Page 97 of The Freedom You Seek

Dion didn’t reply, only glowered at me as a shadowy tendril appeared and wrapped around my wrist. I lunged toward the unbelievable bastard in cold fury, only to be halted mid-movement. “Did you really take from me to bind me to the bed?” My voice was dripping with acid, and I glared at the bedpost to which he’d restrained me with his magic—and the perky black tendril around my wrist had the nerve to hum.

“Can’t risk you running off over a minor disagreement, as you did not too long ago.” Dion shrugged and had the audacity to smirk—and wink—at me before slipping through the door into the washroom.

“Dion!Come back at once and take your magic away!”

“Be silent, or I’ll have to gag you too. You know I would.” His voice resonating through the closed door sounded amused, and I swore to all the gods and godlings that he would die by my hand. Painfully. Slowly.Very soon.Grinding my teeth, I shut up because I didn’t doubt for one second he’d make good on his threat.

Burning with rage, I sat down on the bed and stared holes into the bathroom door.

Five minutes later, I still hadn’t cooled off, but when it knocked on the door, I looked up.

“Shit, Naya, what peed on your parade?” Rewi scuttled into the room.

My anger evaporated when I saw her, but I quickly pressed my index finger to my lips and motioned my head toward the washroom door.

Rewi just shrugged. “That Fig guy said I’m supposed to share a room with you.”

That made me grin. If Fig utilized his authority, Dion could protest as much as he wanted. Suited him right.

“Want to go down to the tavern and eat something?”

“I can’t.”

Rewi’s eyes followed my scowl to the shadow restraint around my wrist. If I hadn’t known it was impossible, I would have believed the little fucker was preening—and it was definitely purring. “What the gods is that, Naya?”

“Shadows.”

“Shadows? How?” Rewi’s eyes widened as she touched the black tendril, which slightly twitched as if it was irritated that someone else was touching it. “It’s solid and warm.”

“Yes, it is. And it means I’m stuck here.”

“I’ll repeat myself. How? What?”

“You want to sit down for that.”

“Just tell me.”

“Well, guess what? Magic is real. Remember the darkness in Credenta when I—when I left?”

“You mean when they wanted to execute you for defending yourself? Yes, I remember. No one could explain the phenomenon, and it caused quite a mass panic. Magic, you say?” She paused for a moment. “I guess it doesn’t come from you, given the disdain you seem to have for your fancy shadow bracelet.”

Rewi’s eyes sparkled with amusement—and hope. Ever since we’d been children, she believed in the existence of something more. She was obsessed with myths and legends, and ever since I’d found out the truth, I knew she’d have a field day once she would learn what had been kept from us. A giddy warmth bloomed in my soul that I was the one who could finally confirm some of her theories.

“Why would I bind myself to the bedpost? No. The overprotective oaf guarding me is a Wielder and thinks you or Bryon will rip my head off.”

“So, magicisreal? That wasn’t a joke? Oh, Naya—I knew itall the time!”

“It is. Yes, you’ve been right all along.”

“And that sexy, growly brute is able to use magic? What did you call him? Wielder?”

Something prickly bristled in my throat when Rewi called Dion sexy, but I swallowed it down, and I definitely wouldn’t analyze the annoying sensation. “Yes. The men I travel with all can, more or less.”

“You have to tell me everything. How did you end up from hanging at the gallows to traveling the continent with five hot magic Wielder? It sounds like a fantasy tale.” Rewi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “But more importantly, what’s going on between you and Mr. Tall, Dark and Jealous?”

“Nothing.” Ugh, that came out too quickly.

Rewi’s eyebrow shot up. “I’m not an expert on men or anything, but I know that kind of jealousy isn’t nothing.”