Page 23 of Hymn of Breath and Bone

“Ran!” I cried, throwingmy arms around the kelpie’s neck and earning a very wet head toss in return. “I didn’t think I’d see you again.”

“If only,” Caspian muttered, leaning against the rock of the cliff behind me.

I frowned at the flicker of fury I felt in the bond between us as Ran let out a watery neigh of amusement.You seem less thanpleased to see me, winged one.

“I wonder why,” Caspian replied sarcastically, reaching out his hand for mine and pulling me closer to him. “Perhaps something to do with the fact that you let my mate drown and stopped me from saving her.”

My stomach lurched. This was the first time I’d heard Caspian describe what happened beneath Morar’s lake with the added realization that we were mates. Based on the anger I felt through our bond, he would be a long time in forgiving the kelpie for his role in my temporary demise.

Rannoch seemed completely unfazed.She seems fine, he pointed out, neighing in irritation.I wouldn’t have let real harm come to her. And for all the good it did—you’re still not officially mated, I see.

“You insufferable horse,” I sighed, squeezing Caspian’s hand lest he decide to go head-to-head with the water horse right there in the open sea, where he would definitely be drowned. “We’ve been rather busy.”

Then it’s time to unbusy yourselves,Ran said imperiously.I’m here to call in your debt.

“My debt?” I asked, frowning at the kelpie. “I already paid my debt by drowning, if you recall.”

Ran neighed irritably again, but it was Caspian who replied. “He meansmydebt.” His hand tightened on my hip as he pulled me a little closer. “For saving you.”

Anxiety pulsed steadily down our bond, and I tried to send back reassurance. Seas, if I could already feel so much, what would happen when we finally consummated the bond?

And I gave you two weeks to recover before coming to claim it, Ran argued, as if this was a great gift.Your magic works well together, but your task won’t be possible until you are properly joined.

“Shall I take her right here on the rocks?” Caspian asked sardonically. I jabbed him in the ribs with my elbow, but Ran took no notice.

It would be rather uncomfortable, he replied, tossing his head and splashing us with his watery mane.I can give you one more week. Fae beings appreciate comfort, as I understand it.

“Fucking skies above,” Caspian groaned, his face turning slightly pink as I tried not to laugh at how seriously Ran pronounced all this.

“What exactly is it you need us to do?” I asked, trying to save Caspian from further discussion of how we might formalize our bond in front of the nosy horse. “You told Caspian he had to unite the Isles. What does that have to do with blending our magic?”

Everything, Ran replied, stamping his foot in annoyance.And you cannot possibly understand yet, anyway. One week, little goddess. I must return to my lake until you’re ready.

“Rannoch—”

My protest was lost to the wind as Ran dove beneath the waves and disappeared, leaving me confused and Caspian somewhere between embarrassed and irate.

“I hate that fucking horse,” he growled, lifting me once again and shooting into the sky.

“No you don’t,” I sighed, wrapping my arms more tightly around his neck. “Where are we going now?”

“To see the council about a horse.”

It was tradition, Anatold me after Caspian dropped me off at the library, for siren royalty to be handfasted when they were mated.

I had forgotten, in all the activity since it happened, to ask Caspian about the attack on me and Ana. He must have some idea who was behind it, but he had been so irritable after Ran’s unexpected visit that I didn’t want to push him yet.

Caspian had offered to bring me along to go bully the council into accepting me, but I preferred to return to the library with Ana. The council had made it clear that they disliked me, and I doubted I could say anything that would convince them otherwise.

“We need to talk later,” I whispered as he kissed me goodbye. “I have questions.”

“I know,” he murmured back, squeezing my waist. “Tonight. I promise.”

Zephyr was with us, ostensibly to ‘help’ with research. I knew she was really there as a guard.

“So how exactly does this handfasting work?” I asked once we were settled with a pile of old books on a comfortable couch.

“It varies from couple to couple,” Ana explained, still looking a little worse for wear. She limped slightly as she moved, but she refused to sit when I suggested she rest, pulling every text she could find on handfasting for me. “Sometimes it’s very small with just one witness. Other times it’s a grand affair with feasting and dancing and whatnot. Ah, here it is.”