I had expected any number of reactions upon my return to the orphanage.

Since leaving the palace behind me, I had been more than aware of the boiling anger of Elora pouring over the Bond. I knew she would be angry, but I think I had underestimated just how much. I felt like the Princess was staring at me, despite still being more than a hour's walk away. The King had offered to call the carraige for me but I thought it best to walk, to reaffirm my own arguments for my actions before seeing my beautiful bride. Of course, my arguments were all dependent on her saying nothing and just listening to me, something that I very much doubted Elora would be willing to do.

I understood her anger. I had sent a messenger to let her know that I would be travelling into the belly of the beast without her. If she hadn't been at least a little ticked off by that, I would have been more than a little concerned. The sheer amount of rage that was pouring across our golden connection, however, felt like a step beyond that. I was sending her all of the comforting thoughts I could, but that just seemed to make the Bond burn brighter, as though she was annoyed that I was trying to make her feel better. We hadn't been capable of this emotion sharing on command for long, so maybe I was making a mistake somewhere? That was what I told myself and it eased my thoughts. Well, it eased them until I arrived home.

Because of the Bond, I had expected Elora's reaction. What I should have accounted for, however, was Tessa's.

The walk back gave me a fair amount of time to ponder on the mysteries that had been revealed to me by the King of Venos. I finally had a name for the Silver Element. Space. This alone, was more than enough to fill me with relief, but learning at least a fragment of what it was capable of was far more valuable than a simple name. The problem with my silver Element thus far was a near complete inability to know how to utilise it in combat, or in any capacity for that matter. While the King had told me that he wouldn't be able to teach me how to harness it, he had given me a place to start and that was all I needed. Sure, the thought of once again standing before that burning eye of emptiness filled me with dread, but I was up to the challenge of taming this power. I just hoped to the Spirit that Julian knew what he was talking about and that I wouldn't be driven mad like his erstwhile relative, Zelato.

Zelato. Another name revealed, this time belonging to the man I had known as Jester. It wasn't quite as important as the name of my Element, but what was relevant was that he wielded it like I could. More than that, the power he had was enough to make the King cautious about fighting him, which told me so much more than his name ever could. I had felt Gida's power, felt her Weapon, and still fighting this man was no sure thing for the King and Queen of Venos. Part of me was excited by that. If Zelato could have such power, then surely I was capable of reaching such heights as well? The power to teleport, to cut through Space and land a blow without being near an enemy. More terrifying than even that, the ability to attack a Smith inside the inner soul, something I would have thought impossible had I not done it myself. It filled me with equal parts eagerness and trepidation. I couldn't protect Elora even if she was Bonded with me while facing him. It made my need to keep my distance from the man all the more necessary. At least until I had the power to actually stand a chance.

Power. It all came back to becoming stronger, to growing as a Knight. I was an Heir and had the potential to grow far beyond what other Knights were capable of, but my enemies seemed to be growing to match. I needed to try harder. After Paldrum, I had put off my training. I had done some small exercises here and there, but nothing the like of which I did during my time in the palace. Elora and I would need to push ourselves harder than ever if we wanted to stand a chance against the enemies that were arrayed against us. Yes, it all came back to power.

It all came back to Tessa.

I had tried not the think about her on the walk back, but when passing through the inner city gates she suddenly appeared fully formed in my mind. Her sudden arrival was followed by the words of the King and the Sister. Both wanted me to Bond with her. Tessa wanted it as well. We hadn't spoken of it since Paldrum, both of us wanting to avoid the elephant in the room even during our talk the night before, but I didn't doubt that her earnest need to Bond had waned over the last two weeks, especially since she had been waiting for the opportunity since she was seven years old.

Yet still I hesitated. I hadn't asked for Elora's thoughts on the matter, but given the way she had asked Tess to stay with her in the orphanage and had defended her actions, I believed the Princess was open to it. For some reason that just made it harder. I felt like giving Tess what she wanted, what she believed she needed, would only cause more problems. Not to mention the fact that Bonding to someone for the rest of my life was a big commitment. When Elora and I Bonded, the choice had been simple: Live as Knight of the Princess or die on that stage in the arms of my family.

Indecision had become a close companion over the past few days, but I could no longer let it rule my life. I needed to decide how to handle the Tessa situation, and soon, before it was solved for me.

I tried once again to put it off, to banish Tess for my mind's eye, but she would reappear again like a phantom, poised and ready to strike when my concentration lapsed.

