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“...your Nation will suffer more than it already is.”
“She knew,” I snarled as I stood, the fireplace igniting instantly with my temper. For years, Nations blamed other Nations for the plague—claimed it was some kind of rival attack and had resulted in many conflicts and wars between them.
Mavris squinted. “Who?”
“Vicria. She told me that Oryn was suffering and that I needed to return.” I wanted nothing more in this moment than to burn her alive, but I knew that would only cause more disruption to the balance.
Sages had a heightened spiritual link to the realm, giving up their magical abilities in sacrifice for the connection. Killing a Sage was a horrendous crime, resulting in the murderous fae being given back to the Gods, given that both the Spirits and Gods have such a symbiotic relationship. There must always be balance. But at that moment, I was questioning whether or not the consequences would be worth it.
“How…how would she know? Wasn’t she there the entire time?” Mavris’s eyes tracked me as I paced back and forth.
“I don’t know. But she knew. She was adamant about me leaving and…” I shook my head.
My mate.
I hadn’t yet told my brother that the mating bond had enacted and that I knew who it was—sort of—and that we had been threatened with yet another trial to take it away. I felt for it, the bond, just to make sure that it was still there. I needed to be sure that it was. Now that I had it, I never wanted to let it go. And I wantedmore. It was faint, too faint. But it was there. I was certain.
“And what?”
I contemplated telling him for a moment, but ultimately decided against it. “Nothing we need to worry about right now.” My people needed me and there was nothing I could do when she was in another realm. “Give the survivors anything they need. Anything at all. Redirect all workers in the palace to assist them. Bring in as many healers as you can for the injured. If they’re not too traumatized, ask them for a recount of the event. The people can remain in the palace as long as they need.”
Mavris stood as I continued, “And send a team to the perimeter of the Glaev to search for more survivors in the area. Where is Hakoa?” I paced to my desk in front of the windows, the morning light reflecting off the mountains.
“He’s already there with several Noavo warriors.”
“Good.” I stood at my desk and studied the map of the continent laid out on top of the wood. From Voara, the southeastern village of Mirren was a two days’ journey. Hakoa was the leader of my army, the Noavo warriors, and my oldest friend. He and the warriors were a force to be reckoned with their vast numbers and brute strength, not to mention fiercely loyal. But they were slow in traveling.
“I’ll go down and assist with the survivors. We have plenty of resources to accommodate all of them and anyone else Hakoa finds.” He headed for the door but stopped just before opening it. “Will there be anything else, Lord Ryker?”
This time I didn’t hide my eye roll. “Yes.” I had another task in mind, one I had put off for too long, and I needed someone swift and agile. The Noavo warriors wouldn’t do. “Send for Arra.”
He gave a knowing smile and bowed before leaving me alone in my study.
What good did it do being a powerful Worthy, a Lord, if my greatest enemy was something intangible and had been a mystery for a hundred years? I ran my hands through my hair, pulling at the roots. I shook it off, hoping I would have answers soon.
Bending over the desk, I jotted down instructions on a piece of parchment. It was detailed enough so that I would get what I needed, yet open enough so that Arra could complete the task without much restriction. I finished and folded the paper right before the doors opened again.
When Arra came in, I gestured for her to sit across from me.
“Glad to see you’re not dead. Did you challenge?” she asked.
“Not this time.” I blew out a breath and leaned forward. “I can go into details later but right now, I have a mission for you.”
I handed her the parchment. She opened it and read it quickly before folding it again and placing it in her lap.
“We’ll need a few weeks,” she said with a nod.
“That’s fine. Anything else?”
“Can you make Theron come with us?” she asked jokingly.
The side of my lip twitched. “Highly unlikely.”
“Worth a shot.” She shrugged and stood to leave.
“Arra,” I said just before she reached the door. “I don’t think I need to stress to you just how important this is. Lives depend on it. The Nation depends on it.”
“I understand,” she replied with a curt nod before walking out and shutting the door behind her.
