Bound by Darkness (Bound By Series)

31. New Oaths

Chapter 31

New Oaths

THALIA

I stepped back, a dire mistake as Iyanna’s hands crept over the spine of the books atop her desk.

She shoved them across the table in one fell swoop. Books clattered to the floor, a crescendo of pages and ink as they toppled over one another. Iyanna splayed her hands on the wood as she leaned over, her nose twitching as she breathed in my scent.

“You weren’t thinking about leaving, were you?” Iyanna’s purple lips spread further until they revealed sharp canines waiting to pierce my flesh. “We haven’t even discussed payment.”

I smoothed out my shirt underneath the seer’s intense gaze. “You threaten me with death. What else am I supposed to do?”

Iyanna plucked a hidden dagger from her side and tossed it onto the emptied table. “A present for you.”

My eyes roamed the silver hilt, the intricate edges carved to the tip of its blade. The hilt was dipped in silver and gold, a fine weapon as I observed its weight and composure.

“Take it,” Iyanna said. “I do not need a weapon as small as this.”

My hands stayed at my side.

“Consider it a welcoming gift, a present, or whatever else your kind calls it,” she said. “No harm will befall you under my camp if you agree to my proposition.”

My eyes flicked from the dagger. “I am no one to mess with. Especially if you’re wanting to bargain my death.”

Iyanna licked her lips, a streak of purple remaining on her tongue. “What I want is your loyalty. I don’t care how you die, as long as you die for me.”

“My loyalty in exchange for your services?”

Iyanna gave a low nod. “I can even sweeten the deal. I seem to have someone under my care you are quite fond of.”

“What do you mean? Spit it out.”

Wickedness sparked across her eyes like flickers of blue venom. “Perhaps I’ve managed to catch a beautiful raven. A raven who seems to know who you are.”

“What raven? I don’t care for these games.”

She whistled, a haunting tone escaping her lips. “ Ivan should.”

Ivan gripped my arm tightly, his fingers flexing on my flushed skin. “I don’t understand.”

“Wasn’t it you who originally asked for my help in rescuing Thalia from Armas?”

“Yes, but?—”

“And did you think I wouldn’t do my own research? Research who she was fond of?”

Ivan growled, low and thick. “Iyanna.”

She chuckled. “Of course I did, and to my discovery, I learned of a little raven named Moria who was left behind to fend for herself. With the help of my people, we rescued her from Galar so I’d have collateral if you appeared on my doorsteps once again with Thalia, the legend herself. ”

Air stalled at the bottom of my chest at the name leaving her lips. I pushed the cry welling within me as I stared at Iyanna, those white eyes piercing mine. “Moria… Moria is here?”

“Yes and no. She’s currently running an errand with my right hand, but I assure you she is safe and well taken care of.”

It couldn’t be true. Moria? Here at the Hideaway? “How do I know you’re not lying?” I stilled the rising emotions within me as I gazed at the seer.

It was too late to pretend I didn’t know who she was. She knew I cared for her. It was the perfect bargaining chip.

Iyanna reached under her desk and pulled out a thin piece of paper. She gently laid it against the wood, her nails tracing the raised black ink etched there.

Her name.

Moria’s name was signed into the paper—a binding contract. I lurched for the paper, but Iyanna shoved it back inside the drawer.

“She signed this before she left,” she said. “If it pleases you, Gia, our cook, can provide more details on her well-being if ink is not enough.”

Hot tears welled behind my eyes at the paper, at the tale Iyanna wove before me. Moria had been here in this camp. She was safe from Armas’ grasp.

Waves of happiness slowly swelled to anger as I turned to Ivan, his face void of color. He knew Iyanna. Did he know she was here this whole time?

“Did you know?” I said as rage emptied from my chest. “Did you know she was here?” He’d already lied to me about my attachment to Cethales. Was he keeping more secrets from me?

