The Bonding (8 page)

The next day, in the early afternoon, Miranda arrived at Kiri's room as promised. Three other council members followed in her wake: Dalwyn, Joran, and Kyla, who was responsible for women's issues, homes, and families. Unfortunately, as Davin and Kiri were not aware they were on their way, these august persons found the couple in a rather compromising position, lying cradled in each other's arms under the blankets, sharing a wet, open-mouthed kiss.

“Ahem,” Miranda cleared her throat. Davin released Kiri with a start, and jumped to his feet.

“I apologize, my lady,” he said contritely. Kiri, blushing despite her pallor, slid to the edge of the bed and held out one hand to Davin. He helped her stand, leaning heavily on his arm for support. She lowered her head submissively, acknowledging the great rank of these new visitors.

Miranda gently laid a gnarled hand on Kiri's arm, and the young warrior looked up. “Get back in bed, child,” she said softly, “before you fall over.”

Kiri complied gratefully. She was sure stubbornness could have kept her upright for a while, but she was glad not to have to use it. Davin helped prop pillows behind her so she could sit up. He stood beside her, holding her hand in both of his.

Taking a deep breath, the stately older woman intoned, “We have come to visit you, my dear, because you have done our people a great service. Your courage in confronting and defeating this terrible threat is considerable.”

“Thank you, my lady. I did have help.” She shot a quick glance at Davin.

The councilwoman acknowledged the connection with a hint of a smile. “Young officer Colorian tells us you took on that creature almost single-handedly. You also allowed yourself to be bitten, knowing its deadly effect, not realizing a cure was possible, in order to defeat it. You sacrificed your very life.”

“My life is of little importance, my lady, compared with the task, and I want no special thanks for it,” Kiri replied, lowering her head. “I am a swordmaster. Fighting for the common good is what I do. I am only thankful I had the good luck to succeed, and a brave man to stand beside me, help me, and finally save me from the effects of that bite. Davin is the one who should be rewarded. I only did my job, what I spent my whole life training for.

“She is a treasure,” Kyla burst out. “Modest as well as strong and brave. My dear, our people owe you a great debt of gratitude.”

“You are very welcome,” Kiri replied, uncomfortable with all the praise.

“Now, child,” Miranda continued, “please tell us your account of what happened. Dalwyn needs to hear your story, for the historical and military records, you understand?”

“Yes, my lady. Well, my part in this story begins with my master, the Laiconian councilwoman Eliada Dulek. I have served her for the last nine years. Being one of the most powerful mages in Laiconia, when the creature was awakened, she was chosen to confront the problem. I went with her. When we crossed the border into Koral, we met Davin and Jarrell and decided to journey together…” Kiri told the story succinctly, without embellishment, explaining how she and Davin had decided to bond in order to face the creature more effectively, her shock at discovering her master was actually the villain responsible for releasing Shara in the first place, and how she and Davin had fought together. Although she did not mention the passionate night of lovemaking in the cave, she suspected they guessed at it, based on the looks passing between them. “And so,” she finished, “I knew I was dying, and I begged Davin to put me out of my misery, just as I had done for Jarrell, but instead, he made me fall asleep. I woke up here in the hospital, where my wounds were treated. The healers assure me once I regain my strength, I'll be as good as new, except for a few more scars. As you can imagine, new scars are not a great concern to me.”

She wondered why they all looked so grim, even Davin, but his hand on hers was warm and comforting, and she said nothing.

“I have one question for you,” Joran piped up. “I know this might be difficult for you to talk about, but it is very important. We cannot knowingly accept a murderer as a citizen of our country. However, Davin has shared with us about your enslavement to the traitor Eliada, and the events that brought it about. If the story you told him was true, we have agreed your conviction was a grave breech of justice. But I must ask you. Was it true? Did that man actually assault you moments before you killed him?” A faint nimbus of magic appeared around the grizzled old man.
It must be a truth seeking spell
.

“Yes.” Kiri said through gritted teeth. The glow flared for a moment and then died.

“Well then, we hold you innocent of his blood. He received full justice for his crime and nothing further needs to be said on the matter.”

