Soulbound (The Return of the Elves Book 1)

by Bethany Adams

  Tensing, she turned with them to the portal. Kai strode forward to activate the spell, then frowned at the sight of the plain stone room that appeared. “Odd. The main portal is closed.”

  Though his eyes narrowed, Lyr shrugged. “He has always skirted insult. Father found it more amusing than I ever have.”

  Dread tightened Arlyn’s chest as she examined the room on the other side of the portal. Was the rest of the house so austere? Her shoulders practically itched for the bow she couldn’t carry for this type of visit. At least the men wore ceremonial daggers. She wouldn’t be able to do the same until she’d finished formal training.

  With a last deep breath, Arlyn gripped Kai’s hand and stepped through.

  Ralan stared out the window of his tower once more, but this time, the garden was empty. Eri would barely speak to him, and he had no idea what to do. He’d always believed he would be pleased to never return to Moranaia. But had he ever been happy during his time on Earth? He winced. Until the birth of his daughter, no. And now past bitterness was affecting his relationship with her. His very heart.

  Perhaps Eri was right. Perhaps it was time to reclaim his place as seer. So much had happened both here and on Earth that he could no longer allow his fear to rule him, and the only way he could understand why his daughter was upset was to Look for himself. He could only hope the talent had not faded too much with disuse. He would need much practice to make up for all of the lost years. With a groan, he turned from the window and settled into his seat, ready to unlock a part of himself he had never intended to use again.

  “So you seek me out once more.”

  Ralan’s gaze darted around the room, but he did not find the source of the voice. The voice that sounded like—

  “HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ME?”

  He blanched at the raw anger in Her tone. “My goddess Megelien, of course I have not forgotten you. It has been so long since I was blessed by Your presence it took me but a moment to recognize your voice.”

  “Your departure hurt me deeply, even knowing for many years that it would likely be so. Do not make me regret rejoicing at your return.”

  Despite attempts to do otherwise, Ralan had missed Her as well. Although not clergy in the traditional sense, seers had a deep relationship with the Goddess of Time. Those born with great ability were chosen by Megelien before birth, their innate psychic talents augmented by the goddess. Only She knew why some were elevated, and such secrets were kept even from the seers themselves.

  “Please forgive me, my lady. I did not think that You could contact me on Earth.” He paused, then shook his head. “That is not entirely correct. I was afraid—of my abilities and of Your anger when I chose not to use them.”

  “All was as it had to be. You have returned to your home and your destiny. Open your mind and See.”

  His breath whooshed out as images of the futures filled his mind. So many possibilities, so many strands of probability. He was lost in a universe of what ifs. What would happen if he sighed, turned his head the other direction? What if the cook in the kitchen took an extra step to the left? Ralan gripped his hands in his hair, squeezing his head as the differing paths overwhelmed him. Too long unused to their raging flow.

  Just as he started to falter, to doubt, the steady influence of Megelien filled his mind. Reminded him how to manage the strands. He narrowed his focus and discarded the least probable and the most inconsequential. Then he turned his attention to the strands of those closest to him.

  In less than two heartbeats, they passed through the portal. After spending so long crossing between Earth and Moranaia, Arlyn had tensed with fear as she’d stepped through, but this experience had been no worse than stepping over a threshold. She glanced back to see the image of Lyr’s home before the portal closed, then blinked in surprise at the two guards who had flanked the entrance. Did her father expect trouble? She’d detected no visible threat in the room they had just entered. It was, in fact, rather small and drab, just gray stone walls and a plain wooden door with no decoration.

  The door opened, and a diminutive male elf dressed in a simple tunic and pants quietly bade them to follow. Her father did so without a word, though Arlyn knew from her connection with Kai that something was off. She had prepared to be greeted by Kai’s father just as she and Lyr had met Selia. The situation was certainly different than what she had expected, but Arlyn was uncertain if it would be considered rude by Moranaian standards.

  “Is this normal?” she asked her bonded.

