A Baron of Bonds (Conduit of Light #2)

82. Karus

Chapter 82

Karus

It really was a beautiful party.

The silk banners were strung across the trees in shades of red, gold, green, and blue. I knew Clairannia had chosen them all to represent each of the people she loved most here in Felgren, and I knew she’d never admit it.

The celebration was small, just for those of us who resided in the forest with the addition of Clairannia, Figuerah, and Nyeimah.

Pompeii and Mychael laughed together, dancing to music that played from a spell Clairannia had learned in the Spire.

Moira had shown up on time and had been dressed in a gown of crimson petals, newly green maple leaves fluttering at her waist every time she flew.

Ilyenna was finally able to keep food down and finally showing some growth, her pale cheeks now continually rosy with the glow of motherhood.

Revich pulled me around the dance floor, and I hung on for dear life as both of us had no talent for dancing, though I whispered in his ear how much talent our bodies had for other things.

“Are you trying to get me to throw you over my shoulder and leave this party?” He pushed my long, white-streaked hair behind my ear, leaning down to whisper there, “You look at me like that one more time and it’s done.”

I laughed, twirling around so he could catch me again. “Like what? This is just how I look.”

His eyes glistened and his lips curled to one side as I lived for. “That’s the problem, Karus. I’m always wanting to throw you over my shoulder.”

I fell into his chest, stifling my chortles into him, my body shaking in laughter.

“It’s about time to go anyway.” He kissed my forehead. “Say goodbye and I’ll work on the portals.”

He left and I sighed.

The few weeks we’d had didn’t feel like enough.

I wanted more of my friends, more laughter, more sneaking away for the thirty minutes I could spare to the field of yellow blossoms.

“Do not cry, Karus, I cannot keep myself together if you do.” Clairannia already had a tear rolling down her round cheeks, her hands in mine as her lips trembled.

“It’s the best party I’ve ever been to. You make everything you touch more beautiful than it could have been without you.” I pulled her in, kissing her thick black hair. I squeezed her so tightly, I tried to hold that moment in time and keep it with me.

Figuerah’s arms wrapped around us both as she rested her head of thick braids on mine. “We love you, we miss you, we’ll see you in the Attatock Mountains in a few weeks.”

I nodded, pulling away and wiping my tears, blowing them a kiss as I backed away to where two similar-sized portals glowed at the edge of the celebration clearing.

Revich was addressing the channelers, hugging each one, taking Philius’s hand instead. We’d be gone for a few months, but to them, it would feel like only two weeks or so.

I waved goodbye and held out my hands to talk to Moira.

“I’ll see you soon. No stealing bread, no forcing Lia to quit. We need her to keep making cinnamon buns because honestly, Moira, you aren’t very good at it.” I laughed as she narrowed her eyes.

“At least I didn’t shatter Lia’s favorite stone slab and pretend it slipped.” She grabbed my face with her long green fingers. “Are you sure you should go, Karus?” She shook her head. “Something’s not right. I don’t know enough about humans and Baron magic to know exactly what.”

“I’m fine, Moira. Revich and I have enough power between us to stay safe. We’ll be back before you know it with more humans to train.”

She grimaced, sticking out her tongue, and fluttered out of my hands.

I waved and headed over to Rev.

“Ready?” he asked, taking my hand and leading me to my portal. They’d both lead to Geyrand’s farm, where they knew we’d arrive within the hour.

“Ready.” I kissed him and let go, gathering my black skirts to step into the portal.

My head cracked against the hard, green surface, sending me sprawling to the ground in front of it.

“Karus!” Revich yelled, pulling me up. His fingers brushed my head and came away with a smear of red.

I rubbed my nose, following his hands to feel the gash at my brow. “That really hurt.” I peered behind him. “That portal you made is defective.”

“She’s okay,” he called out to the embarrassingly large number of people who had witnessed me falling on my backside.

He turned to the portal, refusing to let go of my hand, placing his over the surface. His palm fell through before he pulled it back out and cocked his head at me.

“That’s strange.” I stepped forward again, this time with more caution and placed my own hand at its surface. I pushed with no give, placing the other on the surface as well, all my weight going into the press of my palms against the solid shine of light.

“I don’t understand. Try this one.” Revich led me to his, and I pressed with the same result.

“Maybe something’s wrong with my magic? But I’ve gone through your portals before during the trials.” I shook my head, biting my lip. “The power of the Baron and my other…”

I trailed off, the cold chill of realization coursing through me.

My heart hammered, pulsing in an ancient rhythm passed down through time, one it was my turn to feel.

Revich tried his portal, his hand falling through as he looked back to me in concern.

“Revich.” I looked into his black eyes and muttered, “I know why the rhyzolm hums so loudly towards me now.”

He shook his head, still not grasping what countless women before me had innately understood.

I beamed, taking his hand and pressing it to my belly. “It doesn’t thrum for me, Rev.” I laughed in disbelief and shook my head. “I carry two heartbeats and cannot enter your portals.” The same understanding I had just felt dawned across his face, and I pressed my forehead to his, whispering, “The rhyzolm thrums for our child.”