throat. “Humor me.”

“Why are Trinity’s trees larger than any other forest in the realm?” Danek asked.

“And why the fuck did we have to do that weird fucking dance?” Broan crossed his arms, arching a brow.

“Ah.” Connak grinned. His eyes narrowed in the fire as embers flickered into the air. “Thank you for that double-edged sword. The Elvish have a set of Accords put in place years ago to balance power amongst our race and reduce corruption.”

“And the Accords do what exactly?” Broan asked.

“Ask more specifically,” Connak demanded.

Broan’s patience slipped with his demeanor. His face reddened. “Are we still fucking playing games?”

Danek nudged his knee. Kienna remained calm as well, remembering Connak indicating something about the Accords earlier to her. “The Accords won’t let you reveal a lot to us,” she said, sure of her answer.

Connak dipped his chin once.

She searched her mind for what he might be alluding to by asking them. “You cannot reveal information to us directly unless…what? What is the purpose of the Accords?”

Connak exhaled, his chest releasing a breath that he must have held for many years. “The Accords reduce Elira’s power, giving it to the soldiers. However, we couldn’t allow the soldiers to take power either. Elira agreed to sign the Accords because they limit what we can do. When we enlist in the army, we are bound by the Accords.”

“That’s all you can tell us?” Danek asked, squeezing Kienna’s shoulder.

Connak shrugged, waiting silently.

Broan rolled his eyes. “I’ll bite. What do the Accords bind you to?”

“Silence.” Connak checked their surroundings again, eyes trailing the trees as he searched for listeners. “Soldiers can’t shape the future until the future has been chosen. We can only protect it. So, our riddles and half-truths are not on purpose.” His eyes fell to Kienna. “It’s the only way we can get information. Unless⁠—”

“We ask the exact question directly.” Kienna leaned her head against Danek’s torso in frustration. She’d nearly pulled her hair out with how terrible they were at communicating, and she never thought of asking. So, when they refused to tell her who Ash was, it was because she never asked if he was anything to her.

“Alright,” Broan said, his voice full of gravel. “Tell us about the fucking trees already.”

“It’s the magic from underneath the roots. From the slaughter of the Elvish people.”

Kienna tilted her head. Broan sat straighter, more alert. Even Danek, who traced lazy circles in the dirt, looked up.

“Slaughter?” Broan wore disdain like his own set of armor.

Connak’s eyes traced the horizon. “I’m taking you all to M’Ran tomorrow.” He looked at Danek. “That’s our home, you and me. It was the heart of our people.”

“Where are the people now?” Kienna asked, though she knew the answer.

“Most are dead,” he said, the smoldering fire burning in his irises. He let the words hang for a moment.