I’m glaring at the space where Torrent was a moment ago, wishing it wouldn’t play into his hands if I go and try to beat answers out of him. Alas. Decorating the ballroom with his blood is unlikely to get me my Bound back.

  Though the implications of Torrent’s words are clear enough to me, there’s enough plausible deniability that I doubt it would stand in court. Therefore, if I attack him now, I would look like the aggressor. As I experienced with Fell, that would open me and Titanbend up to possible penalties. And if Torrent wants to destroy Titanbend, he won’t care if I give him an opening intentionally or unintentionally – just that he can use me to take down my House. And in turn, that would open me to reprisals from the vow I swore with Nicholas only a few days ago.

  So I force my mind away from thoughts of imminent violence and try to consider what I can do with the information I have. Surely, it’s a step forward to be all but certain that it’s Torrent behind the kidnapping. Perhaps I should look towards Rainpoint to find them – unless Torrent sent them anywhere but Rainpoint in order to avoid being connected to the incident?

  I sigh in frustration, finding it hard to see the bright side at the moment. Even with this confirmation, the ball’s been a waste of time.

  Movement catches my eye and I tense – is Torrent coming back to provoke me further?

  No – the fairly light doesn’t illuminate Torrent’s sneering features. However the face is familiar.

  “Heir Fell,” I greet warily, forcing myself to remain polite even as I wonder if I’m facing an active enemy once more.

  “Heir Titanbend,” he returns with a bow, slightly deeper than expected. I hurriedly give an appropriate nod. “I was hoping to find a moment to speak with you – alone.”

  “Oh?” I ask, tensing even further but making an effort to keep my voice relaxed.

  “I have some information for you,” he whispers, glancing to one side and then the other as if he might spot an eavesdropper. Hm, can I take this at face-value or is this a ploy? Then I remind myself of the situation. My companions are on the other side of the Bond, ready to leap to my aid if needed. And I’ve already beaten him when most of my own abilities were restricted. I’ll be fine.

  “Would you like me to seal the area?” I offer.

  “If you would be so kind,” he accepts with a hint of relief. I cast Seal, blocking our voices from reaching anyone near enough to be in earshot – with the shadows and so many people around with Skills, I can’t be sure that I’d spot anyone hiding.

  “Thank you,” Fell tells me, then hesitates for a moment. He darts a look around again and then takes a deep breath. “I overheard a conversation. Between a lady and…Lord Torrent.” He swallows and my eyes narrow at just how nervous he is. “Lord Markus…I think it was about you. And your Bonded.”

  “Go on,” I invite keeping my voice neutral.

  Valence explains, detailing the conversation he overheard between Lord Torrent and some unnamed woman.

  “And you definitely didn’t recognise her?” I press when he’s finished retelling how the woman swept the bust off the pillar from just in front of Valence and then strode away.

  “Not by voice,” Valence admits. “Though I’m almost certain I’ve heard her speak before.”

  “And you didn’t see any defining features?”

  He shakes his head.

  “I had my eyes closed when she was close by – I was concerned that eye contact might break the enchantment.”

  Since I know that some people can sense when someone is watching, that’s fair enough to be concerned about.

  “Pity,” I sigh. I’d worked out for myself that Torrent was responsible, but I suppose it’s useful to know that he’s not working alone. Though it appears he is the instigator. Knowing his motives is useful too: Valence was also pretty plain in explaining why Torrent is doing this: to destroy the Titanbends and to get me under his thumb – not necessarily in that order. Assuming he’s being frank with his co-conspirator, at least.

  It’s reassuring in some ways – and I’m pretty sure it’s only the chemical aid influencing me that allows me to recognise that. If Torrent is planning on using my companions to influence me, he shouldn’t kill them until I prove intransigent. Which gives me time – his words earlier indicated that he’s not even aware I already know about the kidnapping.

  Though it is a little concerning to hear about them being taken via some sort of ‘network’ controlled by an unknown party. They could be miles and miles away within a very short space of time. At this point, I fear that I might be forced to put my hopes into Nicholas’ ritual as the more I’ve learned, the more I fear that they won’t be traceable with normal methods.

  I push myself to my feet, suddenly anxious to get going. With this, perhaps the ball hasn’t been a complete waste of time, but I can’t imagine I’ll get much more use out of it – unless this mystery woman reveals herself, that is, but I don’t think I can plan on being that lucky. The chances of Valence happening to be in the right time at the right place is incredible enough.