  “I don’t like it. Why bother to invite us just to offer this kind of slight?”

  Arlyn shivered at the chill of the hall they passed through. “Maybe we should go home.”

  “Lyr will not back down against one under his command. If there’s a problem, it’s his job to solve it. Just be on your guard.”

  The elf led them down two short halls, then took a turn to the left. Nothing but eerie silence. Though she’d grown accustomed to the quiet nature of the Moranaians, this went beyond what she had come to consider normal. As if even the cold stone was afraid to settle in its foundation. The walls were bare, no painting or decoration, and the sconces were the simplest she had seen. The whole effect was creepy, if she were honest with herself. Arlyn could hardly imagine Kai growing up in such a place.

  “Why is this estate so different?”

  “My family came to Moranaia much later than yours. My grandfather chose a style that suited his life from before.”

  Arlyn didn’t want to know where they’d come from if this was the result.

  The elf trudged toward a large door, this one ornately carved. It was so incongruous that Arlyn skipped a step. Their guide, intent on opening the door as quietly as possible, didn’t seem to notice. His gaze darted around the hall before he gestured for them to enter, then rushed away without a word.

  Arlyn’s fingers tangled in the fabric of her dress as Kai led her forward. With a worried glance, he squeezed her other hand. This wasn’t right. Really, really wasn’t right. Couldn’t they feel it? But though she could sense unease from Kai, both he and her father appeared relaxed, their expressions impassive. Maybe this wasn’t that outside of normal here. How would she know?

  Without hesitation, her father walked through the door, leaving them to follow. It took all of her willpower not to stop once more in the threshold. The room reminded her of a Great Hall straight out of a medieval castle, from the throne at the end to the tapestries and guards lining the walls. Guards who all carried swords.

  An elf with short blond hair sat in a carved stone seat in the middle of a huge dais. His face showed no expression, but something about his eyes, as blank as his face, made Arlyn want to shudder. Shouldn’t he show some pleasure at the sight of his son? Though strangers were present, she would have expected that. With his tunic, pants, and overcoat in various shades of red, he could have been another decoration in the ostentatious room. Her mouth went dry.

  As they came to a stop at the foot of the dais, Allafon frowned. “Where is Lady Lynia?”

  Both males tensed at the abrupt question, and Lyr took another step forward. “My mother is resting at home. Since the loss of her bonded, she rarely leaves Braelyn.”

  “I am surprised you would let her isolate herself. It is not good for her health.”

  “Her health is none of your concern,” Lyr answered, his tone frigid.

  “It will be.” Allafon stood, sneering. “Your House owes me.”

  “Our House has always met its obligations to you.” Lyr’s shoulders tightened, and Arlyn caught a glimpse of his hand clenching. “What is the meaning of this, Allafon? It is clear your invitation misrepresented the occasion, and your lack of proper greeting goes beyond the bounds of mere insult.”

  Allafon stepped down from the dais, his red overcoat flowing around him like blood. “Didn’t you know, boy? We are at war. We have been since your father sent my bonded on her last mission, the one that led to her death. This meeting has been long in c
oming.”

  “What are you talking about?” Kai moved forward, bringing Arlyn with him. “Mother fell down the stairs.”

  The smile that lighted Allafon’s eyes could in no way be called pleasant. “I pushed the cheating whore down those stairs. She came back from that mission carrying you, by whom I could not say. Probably some human wretch. I would have killed her then, but I knew the suspicion that would cause. I had hoped that raising you as my own would provide some benefit, but I should have known better. It is Telien Dianore’s fault she was tempted. She should have stayed in this house where she belonged.”

  The echo of his words faded into silence. Through their bond, Arlyn experienced the sudden nausea that tightened Kai’s gut even as he let out a startled breath. As she struggled to push back her own doubt and confusion, Arlyn looked over to see her father’s face, blank with shock. Allafon’s hostility made no sense. The story made no sense. She had not been with Kai for long, but she already knew that cheating on one’s bonded would be agonizing. He had to be insane.

