Page 150 of Infernal Bonds

We all suffered for doubting Rae.

Even though Ash and I had believed her the whole time, we’d questioned her when it mattered most. I had nightmares if she wasn’t nearby. Cyn wouldn’t talk about it with me, but I knew he was working things out with her. Ezra remained impossible to read. And Ash had committed himself to proving he was worthy of being her mate.

Ezra stepped forward. “Father, if I may.”

Cornaith waved a hand.

“The glamor that obscured Raelynn’s identity eclipsed any illusionary spell known to me. I’ve never seen magic from the infernal plane capable of total concealment from the royal family.”

“I’ve heard of none we can’t sense to some degree,” Lymsrana said in agreement.

“Even before the glamor fell, we experienced the full spectrum of escalating symptoms of a developing Nyrith bond, including separation sickness while she awaited trial in Cholian without a completed tether. I believe this wasn’t a result of the illusion.”

“You provide excellent points, my son,” Cornaith said. “But the question remains… is she Shyrlivi?”

I wanted to yell at him that it didn’t matter who Rae was. Even if she were related to the beasts in Moicae, I’d still love her.

Rae was Rae.

I understood why Cornaith cared what she was, but I didn’t. I wasn’t so caught up in politics that I’d ignore my connection with Rae if she wasn’t who Quinfina claimed.

Ardvaen turned in his seat. “What else could she be? She’s obviously not human.”

Cornaith hummed. “I wonder.”

“She transformed,” Cyn said again, reminding them of Rae’s partial transformation during the execution.

“Into a Shyrlivi’s alternate form or into something more?”

Rae’s eyes had flooded black, and black veins had spread across her face like a spiderweb. She’d cried blood. I’d seen nothing like it before.

I looked at Ezra. “Quinfina said she was almost full-blooded Shyrlivi.”

“Until we see a complete transformation,” Dad said, shooting me a dark look, “we can’t say for certain it isn’t an illusion or that she’s not a different species entirely.”

Lymsrana frowned. “But Quinfina—”

“Quinfina may not be capable of being trusted,” Cornaith said, sending everyone into stunned silence.

40

POSTURING

ASH

If I didn’t get out of the council chambers soon, I might do something I’d later regret.

Not only had Cornaith and Zeke’s parents questioned Rae once again, but they now had the audacity to doubt Quinfina’s trustworthiness. They questioned the legitimacy of my sealed tether with Rae.

Nothing could ever make me doubt our bond.

I didn’t need a pompous asshole with a lust for power to decide if my relationship with Rae was real. It wasn’t his business.

“That’s quite an accusation,” Lymsrana said, staring at Cornaith in disbelief. “Quinfina has been the council’s trusted advisor for longer than we’ve sat on these thrones.”

“And we’re to trust her without question based on that alone?”

“No,” Ardvaen said, sitting forward. “I base my trust on the decades of guidance she’s given us.”