A Bond of Storms and Stitches. Syphon Bound, #1

Bonds require give and take, but he won't give and she won't take. After five failed bonding attempts, Mellia will never undergo the binding ritual again.  But, with her father's abdication approaching and Mellia his only surviving heir, he's picked out another suitor for her. Mellia will do anything to avoid the torturous ritual, even dedicate herself to the Golden God who killed her brother. Alroth needs to protect his band of outcasts, but he only brings more danger down on them.
If he could bind a mage and wield her magic, he could keep them safe. But where could he find a mage desperate enough to bind herself to a mercenary dogged by accusations of treason?A bond between Mellia and Alroth could solve all their problems-or cause a host of new ones. Heresy accusations, attacks from the lord's personal guard, and being tossed in an oubliette pale in comparison to the feat of learning to trust each other and wield their magical bond as a team.
Unless they learn to harness their combined power, they'll never escape the forces bent on their destruction.A Bond of Storms and Stitches is a historical fantasy romance Seven Brides for Seven Brothers riff perfect for fans of Paladin's Grace and Grace Draven. Content notes: explicit sex scenes, injuries, near-death experiences. See Elizabeth F. Shearly's website for detailed content notes.