s long golden beams ac

ded clothes when Kael

attle cloak straight into my f

e I leave on patrol toni

ace. Damp earth mixed with his s

Elara steps out from

soften instantly, that tender smile he

ls out an exquisite silver chain,

ifact, meant solely for the true fated mate of the Alp

fastens the necklace around E

y cloak. I watch helplessly as honors that shou

n pain runs deep enough, even the last

ss the cloak onto a chair and

bag I take out a thi

e-Bond Dissol

ejects the bond and that rejection is legall

sign my name firml

ce the signed document squarely on t

to Kael's private frequency and slip it silently into his leather saddle-bag hanging by the main entrance. The matching crystal I tu

Elder Thorne sends me a p

courtyard triumph-rite tonight behind the officer's veil - to ac

enly. "A veiled pardon is not an acknow

the final time upon the hi

hum to life a

d 5127 drifts within senso

ield his inner thoughts

ts across the network. "I want to see Elara. My mate

pricks my heart for a momen

t Guide from the other night she ought to be grateful we only made her write

he glowing star-map

n," I reply telepathically, complete

tes I navigate his path

th step ahead of you will

rhythm of his breathing chan

gap between the rocks - narrow,

rough it. The mist swallo

the clan, not him. Only a voice in the dark, counting pa

h. The last str

fting mist and ta

h the mists for the one-hund

Alpha." With those words I sever my magical connec

ve, I accept a shared sight feed sen

tch Kael leap down of

Nor does he glance toward the main m

una-Consort's Chain. He pulls her tightl

o the crowd. "And I give thanks to Elara, who waits

ide my head: "Seraphina, I am shaking wit

s, Maya," I soothe h

around my shoulders and hurry dow

and walk two miles to the

for the frozen northe

e step, a thunderous surging mental fo

e reaches for my priv

ll. "What is this crystal in my saddle-bag?! And what

him no

nside my consciousness I visualize the

my side of the bond I raise towering impenet

e my mind cuts off in

over loose gravel as the wagon races n