  Kai’s hand went to his dagger. “You lie.”

  “I assure you, it is the truth.” Allafon’s smile widened. “And I would not recommend pulling that. I have three archers with iron arrowheads pointed at your hearts.”

  At a gesture, the three in question shifted on the balcony, their arrows suddenly evident. The guards along the wall stepped forward, three carrying heavy-looking iron shackles. Arlyn’s stomach sank as she tried not to panic. If they were bound with those, her father would take the worst of it. She opened her mouth to ask a question, to cause a distraction, but Allafon pulled an iron blade from the belt at his waist. In a move too fast to track, he put it to her neck.

  “You will allow yourselves to be chained, or she dies now. Choose wisely.”

  Ralan checked the strands once more, but there was no mistake. And little he could do. With a cry, he pulled himself from the trance and cursed at the seconds it took to regain his bearings. Though he knew what would happen, he sent a thought toward Lyr, only to encounter the expected shield surrounding Allafon’s estate. He could take the time to break through, but it would cost him. It would cost them all.

  The futures were surprisingly diverse, and so many actions could cause disaster if the right paths were not taken by all involved. Ralan jumped up and ran for the tower door. He had the slimmest chance to help, the slightest possibility. Taking the stairs two at a time, he sent out his consciousness, searching for Lial. When he found his cousin, he broke through his shields with ruthless disregard.

  “Meet me in the library.”

  Anger surged along the link. “You abuse your gift.”

  “I’ve had a vision.” Ralan skidded along the landing, then headed for the proper hall. “Get your ass to the library. Now. By order of your prince.”

  Ralan closed off his mind to Lial, not caring to hear his cousin’s grumbling. He sent his mind along the strands and hoped something had changed. But no. He picked up speed. And prayed to the Nine Gods he’d get there in time.

  The top level of the library was Lynia’s favorite place to read. She could see much of the estate through the broad windows, and few bothered to climb so many stairs to break her solitude. After centuries spent here with Telien, this place soothed her loneliness like no other. Sometimes, she could almost hear him whisper, sharing his opinions as he had so long ago.

  And when her research grew frustrating, this chair was where she always settled.

  Like today.

  Lynia tapped her finger on the open page of the book she held. Nothing. She had checked again, and not a single exile to Earth could cast an energy-poisoning spell. In fact, the only capable person exiled anywhere in the last four millennia had been Kien, Ralan’s brother, but he had been secluded on a distant world. Could he have found a way to pass the spell through the Veil? She would have to find Selia and ask if the mage knew if it was possible.

  She heard the door open below and looked over the railing to see Norin, staring up at her with a smile. He was one of the few who knew of her preference for the library, but he almost never bothered her here. Actually, he had rarely spoken to her at all since her bonded’s death. He had been with the Dianore family for almost a thousand years, captain of the guard for nearly six hundred, and had grown quite close to Telien. Out of mutual grief and respect, they spent little time in each other’s company.

  With a disappointed huff, she watched him climb the stairs that spiraled up the tower. Though she did not dislike him, Lynia would have preferred he turn around and leave. She was no fit company at the moment, and the required pleasantries seemed like too much work. Bad enough that she would have to struggle through polite exchanges with Selia. Though the mage seemed kind, even that formality was exhausting to consider.

  Lynia would much rather settle in by the window and read.

  Despite her silent hope to the contrary, Norin reached her in short order. “Good day to you, Lady Lynia.”

  “And to you, Belore Norin,” she answered, barely managing to stifle a sigh.

  “Please excuse the brevity of my greeting. I have been sent by Myern Lyrnis to request your presence at Oria. Kaienan’s father seemed quite distraught by your absence.”

