Chapter 33
After I’d thoroughly cleaned up and cooled down in the process, I got dressed in the fresh gown Antas had brought me from his last supply trip. I brushed my hair, cleaned my dirty clothes, and scattered them throughout the washroom to dry.
When I had no reason to linger any longer, I stepped back into the bedroom, only to find Dion gone.
“Did you actually manage to get Dion to leave?” I addressed Rewani, who’d waited for me, and I stowed my bag away.
“Wasn’t that hard. Told your guard dog slash sex god we’ll smother him with his pillow during the night if he doesn’t loosen your reins. He showed me his teeth and left after making me promise to come downstairs with you when you’re done washing. A real mother hen, that one.”
Relief flooded through me as I realized this meant Dion was comfortable enough to leave me alone with Rewi. I didn’t fall for the illusion he could believe she wasn’t a threat, but it was a beginning. “Tell me about it. Either that—or ice cold.”
“There’s something mysterious about your travel companions. I mean, five men with magic who rescued you without having a clue why, all looking absolutely delicious?”
“I’d keep my distance from Thain, though. From everything I heard and saw, he’s a terrible flirt and also quite shallow.”
“Interesting.” Rewi grinned, and I chuckled back at her.
“But I know what you mean. I’ve spent quite some time with all of them. We’ve talked a lot, and I’ve gotten information, but it feels like for every answer I get, there are two more secrets they keep.”
“Well, share with me, and maybe we can unravel it together.”
I nodded. Without hesitation, I told Rewi everything, starting with my escape from Credenta, the reason the men had given me for taking me with them, to magic in general, to being hunted by Perran Feroy, the fact that all history had been altered, to the current situation with the wild rifts, and the whole existence of another world with its inhabitants, the fae.
Finally, I also admitted that my involvement went even deeper—that I was an Amplifier, shared what I’d learned about the Rite of Binding, and what Larithia had told us.
There was nothing I left out, apart from my frequent nightmares and the almost-kiss between Dion and me.
Finally, I ended my report with the last bit of information, “And now we’re on our way to Amalach. ”
“That fae city that got destroyed to frame our former king.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“It’s kind of unfair. All my life, I was sure that there must be more than what we can see. I’d give my all to be swept away by mystery and adventure while you’ve always been the reasonable one. And now you are some magical support for not one, but five sexy men.”
“Dion wouldn’t allow the others to use my Potential. Don’t suggest it—except if you want him to go all feral. Possessive bastard, that one.”
“My point still stands.”
Inspecting my hands, I didn’t know what to say.
“What’s up, Naya? I can see you’re trying to avoid mentioning something.”
“I’m sorry. I’m living your dream and can’t even appreciate it. Everything is just so overwhelming.”
“Stop it, Nayana Garnet Ortha. If I can live adventure blatantly through you and maybe help in some way, then I shall be happy. Shit, I’m already blown away that I’ve been right all the time.”
We sat in comfortable silence until I felt Rewi observing me cautiously. Whatever she had to say, I was sure I wouldn’t like it.
“You know I love you, Naya. But I think you’re overly suspicious about everything and everyone trying to oppress and control you.
Don’t you think this paranoia could harm you in the long run?
I mean, I know how ridiculous it sounds, but if you’re trying to save both worlds, shouldn’t you grasp at everything that benefits you? ”
I narrowed my eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“That Rite that you mentioned.”
“Not a chance.”
“Don’t dismiss it outright. That’s exactly what I mean. Imagine you’ll find yourself in a situation where you fail because you’ve been too scared to take a leap.”
“I’m not scared.”
“But?”
“You’ve met Dion, haven’t you? Does he seem like someone you want to give even an ounce of control to? I mean, he used my Potential to shackle me to the bed because he didn’t want me to leave the room alone.”
“Which is kind of funny and cute. And honestly, you’ve told me the last time you two had a fight, you ran away. I can understand he doesn’t want to take any chances with a flight risk like you.”
I scowled at Rewi. “You can’t seriously suggest I should do that. With him.”
Shrugging, Rewi faced my scorn. “Why not? He seems like a decent guy underneath all that prickly, growling facade, and even a blind person can see that he cares about you. Sure, a blind person can also see that he has some sort of god complex, but if he can back it up with actions, would it really be so bad to have a protector like that?”
“I don’t need a protector.”