His eyes were wide, his fingers digging into the fleshy part of my arm. His gripped tightened as if Iyanna would rip me away from him. It was the confirmation I needed. Iyanna had held this from him, too.

“I—Why did you not tell me this information when I sent that letter?” Ivan swiveled his gaze to Iyanna who smirked. A predator ready to pounce.

“It’s simple. I needed a bargaining chip even you couldn’t manipulate.” Iyanna walked elegantly from behind the table, her hand outstretched toward mine. “Come. I need your casting, and in return, I promise no harm will come to Moria. I will also provide the supplies you need. You and your friends will be free to leave for your… mission as long as you agree to serve underneath me.”

Iyanna shifted, the silver glitter in her gown catching the light in the tent. “I would highly suggest remaining rational as I received news from an owl this morning Moria’s father is searching for her. If you do not agree, I will kick Moria out of this camp and tell my right hand not to let her return. Besides, where would you and your little band of misfits go? Continue to run place to place to hide from King Hywell?”

Her father? Moria’s father was looking for her?

I glanced at Ivan, anger etched into his brows as he gripped my shoulders. “Don’t do it. We can find supplies somewhere else and find Moria out there. I’m sure she’s strong enough to survive until we locate her.”

Iyanna clicked her tongue. “You fell into my trap the moment you walked into camp, Ivan. I suggest remaining silent if you want me to keep my lips sealed.”

“I am not one to be made an enemy with.”

Iyanna smiled, satisfaction lingering on her lips at the reaction from him. Turning to me, she spoke. “If you leave, the deal is off and I will not offer it again.” Her nails curled, beckoning me to follow. “All you need to do is grab my hand. A lick of your blood will do to forge the bond. ”

Ivan’s eyes blazed. “You touch her?—”

Iyanna waved her hand. “It’s a mere blood oath, Ivan. Stop acting like I’m going to kill her.”

I swallowed liquid fire as my mind churned at the information she spewed. I needed time to think, but the way her eyes were blazing, I believed her. She would not present the offer again if I left.

Could we survive out there with King Hywell searching for me? Would it put us in danger? Put any of them at greater risk if I didn’t do it? I knew the answer, but to give up my freedom to this harrowing woman? My blood screamed at the thought. Being rational was never a strong suit, but outweighing the options—the solution was simple. “You said a drop of my blood will do?” I spat, my lips pressing in a thin line.

Her tongue swirled over her canines. “Yes. I’ll protect Moria in exchange for a blood oath, and provide the supplies you need for your adventure. You and your friends will also have a place to return to. A safe place beneath my wards.”

Ivan turned to face me. “Thalia, listen. Iyanna is skilled as a caster. If you do this, she controls you and your casting. Let’s meet with Fin and find Moria instead. We don’t need the supplies.”

“No, but we can’t keep running with Hywell and the rebels after us. After me.” My pulse drummed with each word. “I don’t like it anymore than you do, but it’s the best solution, Ivan.”

His lips pursed together. He knew it too. It provided everything we needed while being able to search for the Book of Spells.

I backed away from his gaze, my body taut as I moved closer to Iyanna until her gown fluttered against my flushed skin. “Do it,” I hissed. “As long as you hold to your word, I will hold to mine. ”

Iyanna’s hand lightly tugged my head to the side as she exposed the unblemished skin beneath. Her nails pricked and prodded the area as her pulse quickened against mine.

“By the Mother, your word and my word will be upheld. You’re making a smart choice,” Iyanna purred against my skin. Her breath was hot and fresh like chamomile, sending goosebumps along my flesh. Her teeth grazed my exposed skin as I stared at Ivan, my heart beating frantically.

I was making a blood oath with her. I was making a blood oath to protect Moria and give us the supplies we needed. Despite my hatred, it was an excellent plan. A safe plan where I wouldn’t lose another person I cared for.

Her teeth were against me in a flash of white as she pierced my flesh, my thoughts fizzling to smoke. Hot pain sliced through my neck, tendrils of it twitching the tips of my fingers.