I walked up the stairs of the orphanage with a heavy heart, the journey having passed me by in the blink of an eye, lost as I was lost in my own head. I was thankful that Embla had said she had tasks to perform in the palace. I didn't need to put up with her angry glares, an inevitable result of that first, tumultuous interaction with his Majesty, the King. I had asked for Beatrice as I had left the palace, only to be informed that the young maid was currently busy in the eastern wing. I was both relieved and disappointed by this news. Relieved because it seemed that the young redhead was not being blamed for the events surrounding our escape, and disappointed because I was hoping to see her before I returned to the Princess' side. I was put at ease by the thought that I would see her again soon. With some of the bad blood between the crown and I put to bed, I would probably be expected to spend more time around the Venosian seat of power. I hoped Beatrice would return as my personal maid at that point. I had under appreciated how nice it was to have someone on your side in the palace. Even if that someone was prone to having panic attacks when faced with the Nobility she served.

I placed a hand on the door and felt it. Call it instinct, call it sixth sense. Whatever it was, it made me suddenly throw myself back down the stairs and into the guards who had been following behind me. We fell and I rolled across the dry mud, thankful that the orphanage was located on one of Myrin's older streets and was near devoid of sharp cobbles.

It seemed I had acted not a moment too soon before the doors were kicked open, the wood near splintering under the force of such a terrific blow. What followed such a show of strength was the phantom that haunted my thoughts. Tessa never looked more terrible and beautiful than when she was angry. Her brow was pulled down over her sharp eyes, which seemed to glow in the dim light of the setting sun. Her rough-cut auburn hair danced about her shoulders in the stiff northern breeze and her bared teeth were aimed only at me.

Many men would've immediately filled their britches if they were in my shoes. I did not. No, what I saw before me only caused excitement to rise within my chest. I grinned at the snarling Tess, already settling into a form as she barrelled down the stairs, her light steps making me feel like a witless ape in comparison as I shoved my guards to the side.

The mercenary threw a left hook which slammed into the side of my head before I could react, her devastating speed still surprising me even after being on the receiving end of its bite more than once. I didn't flinch or move back. If I did, Tess would chase and I knew I couldn't get away fast enough. Instead I pushed forward, punching her in the ribs and feeling the bone bend beneath my knuckles. In the time it took me to withdraw she had attacked me seven times. Three hits to the body and four lightning fast elbows thrown into my blind-side. I could already feel the right side of my face beginning to swell with blood.

I threw another punch which Tess slipped with ease, kicking me in the knee with a dull crack that caused me to grunt in pain. I managed to stay on my feet and launched a kick of my own. It was far less graceful than Tessa's, but it did the job, hammering into her pelvis and causing her to snarl in a wordless promise for revenge.

Tessa blurred and kept attacking my blind-side, her feet never still as she moved to take advantage of my blatant weakness. It was working. The fight had only been going on for a few seconds and yet I was already flagging. Every time I managed to land a hit on Tess she would return the favour with six of her own. My strategy wasn't tenable, so I had to improvise, had to show her something she hadn't seen before.

After she rocked my head once again, I made a desperate dive for her legs. Mobility was Tess' greatest strength against me. Take that away and I would over-power her with my weight and sheer physicality. My mad gambit worked in that it surprised her. In every other sense, though, it was a failure. Tessa stepped aside as I soared beneath her and lifted a leg into the air, bringing it down like a hammer that smashed into the back of my head.

Stars burst behind my eye as my face was pushed into the mud. I was sure that I blacked out for second, only coming to when I felt the tip of a boot dig into my ribs. I tried to stand but the mercenary kicked my hand out from under me and I fell back to the ground. I cursed myself silently and rolled to the side, escaping another punishing kick. I jumped to my feet with my hands up and teeth bared only to see Tessa hadn't moved. She stood, hands on hips, staring at me with a sneer of derision on her face.

“Could've killed you, Orin,” Tess snarled, “Could've broken your neck as easy as turning a hand. You can't even beat me. Think you would've done better against the royal guard? The King and Queen?”

“I didn't-” I wheezed, a hand going down to hold onto my bruised ribs. Tessa interrupted me before I could finish my thought.

“That's right. You didn't. You didn't think about Elora, didn't think about the Sister and the kids here. Didn't think about me. You ran into a situation that you weren't prepared for. Fucking Spirit, Orin, you didn't even have a blade.”

