Page 47 of A Shattered Kingdom of Steel
“I…” My voice trails off.
“You haven’t let yourself,” Kheldryn remarks with a knowing look. “But maybe you should. Mate bonds are something to be treasured, not rejected.”
“Not all of us have the luxury of accepting a mate bond,” I tell her, fumbling for something to use in my defense. “Though we might want to.”
As if she’s won whatever game we’re playing, Kheldryn makes a pleased face.
I open my mouth to counter her wordless statement but pause when I hear a male’s voice beside me.
“I should have known you’d be up early, Bladesinger.”
Tilting my head back, I press my eyes shut when the realization we had an audience for the last part of our conversation washes over me. Knowing full well that my fated won’t let this go undiscussed, the burn of my mistake sizzles in my lower abdomen.
Opening my eyes, I turn my face to Asheros who is standing beside me with his hands casually resting in his pockets. His medium-length, white-blond hair is mussed in silky layers, as if he’d brushed it back off his face with his fingers. He wears a loose-fitting cream-colored shirt, the top unbuttoned and the bottom untucked, and a silvery-blue vest that’s generously fitted to his torso. His form fitting pants are a darker shade of blue, like that of the sky come midnight.
Savell enters the sitting room behind him.
“Truly, I’m surprised you didn’t come wake me.” Asheros grins wickedly, diamond eyes meeting my own.
“Luckily for you,” I tell him, crossing my arms, “I’m in the mood to be gracious this morning.”
His expression darkens, stoking the embers deep within my core. “How lucky for me, indeed.”
Tightening my arms across my chest, I avert my gaze. This male will be the death of me, I’m sure of it.
“Orim’s in the kitchen preparing breakfast,” Asheros says, tone matter-of-fact. “In the meantime, you and I will send a message to His Majesty.”
“And Her Majesty,” I add, emphasizing Cryssa’s title.
“Of course.” Asheros nods. “Both of Their Majesties.”
“Good.” I gesture in front of me, encouraging him to get on with it. “Let’s not waste time.”
“Savell,” Asheros says, glancing back at the male. “The mirror, if you would.”
“I can’t believe you’re actually going through with this,” Savell grumbles, glaring at him.
Asheros doesn’t miss a beat. “Then you’d better start believing.”
Forcing an exhale, Savell slips from the sitting room.
“A mirror?” I ask, incredulity bleeding through my voice. “How in the gods’ names is a mirror going to help with this?”
“Patience, Bladesinger,” Asheros muses, sending a smirk my way. “All will be revealed.”
Still glowering, Savell returns with long strides and brings Asheros a silver, handheld mirror.
“Thank you,” Asheros tells him, taking the mirror. To me, he says, “As you know, each of the metals in Inatia have magical properties used for spellcasting.”
“Of course,” I shoot out. “All noble fae do.”
Bronze metal is used for elemental manipulation. Those who wield it can bend fire, water, air, and even the earth to their will. Gold is the conduit for summoning, whether that be a magical familiar, an entity of great power, or even spirits to do one’s bidding. Copper is used for alchemy, a vessel for formulating magical potions and tonics, often used for healing. Those who are attuned to steel, like my sister Vestella, can transform the world around them. For example, changing inanimate objects into animals, or a person’s physical attributes. Silver, as Asheros himself has demonstrated by using his shadows, is for conjuring.
“Then you know that silver metal allows for conjuring.” Holding up the handheld mirror, he says, “Using this, we can conjure a connection between you and the individual you wish to see.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I cock my head. “What’s the drawback? Every spell has some kind of limitation.”
As if I beat him to that part of his explanation, Asheros presses his lips together. “The spell needs silver metal on both ends. In other words, a connection can only be conjured between two silver objects.”