I fumed as I exited the stage after the last curtain call. Most of the cast saw my expression and sensibly stayed out of my way as I stalked off to find Niwot. 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcwDN5lZSi 維尼

I growled under my breath as I slammed the door of his office open. His tall maroon wingback chair was turned to face the window so I couldn't see anything except the top of his messy bird's nest hair cut. There was complete silence for a moment as I waited to see if he'd turn his chair around to acknowledge me. "What happened to caring about my safety!" I screeched.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡU059BvkSqc 維尼

No answer.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡrExpChV2KG 維尼

"You let me go on stage with that aristocratic bastard watching! He didn't take his fucking eyes off me the entire show! You know what that means right? I'm screwed! I'm going to have to pack up and leave tonight and hope he - whoever he is - doesn't manage to track me down and follow me!" I screamed. 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7AGQIMbtI 維尼

There was a deep chuckle from the chair and I froze. I felt all the blood drain from my face because Niwot sounded nothing like that when he laughed. "He said you had spunk," a rich voice said smoothly.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMwI39KNJ8 維尼

Immediately I turned on my heel and stumbled for the door. I was a moment too late though because as I reached it, Niwot stepped into the room and pulled the door shut behind him. "Niwot, please," I gasped.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYiuqbH4Vu 維尼

"I'm sorry, Airin," Niwot replied. I glared up into his face and crumbled when I saw his expression - regret, anger, fear. My anger abandoned me abruptly and I slumped as Niwot grabbed my arm and swung me around to face the desk again easily.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs8UfJaAeU 維尼

Niwot's chair swiveled to reveal the young man I was so upset about. "Niwot," he said, inclining his head in acknowledgment, "Aeirin."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPMrM2Oqth 維尼

My jaw clenched tightly as I glared at him. Niwot gently set me in the chair in front of his desk and retreated to lean against the wall. He regarded me with a solemn, concerned look that I icily ignored. 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71YQZFwieS 維尼

"Jason, get on with it," Niwot said shooting him a dark look. His tone held an edge of venom that made me look at him sharply. His face was uncharacteristically haggard and a little bit more of my anger slipped away.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiwCPGboKT 維尼

The young man - Jason - coughed slightly. "Ah yes, we should get on shouldn't we?" He stood up and held out a hand to me imperiously. "Let's go, Aeirin."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2YuXYESv0 維尼

My mouth tightened and I glared at him. "You have to be kidding me," I hissed, "There is no fucking way-" I broke off as I saw Niwot shake his head slightly behind Jason. My mouth snapped shut and I turned my face away, tears burning in the corners of my eyes. 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfDlvaBV74 維尼

Niwot cleared his throat and Jason turned toward him. His arm dropped and I let out a slight sigh of relief. "Would you give Aeirin and I a moment please Jason? " he said. 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK5MMo1ix2 維尼

Jason shrugged and sauntered around the desk. I cringed as his fingers trailed along my shoulder as he walked behind me. As the door closed behind him I turned and glared at Niwot. I felt... betrayed. Despite everything, I never thought Niwot would give me up like this. 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRQH0Q5CPt 維尼

"I-" I started to say but Niwot cut me off.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUUGrcpqAr 維尼

"Your Aunt and Uncle called a Hunt," he said bluntly, "Jason came to warn us and take you someplace safe." 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2nIaBJBFK 維尼

My stomach twisted. In ancient times, the Hunts had been a way of instilling new blood into the governing class. Minache who did not bond with another for one reason or another were hunted down and forced into bonds. After the Terror, the Hunts had been a way for the Naché to force Minaë into bonds once the traditional voluntary pool dried up. They were often bloody with Minaë killing themselves rather than become bound or injured when they resisted capture. 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SMvsckxsO 維尼

The only reason my Aunt and Uncle would call a Hunt was because they'd finally found a way to ensure the crown passed to their son - my cousin. They had always resented that my parents had bypassed their line in the succession. If I died the Minaë crown would skip them and go to a more distant cousin who had bonded with a Naché.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqrgRdxafh 維尼

"The Hunts were banned," I snapped. My eyes flashed and I stood up angrily. "I can't believe you listened to his lies."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1kQsjm3Hi 維尼

"Wren..." 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFFur9z6GS 維尼

"Don't call me that!" I shrieked. 8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHR0xsNexR 維尼

"Airin," he said carefully in an attempt to head me off. "There's nothing left to govern the revival of banned practices or not. There is a Hunt. Can't you sense the change in the atmosphere here in Hunagi?"8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hjc1pPV9e 維尼

I shook my head violently. "If they do that, they're calling Naché down on themselves. They wouldn't do that. They value their self-preservation too much for that."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bSv27eGfy 維尼

"There are Bonds other than the Naché-Minaë one," Niwot reminded me. "They are bound to each other and unavailable to the Hunt as a result." I collapsed back in the chair.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZcq3PiJBz 維尼

"What about Michel?" I asked, "How will they protect him then? They want him to have the throne but he's not Bound yet. He's at risk by this Hunt."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVPdPhSGBV 維尼

"And in a veritable fortress. No one's going to touch him," Niwot countered, "Honestly Airin, you need better arguments if you're going to win this one."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmuL3jEVnx 維尼

My shoulders slumped and my head dropped to rest on my knees. "I don't want this," I whispered.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsGwjHHmII 維尼

"I know. I didn't want this for you either," Niwot replied, "We're lucky Jason found out and is giving us this much warning."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSljaWaIdL 維尼

"And who is Jason, Niwot?" I hissed, "Obviously, he's Unbound. He's using the Hunt as an excuse to save me but really he wants me. He wants me as his Companion..."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1udhUYf0k 維尼

"Wren..." Niwot started helplessly.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4ld5y5efV 維尼

"It's true though, isn't it?" I snapped, jerking upright to glare at him.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGcStvw8JT 維尼

Niwot's shoulders slumped. "Yes," he said, defeated, "But he wants a Reciprocal Bond... He's idealistic... He wants you to want the Binding too. If you went with him you'd have time to decide whether you wanted the same things..."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUgjehSjXh 維尼

"Like hell," I muttered. I crossed my arms and glared at Niwot. "Niwot, don't dodge the question. Who is he?"8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA9cSu6Agl 維尼

Niwot swallowed. "The heir..."8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWCft68MjP 維尼

My face contorted in rage. "So like I said," I snapped, "There's no fucking way." I stood up again and marched to the door.8964 copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡgViSAOzvqe 維尼

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