“Tess, it was fine. No harm done. It was just a talk with the King.” I replied, trying to placate her, worried at the anger I was seeing in the mercenary.

“'No harm done?' What if you'd been killed? What if you'd been taken prisoner? Did you know they sent men here after you left this morning to take the Princess back to the palace? Did you think to check in and make sure everything was okay? Two weeks ago you were in a fucking cell, about to be put to death. You think it's alright to just go and have a chat with one of the people that put you there? Are you that fucking dense?!”

“Men came here? Who?” I asked, a spike of fear impaling my black flames.

“Royal guard. I put them in their place and sent them off. Princess' guard were useless in any case,” Tessa turned her spiteful glare against the women who were standing outside. Some had even come out to see what the commotion was about. Not a one of them would meet her eyes. Fuck, I should've been here.

“Tess, if I'd known I would've-”

“'Would've'.” Tessa spat out spitefully, “ You still think you can handle everything alone. I saw it in the band, now I see it here. I thought you having a Smith would change things. You left Elora, your Smith, while you walked into danger. You're not just you anymore, Orin. You exist for more than just yourself. Leaving your Smith behind as a Knight is like leaving behind your sword arm. What were you expecting to do if things went south? Talk pretty at them until they let you go?”

She was right, of course. I knew it was true, but I felt myself becoming defensive regardless. “I get it, Tess, but everything turned out fine. I'm back, in one piece. Nothing bad happened.”

“Nothing happened this time, Orin.” Tessa snapped. “You need to understand that you aren't alone anymore. You're too important to be throwing yourself into harm's way. Next time you have a bright fucking idea about going to spend some time with the people who just tried to kill you, tell the closest person you see so they can tell you you're being an idiot.”

“I thought that was your job?” I grinned at the mercenary hoping my attempt at humour would help cool her off. It didn't work.

“It would be if I was there, but you went off on your own.” Tess walked up to me and poked me in the chest. I winced as she her digit dug into my bruised skin, “Don't do that again. Ever.”

“Listen, Elora will understand when-”

“I'm not talking about Elora, Orin,” Tessa frowned, poking me again, softer this time, “I'm talking about me.”

Before I could ask for clarification on that point, the Princess of Venos decided to make an appearance.

“Orin!” Elora shouted, appearing in the doorway, her expression a mixture of absolute relief and cold fury. “Inside. Now.”

The Princess of Venos stared down at me from the top of the steps, her golden eyes filled with a frozen fury mixed with the barest hint of relief, which I could also feel over the Bond. She was still dressed in her dirty tunic and breeches, though that did nothing to take away from her imperious presence. Her blonde hair hung loose about her shoulders, framing her lovely face. The kindness and love that I was so used to seeing in her was absent now, replaced by a cool rage that seemed to make even my black flames shake with the barest hint of fear.

I may have been in more trouble than I had initially thought.

“By the way, the beating? That wasn't my idea.” Tessa whispered spitefully as she pushed against my back, shoving me closer to the cold air that seemed to exude from the woman I loved.

Well, shit. Seemed that the girls had finally found some common ground. A shame it was a shared joy in my suffering, but still, the small victories had to be celebrated.

“Elora-”

“Not out here, Orin. Inside. Now.” The Princess repeated before turning on her heel and striding into the orphanage.

I sighed and followed after the Princess with Tess walking beside me. The Sister was waiting just inside with folded arms and fierce eyebrows pulled low over disappointed eyes. I wasn't stupid enough to believe I would receive a sympathetic saviour in the form of my mother, but I tried to plead with her anyway, just in case. She merely shook her head at my desperate look and went back into her office, slamming the door behind her.

I thought Elora would lead me into the dining room, as it had become something of an unofficial meeting place over the last few days but that was not the case. The Princess walked straight past the dining room doors and strode onward in the direction of the living quarters. More specifically, she was headed for my room. Stranger still was that Tess was still following behind me.

We reached the weathered door to my old room quickly, the short walk flying by as I locked my eye on the back of Elora's tunic, trying to ignore the burning gaze of the mercenary that seemed to sear into my back. Elora pushed her way into the room and I hurried to follow after her to escape Tessa's stare, only for my friend to follow us inside, gifting me with a snide smile as she moved to lean against the chest of drawers in the corner. I also noticed that it put her closer to the door than me. She was ruining any chance I had of escape. Very clever.

