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It’s easy to forget that Sunder is a prince. I’m under the impression that, despite his general holier-than-thou attitude, it’s not all that important to Sunder either. He told me that once on that first day when I thought he was a crazy stalker guy, but he’s never mentioned it again.
My gaze darts between two powerful creatures, who are doing their level best to burn holes in each other’s minds with their eyes.
I lean down to pet Bobble, but I’m not sure if it’s to reassure him or to comfort me. This is a game way over my head.
“I’m called Sunder now,” he states quietly.
The wizard raises his heavy eyebrows. “Yes, of course. Sunder. Well. The price depends. I sense you’ve not yet bonded with the Vessel.”
Yurghen tips his head towards me while he continues. “Finding her alone is an extraordinary achievement. Perhaps the Princess Malicryn right to fear what you could become after all.”
I hold my breath, waiting for the explosive reaction at the mention of Sunder’s ex, but it doesn’t come.
Oh, so now you can control your temper, Turd Bucket?
Sunder doesn’t respond. Instead, he sits patiently, hands folded in his lap. Head high, lips pursed, and one eyebrow twitches subtly as if to emphasize his question. He looks like royalty in that moment, and I feel a lump forming in my throat.
I’m… proud of him?
Interesting. Bobble purrs loudly, and I rub my hand over his head.
Yeah. I’m proud of Sunder right now. He’s holding down this end of this negotiation like a boss.
It’s sexy. And also cool. And…
I shake myself out of my mind and tune back into their conversation.
Yurghen sighs. “I can restore your soul, Prince, but I need all four Shards. I only see two here, and neither is bonded yet,” he declares, glancing at Bobble beside the table.
To my surprise, Yurghen turns to the cat, asking, “Would you care to join us for lunch?”
Bobble gives him a chirp.
I wonder what else this wizard already knows. The longer this conversation drags on, the more I suspect that he’s definitely more in control and in the know than we realize. Coming here was a major gamble. Bobble looks at Yurghen and cocks his head to the side.
“Ah. So, it’s true then,” Yurghen muses. “This Shard can’t shift.”
“Can you fix him?” I blurt out. Yurghen turns his gaze to me, and I feel his piercing scrutiny. It’s overwhelming; like standing in front of the night sky, staring at something eternal and vast.
But in this case, it’s even more chilling, because the night sky is staring back.
Yurghen’s eyes crinkle at the corners. “You understand how this works, little human. Everything has a price.”
“Name it then, Magus. We need to get moving to find the other two Shards,” Sunder interjects, cutting off his taunt. He shifts, and I can tell he’s resisting the urge to step in between Yurghen and I.
Aww. Heistrying to protect me.
The wizard sighs again, and in an instant, the cosmic being disappears and the small, silly old man returns. “Very well. I shall help you for a price of my choosing, but I need time to think. Stay as my guests tonight, and in the morning, we can continue our discussion.”
A knot of unease twists inside me, but what other option do we have?
“Indeed,” Sunder states. “This option works for us as well.”
“Excellent,” Yurghen’s eyes twinkle. “I do so love to have dinner guests.”
That chilling feeling is back again, and I hope we’re making the right choice.
