Page 107 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

When we arrived at the main stairs to the compound, the conversation was rendered pointless because Casimir was just leaving. His robes were clean and he carried his bag, indicating that he was on his way to work.

He stopped abruptly when he saw us and backed up.

“Now listen here. I am a healer of this realm. You cannot harm me. It goes against the King’s laws,” he said with all the authority he could muster.

“No one is here to harm you, Casimir. I’d just like to talk for a moment.”

Jaxus was rigid, but when I squeezed his hand, he squeezed back.

“I don’t have time for this. I’m on my way to surgery.”

“It won’t take long. Something happened, and I wanted totell you personally before I take it to the council.” Desperation leaked into my voice. I needed to get this over with.

Casimir scowled, eyeing Jaxus accusingly. “What did he do?”

“I didn’t do anything.” Jaxus had a smug air to him.

I side-eyed him. “Stop.”

Casimir narrowed his eyes. “I don’t believe you.”

“Just let me speak, will you both?” I cleared my throat. There was no gentle way to say it and I could feel Jaxus’ restraint dwindling, so I just came out and said it: “Jaxus and I are soul-bonded.”

Casimir narrowed his eyes, seething in Jaxus’ direction. “Excuse me? Surely there must be some mistake.” He looked at me, his expression all-knowing and patronizing. "Come now, Kiera. That’s an uncommon condition and wasn’t it only recently discovered that the general and his ryder are soul-bonded? It’s quite unlikely that you two are as well.”

Is he male-splaining soul-bonding to me?

“Do you think I don’t know my own bond?” I asked, staring at him.

“New magic can be intoxicating.” Casimir oozed condescension while he looked Jaxus over. “Don’t worry, it wears off quickly with that type. Once you realize you can’t have an intellectual conversation with them?—”

“She told you we are mated, healer,” Jaxus snapped. “What don’t you understand?”

“When do you think this happened? Bonds like that don’t just poof into existence. We just had dinner and there was no mention of it.” Casimir crossed his arms over his chest.

“I found out after the dinner,” I told him honestly.

“I’ve known for some time,” Jaxus added proudly.

He studied us, losing confidence in his argument. “What does this mean for us? Surely you won’t let a little complication likethis impede our duty,” Casimir asked incredulously, his voice pitching as he really took in what I was saying.

“It means there can be no us, Casimir. You know that.”

“But your duty?—”

“Her duty is not to you or your kingdom,” Jaxus spat.

“I was not speaking to you,” Casimir returned. He looked at me. “We are going to produce the strongest line of healers in centuries, Kiera. You cannot turn your back on that. That is far more important than whatever ownership claim this creature says he has on you. Our kind are more important than any other. Without us, there would be no kingdoms.”

“I don’t claim ownership, you imbecile. Kiera is a free fae who decides her own future. I would have stood back and watched her wed you and bear your perfect healer children if that was what made her happy.”

Casimir looked at me expectantly. As if I would take this as permission and come to my senses.

“That’s not what I want, Casimir. Even without the soul-bond, it never was.”

“You don’t mean that. You’re being influenced by—” Casimir paused pointedly, “—this bond.” For an awful moment, I’d thought he was insinuating I was being influenced by dragon dick.

“I do mean it, Casimir. I’m in love with Jaxus.”