“Good,” Sean nodded. “It won’t stop a lucky or well-aimed shot, but it will make it harder for them. It’s also time for you all to know the truth about my Life Bond with Myna and Ryann.” Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Sean downed his tea and set the cup aside. “I told you before that Myna was gravely injured, but that isn’t true— she was dead. Ryann died last night, as well. One of my gifts from the Tuatha Dé Danann is the ability to push death back. It’s the reason I exhausted myself and almost all of you. It comes with a price... it binds our souls in a Bond. There is no way to stop it, but you have to be willing to come back.”
Andrea and Chastity’s jaws dropped, and the Messenger Fairies had all gone dead still in shock. Ida nodded slowly at Sean, looking at him with subdued awe.
“With Myna, what convinced her to come back was the promise of revenge on the people who butchered the village we fled from. Ryann’s price was to be equal to Fiona and Myna. I would rather never have to Life Bond another person to bring them back to life, but I will try if one of you dies. It will be your choice, then, but I will try.”
“Dead? Ryann… you died?” Andrea was the first to speak, her voice barely at a whisper.
“Yes,” Ryann replied. “I drifted out of my body and saw Ida screaming for me. A darkness reached out and took hold of my spirit. It was drawing me away when I heard Sean cry out for me. I didn’t hear him, but felt him when he reached for me. He promised me anything if I would come back to him.” Shaking her head as her cheeks heated, she exhaled, “I asked for the one thing I feared to ask for: to be his, and he accepted. The moment I agreed, I felt his energy embrace me and pull me from the darkness. I can’t explain what it felt like besides… safe, warm... home.”
“Yes,” Myna nodded. “His energy surrounds you, accepts you for who you are, and welcomes you.”
Now it was Sean who was uncomfortable, “Really?”
Andrea and Chastity were staring at Sean like he had grown a second head, but Ida was looking at him with reverence. “Not only do you give us so much, give our families so much... you would even push death back to keep us beside you.”
“I’d rather never have to do it again,” Sean replied.
“We need to go,” Fiona said, getting to her feet. “Andrea, Chastity, if the scouts tell you that you are going to be attacked, try to get to safety. Just stay as safe as you can. They’ll let us know and we will come get you. You have some training in defending yourself, but make that the last resort.”
“We will,” Andrea said. “We’ll go out after dinner.”
Sean stood, “No matter what happens, I’ll come get you if there’s a problem.”
Both of them bowed their heads, “Thank you, sir,” they said in unison.
Heading out the door a minute later, Sean caught flashes of silver in the air fluttering from house to house ahead of them. Some of his anxiety faded when he saw them, knowing that he would have warning of any more attempts to ambush him.
“Sean,” Fiona said softly, “are you okay with Ryann?”
Taking a minute to really consider the question, Sean nodded, “Yes, actually. I admit, I found her attractive from the beginning, but I pushed it away because I already had you two,” he squeezed Fiona’s and Myna’s hands. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone, so I took all of those thoughts and shelved them.”
“You know Ida will be asking soon, now,” Fiona continued.
“That still feels weird to me,” Sean admitted. “I mean, I can understand it when you explain it, but at the same time... it means she’s giving her life over to me, and I have a hard time with that concept. I won’t deny her if she asks. I’m accepting what is.”
“Thank you, Master,” Myna smiled, kissing his cheek.
“We aren’t asking you to do more than that,” Fiona said. “Anyone who wishes to join our family will need to Life Bond and bring something worthy to our circle. There might be exceptions,” she started to hedge, “but that is where we stand as your wives.”
“Okay. Anyone who wants to join is going to have to be approved by my current wives, anyway. I don’t want fights because people can’t get along. I know you’ll all have moments where you clash, but I don’t want two or more of you hating one another all the time.”
“We understand. We’ll do our best to follow your wishes, husband,” Fiona smiled.
Chapter Six
As they were being led into a formal dining room, Sean apologized, “Sorry for holding everything up.”
“It’s fine,” Fredrick replied. “Now that everyone is here, please take your seats. You’ll find your name at your chair.”
Sean greeted everyone as he looked for his seat. Everyone is here, even the kids, Sean smiled. Well, almost everyone. I see Brendis and Brendan didn’t come. “Sam, is everything okay at home?”
“Yes. Brendis thought it best to stay home, and Brendan wanted to stay with him,” Sam replied. “Are we able to come over tomorrow for dinner?”
“I take it Brendis wants to see her?” Sean asked.
“He was beside himself, but finally calmed down,” Sam nodded.
“We’ll gladly have you all over. You can use our bath before, if you’d like.”
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
Sean found his seat, which was to the right of Fredrick, and shook his head. “I’m the guest of honor?”
“Of course,” a number of people said in unison, laughing.
