Honour by Viola Grace Page B

care where I sleep as long as you are there.”
    “Yes, my bride, now go to sleep, and when you wake, I will be there.”
    Honour felt the truth in the forest and in her connection to Acuar. They would all be together. There was no other option. They were bound now and until Honour passed on. If they wanted a negotiator then, they would have to find another bride.
     
    “Nayin, where are the archives pertaining to the brides?”
    Her new friend froze and then swallowed. “They are in the seed vault.”
    Honour fought the urge to look directly in Nayin’s eyes. For some reason, whenever she did that, Nayin locked in place until Honour broke the eye contact.
    “That is a weird ass place to put them.”
    “It is where the brides and their records have always been stored.”
    That brought Honour’s head around. “They store the brides?”
    Acuar cleared his throat from the doorway. “Let me field this, Nayin. You are dismissed.”
    Nayin made a run for it.
    “You are lucky she was finished, or I would be ticked, Ace. Now, I want to see where the brides and their records are stored.”
    “You will not like it.”
    “Why are they not with the hosts?”
    “The hosts return to the land. The Freyalki return to the land. The brides remain intact for posterity.”
    “Creepy, but I still want to see them.” Honour got to her feet and stared at her mate. “Now. We have no appointments today, and I have wanted to try out that skimmer. Let’s go.”
    He crossed his arms over his chest. “I do not like this.”
    She reached up to pat his cheek. “I know, but this is something I need to know. You have the knowledge of the hosts who have gone before you. I don’t know anything about the women who were chosen and why. I need to know who they were so that I know my place in the lineup.”
    He nodded and put his arm around her waist as he escorted her to the skimmer launch on the roof. She put her hands on the controls, and he stood behind her, hanging on to the rails surrounding the panel.
    He gave her the coordinates, and she powered up the skimmer, launching them into the air just above the tree line. The seed vault was an hour away from the city, and the guards looked shocked to see her when they entered the security gates at the entrance.
    “Lady. I…we…a bride has never walked these halls.” The captain of the guard came running and skidded to a halt in front of her.
    “I am aware of that, but I need to be here. The host has not stopped me, nor has the forest. I wish to see where the brides are stored.”
    The captain looked at her and then at Acuar. “Host?”
    “She has been given no information as to her fate, so she wishes to know. Her mind is filled with curiosity and she will not be denied.” There was amused pride in his tone.
    “Will you show her?” It seemed that the captain was afraid of her reaction.
    Acuar kept his hand on her back. “I will take her. Thank you, Captain.”
    They walked into the paths of tunnels into the soil, veins of pulsing energy lighting their way. The glowing vines held the soil back and provided breathable oxygen.
    “This is the seed vault?”
    He laughed. “This is the entrance. Just wait.”
    She saw what he meant a moment later. Stone was carved into a dry and secure hallway. Glowing quartz created a bright facility.
    The seed bank was a wonderful construct going deep into the stone as far as the eye could see.
    “Come with me. I will show you where they are.”
    “I am not going anywhere without you.”
    She looked around at the seeds, seeing several varieties that she had been negotiating for earlier that week. Her smile remained on her features right up until the moment that they saw the arched opening with the security screen.
    “That is unusual. The Freyalki don’t use locks, or doors for that matter.”
    He nodded. “True, but this is a special case. Come with me.”
    She took his hand and walked toward the glowing wall of energy that blocked this area from