Page 84 of The Ashborn

Connak had done this in River Storm. Kienna studied him and then the book.

Less skilled mages could only bring themselves to other locations spiritually with a tether to where they wanted to go.

“Was I your tether?” she asked.

Connak brushed her hair. “Always.”

Chapter 33

—Moira—

“Oh, Moira!” Kienna flew through their little apartment, books in tow. She set them on the counter and beamed. “You’ll never guess—” She halted as Moira’s tear-stained face came into view. She was quick to wipe them as she sat on the floor of their apartment, hiding the evidence, but Kienna had already seen too much.

“I’m okay,” Moira said immediately. “I should get ready to head to The Elarent House.”

Kienna sat next to her on the floor and placed her golden hand into Moira’s, an unexpected warmth flowing through her. Shock waved through Moira. She knew Kienna could push little spurts of magic, but she’d been warned to stop. No one understood what it all meant. It’d be too dangerous to assume she could use her power. But Kienna appeared devilish as she could tell Moira felt the warmth.

“What’s your news?” Moira asked.

“It can wait.” Kienna smiled. “How can I help you?”

Moira’s eyes, dark and deep, scanned Kienna for any sign that she could share what was truly bothering her. “I kissed Tislin.” She burst into another sob.

Kienna squinted her eyes. Her lips parted as if she were figuring out what to say. “Was he that bad at it?”

Moira laughed and sobbed at the same time. She was so tired of keeping secrets. If she’d confided in someone else, she could have avoided this overwhelming weight of guilt on her chest. She had less than four months left before she would give birth. Exhaustion swept over her.

Moira sighed. “Did you know Rhior in River Storm?”

“I knew of him,” Kienna said. “From the merchant square, right?”

“Yes.” In the past, thinking of Rhior sent shivers through her. Their relationship was never perfect, but she gave herself to him and settled on being supportive. She was so proud of how hard he worked to succeed in his trade, but now she dreaded thinking of it. “He was the best in the spice trade. To me, anyway. Quiet man.”

A smile played on Kienna’s lips. “His spices were terrible.”

“Yes, they were.” Moira laughed, wiping a tear from her cheek. “I thought I loved him, though.”

Kienna sat up straight, leaning closer to Moira as if she hadn’t heard her. Burning questions seemed to formulate in seconds, her eyes flickering to Moira’s stomach as if she managed to find the last clue to a mystery.

“He’s my husband,” Moira assured her, her hand floating gently to her womb as little feet pattered against the wall.

Kienna’s mouth fell open. “How long were you going to hide that?”

“Forever,” Moira stated. “He pushed me out of River Storm to follow you.”

Kienna gasped, teasing, “I thought it was because you liked me. Though it makes way more sense why you haven’t gone to any battle with us.” She gasped. “And you kissed Tislin?”

Moira nodded, the shame too much for her to bear. How would she have felt if Rhior kissed other women? Maybe he already was. He was never too attached to Moira, and now that she thought about it, she was no longer attached to him. She probably wouldn’t care anymore. And Tislin was so nice to her, so gentle and sweet. He called her Sunbeam, which made her literally burst with light. Kienna was being far too warm, too nice to her. She deserved to be scolded.

“I’m so ashamed. I’m a terrible person, but Rhior didn’t come with me.” Moira wiped her face. “I’m so lonely and scared to do it all alone.”

Kienna pulled Moira into an embrace, calming her from her fears. “You have me, you know. You’re not alone. And surely that’s not the only reason you kissed Tislin.”

Moira pondered this. Was it only because Tislin was so nice to her that she gravitated to him? Or did he consume her mind with a burning ember that would never die out? She had meant what she said to him outside The Elarent House. Moira lowered her face back to her palms. “I wanted to kiss Tislin. He’s so⁠—”

“Archaic?”

Moira slapped Kienna’s shoulder. “Tender.”