  He had climbed all the way up the tower to deliver such a message when he could have contacted her telepathically? His expression was pleasant, quite as though he had encountered her on a stroll around the garden, but her hands tightened on the book anyway. Lyr would not have asked her to come no matter how upset Allafon became. Though he had lost his own mate before the bond had been completed, her son came closer than anyone to understanding her pain and seclusion. On this issue, he might have even fought the king.

  “What is this really about, Norin? Though Oria is a good distance from here, I’ve no doubt that Lyr could have contacted me himself with such a request.”

  Norin’s smile hardened. “You will come with me. The Myern was quite insistent.”

  Lynia snapped the book closed and stood. “I do not believe you.”

  “Lord Allafon will clear up everything. He will reward us both when his current troubles have been resolved.”

  “Troubles?”

  Norin tried to grab her arm, but she slipped to the side. “We must not mingle with humans, Lynia. Telien considered it. Did you know he was thinking of returning us to their world?

  “He considered resuming contact with them, yes.” Lynia tightened her grip on the book and hoped she wouldn’t have to use it as a weapon. Blood was difficult to get out of paper, even with a spell. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Did you know Allafon’s own bonded betrayed him on a scouting mission?”

  She tried not to tremble at the odd, crazed glint in Norin’s eyes. “You are not making sense.”

  “With a human, Lynia.” Norin’s fists clenched. “Allafon thinks she slept with a human. And now Lyr has let more of this foul blood into our House. But Allafon will clear it.”

  Gods. He was insane. Lynia crept backward toward the stairs, her only hope of escape. Her shields could hold against a magical attack, but Norin was a warrior. And she had not practiced her defensive moves in decades. Her vision narrowed down to only him as her fingers gripped the leather tome she held. Would it even help?

  “Elerie never would have betrayed her bonded.” She took another slow step back. “And Telien’s discussions about the humans were little more than idle thoughts.”

  “Idle thoughts?” he hissed out, ignoring her other claim. “His plans were solid enough to bring his death.”

  Her throat tightened around a gasp. “You,” she choked out. “You killed him. All this time and I never knew.”

  Norin shrugged. “I tried to change his mind. When I could not, my superiors ordered it.”

  “This is madness.”

  “Madness is bringing a half-blood here and calling her heir.” Norin drew his blade. “You will come with me now. Perhaps you can talk your son into seeing
reason.”

  “I doubt my ability to reason has anything to do with why Allafon desires my presence. I will not go with you. I will not be used against my son.”

  Lynia reached the first step as he grabbed her arm. Before she could pull away, the crash of the door and a rush of feet distracted them both. Her eyes widened at the panic on Ralan’s face, and for a moment, she froze. Then Norin’s hand tightened, and she tugged at her arm with renewed vigor. The book slipped from her sweat-slicked hands to thud on the floor at her feet.

  She started to slip just before the bite of Norin’s blade seared her side. She screamed with it, the sound echoing through the tower, and a smirk settled over Norin’s face. Had Telien seen that same look? With her last bit of strength, she grasped his wrist. A smile of satisfaction curved her mouth as she pulled her bonded’s murderer over the side. If she died, she would take him with her.

  “No!” Ralan rushed forward. “No, Lynia!”

  He knelt beside her still form, partly slumped over Norin’s body. She’d managed to turn the captain so he took the brunt of the fall, but her lower half had hit the stone. Ralan lifted his hands. Pulled them back. He couldn’t move her with a broken spine. Only Lial could help her now, provided he followed the path that brought him here quickly.

  If the healer stopped to talk to his assistant, Lynia was doomed.

  She let out a groan as she tried to shift, and Ralan risked a light touch on her head to calm her. “Stay still. You’re badly injured.”

  He felt the gentle brush of her mind, so faint one of lesser talent might not have noticed, and opened his mind to her without hesitation. “Take care of Lyr. Give him my love.”

  “You will not die,” he answered aloud, hoping to center her in this world. “Hold on.”

  Her breath shuddered out, and the pain that passed through their mental link made him wince. “Promise.”

  “You know I will protect Lyr. You don’t have to die for that.”