“Thank you. I prefer it that way,” Kiri replied wryly.

“Now, my dear,” Kyla interjected again, “we are truly grateful for the service you have provided us. We wish to offer you whatever you need in order to make a new life here. Think, child. How can we help you become Koralian? Of course, you will be provided with an apartment here in the capital.”

“Do I need one?” Kiri interrupted, her fingers tightening on Davin's hand. The council turned as one to face him.

“If Kiri wants an apartment of her own, she is certainly welcome to go to one. However, if she prefers, she is welcome to…stay with me instead.”

“For how long, Davin?” Kyla asked.

“Forever, if that's what she wants.”

His impassioned words melted Kiri's heart.

“Well, it is not customary for a couple to live together after knowing each other less than a month. I do not know if we will agree.”

“My lady, forgive me,” Kiri said, her voice soft but her tone offering no argument. “This decision is between Davin and me. We will talk, and I will let you know later whether an apartment is needed. However,” she rushed on, sensing impending argument, “there is something you can do for me. Davin tells me I have magical abilities. Since childhood I have been told I have none. Can you…find out for me, whether I have magic, and if so, help me find someone to show me how to use it?”

“We already planned to offer that,” Miranda replied. She pressed one finger to her temple, and moments later a brown haired little dumpling of a woman bustled into the room.

“Hello, my ladies and lords,” she squeaked breathlessly.

“Kiri,” Miranda said, “This is Dori, one of the foremost magical trainers in Koral. She can test you right now, and see whether magical training is necessary in your case. Dori?”

“May I scan you, my dear?” the dumpling asked, fussing with the edges of her skirt.

Kiri nodded.

The woman raised her hands over Kiri and a warm glow sank into the warrior's body.
It doesn't, but it's a strange sensation to be sure.

“Hmmm. You say you've never been tested?” the woman asked, sounding perplexed.

“No, I've been tested at least a dozen times. I was told I had only the merest spark of magic,” Kiri explained.

“Someone lied to you then,” Dori said, and Kiri's insides tightened with shock. “The merest spark you mention is what naturally escapes from the shield that holds it inside you.”

“I beg your pardon?”
Shield? What?

“Someone has deliberately dammed up your magic. This shield was not made by you accidentally. It has the taste of other people's magic. It could not contain all of it; some seeps out, causing these sparks. However, the vast well of it remains untapped…almost untapped. Someone has deeply punctured this shield.

Davin swallowed hard. “That was me. I didn't dare risk opening a portal for two people. I can't manage it at the best of times, and I was injured. However, I knew Kiri had a well of untapped magic. I saw her use it fighting the creature…and she told me about another time when she summoned her sword right to her hand. I knew together we would be able to achieve what I could not do alone. There was no time to discuss it though. The poison was spreading through her. I put a magic sleep on her, and using the bond we forged, I penetrated her shield and brought her here for healing.”

“Is that what you did?” Kiri looked up at Davin, startled.

“Yes, love. I had to try and save you, no matter the cost.”

“Oh, well thank you,” she said tenderly, laying her cheek against his hand.

“I only had a brief glimpse,” he continued, talking to Dori, “but I felt she was probably a level three, even a four.”

“What does that mean?” Kiri asked, rising back to a sitting position, ready to know more about herself.

Miranda replied. “Mages are rated based on the amount of raw power they possess. Levels one and two are fairly small. They often become wise women and minor mages, helping small towns with everyday problems. Levels three and four are considered moderate magical ability. Healers are often at that level. While they can do a great deal with their magic, they also use mundane objects in their work. Level five is considered very magical. These people work almost solely in the magical realm. Your Davin is a level five mage. Level six is considered gifted. Level six mages generally become leaders, like us. Anyone above a level six is unstable and has to undergo extensive training in order to avoid being a danger to everyone around them. Dori, what have you discovered?”

“Hard to say, my lady,” the little sorceress replied, her voice shrill with nerves. “The shield is very thick. With your permission, dear, I can remove it completely.”

“What will happen if you do?” Kiri asked, a flutter of uncertainty tightening her belly.

