Page 175 of The Chains You Defy

A weight fell from my chest as I eased the shiny solution to my problem back into the satchel.

“We are thankful you decided to walk the high road. May you continue traveling this path from here on, friend of the Doitean.”

Well, it was more than questionable that I’d follow her advice, or rather, impossible. Doing the right thing because I believed in the cause hadn’t turned me into a saint or changed the fact that I usually didn’t care about something so trivial as the so-called sanctity of life.

Although I had to admit, being titled a friend by one of the ancients was feeding my ego, and I didn’t even attempt to stop preening.

“Of course, our hospitality doesn’t end here. If you’re in need of more rest before facing the Breocharn again, you are free to stay as long as you desire.”

“That’s a very generous offer, Lasair, but my departure has to be imminent. My magic recovered enough to traverse the fire fields unharmed.”

“As you wish. You will find your horse prepared and your bags filled with rations. Everything will be ready so you can leave within the hour.”

Nodding, I returned to my tent with every intention of packing my belongings and storing away the fake firestone as safely as I could. But as I approached my bag, the back of my neck prickled, so I glanced over my shoulder and was surprised to discover that the chieftain had followed me. “Anything else?”

“Yes. But this conversation is for you and me only.”

I tipped my head to the side in question, the motion supposed to encourage her to proceed.

“Your powers.”

“What about them?”

“Did you always have problems containing your magic?”

What the fuck? My face blanked as my mind morphed into a landscape of turmoil. How could she know? Yes, I’d struggled yesterday, but I was sure that nothing had leaked out. “I have no problems.” Not often, at least.

Lasair stared at me, and her eyes penetrated my very soul. “Young Dion, I mean you no disrespect, even if my advice might be unwanted. I can sense that your control is slipping. And there will come a time when the chains you cling to will break. Some things are not meant to be contained. And there are urgent questions you should find your answers to, and fast. Will you fight against yourself? Or accept the consequences of actions you never had a say in?”

With every spoken word, the frown on my forehead deepened. Even though my entire being bristled at some of her sentiments, the dark sense of foreboding I usually ignored hit me full force. Worse, I didn’t even understand half of her ramblings. “Lasair, I’m not fluent in cryptic. So, I need you to elaborate.”

The chieftain regarded me with ancient knowledge in her gaze, which stirred something deep within me, but then she sighed. “I cannot. But if you seek an explanation, consider visiting Bas.”

“Bas?”

“Sometimes, a pilgrimage can be enlightening and uncover buried truths.”

My headwas spinning, and annoyance at the unnecessary secrecy spread through my insides.

Yes, almost all fae went on a journey of self-discovery at one point during their first few centuries, but I’d abstained from such a nuisance. Why should I have wasted my time? There had never been the need to broaden my horizon. My place in life had been set, so why bother?

And setting out on a mission now? In this situation? Also— “What will I find at the haunted peak?”

“A chance to fix a broken part of you. Hence my recommendation to seek out Bas, and soon.”

A growl formed in my throat. Broken part, my ass.

Still, I swallowed down my rising temper.

I wasn’t damaged.

Or—

Maybe she’d hinted at—

What if her mysterious message showed me a way to mend whatever Galrach had done to me all those winters ago? Perhaps in heeding her advice, I could repair the altered part of my magic so my grandfather wouldn’t be protected anymore?

That must be the reason—and the solution.