The Binding (Chronicles of Azaria #1) (27 page)

“So,” Adam said, reclining on the hay, his arm still around me, “thanks to his jewel, Ryan doesn
’t feel anything. Not for the first lady he was Bound to, or you. He didn’t feel Parting, either. But
you
did.” He slammed his fist against his thigh. “You’ve dug yourself pretty deep.”

“Care to start looking for a shovel?” I grumbled, playing with
my cloak.

“Ryan seems to think he can find one,” Adam answered. “I suppose he
’d be most likely to succeed, since he’s already broken his spell with his necklace.”

I sat up, scowling.

“How can you believe him?” I said. “Weren’t you the one who told me not to trust a single word that came out of his mouth?”

“You seemed pretty trusting when he put that mouth to another use.”

My cheeks burned. The Binding wasn’t the only one that wouldn’t let go of our kiss.

“I didn
’t mean for it to happen,” I said, wringing my hands. “Anyway, it’s not like I have a choice. If Ryan finds a way to leave the manor, I’ll have to follow wherever he goes.”

Adam frowned. He began opening and closing his fist.

“Why are you being so resistant?” he asked. “Don’t you want to find a way to escape your Binding?”

“There
’s no point wishing on an empty promise!” I snapped. Adam’s eyes flicked to the stall door, afraid I’d wake the guard. Meekly I lowered my head. “We went through this with Fiona, and I’ve seen myself there’s no way out. Ryan is just throwing useless words around out of pity.”

Adam huffed.

“The old Eliza wouldn’t think like that,” he said. “She’d seize her opportunities and find light in the darkest corner, no matter what the future might hold.”

“The
‘old Eliza’ is back at the clearing,” I muttered. “She wouldn’t have been stupid enough to tangle herself in this mess in the first place.”

Adam
’s gaze softened. He wrapped me into a hug. I didn’t resist, and curled my arms around him. It was getting too much.

“I
’m sorry I can’t be more understanding,” he murmured. “I have no idea what the magic’s done to you, but it’s wounded you deep.” He sighed. “I just want things to be like they were.”

“They can
’t,” I whispered, a tear escaping. The dam was close to bursting again.

“I know,” Adam said, his breath ruffling my hair. “Sorry for not believing you. There
’s not a lot I can do to make up for it, but I promise I’ll stay with you, whatever happens.”

“What about your parents?” I asked. “Your grandfather
’s not been very well, either. You can’t…”

“They
’re used to me not being around,” Adam broke in. “And Grandfather’s been ill for a while. It’s not like he even remembers me these days. Anyway, I can send them a message before Ryan takes you anywhere. It would reassure your mother and father, too.”

“We could be gone a long time,” I protested. “You might not be able to continue your Guardsman training.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Adam said. “I wasn’t there for you when you needed me. I’m never going to make that mistake again.”

“Adam…”

“You don’t need to say anything, Eliza.”

I fell quiet.
Just as well, as I had no words to express my thankfulness. I rested against his chest, and squeezed him a little tighter. For all my fears of him finding me, I was so glad he had. It had been such a burden keeping my secret buried in my heart. At least I could share it now, and not have to face everything alone.

“Get some sleep,” Adam said. “I
’m not going anywhere.”

We settled into the hay. I watched the stars outside, listening to his breathing. It had been a while since I
’d been this close to him, and I was grateful for the peace it brought. Even the curse couldn’t take this away from me. Eventually the warmth and darkness overtook, and my eyes closed. Before I drifted off completely, Adam whispered, “I’ll get you back, Eliza. The Binding might’ve stolen you away, but it’ll never take you from my heart.”

A pleased jitter raced through me, but I pretended I was already asleep.

* * * * *

The stall door creaked, and my eyes snapped open. The smell of hay was unfamiliar, and I glanced around, blinking off sleep. Where was I? Had the carriages stopped by an inn or something?