“I know, I know, you want to be independent. But why can’t you be independent together? Correct me if I’m wrong, but your talent isn’t helpful without a Wielder around, is it? Instead, you are meant to be part of a team. Just set boundaries and rules beforehand. It’s as easy as that.”
“Maybe it sounds easy to you. But it’s Dion we’re talking about.”
“You two need to talk about that topic. Perhaps after you’ve fucked all that delicious tension out of your systems.”
My face contorted into a bright red, distorted mess at Rewi’s crude words. “Rewi!”
She simply laughed. “You should see yourself.”
“Never repeat what you’ve just said—I warn you.”
“I won’t, promise. But for what it’s worth—and you know I’m an expert judge of character—I think your Dion is all right. Think about what I’ve said, Nayana.”
I nodded and peeled myself out of her arms. “I’ll think about what you’ve preached about the Rite. The other thing is completely not an option.”
“What other thing?”
“Taking Dion to bed.”
I sounded convinced, but Rewi just nodded like a mother who knew her child had said something silly. “Sure, Naya. Now let’s go and find your guard dog before he comes back and tears me to ribbons for taking up too much of your time.”
It turned out everyone was waiting for us downstairs. Dion’s expression screamed murder, and from the barely veiled glares toward Bryon, it wasn’t hard to deduce he would be his preferred victim.
When Dion spotted Rewi and me, he stalked over to us and grabbed my hand. “Finally. We thought the bonfires wouldn’t be more than ashes by the time you decided to join us.”
“Stop exaggerating.”
“Just come.”
Together, we left the inn. Dion’s hand still held mine, and when I tried to disentangle myself, he simply threw his arm around my waist and tucked me into his side as we walked toward the celebrations.
“You can let me go, you know. I’m not running away.”
“No.”
By the gods and all their godlings, it was so clear that this was Dion’s favorite word, and he knew how crazy it drove me when he answered in such a curt manner. I grumbled and sent him my most beautiful scowl but refrained from further escape attempts that were doomed from the beginning anyway.
It was only a short walk to the area where the pyres were located. A few stalls with food and drink were scattered around, and we’d just arrived in time to witness some villagers lighting the kindling with torches, bringing the Samhain fires to life.
“Blessed Samhain.” Dion canted his head.
“To you too. And to you.”
Great. The thing I’d feared all the time had happened. I’d been talking to the tendril wrapped around my forearm. But when it nudged me in return, I buried my embarrassment and instead peered at the pyre nearest to me. Children ran around the fire and played some sort of game I didn’t know.
Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker days—a time of ends, renewal, and new beginnings.
It was also the day to remember the dead and learn from their sacrifices.
Dark days were lying ahead indeed, and I wondered what kind of sacrifices I’d have to make in the near future. The urge to talk became more pressing.
“Dion?”
“Yes, Naya?”
Well, I had his attention, and he glowered less angry or detached at me than he’d done in days.
He still had his arm casually wrapped around me, and I sensed it would be unwise to attempt to break free from his grasp.
Was that how it would be if we did the binding?
A constant struggle for independence that I’d ultimately lose because I was physically weaker?
“Do you think it’s selfish of me to refuse the binding?”
“Why do you think that’s selfish?”
“Well, aren’t we trying to stop the situation with Ivreia and Galanta? Wouldn’t it be our duty to take every advantage we can get?”
The words had just left my mouth when Dion spun me around to face him, and his gaze drilled into mine with an intensity that made me shrink.
“Listen to me, Nayana. I told you before not to think about it. We don’t need the Rite.
Just because you’ve decided to fight for the greater good doesn’t mean it’s your duty to sacrifice your values. ”
“What if Antas’ dreams led you to me so someone of you would bind with me? What if I’m derailing a bigger plan?”
“What ifs are always dangerous. Don’t lose yourself in them, or it’ll drive you mad. You should make your decisions because you want to make them, not because you feel obliged to do so.”
“What about you? You’ve never shared your perspective.”
Dion was silent for a while, and when he spoke again, he sounded almost…insecure. “I’m conflicted, Nayana. On one hand, yes, I definitely want to bind, but on the other hand, it scares me shitless.”
My eyes widened. Dion admitting to being afraid was rare. “Why does it scare you?”
Dion huffed, and his absent gaze told me he was searching for the right words. “The Rite of Binding bares the participants to each other on a level I’m not comfortable with.”