“Well? What happened?” Elora walked over to the bed and sat down, her legs and arms crossed.

My start was hesitant, the combined glare of Elora and Tessa more potent than any charge I had faced down with the band, so I aimed to get through everything as best I could, starting with Yale's arrival in the Commons market, then I told them of my ascension to the Nobility. neither seemed to have an issue with it, with only a shrug of indifference from Tess and a nod from Elora. Seems I was the only one who took umbrage with joining the higher ranks. I went through what my Element was, the true name of Jester and a brief summary of the other Heir who was in the Hall, Princess Alice of Ingemar. I also told them she had all five of her Smiths. I noticed that neither of the girls looked very surprised to hear this news.

“Tessa told me the other Heir was Princess Alice, and that she had five Smiths, yesterday.” Elora explained upon catching my confused look.

“And you didn't think that was important and I needed to know?” I asked, slightly put out by Elora keeping something so vital from me.

The Princess flushed with a combination of anger and embarrassment, “I was going to tell you when you got home after the market, but you decided to go and speak to my father without me. You can't really claim the high ground here, Orin.”

“I'm more interested in your Element,” Tess chimed in before Elora and I could argue about the finer points of withholding information, “Space. I've never heard of it before. It's not mentioned in my family's books on Smithing. I wonder if it's specific to your family, Princess?”

“It is,” I interrupted before Elora could reply, “The King said as much. But he and the Queen don't have the Element, only Zelato does and apparently it drives people mad.”

“Doesn't affect you, though,” Tess shrugged as though the case of madness was a non-issue, “Couldn't give a shit if a few of Elora's relatives went insane. No offence, Princess.”

“None taken,” Elora said thoughtfully, an idle finger tapping at her chin, “I wonder just who this Zelato is and what he wants. Clearly he's related to me. Father really told you nothing about him?”

“Only the basics. He said he wanted you there to talk about the rest. Apparently, it's something that he and your mother don't like talking about.”

“I can understand why,” Elora replied, “He was clearly a high-ranking member of House Brand. We have many families who carry a hint of our blood, but they don't really draw attention from the main branch. Zelato must have been born into the royal family if my father said he was once important.”

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“Or he could've distinguished himself from one of those branch families,” Tessa pointed out, “All speculation in any case. King said he'll keep coming. He's a threat. That's all that's important.”

“Aye, but he's too strong for Elora and I to fight. He's a Master and could easily turn all of us to dust. His Element is incredibly versatile. Able to appear anywhere, at anytime? How do you counter that?”

“We need more power...” Elora murmured, her eyes landing on Tessa. “We need to get stronger.”

“I know. The King said...” I stopped myself, my own eye flicking over to Tess who seemed to be intensely interested in the chest of drawers she was leaning against. Fuck, I couldn't bring this up now. I just couldn't. I wasn't even sure how I felt about the idea of Bonding with Tess, let alone putting it on the table for a discussion.

“He said what?” Elora asked. Something told me that she already knew what I had been about to say. There was something in her eyes and the way she kept looking at Tessa.

“It's nothing.” I muttered, folding my arms and refusing to look at the two women, the talking phantoms of the King and the Sister returned once more to whisper into my mind, an unwanted replacement for Elora and Tessa, who had fallen silent at my dismissal.

“I'll give you two a minute.” Tess muttered under her breath.

The mercenary all but ran from the room and I somehow knew it was because of me. The answer to the need for power was an obvious one and it was standing right in front of me. I wanted to keep Elora safe. I wanted to protect the Sister, the kids and even Tess. Yet still I hesitated. All it would take would be a word and Tess would swear herself as my Smith. That in itself was the greatest issue.

The door closed behind her and silence continued to reign. I refused to look at Elora, consumed by my shame, my weakness. I couldn't take advantage of Tessa like that. I couldn't do to her what had once been done to me. If I did I would be little better than her father, who played her like a pawn for my benefit. I would be a monster.

“Orin,” Elora whispered and I heard the creaking of the bed as she got to her feet, the sound of her boots against the newly laid wood as she walked towards me. “Orin, look at me.”

I did, meeting her golden eyes with my singular green. She smiled at me, a small smile but there nonetheless and I felt the soothing accompaniment of warmth flow over the Bond. She wrapped her arms around me and leaned her head against my chest. I returned the embrace, taking comfort in her presence, in the escape from my own turbulent thoughts.

