Chapter 57 #3
Broan scoffed a laugh, stepping closer to Connak to size him up.
Connak was tall, but not nearly as tall as Broan.
Kienna shifted. Between them, she wondered who would win if they did break out into a fight.
It’d be Connak. She was sure of it. Eventually, Broan sighed through his nose. “I’ll get Pretty Boy.”
I’ll go with them. Make sure they don’t get lost doing…well, Broan and Danek things. Ruva bounded after Broan, stalking cautiously next to him.
Connak looped his arm around Kienna’s again and escorted her through the forest to find a spot in the camping grounds where they could sit peacefully under the stars.
He set out a seat of stone for her before starting the fire.
He glanced up now and then. Kienna sensed his stares, but she was too busy admiring the milky gems in the black void above.
The fire curled next to her. It was home, a place where they were safe enough to sit and dare to dream.
A hidden city in the forest could do that.
It was as if the danger held no power there as they hid from the world, like a book that refused to open without a key.
It made sense why the Elvish were drunk with power—why they tried to rule the world years ago.
Tucked away, they didn’t face the dangers like everyone else.
They could aspire to something greater while the rest of the world fought to survive.
Kienna brought her attention from the sky back to Connak.
“I never said thank you,” she said softly, fingers curling around the hem of her sleeve. “I’ve spent a long time blaming you for everything that happened since the dungeons in River Storm, but you’ve been pushing me. You got me here, and I need you to know that I see that. I see you.”
Connak tended the fire with an idle hand, but the tension between them finally lifted after many weeks of fighting.
“Even if your parents never bound me to you, I’d be on your side.
” He tossed another piece of wood into the fire, sparks illuminating the smile crossing his face.
Almost to himself, he muttered, “Queen of the Ashes.”
The emotions pressed heavily against Kienna’s chest. If her parents bound her to Connak and Tristian, she’d never be able to break it.
It wasn’t that she hated the bonds, nor that she didn’t want them.
She didn’t get to choose them. It was a complicated situation that put her in an uncomfortable position with Danek, whom she still needed to reveal this to...
She bit her cheek until the tang of copper filled her senses.
“It was my parents who placed the bonds?”
Connak nodded once. “After M’Ran fell, Vaerin was getting too close.
Avenna knew he wouldn’t stop until he had you.
He already took Danek from M’Ran. They bound our minds together so I could find you no matter what.
Even when Vaerin wiped my memory in River Storm, and yours,” he tapped two fingers against his temple, “I had you in my head. Always.”
“And then Maren got you out,” Kienna said, remembering the puzzle pieces Connak dropped in front of her since leaving the king. “Who is she?”
“The Mother never said.” He paused. The forest stilled around them, stealing the smell of blooming moonflowers. “I genuinely don’t know, but I have theories. I think she’s—”
The sound of breaking twigs snapped Connak and Kienna away from each other to see Danek and Broan approaching.
Ruva wagged her tail happily behind them. My Little Flame, she panted, her tongue lolling to the side of her jaw. She nestled up to Kienna, pressing her belly to the soil to rest. Gentle rumbles tickled the walls of her mind. I’m glad you’ve left that awful palace.
Sitting next to Kienna, Danek wrapped his arm around her and twirled her hair. She leaned into him, not realizing how much she needed to feel his warmth.
Broan started to sit and then paused. “Hold the fuck up.” His eyes darted between them, his brow dipping low. “You two are fucking? How did I miss this?”
Danek’s cheeks reddened. Kienna thought it cute that he’d be humble enough to feel embarrassed. Regardless, he chuckled, nudging Broan’s leg with an elbow. “Don’t worry, we’ll find someone else who can put up with you.”
“With me? She must have hit her damn head to put up with you!” Broan said, pushing his boot into Danek’s thigh.
Danek released Kienna and lunged, engaging Broan in a playful wrestle.
Seeing the two of them back together eased Kienna further.
