A BOND IN

above darkened from gold to deep violet, the first stars trembling awake. Lyria walked beside Aiden's horse

. Too alive. His gaze kept drifting to her, as

're all right?" L

ly human despite the royal crest on

true. You're bleeding thr

lmost better,"

nt to smile ba

s of Ro

ed as they rode a

nk she bewi

ds like that. Not

be a fore

wo

olf sharp caug

nough to understand, be

e said. "She saved my

ed, chastised. The

asn't used to being defende

ve to do that,

n said quie

to Prin

onto a valley, and

e's Rest-a fortified way post built from pale stone and glowing lanter

iful," Lyri

instead of the outpost.

as stronger here, clearer. It felt like an invisi

will send word to the capital that yo

is expression darkened

idn't m

t eager

xpected?"

His tone cooled, distant. "I'm being

to understand. "Beca

d heirs come with expectations-marriages, al

ce trai

pple through her chest. A fe

staggered when he dismounted. L

imself on h

th warm against her ear. "

lowed. "Le

depending on a stranger of un

rd the way post gate, he let

ight and

along the walls. Healing tables were lined with vials and

onto a cushioned

healers finish what

is eyes stayed on her instea

r robes knelt beside him. "Y

," Aiden said. "This girl L

at Lyria with awe and fear twisted t

bly. "I didn't think abo

"Titles or not, you've do

ve them space. But Aide

he whi

d practice but gentle around her knuckles. The thrill

eas

please that

st

kept his gaze on her as if she

ret U

le he rested. The guards kept their distance now, whisper

is eyes at las

" he said, relief s

ked me

itting up slightly. "I ne

ghtened. "W

hed out. His fingers brush

me from them..." His eyes locked

heart

coul

coul

e truth, as she h

et strength, the way he spoke to her like an e

d her han

over her skin-gentle,

nhaled

t burn," h

purifies. But I don't understand

nder, not fear. "Lyria.

"Or dangerous. Most

t most

tched-soft,

yria couldn'

she didn'

l Betwe

again. Slowly. Carefully. G

di

a gentleness that made her chest t

aced thr

flared und

idened. "Did y

she whi

a magnetic force humming through th

like rec

"I don't know who you are, Lyria. But I swear I'

gainst her ribs, sensing a bond formin

." she b

ld deepen, the great bells of P

O

O

n in, panic o

ber!" one shouted. "A signal just arrived from

ession fell

e name made him tense bu

e sliding b

nds slip

her twisted into its