Bonds of Light and Fire

46. Speculative Warnings

    The slums of Rifthold were just as revolting as Vaughan remembered, from the stench of rot in the gutters to the grime coated buildings. Rowan trailed him through the streets, the hood of his cloak pulled over his silvery hair. "I will never understand what Aelin sees in this place," Rowan muttered.

    "I think Aelin looks at the sentimental aspects of the city, not the physical ones," Vaughan replied.

    "Dorian claims that he plans to clean up the slums, but it doesn't look like he's made much progress."

    "Well, he has been a little preoccupied with preparing his people for war."

    "And debating a marriage alliance with the Witch Queen."

    Vaughan glanced at Rowan. "Has he said if they reached an agreement?"

    Rowan shook his head. "Truthfully, I think they're toying with the idea, more than actually considering it. I don't see Dorian or Manon marrying for a while, and Dorian has said that his Royal Council has an unending list of reasons as to why he shouldn't marry Manon."

    "At the end of the day, I think Dorian will marry whoever he wants and tell his Royal Council to kiss his ass."

    Rowan elbowed him with a faint smirk. "When we're around him, you can't stop glaring at him. When we're not around him, you can't stop defending him. I can't decide if you like him or not."

    Vaughan managed to keep his expression blank. "I like Dorian well enough."

    "You just don't like how friendly he's being towards Luciana?" Vaughan didn't answer. "You know he's just being nice. He doesn't have any intentions towards Luciana. And, if he did, does she have a reason to believe you'd be upset if she accepted his advances?"

    Vaughan gave a slow sigh. "I suppose not. This is the first time I've made it clear we're doing something together as more than friends." His thoughts drifted back to their last day in Aeron's hut.

    "Well, it's not as though he has any intentions towards me."

    Luciana's words still dredged up a sense of guilt within him. For so long, she'd wasted her affections on him and he'd only recently begun to return them. She didn't deserve his affection. He didn't deserve hers. She was so sweet and beautiful and innocent. She didn't need to be dragged down by the likes of him. She deserved someone like Dorian. Someone who would care for her always. Who could give her the world, if that's what she wanted.

    "Are you going to tell her the truth?" Rowan asked. "Are you going to tell her what you are? What she is to you?"

    "Yes," Vaughan answered, almost inaudibly.

    "Is she more besides that?"

    "What do you mean?"

    Rowan narrowed his eyes. "You know exactly what I mean. You shouldn't be this possessive of someone who is only your carranam. Your behavior reminds me of myself and Aelin. Fenrys and Nascha too."

    Vaughan ceased walking and stared at his companion, tension coiling throughout his body. What Rowan was implying couldn't be true. Luciana was his carranam, nothing more. He could barely stomach the idea of sharing one magical bond with her, but two?

    "It's not something to be afraid of," Rowan said quickly. "Having a carranam is a rare gift. If she's your mate, that makes the gift even rarer, and far more precious."

    Fenrys' voice echoed through his mind, dredging up memories of a conversation he'd tried desperately to forget. "Your mate is one of the greatest gifts you'll ever be given. If you have one, I mean."