Page 92 of The Freedom You Seek

“Well, if you want to know, as I said, ceremonial. They were often used in the Rite of Binding of high-ranking Wielder.” Dion refused to meet my eyes. No wonder he’d been so reluctant to share.

Larithia watched us intensely. “My father was Amalach’s priest of the Triad and was therefore tasked with conducting the Rite of Binding, as well as keeping the divine treasures safe. From a very young age, he told me that if I had to flee and could only rescue one thing, I’d have to save the relics. And so I did take them when Amalach was attacked. Ever since, protecting them has been my priority.”

Dion’s expression was still conflicted. The awe he felt was palpable, but from the way he couldn’t meet my eye, I knew he was thinking about my aversion to the thought of binding myself to anyone.

“Tell me about the Rite.” Facing both, I decided now was as good a time as any, and chances were good that it was a lot less likely that Larithia would omit important facts.

The seer opened her mouth, but Dion lifted his hand to stop her from speaking. Of course he did. Did I just assume something else for a moment? The seer’s eyes narrowed,and she entered a staring contest with Dion, who was growling again. Well, it was at least half an hour since the last time he’d done so.

“Dion, Larithia’s father was a priest responsible for the Rite. Let her explain.”

His eyes zeroed in on me, and I could see he wasn’t happy. But he said nothing, just fixed me with his intensity. It was so out of character for him—to keep his lips sealed, not the unmoving, staring pose he’d assumed. Since we’d arrived at this place, he’d been acting somewhat subdued, which was more than unusual for him. But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I had to listen to Larithia.

“The origins of the Rite of Binding are shrouded in mist. The legend is still known by a few, but I won’t bore you with it.” Larithia eyed Dion, and the corner of her mouth twitched. The suspicious interactions piled up higher and higher.

“Basically, the Rite binds the magic of a Wielder and the Potential of an Amplifier together, forever and unbreakable. Also, exclusive. The Wielder won’t be able to draw from another Amplifier ever again, nor can any other call on the bound Potential. Not even death cancels the binding. If the Wielder dies first, the Potential tied to them will become useless. Should the Amplifier leave for Udiona earlier, their bounded partner can’t pull from anyone else forever. Another important fact is that both parties have to enter the Rite of their own free will, and speaking the vows without truly meaning them will lead to failure. In all of history, no Rite has ever been successfully forced.”

I couldn’t express how relieved I was to hear that nugget of information. If what Larithia said was true, no one could force me into the Rite or pressure me to enter such a binding, not even Mr. Dark and Overbearing, who had grabbed for my hand again at some point during the conversation.

“The Rite itself isn’t complicated, but it’s full of meaning. Back then, it was conducted in a place of significance, but in the end, the ceremony can be held anywhere. The Amplifier speaks their vows, then uses a dagger to draw a few drops of blood, which are caught in a vessel by the Wielder. Afterward, the Wielder repeats the process while the Amplifier holds the vessel. When the vows have been spoken and the blood has merged, the divine magic of the gods binds the participants’ magical properties together.” The seer paused for a moment. “There are a few other minor factors playing a role. For example, as I mentioned, both have to enter the Rite willingly and sane of mind. Additionally, in the light of the divine power of the gods, all other magic will fade away and leave both participants bare and true in front of each other. Last, the divine power will forge a visible sign etched into the skin of both parties that’s unique to each binding.”

I nodded. “It almost sounds like a magically-enforced contract.”

“In a way it is, yes. A lot of duos in the past treated the binding like a bargain because, in the end, the Wielder gets a lot stronger, and the Amplifier gains powerful protection.”

Turning my head from Larithia to Dion, I chewed on my lower lip. His gaze dropped before he dragged his eyes back to mine.

“That’snothingyou have to consider, Nayana. We talked about it, and I know where you stand.” Dion sounded tense, cords of muscles stood out on his neck, and I realized he was slowly losing all patience. I couldn’t tell how I knew, but it was time for us to leave. In light of the recent developments, it was reassuring that Dion still wasn’t trying to change my mind about the Rite. I’d better not mention that if we really wanted to try saving the fabric between the worlds—and I cringed only by thinking about it—I, or better said,weshould give the idea of the Rite at least some consideration.

Just as I’d finished that thought, Dion got up and picked up the wooden box with gentle care. “Let’s go. It’s a long way to Amalach.”

I threw an apologetic glance at Larithia as Dion pulled me along by my hand. “Thank you, wise Larithia,” I blurted out before he ushered me through the door, and while I had gotten some answers, I was also many more questions richer.

After we’d left the cottage, I was finally able to take a deep breath for the first time in what felt like ages. I told myself not to think about the sheer amount of hostility Larithia had directed at me, nor about all the thinly veiled threats she’d issued. In the grand scheme of things, the perspective of a half-fae held no significance.

Nayana would ask questions. That was a given. I could see in her face that she’d picked up more than enough, but I’d refuse to indulge her.

I glanced over at her, and if her withdrawn expression was any indication, she was deep in contemplation. Taking another deep breath, I finally got my act together before we caught up with the others.

Lor was absent. She must’ve left the group while we’d been talking to the seer, and I wasn’t surprised about it. She’d made it clear from the start that she only needed us as a way out of Kalcas, and now that she’d gotten out and had paid for our help, she had no reason to stick around.

After stashing the wooden box with the relics safely into my saddlebags, I hoisted myself on my horse and helped Nayana up as well.I could only endure the oppressive silence and the expecting stares the others threw in my direction for so long, and I caved after only a short while. “We know where to go next.”

Fig raised his eyebrow. “Shouldn’t that be up for discussion?”

A sigh escaped me. I reminded myself that he meant well, but with events escalating faster than we’d been able to foresee, him pulling rank was even more of a nuisance than before. “I don’t think so.”

Antas faced me calmly and intently. “Where, Dion?”

“Amalach.”

Fig let out a very colorful curse, Ireas’ eyes widened, Thain I ignored, and Antas just nodded as if he’d always known that this would be our next destination. He most likely had.

I should’ve told them about the relics in my possession, but I was unwilling to do so. Instead, I leaned over to Nayana and murmured in her ear, “You tell them what happened in the cottage, Jama.” She shot me one of her dirty looks, those that were supposed to show me how much she despised being bossed around by me, but I just shrugged. I had too much to consider and couldn’t care less if I bruised her ego. If the confrontation with the seer had been one thing, it was surely a warning. I’d allowed myself to soften, to let my walls down, and to tolerate Nayana getting too close to me.This had to stop. As much as it would hurt both of us, I had to keep her at arm’s length. There was no other way.

Later that day, we found a secluded spot to set up camp for the night. We were still in the mountains and stopped under an overhang shielding us from view. The rock appeared stable enough, so there wasn’t a risk of it collapsing on top of us.

As I unpacked and prepared for the night, I could feel Nayana’s attention burning on me the whole time. She’d developed a sixth sense and got suspicious whenever I tried to distance myself from her.