“You have to make a choice.” Elora muttered into my tunic.

“I know,” I replied, stroking her hair idly, “Does that mean you've made yours?”

“I made my choice quite some time ago, Orin,” Elora said with a grin, looking up at me, “I chose you, or didn't you realise? I'm afraid the decision you have to make is far harder, but I'll be with you no matter what. Always.”

“Thanks, Princess,” I said whole-heartedly, leaning my head against hers and trying to once again find some kind of peace inside myself.

“Doesn't mean I'm not still pissed with you,” Elora growled, “Never leave me behind again. I don't care if it was just my father. You know as well as I do that things tend to go wrong when you're involved. The men and women who came, the royal guard, they were sent by Duke Brynyar. Truthfully, they were only here to extend an invitation. Tessa may have... overreacted a little, but the situation wouldn't have gone that far if you were here. I'm your protector as much as you are mine, Orin. I'm never letting you out of my sight again.”

“I can live with that,” I chuckled, thankful that the situation with the royal guard wasn't as serious as I thought. I was more grateful that the King hadn't been a distraction to lure me away from Elora. Brynyar, I knew. He had been the man standing next to the King when Embla and I had arrived at the palace. Chamberlain of the House of Hymns as I recalled. I would have to keep an eye on that, but it was a matter for another time. There were far more important topics to discuss, “The first messenger came, but did the second? Your proposal gift?”

“Ah, yes. Another vague message about getting all dressed up and hiding my hair. What are you up to?”

“Nothing much,” I said, leaning over to plant a kiss on her lips, “I didn't really go and see your father about making peace. Well, I did, but there was another reason.”

“What reason was that?”

“For you, for the wedding.”

Elora's eyes widened and she involuntarily tried to take a step back but I locked my arms around her and stopped her before she could, “You told him?!”

“I did.”

“Why!? What possible reason could you have to tell them about it!?”

“Because I know you love them still,” I replied soothingly, “One mistake, no matter how fucking heinous and life-changing, could change that. I knew that I would be devastated if the Sister couldn't come to my wedding. We crossed half of Venos to save your parents, Elora. I know you want them there.”

Elora said nothing for a moment, cradled in my arms, “They tried to take you from me.”

“I know they did, but I think I came out of the whole thing on top. I mean, I'm a Noble now, not to mention the recognised Knight of the Princess. Honestly, I think it all ended pretty damn well.”

Elora chuckled, “Could've done without the attempt on your life to get it. So... they're coming?”

“Your father said he will, though I'm unsure about your mother. I like the King, he seems like a good man. The Queen on the other hand... well, let's just see how things go.”

Elora laughed again, but the laughter quickly gave way to tears as she shook against me, “You're a good man, Orin of Myrin.”

“That's Count Orin now,” I smirked into her hair, “Or perhaps Duke Orin? Shit, do you think they'll make me a Earl? The shittiest of all the titles. No one wants to be an Earl.”

“Keep doing things like you did today and I'll ensure it,” Elora giggled and glanced upwards, taking my head in her tiny hands. Her eyes were red from crying but she had a peaceful, almost blissful look to her that had been absent before, “Thank you for doing this. Never do it again. I'm your Smith, your sword. Without me, you're just a charming mercenary with a pretty face.”

“Ah, so you do think I'm charming?” I preened, “I knew it. Just be careful you don't fall in love with this pretty face, Princess.”

“Too late for that, I'm afraid.”

“Yeah, I knew that too.” I smiled.

We stood there for a while, the two of us locked together and taking comfort in each other's presence and the soothing calm of the Bond. I would've liked to stay there for hours but things needed to be done and words needed to be said.

“You should get ready,” I said to the Princess, “Tonight is your night and I've a whole thing planned.”

“Oh, a thing? How incredibly thoughtful of you.” Elora said sarcastically as we broke away, “Should I pack my dagger?”

“Yes.” I replied almost immediately, “If the last few hours have taught me anything then it is the need to always have some form of bladed implement nearby. You'd think I'd be more aware of that by now, brave mercenary that I am. I'm gonna ask Tess if I can borrow one of hers.”

“Take a bath as well, Orin,” Elora smirked , “Tessa really did a number of you.”

“At your order, I was told.”