She only wished that Moira were there to share in this reunion.
In River Storm, they would have frustrated her with this type of behavior.
None of them carried the weight she did.
Even now, they still didn’t, but they understood it more.
They were behind her on this journey, and there was no life in which she would ever want to embark on it with anyone else.
You’ve all spent too much time apart, Ruva affirmed.
I think I love them all, Kienna said. Even Broan.
Even Broan. Ruva’s voice trilled. I love them, too.
Kienna ran her hands over Ruva’s head. Will you protect them with me, Ru?
I will give them the same care I give you, Little Flame. You have my word.
Connak stared at Danek, then Broan, before his eyes returned to Kienna.
She knew it cut him, seeing her with Danek like this.
He loved her—she felt it—but she couldn’t choose him.
Even if her heart leaned that way, River Storm poisoned too much between them.
She forgave him, but Danek was there when Connak wasn’t, even with their minds bound together.
Danek and Broan settled, covered in dirt.
Kienna picked twigs from Danek’s curls before falling back into his arms. Connak leaned against the mossy stone, one knee up.
He crossed his arms and studied them. “Have you all ever thought to ask yourselves why Trinity’s trees are larger than any other forest in the realm? ”
“Magic?” Broan shrugged, picking at the dirt around him.
“Partially.” Connak leaned forward near the fire. Lower, he said, “I need you to ask me that question.”
Kienna furrowed her brows. “Ask what question?”
“What I asked you.”
Danek shifted behind her. “About the trees?”
Connak checked over his shoulder. He cleared his throat. “Humor me.”
“Why are Trinity’s trees larger than any other forest in the realm?” Danek asked.
“And why the fuck did we have to do that weird fucking dance?” Broan crossed his arms, arching a brow.
“Ah.” Connak grinned. His eyes narrowed in the fire as embers flickered into the air. “Thank you for that double-edged sword. The Elvish have a set of Accords put in place years ago to balance power amongst our race and reduce corruption.”
“And the Accords do what exactly?” Broan asked.
“Ask more specifically,” Connak demanded.
Broan’s patience slipped with his demeanor. His face reddened. “Are we still fucking playing games?”
Danek nudged his knee. Kienna remained calm as well, remembering Connak indicating something about the Accords earlier to her. “The Accords won’t let you reveal a lot to us,” she said, sure of her answer.
Connak dipped his chin once.
She searched her mind for what he might be alluding to by asking them. “You cannot reveal information to us directly unless…what? What is the purpose of the Accords?”
Connak exhaled, his chest releasing a breath that he must have held for many years.
“The Accords reduce Elira’s power, giving it to the soldiers.
However, we couldn’t allow the soldiers to take power either.
Elira agreed to sign the Accords because they limit what we can do.
When we enlist in the army, we are bound by the Accords. ”
“That’s all you can tell us?” Danek asked, squeezing Kienna’s shoulder.
Connak shrugged, waiting silently.
Broan rolled his eyes. “I’ll bite. What do the Accords bind you to?”
“Silence.” Connak checked their surroundings again, eyes trailing the trees as he searched for listeners.
“Soldiers can’t shape the future until the future has been chosen.
We can only protect it. So, our riddles and half-truths are not on purpose.
” His eyes fell to Kienna. “It’s the only way we can get information. Unless—”
“We ask the exact question directly.” Kienna leaned her head against Danek’s torso in frustration.
She’d nearly pulled her hair out with how terrible they were at communicating, and she never thought of asking.
So, when they refused to tell her who Ash was, it was because she never asked if he was anything to her.
“Alright,” Broan said, his voice full of gravel. “Tell us about the fucking trees already.”
“It’s the magic from underneath the roots. From the slaughter of the Elvish people.”
Kienna tilted her head. Broan sat straighter, more alert. Even Danek, who traced lazy circles in the dirt, looked up.
“Slaughter?” Broan wore disdain like his own set of armor.