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“It’s said that the souls of fated mates choose each other in the life before this one,” one of the elves explained.
I found that concept absolutely beautiful.
“What does it look like when fated mates meet, then?” I asked them. “How does the bond ignite?”
“It always starts with a handprint.” One of the women gestured to my glowing wrist. “If a couple is fated, the print appears the first time they touch. It’s the place their souls meet again for the first time in this world, and that makes it sacred. If you’re not fated, the print forms after you say the words, marking the place your souls meet for the first time as mates.”
My mind whirled.
I could distinctly remember Kierden grabbing me in my tower, before he said the words that officially started the bond between us. And when he grabbed me, the handprint appeared.
“It has to stay a secret,” he said to me.
I held the elves’ gaze. “The handprint definitely appearedafterhe started our bond.”
One of them looked slightly suspicious. Alida didn’t look even a little bit convinced.
“Fated mate bonds are known to be more powerful than normal ones,” Alida said, studying us. “If the couple seals their bond, their power not only combines, but grows stronger as well. It makes them great rulers—and incredible villains.”
“Then the cult probably went after them first, right?” I asked.
Expressions around the table grew grim.
“Indeed,” Alida said quietly.
“Do fated bonds still disappear when the eclipse comes?”
“They do. A bond can only be sealed by choice, even if that choice is made under the influence of the bond’s magic.” Alida gave me a small smile. “An unwanted bond will never become permanent.”
I nodded.
My first instinct was to be angry with Kierden for keeping that secret from me, but ultimately, he had been determined that he wasn’t going to seal the bond with me. And if we didn’t seal the bond, knowing we were fated would only hurt me more.
That made the secret feel like more of a kindness than anything else.
One of the elves remarked, “The strongest males and females of all magical beings usually have fated mates out there somewhere. Alida sees the connection stretching away from them.”
“It’s true,” Alida agreed. “I saw the king’s bond; he has a fated mate.”
Interesting.
If she could see bonds, and she was known for visiting the fae fairly often, maybe she could be the killer…
Then again, he said he trusted her, and he didn’t trust easily.
“Well, I suppose Kierden had better get out and start looking for him or her, then,” I said, flashing him a teasing smile that I hoped everyone thought was real.
He chuckled. “Not going to happen, little human.” Squeezing my thigh, he said into my mind,“How angry are you?”
“Not angry. I understand why you didn’t tell me.”I paused before adding,“And I don’t think it really changes anything, unless you’re only with me for the hope of an eventual boost to your magic.”
“Without a war to fight, I have no need for more ice, Nissa.”
“Then I don’t have any reason to be angry.”
Eisley changed the subject, thankfully. “Have you seen any sign of the Beast outside your forcefield?” she asked.
“Not yet, though I’m sure he’s here,” Alida said easily.
