coin over Valedusk Hollow-

her fingers tight around the velvet ribbon Liora had slipped her the night before. A ribbon dre

ix," Liora had whispered. "I saw it in

uldn't

n sealing a business deal. He'd been flawless, as always-coat crisp, words measured,

n trembled in

rring the air in a strange hush. B

ar

rned s

as T

ai

after five years

ines of his frame. His dark hair fell loosely over his

e light like w

ly. "You shou

. "I've been told th

lders, the faint scar above his left brow, the

. Her hea

have come back,

ou look like y

don

u d

s too steady

ing inside her wanted to shatter-

into her pocket, fist

sent

? Being r

eing m

th caugh

ger. They didn't care about the truth. They saw the mark, and the

suddenly-muddy feet, a child's v

aid, quoting her exactly.

y. "That was a

e murmured,

ehind them-hard, f

or the latch.

ere lo

kened, pulsing. Her skin prickled. The sce

id lowly, steppin

d from the hedg

with spellthread, his expr

to Thorne, "will r

t here

not welc

t flinch. "Neither was tr

. The ground beneath

n at this hour violates the sacred Accord of Bonding. A bride

dged yet," M

narrowed. "But

. "Because the bond I feel when Kael touches

opped

. But the heat from his bo

said coolly. "Has the

i f

se?" she

forced. For your protection, of course. It's the only reason you've be

she wh

ed by moonfire-do you know what that means? It would've changed everyth

wh

the

cut in, voice dar

again. Love is weakness. Legacy is pow

Thorne didn't move. His gaze sl

em choose for

ng hot stirred behind her ribs.

ket. It glowed faintly now-threads

sed. "Put

this?" sh

Your true bond was sealed with it.

hand. "Not if I

c fl

ne moved first. He caught Mari in his arms, spun her be

-but staye

reamed.

till clenched in

in f

mem

orld

in torn clothes, clutching her hand, swearing never to let go.

ga

nees hit the earth. Her b

ruth

lways be

ma

real

wore. "D

ed in the win

or

gered to

she gasped. "They're fo

took he

get yo

laughed-l

let either of y

ed both

oomed in

ad-what little was

or a s

for Mari to fee