Elora shrugged delicately, “I have no idea what you're talking about. You can live with the pain of your bruises until after your bath. Think of it as an added punishment. I might heal them up afterwards, if I feel inclined.”

“Your wish is my command, Highness,” I bowed with flair, “I will suffer these terrible wounds proudly. Though, Tess could've taken it a little easier on my poor ribs.”

“Speaking of Tess,” Elora called to me before I reached the door, “She told me a little about being an Heir. Apparently, a new Bond wouldn't affect any that already exist. The Bond is only between Knight and Smith. Just something to think about.”

I nodded hesitantly, understanding what she was getting at, before I closed the door to leave her to change in peace.

I found Tess in the courtyard.

She was training again, her blades a blur of motion as she struck at enemies that only she could see. I have to admit that I loved catching her in moments like this. It was a thrill to see a true talent work with their chosen weapons. Watching Vera and the Queen had given me a similar thrill. I had long since accepted the fact that I had gone as far as I could with the sword under my own talents alone. I sought inspiration whenever I could and in none did I find more than Tessa.

She moved like a living shadow, her blades a blur amid the din of silence that filled the courtyard. Her hair whipped about her as she spun and twirled. Her feet were impeccably placed, each movement had meaning and that meaning meant to kill. The dagger was not a weapon many warriors favoured. It worked best when used in surprise attacks, or to use in conjunction with another weapon like an axe or sword. To use the dagger meant getting close, closer than many would be comfortable with. Yet Tess thrived in that state. The closer she was to her enemy, the higher her chance of winning. She would never admit it but I could've sworn that she loved the challenge of it all. There was not a weapon that Tessa had touched which she was not immediately adept with, yet she relied on one that, by its very nature, left her at a disadvantage.

I came to a realisation then. It was a subtle thing, a seed planted in my mind back in Paldrum, one which had slowly grown and spread roots throughout my brain, given new life by Elora's assertion to stand by my decision. When Tessa had left back then, after attempting to Bond with me, I wasn't angry at her for the secrets she had kept, nor was I angry for her running away. I was angry because I thought I would never see her again, fight beside her again.. She was what I had been chasing all those years away from Myrin. Boldrin had given me a chance in the band, but Tessa had given me a goal to strive for. I had yet to reach her level, but I chased her nonetheless. It was in that, in the act of trying, that I found my own path, my own way through the battlefield. Could I live without that? Could I live without her in my life?

No. I don't think I could.

A weight was lifted from my shoulders then as everything else fell away. I still felt the old rage haunt me. A rage aimed at those who had taken a young girl and transformed her into a living weapon with the express purpose of serving me, but Tess remained the same. She was her usual brash self, only now I saw all of her, not just the flawless savage exterior. She was vulnerable and afraid, this I knew to be true. Yet all she needed was a friend. Someone to push her and be willing to be pushed in turn. Had we not been doing that all this time? Helping each other along the path? She had just been doing it for me for far longer than I had for her. I had been selfish for too long. I had hidden behind her mental state, using it as a method of justifying my inaction. Then I had hidden behind what it would mean for Elora and I, what it would mean for our Bond, but the Princess' last words stripped those arguments to tatters. I was afraid, I realised, not for Tess but for myself.

“You're staring, Orin.” Tessa barked, breathless, as she came to a stop. Her face was red as she twirled the daggers absently across her fingers, an action so ingrained it had become muscle memory.

“Sorry,” I mumbled pathetically, though my staring didn't stop, “I've been meaning to ask you. How are the band?”

Tessa sighed and turned to look at me, hands on her hips as she examined my face from afar, “I was wondering when you were going to ask. Why did it take you so long?”

“Guilt, I guess,” I replied softly, kicking at the soft grass beneath my feet, “Maybe a little anger too. In my mind, the others are all still alive and well. If I ask, if I find out the truth, then that goes away.”

“That's a coward's way, not yours,” Tess breathed out heavily, the heated air from her lungs causing the air to turn to mist. “What's happened has happened. Nothing you can do to change that.”

“I know. So, how are they? Did everyone make it out of Dunwellen alive? Did Alec?”

Tessa took a moment to formulate her answer, biting her inner cheek as she formed her response, “Alec is alive, but he lost an arm. I left before I could find out who fell, but I know quite a few of his warriors didn't make it back. Many lives were lost.”

