Soulbound (The Return of the Elves Book 1)

by Bethany Adams

  “Would you like to give your report so you can go rest?” Lyr asked wearily. “I sense Arlyn returning.”

  Unease trickled into Kai’s body. “She’s on the path? What does she look like?”

  “Tall and leanly muscled like a scout, with long, red hair like her mother’s.” Lyr’s expression softened. “And my green eyes.”

  Kai coughed out a breath. Miaran! His soulbonded. She had seemed familiar. He rubbed a hand through his hair, sending up a prayer to the Nine Gods. All of them. Any of them. Could he have started the bonding process with his best friend’s daughter? He searched for the connection between them and sensed her getting closer. Iron in the heart, Kai cursed to himself. How was he going to explain this? He hadn’t even asked the woman her name.

  “Was the mission that bad, then?”

  He met Lyr’s concerned gaze. “No. Well, yes, but that isn’t—”

  “Come. Let’s get the formal part over.” Lyr flipped open a leather-bound book resting on his desk and murmured a few words until the pages glowed. “Taysonal, what news do you bring to the stewards of Moranaia?”

  Kai suppressed a groan, bound by the formal question and by duty. He could not talk to Lyr about the bond now, not until the report was finished. Kai clenched his hands behind his back and straightened his body. “Lord Meren seems conflicted about ending the treaty with the humans. If it were up to him, I think he’d send mages to the surface. But many among the Sidhe have no desire to leave their underhill cities after all this time.”

  “Did you receive an audience with the queen?”

  “Once again, I was denied. My access to the Seelie court was severely restricted.” Kai scowled. “I’m not even sure why they’ve asked for our help just to delay any discussions.”

  Lyr leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “What about the energy poisoning?”

  “Worse. I dared not draw in energy to replenish my stores lest I risk contagion. I didn’t even chance sleeping. I don’t know how any of the Sidhe function.”

  “So we’re no further than before your mission.”

  Kai let out a long breath. “I fended off two assassins if that makes it clearer.”

  “I see.” Lyr tapped his fingers on the desk. “Something isn’t right here. The Sidhe are still blaming the humans?”

  Kai nodded. “They believe aboveground pollution is trickling down and perverting the energies of the underhill realms at an increasing rate. They have had to abandon entire cities because the tainted energy makes those areas uninhabitable unless the people are willing to put themselves at serious risk. But humans have been polluting the environment heavily for a couple of centuries. In fact, there may be less pollution now than even fifty years ago. I see no reason why it’s just now affecting the underrealms. And physical pollution shouldn’t cross dimensions.”

  Lyr’s sigh echoed Kai’s thoughts. “We’re going to have to act soon, no matter what they say.”

  “Very soon. I’d rather not have maddened Sidhe overrunning everything.” Kai grimaced. “It may not have infected the energy here, but the Veil has grown increasingly turbulent with each crossing. Even as far removed as we are from Earth, we’re not without risk.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Nothing that can’t wait for my written report.”

  “It appears I have a great deal to consider before bringing this matter to the king. I thank you, Taysonal, for the news you have brought.” As the traditional words ended the spell that had recorded their words in the book, Lyr relaxed. Pale and drawn, he returned the tome to its drawer and faced Kai. “I must admit I am thankful there is not more. This much is unwelcome but hardly unexpected. I am not certain I could handle another surprise this day.”

  Fuck it all, Kai muttered to himself, his favorite human curse. How could he tell Lyr now? Oh, speaking of surprises, I’m fairly certain I started the bonding process with your daughter without courting her first. Lyr was going to kill him. But Kai had believed she was from a distant branch. That she’d recognized the bonding magic. He attempted to examine the memory, but it was shrouded in a haze of pain.

  Only one thing rang clear: if she was from Earth, then she hadn’t known.

  Kai stumbled over to the chairs, sinking into the first one he reached. He dropped his head into his hands and struggled not to throw up. Unforgiveable. Making the decision in haste had been bad enough, but without her knowledge? The sound of Lyr’s chair scraping back thundered through Kai’s pounding head, but he didn’t look up. Even when his friend’s footsteps drew near.