Moonlight caught my attention, and a tall shadow approached. A quiet rattle of metal told me he was armed. My thoughts melted to panic, and I scrambled to flee. My knee caught a loose pole, and I fell on top of something not quite as soft as straw.

“Ouch!”

Ah, that wasn’t a pole. It was Adam’s leg.

I shuffled back, my tousled hair falling into my eyes, only to trip over his
other
leg and land face-first on the frosty ground. Well, this was going well. Our assailant was probably laughing his head off.

Adam gripped my arms and sat me on my haunches.

“Down girl,” he said, yawning. “You could take out a whole army if you’re not careful.”

“Sorry,” I said. “But there
’s…”

“Am I interrupting anything?”

Ryan’s voice cut through the darkness. My panic melted in an instant. That was lucky; I’d worried it was one of Lord Glenford’s men. He knelt beside me and rested his hand on my shoulder. My fingers twitched, desperate to hold him there. I swallowed back the impulse, not missing Adam’s irked expression, either. The Binding might have triumphed earlier, but I wouldn’t let it cry victory again. Not twice in the same night, anyway.

“Nothing,” I said, trying to act nonchalant, when it was all I could do not to throw myself on top of him. “What happened with Aronzo?”

“He’s waiting outside,” Ryan said. “I told him I wanted to check on Cielo.”

“Uh, in case you hadn
’t noticed, Cielo’s not here,” Adam said dryly. His eyes focused on Ryan’s hand. Ryan frowned, and slipped his palm off my shoulder. My pulse juddered back to its usual rate, and I sank onto the hay. Damn, my few hours’ rest undone by a single touch.

“He
’s sleeping next door. Aronzo’s not going to notice the difference in the dark,” Ryan replied. “Look, I haven’t got time to argue. A chance has come up, and I’ll need both of you on my side to make it work.”

His eyes fell to me again. I let out a breath, twisting a strand of straw between my fingers. I remained hesitant about the idea. When we had a pretty much zero chance of succeeding, I didn
’t see the point in trying. Yet even though I knew I’d be disappointed, that this would be a complete waste of effort, I couldn’t deny Ryan wanted to free my heart as much as I did. He’d never give up.

It would be shameful to ignore his resolve.

“…alright, what do you want us to do?”

Ryan smiled—a relieved, genuine smile—before his features returned to their serious look. I held a hand to my chest, hoping to calm my palpitations.
The curse wouldn’t abandon its old tricks anytime soon.

“Navinka is going to Begara to meet her tutor tomorrow,” Ryan said. “Because Father
’s made a big announcement that we’re Bound, he can’t let anyone know about my protection, so I have to accompany her. Lord Svendmar is also returning home, so Father hasn’t got the guards to spare to escort us. Aronzo planned to come instead, but Navinka out-argued him and convinced Father we can manage with a servant each.”

I fought down a scowl. Navinka most likely wished for those conditions so she could have Ryan to herself. Not that I cared or anything.

“So you want us to pose as your servants?” Adam asked.

Ryan nodded.

“This way we won’t be forced apart, and the University would be the best place to learn more about the spell and how to reverse it.”

“Sounds like fun,” Adam muttered.

I sighed. These two were going to get along like a pair of hungry vipers, and to have to act subservient on top…I shook my head. Not to mention that if Navinka found out the extent of my relationship to Ryan, she’d not be a happy kitten, either. Nonetheless, it
was
the simplest way to travel and not raise suspicion.

“You should be safe enough for the night,” Ryan said. “I
’ll send Marietta to give you some furs, then she’ll come tomorrow with your disguises.”

I could only nod. The plan sounded so straight-forward, it should have given me confidence. However, there was so much potential for things to go catastrophically
pear-shaped.

“Positive thinking,” Adam said, gently pinching my arm. I sneered, but didn
’t comment. Sometimes I wished he couldn’t read me so easily.