  Then my eyes narrow and I focus on Valence again. It’s incredible enough to almost be suspicious. Could this information be false? Even if he is telling the truth, Valence might have heard a staged conversation. Though what he heard lines up perfectly with Torrent’s own words.

  Perhaps too perfectly.

  “What did Torrent want to speak with you about just before the ball?” I ask abruptly.

  Valence’s eyebrows shoot right up, naked shock plain on his face for the moment it takes him to clear it.

  “How did you-”

  “I warned you that I would know if you reneged on your promise to change the way you behave,” I tell him idly. No harm in reinforcing that particular message. “Now, what did you speak about? And don’t lie to me,” I warn, my voice perhaps a little harder than it should be with another noble. But Valence doesn’t bristle, instead he drops his gaze to the ground for a moment. I think I’ve made an impression on him. Good.

  “He was…angry that I told you about his involvement. He told me I owe him a debt, and that he’ll collect it later.” I eye him carefully, but he seems to be telling the truth as far as I can tell. And a combination of our souls having come into contact and Animal Empathy makes my ability to read him significantly better than it was prior to our duel.

  “You don’t owe him a debt,” I tell him, my voice still hard. “You owe me one. And if Torrent is trying to threaten you into doing anything against me or my House, I strongly suggest you consider what happened earlier today and come to tell me about it before you do anything…irreversible.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Oddly enough, Valence actually looks a little relieved at that.

  “I will,” he promises. And maybe it’s naive of me, but I believe him. I observe him for a long moment more.

  “Why did you come to tell me about the conversation?” I ask him, my voice softening a bit. Staged conversation or not, my gut tells me that Valence is being honest.

  “I…” he glances up at me and then looks away again. “You…could have kept me Bound. Had every reason to, actually. I couldn’t have got free – I felt the strength of your Will. But…you let me go.” His mouth twists. “And I have no love for Lord Torrent. Not anymore.”

  Hm, a combination of gratitude and desire for revenge. And more than likely a healthy dose of fear. Good enough.

  “Since we’re speaking….” He starts but then trails off.

  “What?” I prompt after a few seconds of silence. He mutters something that even my excellent hearing can’t make out. “What was that?”

  “I said,” he repeats, raising his head and revealing the faint redness burning in his cheeks. “Can you explain how I’m to treat my slaves?” he asks with dignity. “I’ve been treating them like slaves, but you seem to disapprove of that. I don’t know how you want me to treat them – like servants? Like craftspeople? Like peasants? Or the common Classer? I’m not treating them like nobles.” His eyes flash slightly at that.

  I blink. Of everything I expected, asking for an instruction manual on how to treat a fellow being was not it. Apparently ‘treat them like people’ wasn’t enough of a guideline – the class system here seems to be firmly entrenched in his mentality. Probably in that of others too – I’ll need to watch out for that. At least it seems to indicate that he’s taking my warning seriously. So I give his question serious thought.

  “Where I come from,” I ruminate, “we have a ‘golden rule’. Treat others as you would wish to be treated.” Valence is looking at me intently. “Essentially, it means that when you do something, first consider if you would like it done to you. For example, would you like someone to shout at you if you…dropped a teacup?”

  Valence seems to give it some genuine thought.

  “Probably not,” he admits. “My trainers shout at me, but I know it’s to help me improve. But if my father shouted at me because I dropped a teacup, I wouldn’t like it.”

  “So, maybe don’t shout at your…slave if he or she drops a teacup.”

  Valence’s brow creases a little.

  “But I wouldn’t want to clean my armour – does that mean I shouldn’t tell my slave to do so?”

  “I mean, not necessarily. Everyone has their different tasks. But your slaves are not unfeeling objects or machines. They tire, hurt, hunger, thirst, hope, fear, appreciate, and love just as much as you or I.” I can’t believe I have to explain this, that someone might be brainwashed into thinking that putting a collar around someone’s neck somehow changes their very nature, but if it saves those under his control some pain, I’ll do it. “When deciding on your actions, consider how you might react in their place – would you find your own action to be justified? Fair? Or hurtful and frightening? Clear?”

  Valence is silent for a long moment.

  “So, you’re saying that I can order my slave to clean my armour, but not if it forces him to have a sleepless night, or to miss meals in order to get it done.”

