Page 115 of Omen of ice
“Done,” Aphelian says. “With a minor adjustment.”
“What does that mean?” I understand the caution in Delkin’s voice. Aphelian is the queen of lies.
“The link cannot be broken.”
Valen’s arms tighten around me. “You said—”
“I can, however, manipulate the link. Make it so that Keltania can survive it. Is that something you want?”
Valen’s “Yes” is instant and uncompromising.
My response is a bit more cautious. “Why does it sound like there’s something you’re not telling us?”
“This link will still work both ways but will create unpleasant side effects for each of you.”
“Such as?” I can’t think of anything more unpleasant than what we’ve already been through.
“Valen is Fae. His death will mean yours. However, you are human, so if you are to fall, he will survive it.” She smiles. “Probably.”
“Okay.” That isn’t necessarily a side effect—just another jab from the Goddess, pointing to the inequality between Fae and humans.
“A severe enough injury that would not kill him might still end your life.”
“We know how the link works,” Valen says with a growl. “Just fix this.”
“There is one final thing you must know. This link will continue to grow. It’s unprecedented, so even I do not know its depths. You’re in uncharted territory. It’s quite fascinating, actually.”
It’s the link or nothing. I can let Aphelian amend the bond between us and live to see tomorrow, or I can die.
“Am I required to stay with him?” I catch Valen staring at me from the corner of my eye, but I can’t look at him. His hurt flows through the link, leaving a coppery taste in my mouth. “Am I bound to his side?”
Aphelian laughs. “You, my dear druid, are free. The first of my bloodline in millennia able to do as they please. I would encourage you to take advantage.” She leans forward, expression tightening for an instant. “Because hewillbetray you. They all do.”
“I—” I gasp, and when I expel the breath, it’s frosty. I try to swallow, but the muscles of my throat simply won’t contract. It’s like I’m freezing from the inside out.
“Do it now,” Valen shouts.
“We should think about this, Valen.” I don’t want to die, but I don’t know if I can handle being linked to him for the rest of my life. “This isn’t something you should—”
“Do it,” Valen repeats fiercely.
Aphelian looks to me, and I nod. It’s now or never.
38
Valen
The journey back to the estate is somber. There are a million things I should be thinking about—the unwanted crown about to be placed upon my head; facing the Fae who once saw me as nothing more than a spoiled playboy as their leader; what will happen between Delkin and me moving forward; how I’m going to comply with the promise I made Aphelian,withoutbetraying my people—but all that occupies my mind is the thought of Tania leaving.
Coming home is like returning to an entirely different world. As we approach the gates, the guards all stare before dropping to their knees, both in honor of my father and me. One after another, Fae fall at my feet, offering promises of penance and loyalty. It’s more of the same as we make our way through the estate to find Orbik being laid to rest in the grave marked by a traitor’s symbol. At every turn, Winter Fae slowly come to their senses, remembering the world—the ways—that have been stolen from them by Aphelian’s magic.
The moment the magic dropped and the memories began returning, nobles stormed the throne room. Orbik had been perched upon my father’s throne, cold and hard. They’d dragged his body into the streets, burned his banners, and trashed the grounds.
The healing and cleanup started the next day.
Tania hasn’t said much in the two days since we returned, and I haven’t seen much of her. Late in the morning hours of our first day back, I went into the tunnels below the estate, deep into the changing hallways and moving doors. The estate had welcomed me, guiding me to that icy room right away. I swallowed my magic Liani had bottled and retrieved Aphelian’s tear. I intend to give it to Tania today.
In a week, I’ll be crowned. I’ll reveal my magic and begin to fix the things Liani has broken. Right the wrongs that the Icekeeper line created and tell everyone the truth—about Servis, the druids…Aphelian. I intend to bring hope and aid to the remaining Fae villages and maybe build new ones, as well as send supplies to the human village outside the Order. If they’ll let me—after learning the truth—then I intend to help them build new villages. Start new lives.
