They fell swiftly, silently.
Any moment they would hit the ground and it would be over. She didnât know why he had chosen to kill her; she was his only friend. How bizarre then that she had never felt safer, even though death surely beckoned. She knew the drug had dulled her senses but she thought she heard air rushing by in a strange shrieking. And she could feel Regâs presence: the hardness of his body against hers, his long, strong arms holding her securely. Despite the disorientation, she felt wholly connected to him â down to the soft scratch of his beard against her skin.
Maybe this was right. They were lost souls anyway, neither of them able to get on easily with others. And her work at the hospital drew the wrong sort of interest; people had begun hailing her as having powers above and beyond genuine skill and talent. It was ridiculous, of course, but it was understandable given her uncanny knack for healing.
A healer. Thatâs how she viewed herself. She was a curer of ills; sheâd never said it out loud but it seemed Reg alone had understood it ⦠and understood her.
And because of that she couldnât hate him for killing them both. Without him her life would be empty. Without his friendship, like a rock jutting out of the ocean that she could cling to, she would be adrift in a sea of meaningless comings and goings â even her work would feel empty, pointless.
Why was it taking so long for them to hit the ground? What was that screaming noise, as though the very air was being torn apart around them?
Had she just heard Reg say something? Maybe here we go, Evie? She felt him hold her tighter still, if that were possible, tucking her head into the warmth of his neck, shielding her face from the whistle and buffet of that wind they were rushing through.
And then suddenly they were tumbling on something solid. Her fall was cushioned though; first her legs, then her back and shoulders touched inanimate objects. She had no idea what but it didnât hurt. How did that happen? She wanted to open her eyes but they were squeezed shut with fear. It sounded as though branches were snapping! Trees? ⦠How could that be?
With no warning the breath was sucked out of her as Genevieve, the first princess of the Valisars to survive in centuries, blacked out.
And across the empire, various people felt the stirrings of a mighty magic they had never felt before.
Though the two men walked side by side they looked anything but companionable.
âDid you feel it?â the younger one asked.
Greven didnât want to admit it but there was no point in hiding much from Piven these days. While his mind was essentially his own, his actions were not. It didnât matter how hard he fought the bonding magic, it had him completely at its mercy. âI felt it,â he said, gruff and disinterested.
âAnd what do you think it is?â
âWhy are you concerning yourself with what I think? I just do as Iâm told.â
âIs this how itâs going to be from now on, Greven?â
âWhat did you expect?â
Piven made a soft scolding sound, clicking his tongue. âAnd I can remember not so long ago your telling me just how much you loved me and wanted to protect me.â
âI did. But my love was given freely then. And I had two hands then. And I didnât know what you were then.â
âAnd what am I? No, donât, let me say it for you. A monster? Is that the right word?â When Greven said nothing, Piven continued, âBecause I really havenât changed that much, you know. I still love you, Greven. I always have.â
âYou once loved your brother.â
âAh, but you havenât deserted me as my brother has. He must pay for that.â
âYour sister had no choice in her desertion.â
âThis is true,â Piven admitted, slapping at some tall grasses at the side of the Tomlyn road. âShe was helpless. But she is helpless no longer, and you know as well as I she will try to destroy me now. That disturbance we just felt was likely none other than her returning home.â
Greven was genuinely startled. âI felt the disturbance but hadnât given it much thought ⦠of course youâre right. Are you frightened?â
Piven threw him a wry glance. âNo,â he replied with a gentle scoff. âI have you.â He pointed to where the main road forked. âWe go left to the capital.â
âLetâs go right, Piven. Letâs head south, keep you safe.â
âI am safe. You are here.â
âI think you are depending on me too much.â
âBut thatâs the role of the aegis. To be entirely dependable. Come on,â he said, increasing his speed. âAnd donât claim fatigue; I know you donât even feel it. That must be amazing. No need for food or water, rest or any form of sustenance.â
âDoes that not strike you as a living death?â