Each of Tessa's words were hammer blows against my heart. Alec had lost his arm? His time as the greatest archer in the band was done now. He would not be kicked out, it was not our way, but his stint as a warrior was over. Did he hate me for it? I wondered, but I knew the truth. He would never hate me, not for something as simple as a lost arm. I could hear him say something like that. Hiding his pain to protect me as others in the Brigade had done before. I knew that my next meeting with the man would be filled with joy rather than spite. I felt sick at the thought of that. I deserved all his spite and then some.

“I wasn't there to ask the question.” I muttered under my breath.

Tessa shook her head, “Wasn't your place. Alec did the asking for his crew. You already did your part in the camp.”

“Adrian, Grove, Heston, Tadeus, Sabah and Frode.” I said their names for the first time in weeks. I didn't stumble, the names of those who had given their lives for my fool plan were already etched into the fires of my soul.

Tessa nodded with difficulty. As abrasive as she had been with everyone in the band, she knew those who fell as well as I did, if not better considering more than a few of them probably served in my secret guard. “They believed in you, Orin. All of them, except Frode, knew who you were. Each went willingly, each would've given their lives a thousand times over for you.”

“I would never have asked them to!” I hissed hoarsely, my hands trembling at my sides.

Tessa's grey eyes softened, “I know. I think that might have been one of the reasons why they did what they did. You said you were angry. Why?”

“What?” I blinked at the mercenary, my head tilted like the beaten dog I believed myself to be.

“A moment ago, you said you felt guilty and angry. Why?”

I sighed and raised a hand to my suddenly pounding head, “Because of Boldrin.”

“He kept secrets, but so did I. So did the Sister. Yet you don't blame us for that?”

“It's not about that. It's about... Well, it's what he did to you.”

“Ah,” Tessa replied, her eyes finding the ground beneath her.

“Why do you want to Bond with me, Tess?” I asked the question because it was on my mind, though I surely didn't mean to. The mercenary and I both froze, both of us just as surprised that I would choose this moment to ask that particular question.

Tessa took some time to answer, even the idle focus on her spinning daggers coming to a complete halt. “Because... Because I want to. Is that not enough?”

“Come on. There must be more to it than that,” I asked exasperated, “Why me? I know I'm an Heir and I'm meant for some great things, or whatever the fuck the Sister was talking about, but I'm not a prince, nor a Noble. Well, not a Noble yet anyway. You said we have a connection. Is that what it is?”

Tessa exhaled greatly before moving over to sit on the bench beneath the great tree, her daggers returning to their sheaths as she did so. The mercenary sat down and clung to the sides of the stone bench, her eyes not finding me.

“When I touched you, Orin, I knew.” Tess began quietly, her fingers grabbing at the air as though reaching through a memory to touch me once again, “It was a simple thing. I touched your hair, brushed it aside and stared at your face. Father said I would know when I met you, know we were meant to be Knight and Smith. Young as I was, I thought he was exaggerating, but he was right. I see you when I close my eyes, Orin. It doesn't matter where you go, I'll always feel your presence, even across the continent. When you touch me... it's like fire spreading across my body. It doesn't burn, but soothes with its warmth. You make me feel complete.”

“...I see.” What else could I say to that? “So... you can see me anywhere? Without the Bond?”

Tessa nodded slightly, her hair bobbing in agreement, “Yeah, It's a trait of House D'viritazi. I don't know its origin, I just know that every Smith who has touched an Heir has been able to do the same thing I can.”

“And me touching you. It... It feels good?” I tried to ask the question as delicately as I could and Tess must have seen the discomfort on my face because she began laughing in the next instant. The laughing didn't fade when my discomfort changed to worry, instead turning her face blue with the strain. It was infectious and, before I knew it, we were both going at it, cackling madly into the fading light of day, the utter absurdity of the situation hitting us at once.

“You saying it sounds so fucking strange,” Tess recovered first, her hands to her sides. I was thankful that the smile remained. It was more natural than any I had seen from her before, her sharp canines adding something of a feral tinge to her grin.

“Well, it is fucking strange, Tess.” I replied, leaning back against the trunk of the tree and examining my companion.

“Yeah. Yeah, it is,” Tessa frowned, “I've never had to explain it before. I never even told Boldrin about it really, though I think he knew regardless. The first time I tried to tell someone about it was Elora and she didn't look best pleased.”

I chuckled as I imagined Elora's face, “No, I would think not.”

Tessa shrugged, “It isn't anything like she was imagining. Really, the best way to explain it is being... filled, I guess? Shit, that came out wrong.”

