Page 109 of The Prince's Sacrifice

Pel was still at a loss. “But surely people who want to bond must both think about wanting to bond relatively frequently? How doesn’t this happen more often?”

Tama’s brow furrowed. “No, it’s much more intentional than that. It can only happen when you’re Blended, and your magical and mental intent is deep and deliberate for both of you at the same time. It’s why formalizing it with words makes the most sense, to ensure you’re focusing together.”

But she was still saying that Pel and Tor had done thiswithoutall that. They’d definitelynotsaid the words, and Pelstill wasn’t convinced they’d felt the feelings. Yes, they’d Blended a lot, but most courting couples did that, and they didn’t wind up accidentally bonded.

Pel searched through their interactions. They’d been constantly affectionate, certainly, but that didn’t feel like enough.

And then the night they’d had sex while Blended popped into Pel’s head. He thought about how gloriously connected he’d felt to the other man, howmuchPel had wanted him, had wanted them to have this together… forever.

Goddess help him. Had Tor been thinking the exact same thing?

Tama clearly saw it on his face. “You remember?”

Pel nodded, feeling his face heat. It was really the only occasion he could bring to mind where they’d been Blending and Pel had been feeling so much. Not that he didn’t usually feel good when they’d Blended, but even now, he remembered how fiercely he’d wanted and how much he’d wanted it to last.

The idea that Tor had been feeling the same was still sort of stunning. It made Pel feel even more foolish about those few hours where he’d harbored such doubts.

They’d both made their feelings more than clear… except not in a way that either of them had realized.

His mind flashed suddenly to Wavilon, who’d looked at Pel a little oddly once he’d assessed Tor. Hadherealized that they were bonded and just assumed that they were keeping it quiet?

Pel almost wished he’d said something, only what would Pel have done with that knowledge? What would it have been like to confront the High King knowing they were already bonded and their sovereign might have felt compelled to try to break that bond?

Shivering, Pel conceded that maybe this had happened exactly the way it was supposed to. They were here now, and that was what mattered.

(Pel would think later about the fact thatthey were bonded, and it was pretty clear this would absolutely not come as a happy surprise to High King Varex.)

They were bonded, and as a result of that bond, Tor was alive right now. Pel’s magic, normally so inadequate, had been enough to protect Tor.

Belatedly, he wondered, “Why didn’t he use that magic, too?”

Why, up in the mountain, when he’d been straining so desperately, hadn’t he endangered Pel? Why hadn’t he done so when he’d clearly strained himself with his own magic bound thanks to the High King?

“It’s never been entirely clear,” Tama told him. “Some believe the choice is unconscious. Others believe it’s deliberate. What we assume is death due to the bond breaking could be from the dying partner pulling all the magic from the bond, trying to protect themselves.”

Pel shivered at the thought. “But I wouldn’t know how to do that. I wouldn’t be able to pull all of Tor’s magic to me.”

If people of disparate magic levels bonded, there was usually some equalization, but Pel wouldn’t suddenly become Extraordinary or even Illustrious—nor would Tor become Unremarkable.

“No,” she agreed. “It’s the magically stronger partner, if there is one. And death due to a broken bond does still occur when two Unremarkable are bonded, and people die in their sleep or through a sudden accident, when no one is likely to have the time to react. As I said, it’s not entirely clear.” Shrugging, she said, “Consciously or not, Torex protected you—and in turn, your magic kept him alive when he came perilously close to draining his core magic. Your continued contact has sustainedhim, though he’s not been able to do more than that, which is why he’s been in a magical coma this whole time. Now I’ve shared my magic, which will allow his to rebuild.” She smiled at Pel. “You saved his life.”

It was a weird thought to have. Pelhadcaught the man, and he’d brought him all the way back to Tond. He’d been intent on protecting Tor and keeping him safe this entire time… but this was different.

Pel’s magic—or lack thereof—had been a thorn in his side from the moment he’d Manifested… and now it had played a critical role in saving the man he loved.

He couldn’t really ask for more than that.

Unable to help himself, Pel grinned at Tama—which felt a little weird, as he hadn’t had a lot of reasons to smile recently, but it seemed to be the only way to express the rising giddiness inside him.

Pel had helped save Tor! Pel’s magic had been useful! Tor was going to be all right!

She smiled back at him.

“I’ll stay with you tonight and see if Prince Torex needs another influx of magic in the morning.”

Pel could only nod. Tama was definitely the expert here when it came to healing, and he wasn’t about to turn down any help they could get.

Belatedly, he realized that Cavun and Beluna had already gone to bed, or at least were politely pretending that they were sleeping. Denil was on watch, and Bavil had taken a seat next to Pel and Tor, his Mantled blade still lighting up the area for them.