  “Well, that would be a good start,” I agree, inwardly despairing slightly. Still, it is a start. Then I lean forwards and make sure Valence’s full attention is on me. “And I’m just going to be very plain here and now that any…sexual intimacy should have full consent from any participants. You should ask clearly for what you want before starting anything, and if they say ‘no’ or seem unsure you should back off.” I think about it for a moment. “In fact, it’s probably not a good idea to try anything with your slaves – they’ll probably fear telling you ‘no’, especially if you have a history with them.”

  Valence looks horrified.

  “But then what do I do when I wish to…release.”

  I eye him with distaste, rather grateful for the Seal that’s still around us – for my sake more than his.

  “Use your hand. Or there must be magical toys that can help you. Or go and find a willing partner in your local town. Do they have prostitutes here?” Valence nods, but his eyes are glassy. “You could pay them for their time, then. At least they’ve chosen that path. As long as they’re not slaves themselves,” I hurriedly add.

  “But…the convenience….”

  “Valence. Think about it. Imagine I had kept you Bound. You couldn’t have said no to me – if I’d enforced my order with the Bond, your own body would have complied with it. How would you have felt if I had ordered you to my bed at that point?”

  Even in the moonlight, I can see the faint green sheen to his skin that appears. He swallows.

  “Point taken.” He looks deep in thought so I leave him be. “What about if…I offered them money? Then they could buy their way out of their contracts after a period of time?”

  I consider it. Morally, it makes me very uneasy. But…baby steps.

  “As long as you make it absolutely clear that they are not obliged to agree, that there will be no consequences for them if they say no, and that the money is theirs to use as they see fit, and then you follow through with all of that…I won’t destroy you for it. But I want it clear that I don’t approve of it either. You’re the Heir to a noble House – you should be capable of controlling your urges until you find a consenting partner.” I mean, I’ve gone for more than a year with nothing other than my own hand and I’m not acting like an animal.

  Valance looks thoughtful.

  “I think I understand better. Essentially, I should consider in each case whether I would have been able to tolerate the treatment were I to have remained…Bound by you.”

  “That seems about right,” I agree, “As long as you remember that the average human is more breakable than you or I since we have Classes and they don’t.”

  Valence nods and looks up at the stars. I follow his gaze – it seems unbelievable how serene they are considering how unsettled I am, even with artificial calm in my system. There’s silence between the two of us for another long moment, but, oddly, it doesn’t feel too awkward.

  “Following what I overheard of Lord Torrent’s conversation, I take it you will not be attending our meeting tomorrow,” Valence asks cautiously, breaking the quiet.

  “No,” I agree. “We will have to postpone it.”

  “Is there…anything I can do in the meantime? As you say, I owe you a debt. I would prefer to begin paying it, if I can.”

  I eye him briefly, then decide that it can’t hurt.

  “Treat your slaves and servants well and try to convince others in your House to do the same. And see if you can figure out who Torrent’s co-conspirator is,” I suggest. “Given how she’s most likely a noble lady, she might easily be at this ball.”

  “And if I identify the woman? What should I do?”

  “If you can find Nicholas about it, tell him. If not, send a message to the Titanbend country seat. They’ll get the message to me wherever I am.”

  Now that I’ve confirmed my suspicions that Torrent is the one at fault, and know from the conversation Valence overheard that they’re likely being transported by some sort of ‘network’, all I want to do is to get back to the manor and start the investigations.

  “As you wish, Heir Titanbend,” Valence agrees with a deep bow of his head. “I shall do my best to have more information for you soon.”

  “I hope you will,” I agree fervently and then bow briefly. “Goodnight Heir Fell. And good luck.”

  “Until we meet again, Heir Titanbend.”

  After a brief bow, I stride off – I need to find Nicholas. I should have recreated the Tame Bond – then I wouldn’t need to now be searching for him. Fortunately, he’s not far from the drinks table. His own Seal falls into place and I quickly explain what I’ve learned this evening.

  “So it was Torrent,” Nicholas murmurs, his eyes narrowing in dislike. “It’s just like him to use our family’s strength against us!”

  “And some unknown woman,” I remind him. “Who Heir Fell is going to search for.”

  “Yes. Hopefully your trust in the young heir is not misplaced,” Nicholas agrees with a doubtful note. “I will ensure that he has a means of transferring the information, never fear. I assume you have decided to depart now? It is a little early, but nothing that would elicit comment.”

  “Yes, I’m going now.”

  “Then I wish you the best of luck, Markus. Sarran will show you how to operate the portal. I shall see you tomorrow.”

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