“Fine, but first: my gift to the host,” Sean grinned. He carefully placed two round metal bands on the table in front of Fredrick. “I hope you like them.”
Roberta, who had been standing behind Fredrick, gasped when she saw them, clearly recognizing the items. Fredrick frowned and picked up the bronze bands, looking them over curiously. “There are no hinges, and they are much too small for my wrists. I give up, Sean. What are they?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at Sean, who had taken his seat when he finished seating his wives.
“Roberta, can you explain what they are?” Sean asked with a grin.
Roberta blinked, but shook her head rapidly.
“Roberta, please explain what these are if you know.”
“They are ear cuffs, like the ones that my family at the Oaken Glen have been buying from him, sir. Except... they haven’t had any made in bronze yet.”
Fredrick nodded slowly, “Your house gift to me is actually a gift for my head maid?”
“My gift to you is an item I haven’t made for anyone to date, and I recall someone saying they felt the same as I do about certain parts of society.”
Fredrick laughed and held the bands up over his head. “Roberta, it seems I have a present for you from our distinguished guest.”
Roberta stood in place for a long moment, before stepping forward and taking them. “Thank you, MacDougal… I am honored.”
“If you put them on, I’ll make sure they fit as perfectly as they can,” Sean said.
“No, I will,” Fiona sighed. “I asked you to try to rest and not use too much energy.”
“Or my wife will,” Sean continued as if he had intended to say so all along.
Several of the ladies at the table chuckled softly at the byplay. Knox’s wife spoke just loud enough for people to hear her say, “See? That is how a man graciously accepts his wife always being right, husband.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Knox sighed, earning laughter from the men at the table.
“There you go,” Fiona smiled at the Rabbit Moonbound. “Do they feel good?”
“I can’t even tell they’re there... I understand what they’ve been saying, now. It’s always been difficult for us to have ear adornments that work, but don’t cause pain or hinder us.”
“Have you patented those yet, MacDougal?” Eva asked, sipping her wine.
“I probably should,” Sean admitted. “Wasn’t sure there’d be a rush, especially since most people dismiss the Moonbound.”
“It’ll end up being another social status symb
ol, being able to adorn even the lowest worker with decorations,” Eva told him. “Could I get you to give me the rights to silver, as you have with the hair clips?”
“Business after dinner,” Fredrick sighed, “please.”
“Of course,” Eva smiled at the Dwarf, “sorry. I can imagine Lady Sharpeyes wanting some for her staff, is all.”
“Roberta, we are all here. Please begin dinner,” Fredrick said.
Dinner was a five-course affair, excellently prepared and presented. The smiths, not accustomed to such rich food, proclaimed their love of each dish as they sampled them. The Shapers agreed it was good, but were not as effusive with their praise. As the dessert course came to an end, everyone felt pleasantly stuffed, and some drowsiness started to settle over the people who were not used to eating so much.
“You are free to retire to the parlor for tea, if you wish,” Fredrick told them. “I’ll try not to hold your loved ones any longer than needed. If the rest of you will follow me to the study, we can discuss business.”
Fredrick led those directly involved with the bathhouse to the study. Sean took in the understated richness of the room with a soft whistle. Nothing was overdone, but the wealth was there to be seen if one paid attention.
“Please, be seated,” Fredrick said, heading for the biggest chair in the room. “Roberta, if you’d bring out the drinks?” he asked the maid.
“Of course, sir.”
“Who’s taking care of our wives?” Knox asked.
“Roberta’s daughter,” Fredrick replied. “She is learning so she can replace her mother in time.”
“You must be proud,” Fiona said, taking the drink offered.
“I am,” Roberta smiled.
“About the patent to make those in silver, Sean,” Eva said as soon as she had a drink in hand, “are you willing?”
“Same deal as before,” Sean replied. “Though I’m sure I won’t be able to hide for long, not once the bathhouse opens.”
“Since business seems to have started already,” Fredrick said, a little miffed, “I would like to arrange the same Agreement for the more precious metals, though I’m certain those will be very rare.”
“I’ll take care of it tomorrow,” Sean told him.
“We missed seeing the new kettle,” Joseph commented. “Would we be able to do so tomorrow?”
“If we did it first thing,” Sean nodded. “Tomorrow is rapidly becoming busy for me.”
“I was thinking about the man who approached you last night, Sean,” Eva said. “I’ve seen him before, at a party about five years ago. It was held by the Dominguez family, when Colin Dominguez was being introduced to the Shapers so he could get an apprenticeship.”
Glass shattering got everyone’s attention. Sean hissed and slowly opened his hand, the bloody shards of glass falling to the wooden floor. “Sorry for the mess, Fredrick. I didn’t intend to do that,” Sean’s voice was tight as he spoke through the pain.
