Page 32 of The Last Syphon

Narrowed violet eyes locked on her. “You barely assessed her,” he said to the old woman.

Magdala arched a brow high. “Have you ever known me to be wrong?”

He didn’t answer her question. “Look again,” he ordered curtly.

“I do not need to. Their souls are linked. I can see the cord as easily as I see you before me. There is no denying it. I saw their connection the moment I arrived. It is almost as powerful as the bond you share with Tydus. You have been soul-linked with your Guardian for a long time, yes?” she asked Inara.

“Why would you say that?”

“A connection as strong as yours at its infancy is quite rare. I have only heard of it in a few cases.” Her sharp blue eyes ran the length of Inara’s body in assessment. “How long has your soul-link been established?”

Inara wondered, for a moment, if she should lie, but thought better of it. Lying would do her no good. “A day.”

Surprise flashed across Magdala’s face. “How interesting.” She tapped a long-nailed finger against her chin. “I would like to study your soul-link.”

“Study?” For some reason, she didn’t like the sound of that. “Yeah. Sorry, I’m not staying. I was dragged here because he thought I’d somehow tricked Fraener into soul-linking with me. Now that the matter has been cleared up, we’ll be leaving⁠—”

“I think not.” The dark, threatening tone with which the Crowned Prince used left no room for debate on the matter.

Inara turned to face him fully, staring him down. “Why not? You said all I had to do was prove my soul-link with Fraener. Well…you heard the old woman. She said it’s as bright and beaming as the sun. What more do you need?”

“Although I have never known Magdala to be wrong, I am still wary. I do not trust you. As a Chosen, you reflect the kingdom. Until I am certain you will not do anything to harm Arelia, you will stay under my watchful eye until such thoughts have been vacated. Not only that, but being a Chosen comes with responsibilities you are obligated to uphold, as is the price you willingly pay to keep your Guardian and all the powers it bestows you.”

“And if I don’t?” Venerable Cias’s words rang through her head. Being a Chosen offered her some form of protection. Her death meant Fraener’s demise, and they held Guardians in high regard. Worshipped them. Protected them. They wouldn’t do anything to actively cause harm to one.

Would they?

“I cannot harm you.” Ha. Ha. “But your friend?” With a simple flick of his wrist, the small dagger at his waist shot through the air and stopped right at Felix’s throat, the tip of the blade hovering an inch away from his skin.

Felix yelped, panicked brown eyes darting down at the weapon and up again quickly. He didn’t move, frozen on the spot.

“Him…I can flay the skin off his bones with nothing but a thought.” As if to prove his point, the knife began to move, slowly, menacingly, edging its way around Felix’s neck and up the side of his jaw.

“Oh, sweet Fates,” Felix blew out, terrified.

The Crowned Prince did it all without looking, his gaze locked firmly with Inara’s. It made the whole thing even freakier.

Her magic sizzled at her fingertips, the desperate need to protect someone she loved hammering in her bones, along with a hefty dose of weariness in knowing she couldn’t do a damn thing to stop him.

“Have you ever gotten someone to do something without threatening to kill someone they care about?”

“Yes. I am a very reasonable person. As long as you do what I say, there are no problems.”

“Classic aristocrat,” Inara grumbled under her breath. With a sigh, she said, “Take that knife away from my best friend’s throat. I will remain until you are sure I pose no threat to you or your precious kingdom. Then I am out of here.”

The knife did not move.

“You do not seem to understand the gravity of the situation, so I shall speak slowly so there is no misinterpretation.”

Asshole.

“As a Chosen of Arelia, you are obligated to remain in the kingdom and be at the ready of the Crowned Family, should your services be needed⁠—”

“Now, wait a fucking minute⁠—”

“In return, you will be provided with all the food and clothing you require, granted a room in the palace, and paid a substantial wage.”

Any further words died on the tip of her tongue, her mouth snapping shut. Say what? Inara looked to Felix and back quickly, her mind running rampant. She held up a finger. “Just one second.”