“Okay,” I said, gathering enough courage to look at Ryan. The Binding chimed, and I almost embraced him, but I held firm. I
’d had enough of my fair share of goodnight kisses. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

* * * * *

The University Road was empty, although very picturesque beneath the ice. The farmers had cleared the snow, and the crystal fields stretched to the horizon. Snowflakes tumbled from the clouds, and I constantly had to blink to get them out of my eyelashes.

The barren landscape was a complete contrast to when I
’d last been here. That was on my eleventh birthday, where Fiona had treated me to a visit to Begara, the Scholar’s City. It had been my first outing from the village, and we’d spent two nights there. I fondly remembered sitting on the campus steps, eating chocolate and playing with my present, a clockwork falcon. I imagined I’d live there myself one day, studying healing in Azaria’s most prestigious centre of learning.

My chin jolted on Adam
’s shoulder as he guided Duke, our grey gelding, across a slushy patch. Of course, that dream was further away than ever. First because of Mother, and now thanks to my Binding. It seemed the only person who never got to plan ahead for my future was
me.

But maybe, just maybe, I could claim it all back.

Cielo snorted. He was in a perky mood. I’d been delighted to see him that morning, though I hadn’t ventured too close in case Navinka noticed. With his wounds healed, he’d been itching to travel again, and was making the most of his newfound freedom. Currently he was teasing Navinka’s mount, Sandy. The chestnut mare held her head aloof, ignoring the white horse’s playful neighs, until it became too much and she snapped her teeth at him. Cielo shied, his brown eyes shining.

“I see Cielo is as boisterous as ever,” Navinka said, tossing her golden braid over her shoulder. Dressed in formal riding gear, she sat perfectly in the saddle. “You must get Sergeant Vale to train him.”

“What for?” Ryan asked.

“He should act with more restraint for a mount of House Glenford,” Navinka answered. “We can
’t have him misbehave like this on our wedding.”

I fell into a sudden coughing fit. Navinka raised an eyebrow; about the most facial expression she
’d shown me all day.

“My dear, what
’s the matter?”

“Sorry, snow in my throat,” I gasped, grabbing Adam
’s water skin and downing a good sip. Adam gave me a sidelong glance, before returning his attention to the road.

I kept my gaze ahead, swearing silently. The Binding was enjoying its new playing card: mind-numbing jealousy. That was on top of its usual antics. Since we
’d left the Glenford estate, I’d struggled to hide my flushed cheeks, and stop my eyes drifting to Ryan. The curse’s way of reminding me where I
should
be riding. Though Navinka had only caught me staring once, it didn’t lessen my paranoia. The noble boy and the servant girl—I could only imagine what kind of ideas she might have.

“What
’s up?” Adam whispered. It wasn’t permissible for servants to speak to each other in the presence of their masters, so we were reduced to hushed exchanges.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You’re not holding onto me anymore.”

Bemused, I looked to my arms. My left hand remained around his waist, so I didn
’t tip out of the saddle. My right one, however, dangled uselessly at my side. It was also numb; why I hadn’t noticed it slip from its resting place.

“Huh? Why can
’t I…” My words turned to a shriek as I lurched sideways. My leg had become unresponsive, and wouldn’t balance me on Duke’s flank. Before I would tumble, someone snatched my cloak and hoisted me up. Ryan had drawn alongside us, arm outstretched to stop me falling. At once the feeling returned to my limbs, and I gripped Adam’s chest as if I’d almost plummeted down a cliff.

“Thanks,” I said, then bit my lip. No talking, damn it!

“You’re welcome,” Ryan said. Navinka’s eyes narrowed, so he backed away. I sighed.

The Binding was in a devious mood.

After that near miss, I was more vigilant, flexing my fingers and toes to make sure I could still feel them. This was the second time the curse had paralysed me because I’d not maintained contact with my Bound partner. Never mind he wasn’t more than a few metres away. In addition to the involuntary movements, the chest pains, the headaches, the racing heartbeat and flushing, the wild fluctuations in emotion, and Goddess-knew what else, was there anything the spell
wouldn’t
try to get me in his arms again?