“Roberta, if you would get the small pliers and some towels,” Fredrick said, staring at Sean’s hand with a raised eyebrow. “Sean, I would caution you against thinking that your troubles are linked to them. What happened to you is much too straightforward for them or for anyone used to dealing with even the minor nobles. I’d suggest pointing the Sergeant at them and staying back. Let the guards handle things as much as they can, first. It would be bad if you did something rash and ended up before the magistrate again. That would be bad for all of us.”
Sean resisted the urge to heal his hand and waited for Roberta to come back. “I agree, but it doesn’t make me not want to go kick in their door.”
“I can’t believe the guards were involved,” Sam said softly. “I’ve always thought they were paid enough to stop this kind of thing from being possible.”
“It might not have been money,” Ryan suggested. “It could be favors owed. Having anyone in society owe you a favor is better than coin in most cases.”
“I’m sorry,” Roberta said, rushing to Sean’s side with a bundle of cloth and a pair of needle-nose pliers. “Can you open your hand a little more?” she asked as she knelt on Sean’s side, away from the broken glass.
Myna went to stand behind Sean, placing her hands on his shoulders. “Please endure, Master. I’m sure she will make this as quick and painless as possible.”
“You think it’s someone using the thin connection to the Dominguez family to deflect suspicion?” Italice asked Fredrick.
“It’s possible. It makes more sense than a blatant move on their part, but it also depends on if that man is still associated with them. I can’t say I ever noticed him at any of their parties.”
“We’re still moving forward with the bathhouse, right?” Knox asked. “Fiona has already finished the outside, and said that she thinks she’ll have the interior done soon, too. We’ll need to get the stones for the flooring soon.”
“I’ll have that in the next few days,” Italice told him. “It’ll take me a couple of days to get the stones positioned and in. How are the pipes for the drains coming?”
“Been working on them,” Callon replied. “It’s a lot of pipes. Avery?”
“I’ll have mine done tomorrow. They could use a Shaper going over them though, to make sure they’re as good as they can be,” Avery Blackhammer added. “If I had any idea life would go like this the first day Sean approached us, I would never have left.”
The others nodded, not looking at Sean. He was doing his best to stay quiet as Roberta pulled the slivers from his hand. They all winced when Roberta apologized before pouring some whiskey over his hand to clear the blood and show her the last few glass pieces.
Sean went white, his teeth grinding hard in the suddenly silent room. “I hope you’re almost done,” he gritted out.
“Tougher than me,” Leith Werrick winced, shuddering at the thought.
The other apprentices in the room agreed, except Ida, who stared at Sean with wide eyes, hardly blinking. Ryann held the towels for Roberta, trying to make things easier for Sean.
“When we get the bathhouse open will depend on how soon the place is done, and if Sean has finished his research into what he’s trying to do,” Fredrick said into the silence.
“If we can save on heating costs, we’ll have a real leg up on the other bathhouses,” Knox said.
“Even the upscale ones have heating costs, though theirs come from the heating enchantments on their stoves. I’m not sure if it saves them much overall, but it makes the patrons there feel like they’re being pampered even more,” Eva said. “I look forward to what Sean does, and I’ll be having him upgrade my bathing chamber, too.”
“Once we’re done with this project, I’ll be looking to have a small bathing room added to my home,” Fredrick smiled.
“I need to rub this salve into your hand before it’s covered,” Roberta told Sean and set the pliers aside.
“I’ll do that,” Fiona said, holding out her hand for the salve. “Thank you.”
Sean hissed when Fiona began to apply the salve. “Sorry for my distraction,” he got out through a grimace. “Take the pipes to the bathhouse, and we’ll make sure they are ready to be set. I’ll get the runes inscribed so you can power them when you can, Ryan.”
“Thank you,” Ryan nodded. “I’ll stop by over the next few days to do as much as I can.”
Ryann was ready to wrap Sean’s hand as soon as Fiona had the salve applied. Sean looked down in surprise when he realized that he no longer felt any pain from his injury.
“I can’t feel my hand,” Sean said.
“The salve helps it heal and deadens the pain,” Roberta said while she swept up the broken glass.
“You should see a healer about that,” Fredrick said. “She might have missed some.”
“I don’t think she did,” Sean said. He had removed the smallest pieces from his hand before Roberta even started, but the bandage was showing small spots of pink already. “But I will be seeing one. I think I’ll go and ge
t it seen now, actually. I’ll see you all tomorrow morning.”
“Maybe we should all call it a night,” Sam said, getting to her feet.
“No, don’t leave because of me,” Sean said. “Tonight is a good night. Enjoy it.”
“Roberta, if you will see them out?” Fredrick asked. “I hope a healer can help without too much trouble.”
“I’m going to go ahead and leave. I did leave my husband at home, after all. I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Sam said.
Once they were out of the room, Ida moved to walk beside Sam, speaking quietly, “Mother, we need to talk.”
Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4) Page 6