It was too late, I was already laughing again and the mercenary was quick to join me as another round of explosive belly-aching bellowing erupted between the two of us. The sight of her laughing, especially after she had suffered so much, warmed my black soul. If I could ease her burden in anyway I could, I would.

I knew what I had to do.

“So that's why you want to Bond with me?” I asked her after our second round of mirth had died down, “The connection, the feeling?”

“I thought that was what it was. For the longest time, I believed that. I changed my mind after meeting you in the Brigade. I know I can be... difficult, at times. The band gave me space when I was, but you didn't. Not once were you ever put off by me, even after I had spent hours in training beating you to a pulp.”

“Hey, that's not quite fair. I almost had you tonight.” I protested, desperately trying to protect my ego.

Tessa rolled her eyes, “Aye, you near had me alright. Please, Orin. If I'm ever beaten by you I'll stop fighting altogether. You punch like a girl.”

“Coming from you, that's a compliment.” I shot back, causing the mercenary to grin.

“But there's your reason. It's because you were there for me when no one else was, even if you didn't know it yourself. It's not the connection nor the feeling. It's you, Orin. It always was.” Tessa stared at me intensely, the slightest upwards turn to her lips as her eyes shined with the certitude of her words.

I could feel her conviction. It was like a wave exuding from her body, one which was as sharp as her eyes and as undeniable as a storm. She believed what she said and, in that, I felt my heart and soul settle.

“I guess I can understand that. I am pretty amazing.” I replied with a dry throat, causing Tess to snort and punch me on the arm, before she suddenly went quiet.

“You left me behind again, Orin,” Tessa whispered, pulling her legs up under her chin and locking her arms around them, “You went where I can't follow. Again.”

The palace. What Tessa said when I arrived back in the orphanage hit me once again and this time like a ton of rocks from above. She had told me how it made her feel to be unable to reach me only the night before and still I had barely given her a thought besides the Bonding. I was a fool, made more so by the fact that I hadn't even realised it until that moment.

“I'm sorry, Tess,” I quietly slid up beside the girl and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. I felt her shiver beneath my touch but she didn't pull away. “I promise, I won't leave you behind again.”

Tess looked at me then, her eyes wide, quickly filling with dread and... maybe, just a little bit of hope, “What are you saying, Orin?”

“I'm saying... well, I'm saying I'm taking Elora away for a bit, for the proposal gift,” As I spoke, I could feel the energy drain from her body, ebbing as though it was being sucked away. “I'll be back in a few hours. I'd like you to wait here for me.”

“Why?” Tessa spat, filled with bitterness and a sense of rejection, “You tell me you won't leave me behind, yet now you are doing just that.”

“Tessa, you don't understand. Look at me,” I turned to face the mercenary, all but forcing her with my remaining eye to do the same, “I want you to wait here for me. Got it?”

Tessa stared at me in confusion before comprehension filled her features, her eyes widening and breath coming heavier, her cheeks flushed as she leaned closer. The desperation in her eyes doubled, tripled and that obsessive longing made a reappearance. “Orin, are you-”

“Wait here for me.” I stated again, “I'll be back soon and I'll have Elora so you won't have to worry. Besides, I just gave you a hug. You should be feeling 'filled' for a while, right?”

Tessa's blissful expression immediately fell away, dying down into what I could only call dead-eyed, long suffering annoyance. “Hi-fuckin-larious, Orin. You're a special kind of asshole, you know that?”

“I may be, but you're the one who said I was special, so that's on you,” I jumped to my feet with a grin before remembering something and spinning back to face the mercenary, “Shit, can I borrow your dagger? I'll bring it back, I swear.”

“If anyone else asked me that, I'd have stabbed them. But just because you're oh so special, you can have one.” Tess grumbled, throwing the dagger at me blindly and forcing me to grab the thing out of the air before it found a new sheath in my chest, “Try not to get into a fight you can't win.”

“I never do.” I winked at the girl... well, tried to wink before I realised I only had one eye, and began to leave the courtyard.

“You aren't fucking with me, are you?” Tessa's desperate cry caught me just before I left, making me turn around with a hand on one of the stone pillars that ringed the well maintained enclosure, “If you're fucking with me, I'll cut your balls off.”

“I wouldn't do that to you, Tess. One way or another, this is all getting sorted tonight.”