Page 78 of Sword & Shadow
“Of course, it applies,” Ilain retorted. “You’re a Mage, and she’s a Warrior.NotBonding would be ridiculous.”
“That’s out of the question. I’ve no interest in living my life as a Mage.”
She scoffed. “Too bad. You are one.”
“That doesn’t mean I have to act as one.”
Ilain pursed her lips as though he were being foolish. However, Auden spoke for her. “I would hope,” he said calmly, “that you’d care to act as one in our present circumstance. As I said, our odds of securing the Relics and saving our countries become far more achievable with your power, whatever it may be.”
Auden glanced at Evylin thoughtfully before continuing. “And there is no reason to rush a decision regarding the Bond. Even if you should desire it, it isn’t something that could be accomplished during our travels. Such a sacred ceremony requires a specific set of rituals. Be that as it may,” his tone lightened, “even not Bonded, a Warrior and a Mage joined in the holy sacrament of marriage carry a great deal more power than those of us who remain single. Together, your and Evylin’s powers will be significantly more potent.”
Despite himself, Deckard felt his heart stir at the thought. The way the Calders spoke, it sounded as though he and Evylin were meant for each other. Almost as though Allore had designed them specifically for each other. Even if that wasn’t true, it felt like a confirmation—providence telling them they were destined for one another.
And yet, Deckard needed to reject every word to ensure his wife wouldn’t see their unique union as a cage.
He looked at Evylin, tension filling his whole body. He had to fix this before it was too late. He had to prove to her that he wouldn’t use this as a means of confining her. Hewitt said she needed to feel independent, free to make her own choices. So hehad to make sure she understood: This would change nothing between them.
Deckard turned to the Calders. “This isn’t fate,” he said decisively, even if he wasn’t sure about it himself. “Evylin’s and my relationship isn’t because of our magic.”
“Certainly not,” Ilain confirmed. “Love isn’t destiny. It’s a choice. But magic certainly helpsfosterthat choice.”
Raising his chin, Deckard directed his next words specifically to Auden. “I take it, this means you’ll want to train me.”
“Absolutely,” Auden said. “It’d be best to start immediately. We only have five more days until we reach the Wind Keep. Getting your power under control should be our primary focus.”
Deckard nodded. “Tomorrow. In the meantime,” he said, meeting Evylin’s hard stare, “could I speak with you privately?”
Slowly and silently, Evylin rose.
“We’ll be back shortly,” Deckard said. He pointed a finger at Rafferty. “No more playing with Relics.”
The weasel saluted. “As you say, Highlord Colonel.”
Pulling in a deep breath, Deckard moved out of the camp. He didn’t bother checking to be sure Evylin followed. He knew she would. Deckard curled his hands into fists under his cloak, determined to mitigate this disaster before he lost his wife for good.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Evylin could practically hear Hewitt’s voice in her head.“Rubbish,”he’d say.“Deckard’s no more magical than I am.”
And yet, there was no denying the bright glow of the Night Relic when it touched Deckard’s hand. Not when it had filled the whole camp with its radiant amethyst glow. Evylin wasn’t even sure if he’d noticed that detail, just how strongly the magical glow had been projected. He was so focused on refusing the revelation that she doubted he saw the luminous beams that cast a purple tint over each of their comrades and the forest around them.
It was as though the Night had grown stronger simply by Deckard’s touch upon the Relic.
No, the truth could not be denied: By the hand of Allore, Deckard had been born a Mage.
And it made her chest squeeze like a vise.
Evylin’s hands trembled as she rose from her seat beside Rafferty. She followed Deckard into the trees, her mind roiling with confusion, and...was that fear? She didn’t know why she should be afraid of this discovery. If anything, it should bring her relief. Deckard was a Mage, and their mission was sure to succeed.
“A Mage who’s married to a Warrior.”Ilain’s words repeated like a warning bell.“Warriors and Mages are meant to be together.”
Meantto be. As though Evylin had never had any say in the matter at all. She had been unknowingly born a Warrior and he a Mage. Of course, they’d meet and marry. Of course, they’d fall in love. Of course, they’d want to enter that sacred Bond, tying themselves together so intimately that parting would bring literal death.
Why wouldn’t they want that?
She remembered Auden’s words when they’d gone into the Water Keep, just the two of them. He’d told her about the tie between Warrior and Mage, that they sometimes chose to be a binding force, dedicated to one another by an oath. While he’d assured her thattheywould never choose to make such an oath with each other, she now knew that even if the Calders wouldn’t make them Bond, the Alliance would.
“They fuse their souls, becoming of one power, one mind, and one heart,”Ilain said.“...it’s a binding of hearts. If the pair weren’t already in love, they would be shortly after.”