  “Kai?”

  Before he could form an answer, the door to the outside opened. Kai glanced up and found the woman from the path now standing inside the study. She bit her lip as she looked with uncertainty between him and Lyr. Kai straightened and forced down the bile rising with the action. Only now did the resemblance between the two become clear. How could he have missed it?

  She slung a large pack off her shoulder and propped it against the wall. The hilt of the sword and a couple of bows peeked over the top. When she turned back, her brow had risen. “Still haven’t found a doctor?”

  Lyr’s startled gaze flew to Kai. “You’ve met?”

  “I was going to tell you about it before you asked for my report.”

  The woman approached, her fingers tangling in front of her. “Looks like you found Lord Lyrni—Lyr. Have you taken care of whatever danger had you worried earlier?”

  “Danger?”

  Kai grimaced at Lyr’s startled expression. “I found the cell phone, then the camp with the steel blade. I thought there was trouble.”

  “My phone!” The woman patted her pockets. “I can’t believe I lost it.”

  “It will hardly do you any good here.”

  “Still, I’d like it back.”

  Lyr grabbed the device from his desk and held it up. “This is yours, correct?”

  She strode over and took it from his hand, examining it closely before scowling over at Kai. “The screen is cracked. This thing was expensive, you know.”

  “It was in the middle of the trail, and I didn’t see it.” Kai shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll replace it. Surely, it can’t cost more than a couple of diamonds.”

  “A couple of…” She paled. “Just like that, you’re going to give me diamonds?” Shaking her head, her hand went to the small lump just visible beneath her shirt. The pendant. “You certainly do give things away easily.”

  Panic shot Kai to his feet. If Lyr saw that necklace before Kai could explain, Lyr might kill him before he had the chance. “Diamonds are a common trade item here, but I think they’re worth enough on Earth. Wealth is counted differently on Moranaia.” He took a gasping breath while his mind scrambled for a topic to distract her. “We even have an alternative to steel.”

  “It isn’t like you to ramble.” Lyr gave him a puzzled frown. “You really don’t seem well. Your favorite tower is free if you’d like to rest.”

  “Sounds like a great plan to me,” the woman muttered.

  Kai flushed even as he wavered on his feet. His own bonded considered him a fool, and she certainly had every right. His mind was so muddled by energy loss he hardly recognized himself. But how could he rest with so many issues unresolved? The woman deserved his confession, as did Lyr. Kai had to find a way to pull her aside.

  “My lady,” Kai began, then paused, frowning. “Forgive me. I don’t believe I know your name.”

  Lyr appeared stunned for one moment, then shook his head. “I have lost all sense of politeness this day. I forgot to introduce you.”

  The woman shrugged. “You mentioned his name earlier, I believe.”

  “It is not the same. Indeed, it would be an unforgivable breach to some. Pray gods you do not tell my mother. She has despaired of my manners ever since I returned from my last visit to the human world.” An unexpected twinkle of humor in his eyes, Lyr bowed politely to Kai. “Honored friend, I present to you Callian Ayala i Arlyn Dianore nai
Braelyn. Lady Arlyn, I present to you Callian ay’iyn Tayern pel Taysonal i Kaienan Treinesse nai Oria.”

  Kai couldn’t stop himself from bowing over her hand, though he shouldn’t have touched her, even innocently. Not after what he’d done. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. Please call me Kai.”

  “If you will call me Arlyn.” She smiled for a moment before pulling her hand free. “Especially since I still don’t understand the rest of what he called me.”

  “Our long names show our place in society,” Lyr explained. “The first word tells which of the three great branches of government the person belongs to. Next usually comes a title or description of their trade. Then the given name and place where they live.”

  Arlyn grimaced. “Why so complicated?”

  “Most Moranaians are more order-minded than humans.” Lyr’s lips twisted. “And when you have thousands of years to deal with offending someone, you tend to set up ways to avoid it. Knowing a person’s position in society from the beginning often helps with that.”

