Page 12 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

I miss when the Bond felt like our biggest problem.

“Raea,” Ryker whispers, dropping his forehead to mine. “I don’t like this. I don’t want to leave you alone.”

Our Bond shimmers around us.

I understand how he feels, but we both have things we need to do, and we can’t waste time sticking to each other’s sides. We can’t spend every second clinging to each other anymore. Not with the Veil failing and shadows slipping into our world.

I need time to work on figuring out my magic, figuring out why the gods, the universe, whoever is responsible…chose me, and figuring out what the heck I’m supposed to even do.

I look up into his sapphire-blue gaze and feel the restlessness within me settle just a bit. “I’m yours,” I whisper, bringing my lips so close to his that there’s nothing but a breath of distance between us. “But I need to talk to him, and you need to get reports from the Protos. I’ll be okay,” I promise him. “I have Aksel and Ezra.” I roll my eyes, not bothering to check that both are hovering nearby.

He sighs, closing that little bit of space between us and locking his lips with mine. It’s short and sweet, but I can feel all his emotions in that one kiss. “One hour,” he says, pulling away. “One hour and then I’m coming to fetch you so we can deal with our sleeping arrangements.”

I roll my eyes again and push him away with a breath of a laugh. “Yeah, not happening. I’ll be sleeping in my room. You can sleep in yours.”

A devilish grin spreads across his face. “But sleepovers would be so much fun.”

My cheeks heat at the thought of all the ways I would enjoy it—enjoy him. I clear my throat and inhale deeply. “Nope. ‘Kay, gotta go.”

He chuckles as I pull out of his grasp and head inside, going straight to Kellan’s room.

It feels weird to feel anxious about seeing my best friend. If I’m honest, I’m not sure that title still belongs to him. Best friends don’t hide things from each other, and they sure as hell don’t make each other feel bad.

At the beginning of the year, I wanted nothing more than to Bond with Kellan. Now I don’t even know what to say to him.

I knock twice, nervously tucking my hands behind my back as I take a few calming breaths.

Kellan’s roommate opens the door.

I don’t remember his name.

“Hiya, Princess. Kellan is just in the bathroom. He should be right out.”

I nod as he lets Aksel and me in. Aksel does a quick sweep of the room, checking every corner and even under the beds. Kellan’s roommate doesn’t say anything, but he watches anxiously.

When Kellan steps out of the bathroom a moment later, he freezes. He first glances at Aksel—Ryker’s guard—who I’ve stolen for today so Ezra can catch up on sleep, and then at me.

“Hi,” I say with a trembling voice.

His features shift from confusion, to hurt, to hope. “Hey, RaeRae.” He sighs, closing the distance between us and pulling me into a familiar hug that feels so much like home and comfort I could cry.

Tears sting my eyes as I bury my face into his chest.

I don’t even realize I’m squeezing him that hard until he pulls me out of his arms to look at me. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his beautiful hazel eyes searching my face.

“He’s gone,” I cry. “Kuron is dead.”

I tell him everything that happened. I only briefly mention the meeting with our media teams. I’m sure he’s seen the posts—it seems like everyone has.

“Gods, Rae.” He sighs, tucking me into him and stroking my hair. “What can I do?”

“I don’t know,” I whisper. “I just feel so lost, and so scared, Kel.”

He presses a kiss to my forehead before taking my hand as he stands. “C’mon, I know just the thing.”

Aksel raises a brow when I check in with Ryker on my Prism, telling him to meet me at my room in an hour. I need to talk to Aolyn.

The gravel crunches under my shoes as the three of us enter the Executive Dorm Yard. Kellan had to leave early to get ready for a meeting. I feel the wards wrap around my arms, then my face, before I shake off the feeling.