“Then you can get on with the business of learning to use it.”

On second thought…
“Do I have to? Maybe it's better if I just stay this way.”

“Don't be afraid, Kiri,” Miranda said gently. “This is part of you. It's been stolen from you for so many years. Don't be afraid to take back who you really are. Here, you are slave to no one.”

Kiri nodded, her jaw clenched.
I don't know if this is such a good idea.

Davin sat beside her on the bed. Dori's magical warm glow became sharp, like a knife, cutting into Kiri's insides. She made a small sound of protest.

“Sorry my dear,” the mage said, “There was no way to avoid that…there.”

A wave of sensation swamped Kiri, rocking her head back. Power rolled through her, making her extremities tingle.

“You are a good judge, young man,” Dori said. “She is a level four. I have never heard of one being discovered at such a great age. Fortunately, my next class begins tomorrow. She can be there.”

“She's ill I don't know if she will be able to start using serious magic tomorrow.” Despite being overwhelmed by wild sensations, Kiri saw Kyla's eyes narrow at Davin's words.

“Just bring her. I will be very gentle with her, considering her weakened state.”

“I want to go!” Kiri said emphatically, startling everyone. “I have to learn to control this, or it will drive me insane.”

“A wise decision, my dear,” Kyla said, still glaring at Davin, “and think about what else we can do for you, to ease your transition to our society.”

With that, the elders swept out, leaving the couple alone again. The process had left Kiri feeling out of control. She was exhausted, as though she had lost all the healing she had achieved since the treatment. She also felt strangely high, nervous energy roiling through her. Her magic had a pulse all its own, and the throbbing was making her head ache. Her senses, already abnormally acute, fired wildly. The cold white walls of the room assaulted her eyes; Davin's breathing sounded so loud. Her nightgown felt scratchy and lumpy.

“Davin,” she wailed, “help me!”

He wrapped her up in his arms, her head against his chest. “Poor Kiri. I should not have let her do that yet. You aren't strong enough. Sometimes, when someone first comes into their magical power, it can surge. It isn't dangerous, and it won't hurt you, but it is uncomfortable. How can I help?”

“Get me out of this dress!” she hissed, clawing at the ties.

“Of course.” Davin opened the garment and slid it off her. Kiri groaned in relief at the sensation of cool smooth sheets against her skin. She closed her eyes tight and took deep breaths, trying to control herself. The pulsing of her magic continued, synchronizing with her heartbeat.

Davin pressed one hand against the center of her chest, and somehow, the pressure seemed to help.

“What are you doing?”

“Quelling the surge. I remember my grandmother doing this for me as a child.”

“Is it always like this?” she demanded.
I want that shield back!

“No. Once you get used to having magic, surges are rare. They mostly happen during major changes of life…puberty, pregnancy, and so on. Sometimes stress can cause a surge. One of the things you'll learn in Dori's class is how to deal with them when they arise. There is one good trick though…distraction.”

“Anything,” she begged. “Help me.”

Davin slipped under the covers with Kiri, pulling her tight against him. She wondered, vaguely, when he had shed his clothing, for his naked flesh was pressing her deliciously, distracting her from the overwhelming sensations of the magic surge. No, that wasn't quite it. He was making a different kind of magic swell inside her, quenching the first. His mouth opened hotly on hers, and she responded in kind, taking control. Driving her tongue into his mouth, she pressed him back onto the bed, sliding over his body, dragging her hair across his skin. Davin caressed her back, pressing her groin against his growing erection. Kiri growled and ground her pelvis down on his shaft. Davin rolled with her, trapping her underneath his body. She slid her arms around his neck, fingers trailing through the silvery strands of his hair, mating her mouth deeply with his as she slid her legs around his slim hips.

“Oh baby,” he growled, “Just where I want to be.” Then, a moment of clarity penetrated the wild passion.

“Kiri, are you sure you're up to this? I don't want to hurt you.”

“You could never hurt me Davin.”

* * *

Her trust touched him deeply. Pulling out of the delicious warmth of Kiri's embrace, Davin leaned down to press his lips to the soft curls between her thighs.