CHAPTER 47 #3
Their bond rocked with the rush of another life – another set of memories, flooding into her. The life she hadn’t lived, but had begged the Arcanth for.
“What–” she gasped.
He saw flashes only: them defeating Silas together. Him alive, the two of them walking away from the battlefield, his hand warm in hers. Their laughter echoing through Thorne’s halls. Nights where she curled against him and heard the steady beat of his heart, not silence.
She gripped him tighter. “I remember,” she said hoarsely. “Sebastian – I remember both. Two lives. The one where you–” she stopped, unable to say it, “–and the one where you lived.”
He’d woken with both lives stitched into him, but her grief had been so raw, so consuming; perhaps her mind hadn’t been able to bear the memories until now. He steadied her by the shoulders, waiting as she took it all in. Saw the strangeness of it on her face.
“So do I,” he whispered.
Her face transformed. “We won. We rode here, to Thorne together.” She laughed, broken but full of joy. “You asked me to marry you. On the way here – you asked me.”
Sebastian reached for the memory – let it stir in his mind.
Riding double on his valmare, his arms wrapped around her, the battlefield behind them.
They’d survived. There was no enemy at their heels, no pyres or prisons or blades hanging over them.
Just them. He’d been so nervous. Ridiculous, really.
They were already Soulbonded, their fates bound deeper than any marriage vow.
But that wasn’t enough for him. He wanted it to be official.
In name as well as soul. Wanted her to be Lady Karalynna Thorne.
So when they’d stopped to make camp that night, he’d asked.
He remembered clearing his throat, stuttering as he dropped to one knee.
“Kara, I know–I know it’s mad, after everything, but I love you. I’ll always love you. Marry me. Be my wife.”
No ring, no ceremony, only him and his words. And she’d bent down, tears of joy falling as she’d said fiercely, “Yes, Sebastian, a thousand times yes.”
The memory flooded through them both, and it filled him up, echoing undeniable joy across their bond. He felt it burn away the sharper edges of her grief.
“I said yes,” she said, eyes shining.
He looked at her wonderingly. “Yes, you did.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes, yes!” she cried.
“You’re mine,” he growled, holding her tightly. “Lady Thorne.”
She smiled up at him. “Always. I’m always yours.”
A part-horrified, part-amused look crossed her face.
“What?” he demanded, wary now.
“Our wedding,” she blurted out, almost hysterically. “It’s here, in Thorne. In a little over a month. Apparently we invited half the damned realm.”
Sebastian gave a quiet huff of laughter. “You let Rowan and Saffra near the guest list, didn’t you?”
She laughed brightly. Gods, he lived for that sound.
“They might have had something to do with it,” she admitted, giggling.
Sebastian shook his head, half a groan, half a laugh. “What have I agreed to?”
“You agreed to me,” Kara teased, brushing her nose against his.
“That I’ll never regret.” He pulled her close, kissing her softly.
A voice disturbed them.
“Sebastian, Kara? You both out here?” Tobias called.
“Does he remember?” Sebastian asked urgently.
“I don’t know,” Kara answered, hiding her bloodied hands inside the sleeves of her dress.
Tobias appeared in the courtyard, his expression calm. He smiled at the sight of them. Easy, natural. Not the face of a man who remembered burying his son. Sebastian heard Kara’s voice in his mind.
He doesn’t remember. Maybe it’s just us.
He nodded and sent one thought back, hard and certain. Sebastian felt a slight burn in the scars as he cast the Caldris magic. Bearable.
Then we tell no one.
Kara had used forbidden magic. She didn’t need to give the Council another excuse to drag her to trial. This was their secret to protect, whatever it took.
“Are you well, Kara?” Tobias asked, taking in her blotchy and tear-stained face.
“We were talking about Gregor, father,” Sebastian lied smoothly.
Tobias nodded once, grim-faced, a soldier’s understanding. “A good fighter I’m told. I’m sure Durent will feel the loss.”
“Yes, they will,” Sebastian agreed.
“I came to tell you, Kara, your cousin has arrived. Apparently, there are wedding preparations she insists on helping with,” Tobias said.
Kara’s face lit up. “Alys is here?”
“Yes, she’s waiting in the hall,” Tobias smiled. “Although I’m told your father is most unhappy about it.”
I don’t give a damn.
Sebastian’s mouth curved in something between a smirk and a snarl. “Let him be unhappy. The Council pardoned us. The Arcanth was returned, and Vallenna still stands. If he’s the only one who can’t see that, that’s his problem.”
The bond between them sang, complete and joyful. It hummed with the quiet promise that no Council, no father, not even death would ever come between them again.
“Come on,” Sebastian said, voice softer now. “Let’s go find her.” He looked down at her. “But we’re getting you some food on the way.”
“I’m fine–”
“You’re eating,” he said, tugging her towards the kitchens.