Free Betrayal's Price (In Deception's Shadow Book 1) by Lisa Blackwood Page A

until recently. It has
been feared in the past, but not like it is now. For many years, long before I
was born, acolytes have sought out rumors of magic. Then they encountered your
kind and most senior acolytes took ship back to the empire.”
    “We were just
what they were seeking.” A vague note of concern echoed in his voice. The acolytes
must have learned something of importance about his people if they were so
quick to return to their own land with the news. But what had they learned? An
enemy he didn’t understand concerned him.
    “I doubt very
much you have anything to fear,” Ashayna countered.
    “Good, I don’t
need more enemies when my bondmate’s idea of a greeting is to kidnap me from my
city and then drag me through an unstable Gate.” Sorntar laughed, muscles along
his shoulders and wings relaxing for the first time in several candlemarks. He
didn’t know what it was, but something about his little human bondmate calmed
him. The thought of spending a lifetime with her didn’t seem so terrible to him
at the moment.
    “What did you
say?” Her empty goblet clattered to the ground, rolling across the wood planks
of the floor before coming to rest at his feet.
    “When your Larnkin
dragged me through the gate, it was very dangerous,” he said, stalling, trying
to figure out what was so shocking about what he’d said.
    “That…I wasn’t…it
was an accident.” She pinned him with an intense look. “The other thing you
called me...bondmate? Explain what you meant by that. Now.”
    “Bondmates.”
Sorntar paused in confusion, how could she not know something so basic, so
primal? “Surely Vinarah told you. Marsolwyn?”
    Ashayna shook
her head, eyes narrow and angry. “They told me I’m host to a Larnkin.”
    “Ah,” Sorntar
fought down a surge of panic, trying to think how to begin, “So Vinarah didn’t
tell you? She must have known. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
    “I’m glad you
think something makes sense, because you don’t.” Ashayna ground out her words,
then fell silent. Her lips pursed as if she tasted something unpalatable.
    “Vinarah bears
the gift of Far Sight. I believe she saw a vision of us as bondmates. It
explains why she and the others would come here.”
    Ashayna looked
at him with greater hostility.
    “My sisters did
tell you about Larnkins, did they not?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “One host can
always recognize another.” He stopped to gauge her response. She nodded her
head in an abrupt motion, and he continued. “In the spirit world, two Larnkins
are joined by a powerful bond. When they take hosts in this realm, their
spiritual bond is broken.”
    Sorntar
scrutinized Ashayna’s features, trying to read something of her thoughts. She
was shielding herself very well. He didn’t like the disadvantage. Sucking in a
breath, he rushed on. “They live to serve the Light, and guide us. Though I
think they need us as much as we need them. They can’t linger in our world
without a host to act as anchor, and the breaking of their spirit bond, while
damaging, isn’t permanent. It takes them many years to recover after taking a
host, but if they’re strong enough, a Larnkin will seek out its other half and
forge the bond of spirit once again.”
    “If this
conversation is heading where I think it is, don’t bother to finish.” Ashayna
held up her hand. “You’re addled. I’m going to see my father. Don’t you dare
bring this rubbish up in front of him.” She walked away, her hips swaying to
the rhythm of her strides.
    Sorntar shook
his head. She could run, just not nearly far enough to escape their bond.
    No matter how
much she might wish it.
    A few moments
later—long enough to let her escape—he followed. Outside he found Elder Cymael
awaiting him with word of the negotiations.
    * * * *
    After a
candlemark spent with her father, Ashayna had her emotions under control enough
to face Sorntar, she hoped. Alone with her thoughts, she made her way to