I winced as her teeth bit and drew blood. It swirled with hers as something deep tore… and something else was reforged. My eyelids fluttered at the pinching pain. It dissipated in a flash as she removed her teeth, her lips ruby.

I stumbled forward as Ivan caught me, his arm wrapping around my waist to hold me steady. His fingers brushed over the fresh wound, a deep growl rumbling from his chest. Pain mirrored his face. A deep agony as if he experienced the fire licking my bones.

“Quiet. It’s the bond snapping into place.” Iyanna licked her lips, her white eyes shimmering. “She may be a little drowsy because of the ancient casting flooding her system, but I merely took a few drops.”

His hands were cold against the throbbing bite mark as his thumb traced the pattern inked into my skin.

My forehead pressed against his chest, and every muscle in my legs worked to keep me standing. My heels dug into the ground, and I bit back stars until that single, woven thread tying myself to her snapped into place.

Iyanna grinned. “Love is the most devastating curse.” Lifting her hand, she waved at me in dismissal. “Get some rest. I’ll call for you when I need you.”

“You’ll call for me?” I coughed, my voice hoarse. Was casting always this potent?

My body lurched from Ivan’s as Iyanna’s hand curled around my cheek.

“You won’t be able to resist when I call for you.” She snapped her fingers. “There should be an empty tent near the outskirts of the town. I hope you don’t mind sharing between the three of you. Space is tight.”

I bit my lip, a slow dip of my head sufficing as a nod.

“You have my word Moria will be kept safe within this camp along with the supplies you request.” She leaned closer, her lips brushing my ear. “I say this from one female to another. Stay wary of Ivan. While I might have manipulated both of you this time, he is still a Fae male—a master manipulator.”

Jerking my head back, I gave her a curt nod before stumbling out of the tent. I made it three steps under the faelight before Ivan blocked my path, his eyes swimming with liquid silver flame.

“Do you know what you’ve done? What you’ve rightfully broken?”

“Not now. Let’s go to the tent.” My head swam with various colors and images. All of them collided across my eyes in a sweeping headache. I didn’t need a lecture.

“What happened?” Fin asked as he rushed over, his hands keeping me steady.

Ivan pushed past Fin. “She has full control over you and your casting abilities. If she wishes you to fight, you’ll have to. I won’t be able to protect you anymore.”

“We didn’t have… any other options.” My head swam from the flooding of casting. Nausea curled my stomach, a feeling I was slowly becoming used to.

“You could have said no and walked out of the tent with me. We could have discussed this as a team.”

“Discussed what?” Fin asked. “Someone tell me what the hells happened in there!”

“I made a rational decision to protect Moria and get the supplies we needed!”

His eyes fell upon mine as he held my gaze. Ivan’s lips pursed together. “Iyanna will do anything to protect her people, and will not hesitate to cast you aside if it comes to it.”

“Take me… to my tent.”

“Did you do something, Thalia?” Fin’s eyes roamed my body, stopping as they met the mark against my neck. “Did you make a blood oath?”

“Yes,” I answered. “I made a blood oath with Iyanna to protect Moria and provide us supplies to find the Book of Spells.”

“She made a rash decision without considering any of the impacts,” Ivan stated. “What will Moria say when she finds out what you did for her?”

“Don’t,” I said. “I will tell her at a later time.”

“But she needs to know what you’ve done. You’ve given up your entire life for her and a few supplies.” Ivan turned to Fin. “Tell her she’s made a mistake.”

“Does he speak the truth?” Fin asked, his eyes glaring at me in the afternoon faelight.

A groan left my lips. “Yes, and I’m done arguing about it. Take me to a tent.”

Ivan clenched his jaw shut. “Fine, but this isn’t over.”

Without another word, Fin and Ivan helped guide me toward the tents .

I needed time to process what I’d done—what I’d given away for the friends I was beginning to trust in.