Bonds of Light and Fire

41. War Against Self

Luciana danced around the cabin, beams of light playing at her fingertips. It felt wonderful to be home after so long. Already, she'd put the cabin in order and supper was in the oven. Vaughan had been back at the Bane's camp that day, but Luciana didn't mind.

It was nice to have a moment completely to herself for a change. It gave her time to think without being interrupted. She'd been puzzling over Yulemas presents again while she cleaned, and she'd managed to come up with a few gift ideas for everyone.

For Nascha, Luciana had decided to buy a new journal for the stories she was always writing. She might also throw in a bottle of whiskey, if she was feeling generous. For Fenrys, she was going to find a set of hair bands. Nascha always complained about how he lost his own and stole hers, so Luciana thought it might be a gift well appreciated.

She would buy a new pair of boots for Aeron, as she'd noticed that his current pair was beginning to look a little worn. Luciana had debated long and hard about finding a gift for Kyllian. Finally, she decided that she would get him something. She just didn't know what yet.

And for Vaughan... Luciana had already written to Nascha and asked for her help in hunting down a puppy. She'd look on her own in Orynth the next time they went as well. She thought that might be soon, as a letter from Queen Aelin had arrived for Vaughan only a few hours earlier. The letter was currently sitting on the table, waiting for him to return and open it.

Luciana twirled again and light burst through the air. Rainbows reflected off the icicles dangling from the ceiling just outside the windows. Luciana grinned and spun through the rainbows. Her light shone brighter. She curved her arms over her head and moved into another set of graceful moves. Luciana floated from one end of the room to another, and found herself standing next to a bookshelf.

She paused, catching sight of the box that held a bracelet of Connall's hair. Luciana took the box down and opened it. She knit her brows and pulled a pendant out from beneath the bracelet. She rubbed her thumb across the worn spot on its back. The metal pulsed with warmth.

"I didn't realize he'd put the pendant in here," Luciana murmured to herself. "I wonder why." The necklace beat against her skin. "Maybe he thought it was strange to wear something that carried his own heartbeat."

Luciana tilted her head and set the box back on the shelf, but kept the pendant. She traced her finger over the osprey carved on the front of it. Luciana squinted, looking closer at the pendant. It looked as though the osprey had been fused onto the necklace to hide a small cavity of some sort. A dark substance was crusted around the bird, barely noticeable, but there all the same. Luciana sniffed it, letting her Fae senses separate the scents that clung to the metal.

"Blood," she realized. "Is that how he attuned the necklace to himself? By using his blood?"

"Yes," Vaughan said behind her. Luciana spun, a dozen apologies already on the tip of her tongue. Vaughan continued before she could say anything. "It required the use of something called a Wyrdmark. They're an ancient runic language used for casting spells and magic. The marks are usually drawn in blood. Obviously, this one had to be, otherwise the enchantment wouldn't have worked right."

"They're a language?" Luciana asked, curiosity getting the better of her. "Are you fluent in it?"

"No, the Fae I bought the pendant from talked me through the process."

"If Wyrdmarks cast spells, what other properties did the one you cast have?"

"None but the one I told you. Whoever wears this pendant can feel my heartbeat, and will be able to do so until I die."