Bound (Bound Trilogy) by Kate Sparkes Page A

not move until he leaves. Things will get worse for you in a hurry if he knows you’re conscious.” He came back and untied a set of white curtains that closed between the bed and the rest of the room, sheer enough that I could see out if I squinted.
    There was a single hard knock at the door. Brighter lamplight flooded in from outside as Aren opened it and and a white-haired person stepped in, looked around, then closed the door.
    “Where is she?” he asked. Aren gestured toward the bed, and the man who I assumed was Severn strode toward it. My eyes snapped shut just before he pulled back the curtain. His clothing rustled as he leaned over me, and I fought to keep my breathing slow and even. He smelled smoky, like my hair after I fell asleep beside an outdoor fire. I struggled to remain still, and to keep by breathing slow and even.
    “This is her?” There was a sneer in his voice. “Not much to look at, is she?”
    “She doesn’t usually have those bruises.” Aren sounded like he was trying not to laugh.
    You bastard .
    “Has she wakened yet?”
    “Not since I’ve been here. Sara was in to tend to her wounds earlier, and gave her something to keep her quiet. She’ll be fine.”
    “Hmm.” Severn leaned closer for a moment, his breath tickling my skin, then stood and turned away from the bed, letting the curtains fall closed.
    I took a deep, trembling breath and let my eyes open again, just enough so that I could watch.
    “About that temper of yours,” Severn said.
    “This was completely different. You saw what happened. Morten got carried away, and I did what was necessary to protect your interests.”
    Severn’s chuckled. “I wonder whether killing him was completely necessary. Still, it’s a small loss.” He gestured toward me. “You’re certain about her? I don’t feel anything.”
    “No. Whatever they’ve done to her has been effective enough to keep her magic hidden from her people for all these years.”
    The skin on my arms prickled. Who do they think I am?
    Severn sat in the chair and removed his gloves, then leaned back far enough that I couldn’t see him. “Perfect. We’ll still try to keep this quiet, but getting her into the city will be easy enough, even if someone stops you.”
    “Are you leaving?”
    “Is that a problem?”
    Aren shrugged. “She won’t be a problem. I thought you’d be sailing with us.”
    “Hmm. No, I have the horse. I’ll fly back. I don’t like to leave the city in anyone else’s hands for too long. I suppose I could try to take her with me, if you don’t want the responsibility.”
    “It will be fine. Sara will put her under again if she wakes.” Aren didn’t sound any more pleased to be stuck with me than I was to be trapped with him.
    “Very well. No sign of anyone following us yet? Her husband-to-be, his father? Anyone?”
    “Nothing.”
    I thought back to the day I’d rescued the eagle with Aren’s eyes, the conversations I’d had with Callum and Felicia when he was within hearing distance, and fought back a wave of nausea. It had been this man, this Sorcerer, listening to my stories and sleeping in my rooms that whole time. I should have turned him over to Dorset Langley when I had the chance.
    “Let’s hope it stays that way. Much as I’d love to see what you’d do if Dorset Langley himself angered you, I’d rather keep this quiet.” Severn stood and looked at me through the curtains again. “I’d almost say we were doing her a favor by getting her away from them.”
    Aren rocked back on his heels. I couldn’t see his face clearly, but when he spoke there was a hint of a smile in his voice. “I doubt she’ll agree once she gets to Luid and finds out what’s waiting there.”
    Severn chuckled. “No, certainly not.” He reached out to clasp Aren’s arm with his hand. “I’m pleased to see that your view on these matters has improved. This is for the best.”
    Aren cleared his throat. “Indeed.”
    Severn took a sudden