Chapter 29 #3
Daemon let out a heavy breath, then recounted the events, watching as Yvaine’s reactions shifted from shock and anger to the largest Cheshire grin he’d ever seen.
“Yes!” she exclaimed, bouncing in her seat like a kid who was about to get chocolate for dinner. “I’ve been dying for someone to bring those assholes down a notch.”
“It wasn’t my finest moment, but watching the blood drain from Syrus’ face? It was worth it.”
“I still can’t believe Father stepped in. Lord Cassius has been in his ear for decades.”
“Surprised me too, believe me.” Daemon paused, taking a deep swig from his water glass. “Do you think he meant what he said? About helping put an end to this mess?”
Yvaine didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she pushed up from the couch and walked toward the windows, pulling aside the sheer white fabric to gaze out over the harbor and city. “From what you’ve said, I think it’s safe to believe him. But I don’t know that I would fully trust him yet.”
Daemon stood and met Yvaine at the window, taking in the views of the city he loved. The way the setting sun’s light shone through the houses, casting the streets in a rainbow of colors. How the warm tangerine glow of the setting sun colored the sails of their ships, blending them into the skyline.
The silence lingered for a while as they watched the sun slowly sink into the sky, the clouds shifting to pastels from their normal crisp white.
“I need you to do something for me, Yvaine.” She turned toward him, her brows furrowed as she waited for an explanation. “I need you to stay here while the world goes to shit.”
“Excuse me?”
Daemon met her hardening gaze with a pleading one. “Please, Yvaine. I need you here.”
“Over my dead body am I staying here while the realm erupts into chaos.”
“Vaine—”
“No, Daemon. And don’t pull that I outrank you bullshit either. You cannot leave me here. I can help; you know that I can.”
“Of course, I know you can, but our people need someone here to protect them.”
“Mother sure as shit isn’t going to ride into battle. So, why should I stay?”
“Because I can’t lose you, Yvaine.”
“D—”
“No. Listen to me, okay? If something happens, and I don’t make it back—”
“Don’t you dare go there, Daemon Alexander.” Angry tears lined her eyes, her lip trembling slightly as she pulled them into a tight line.
“If I don’t make it back,” he stressed, grasping her hands in his. “You are the best chance that our kingdom has. Hell, you’re probably the best bet even if I do,” he said with a nervous laugh.
Yvaine took a steadying breath, her eyes closing briefly before opening and piercing him with a hardened gaze.
“Be that as it may, little brother. I’m not standing idly by while everyone I love fights for what they believe in.
I am an asset. And if I have to sneak or sing my way onto a damn boat, I will. ”
“Please, don’t—”
She canted her head in disbelief. “Would you tell Auraelia to stay out of it?”
“I uh—no. I wouldn’t. Not that she would listen to me if I had.” He palmed the back of his neck.
“So why try to force me to?”
“You’re my sister, Yvaine. I don’t want any harm to come to you.”
“She’s the love of your life, Daemon! She is the one you would bring the world to its knees for.
Being your sister doesn’t even compare. Though I appreciate your concern, and goddess, do I love you for it, little brother.
But I am a grown woman. And much like the woman you love, I will make my own decisions for my own life. ”
Daemon stared at her for a moment, her reasoning swirling through his mind as his conversation with Sariah trickled back in. Sariah was right; she really is so much like Auraelia.
Tonguing a canine, Daemon nodded in acquiescence. “Alright, sis. You win.”
Yvaine’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she reached out her hand. “Bind it. I want your binding word that you will not try to keep me from the battlefield.”
Daemon gave her a wry smile and clasped her forearm, her long, delicate fingers wrapped around his in return.
“You sure you want to do this?” he asked, his brows rising.
Magically binding a promise wasn’t something to take lightly.
Though it wasn’t as serious as a blood bond, it still held weight, braiding the participant’s magic together until the promise was fulfilled…
or broken. It’s said that when a bonded promise is broken, it would drive the offender mad.
Cause their goddess-gifted magic to turn on them, destroying their minds, bodies, and souls.
Though Daemon had never heard of someone breaking the commitment, he certainly wasn’t going to be the first.
When she gave him a curt nod, he blew out a steadying breath and recited the binding spell.
“I, Daemon Alexander, Crown Prince of the Sapphire Isle, do so swear that I will not inhibit Princess Yvaine Cordelia, firstborn of the Sapphire Isles, from participating in the upcoming conflict with the Court of Garnet.” After a brief pause, he added, “Unless her life is in imminent danger.” Yvaine’s mouth opened to protest, but Daemon narrowed his gaze.
He’d let her help win this war, but there wasn’t a chance in hell that he would let her fall at someone’s hand.
Yvaine released a resigned sigh and said her lines to complete the ritual. “I, Princess Yvaine Cordelia, firstborn of the Sapphire Isles, hereby accept Prince Daemon Alexander, Crown Prince of the Sapphire Isles’ binding promise.”
A surge of magic flowed between them, and warmth washed over him.
It was like stepping into the surf heated by the sun’s rays all day.
Sliding along his shadows in languid movements like a calm tide.
It twisted and twined with his magic, braiding them together in an intricate knot before settling and ebbing away—a kernel of Yvaine’s magic nestling into his, sealing the promise and binding him to his word.
As they released each other, a loud knock sounded at the door.
Crossing the room, Daemon pulled open the door to the same flush-faced guard who had brought him his father’s summons.
You’ve got to be kidding me. Snatching the missive from the man, he closed the door with more force than necessary and flipped the parchment over.
Only, instead of his father’s cobalt blue seal, pearlescent wax with twin-crossed swords pressed into it stared up at him.
Not wasting any time, Daemon broke the seal and opened the letter.
“Fuck.” Within a few words, his entire plan shifted. He’d planned on returning to Lyndaria—to Auraelia—the next day. But now? He couldn’t just ignore the summons. If Lady Aesira needed him to come to Opal, it meant that something was wrong.
“What is it?” Yvaine asked, closing the distance between them.
Daemon passed over the note and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Shit,” she hissed under her breath. “What do you think it’s about?”
“I don’t know. But I know I need to find out.”