Page 165 of Infernal Bonds

“I just don’t understand why that’s the go-to. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I think caring about your world and whether it flourishes and all that jazz is the right thing, but what about them?”

Her brow lifted in question.

“Their parents sit on the thrones and talk politics all day long, but never have I heard them express interest in their children—except Lymsrana. I’ll give her that. She seems way different from the others. Cyn’s dad too. Then Amra…”

I remembered what they’d told me about being trapped in Cornaith’s game. Still, I figured they’d do more to advocate for their children.

“The others are… difficult.”

I rolled my eyes. “Tell me about it. But I never hear the guys say anything about their parents doing anything for them or with them. About their happiness. Shouldn’t that be more important? Is that not important to you?”

She leaned forward, placing her empty cup on the table between us, the setting sunlight catching the gemstones on her bangle bracelets. “I wish them happiness, of course. My main purpose is to ensure everyone follows the path that will bring them the most happiness, while also helping Elyrdin thrive.”

“Then why bring up Elyrdin’s prosperity when talking about our bonds?”

“Because with that comes their happiness.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Elyrdin doesn’t require all four bonds to survive, so that isn’t why I’m encouraging you. Nevertheless, their eventual strength and ascension to the throne will bring more to the populace than a divided unit ever could. A prosperous Elyrdin makes them happy.”

Did it, though?

“While they may struggle with the politics as you do, once the current council retires and they take control, the parts that disturb them will be tolerable.”

“That’s if they can get out from under Cornaith’s thumb,” I mumbled under my breath.

She hummed as if she heard me but didn’t respond.

“But you think they’d be happy bonded to someone they don’t want just for the sake of Elyrdin and its people?”

“What makes you think they don’t want you?”

“I never said—”

“Implied.”

I huffed, reaching for a piece of fruit on the tray in front of me. “Sure. Yeah. I mean… I’m not so sure about all of them.”

“Would it make you feel better to know they do?”

The melon ball fell from my fingers and bounced off the tray, rolling across the floor. “What?”

“It may not change your feelings, but the connection I sense came before they knew the truth of who you are to them.”

Ash and Zeke weren’t up for debate. Cyn and I were… complicated. And Ezra? I thought he wanted me sexually at times, but not enough to bind himself to me in body and soul for however long I lived.

How long did a hybrid live? I shook my head. No time to think about that.

“So let’s just say we’re all lovey-dovey and do the bonding thing. What does that actually mean? How does bonding with me make them stronger?”

“It does in several ways.”

“That clears everything up.”

The corner of her mouth twitched. “Your emotional connection is one. You’ve already experienced some of it with your first bonded Nyrith. As your tether strengthens, sensing one another’s emotions becomes easier.”

I already knew that. We’d sensed each other before ever bonding. But I’d noticed it became a lot easier afterward.