  “So Callian is the branch, which means Kai and I belong to the same one. I’m lost after that.” She examined Kai as though his presence could somehow make it clear. “I think you had a lot of titles.”

  Kai grinned. “It mostly translates to ‘second son of an earl and assistant to Lyr.’”

  “Sounds kind of feudal.”

  “There’s more flexibility than it might seem,” Lyr said. “Titles can and do change. If Kai here were to bond with someone on a higher branch or even a different branch, much of what you just heard would change.”

  The breath rushed out of Kai in one long gasp, and he sank back into the chair. Pain, a match to the constant thrum in his head, filled his chest. He couldn’t talk to Arlyn first, as she deserved. He had to correct Lyr now. For lying about one’s name or title was considered a grave misdeed, and Lyr had just incorrectly introduced him. Kai didn’t even have the same damn name.

  “Go rest, Kai.”

  He met Lyr’s puzzled gaze. “We need to talk.”

  “You look like you’re about to collapse. It can wait.”

  “No.” Kai stiffened his spine, trying to appear stronger than he felt. “It can’t. We have to talk now. Alone.”

  Arlyn glanced between them, her brow furrowed, and Kai caught a hint of concern from her along their growing bond. Could she sense his turmoil? Gods, he hoped not. “Why don’t I go get settled in?”

  Lyr nodded. “I will find you when we are finished.”

  Kai tensed as his bonded gathered her pack and left, but there was no avoiding what had to be done. What Lyr would do about it was less clear. Kai hadn’t done anything illegal, so he was unlikely to be exiled, but his actions had been dishonorable no matter how unintentional. Even centuries of friendship might not survive this breach.

  The pain in his chest wound ever tighter.

  Lyr turned to Kai with an irritated scowl. “What is wrong with you? I have not seen you like this since your first journey through the Veil. Even then you were not so ill. Did something else happen while you were away?”

  “No, it was after my return.” Kai ran a hand through his hair. “Remember that I haven’t slept for a week. It was stupid, unpardonably stupid.”

  “Miaran,” Lyr cursed. “By Arneen, just say it.”

  “You see, I have a new name.” Kai paused, winced. “Callian Myal pel Taysonal i Kaienan Dianore nai Braelyn.”

  It only took Lyr a moment to process. Myal—mate to the female heir—matched with his family name. His face went white with the anger that swept through him. “Did you do what I think you did?”

  “I encountered her on the path, and my soul resonated with hers. I’d just drawn energy, so my head was pounding, and I couldn’t focus.” Kai gripped the arm of the chair. “She said she was just visiting, and I was in a rush to get to you after seeing that steel sword. But when I spoke the words, I assumed she knew about bonding. I thought she was from a distant branch.”

  “You thought.” Lyr’s hands fisted, and he took a few deep breaths. Anything to keep from pummeling the man standing before him. “I don’t suppose you bothered to ask.”

  “All I could see was you, impaled like your father. But I couldn’t stand to lose her after I’d just found her.”

  Sick pain twisted through Lyr, propelling him forward. He paced the room, his mind in disarray and emotions tangling until he wasn’t certain of anything. His best friend. His daughter. “When did you realize who she was?”

  Kai leaned forward. “Not until I spoke to you.”

  Lyr turned on him, fury winning out. “And you didn’t tell me then?”

  “I was about to when you asked for my report.” Kai stared him in the eye, unflinching as Lyr approached. “Then she came in. I wanted to tell her first, but I realized I couldn’t after your introduction.”

  Lyr stared at Kai, his friend of more than five hundred years. “I believed you to be a better man than this.”

  Kai dropped his gaze. His hands clenched the arms of the chair. “As did I.”

  Lyr spun around to pace once more, trying to work out some of his anger so he could think. Should he call for a priest of Arneen to sever the bond? No. No, that would steal Arlyn’s choice as surely as Kai had. Lyr could call her in to explain the soulbond, but that would ease the burden for Kai. Gods, what a mess. Kai was rash, but Lyr never would have expected this of him. Never.

  Lyr’s chest ached as if it were splitting. Though he’d just met his daughter, she was his. His child. He hadn’t even had a chance to get to know her. He wasn’t entirely certain he even trusted her. And still, he gripped his hands behind his back to keep from hurting his closest friend.

  A friend whose pain thundered through the air like the earlier storm.

  Kai stood, his head held high. “Whatever you decide I will not dispute.”

  “It is hardly for me to decide.” Lyr’s lips twisted in a satisfied smirk. “I’ll leave that to Arlyn as is her right. You’ll have to tell her yourself.”

  “Will you give me enough time to rest so I can do so coherently?”

  Lyr watched Kai sway on his feet but found he could no longer summon sympathy. “Only so you don’t muddle things worse. I will give you a day before I tell her myself. Go collect your things from your father’s house, then get some sleep.”

  “You want me to gather my things?”

  “You are part of this House now, like it or not.” Lyr sank into the chair behind his desk and rubbed his face, his anger deflating. “Chances are good she’ll decide to sever the bond, but it might take some time to find the proper priest. Until then, your place is here.”

  Kai paled, knowing full well what Lyr hadn’t said. A severed bond would be a disgrace, a shame so deep that Kai’s father might refuse to let him back into his home. Soulbonds were treasured, broken only for the worst offenses. If Arlyn decided to sever it, Kai might end up leaving Moranaia altogether.

  “Go.” Lyr motioned to the door. “The sooner you leave, the sooner you can face Arlyn. Take the portal.”

  Expression tense, Kai nodded and turned, heading for the door that led into the house. Oria, his father’s estate, was not far, but the portal would be faster. Lyr dropped his head onto his hand when he heard the door open, then looked up when it didn’t close. Kai stood, half-turned, glancing at Lyr over his shoulder.

  “How long will it take you to forgive me for this?”

  “I do not know, Kai. I do not know.”

  The door clicked closed, leaving sudden silence.

  Though the rock was rough beneath her thin pants and sweat dampened her skin, Arlyn couldn’t bring herself to leave her spot on the edge of the small bluff. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been out here since dropping her things off in her room, but the green of the trees in the valley below was almost black with shadow as the last rays of sunlight trickled through the forest behind her. If not for the lights she could see flicking to life, she’d think the entire area was
uninhabited.

  Her breath caught at the reality of it all. This wasn’t myth or legend. This was her life. And though the valley reminded Arlyn of her home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the huge trees that swayed around her indicated otherwise. As far as she knew, no other human had ever seen these mountains or the sky that darkened overhead. Her heart pounded in equal parts terror and exhilaration.

  As her arms tightened around her knees, she heard the footsteps behind her and knew it was Lyr. Arlyn could just sense him. She’d always had a feel for people, but the talent seemed heightened by this world. Most things seemed heightened. She had arrived on this world almost a week before confronting her father and had struggled to sleep each night since she’d stepped through. Energy throbbed beneath her skin. Her body was jittery with it, like she’d had too many espressos.

  Lyr settled cross-legged beside her, and they sat together for a long moment, both staring into the darkening valley. Finally, he turned. “Why are you sitting out here?”

  She shot a glance over her shoulder at the front of the estate, then shrugged. “It’s one of the few places I know how to find. I got restless, but I didn’t want to disturb your discussion.” She looked back at the lights teasing from below. “Besides, the view is amazing. So long as the rock doesn’t crumble under us.”

  “It won’t.” Lyr patted the ground. “The scouts regularly check for any sign of weakness or instability, and we call in mages yearly to reinforce. It’s also not as steep as it looks.”

  “Good to know.”

  “I hope you realize you may explore wherever you like. I offered you a home here.” Pebbles skittered beneath his restless fingers as he drew them over the rock. “You may not wish to stay, but the invitation is for life. You are my family.”

  Arlyn lifted a brow. “Just like that?”