When we finally reach the other end of the forest, I’m exhausted, dirty, and sweaty. Partly because it was incredibly humid inside the woods and there was no proper path to follow. But mainly because Draven spent a good portion of the hike secretly summoning his storm magic and using it to blow wind right into me so that I had to struggle to push forward. It took me longer than I want to admit to realize that. Once I did, I used my own magic to increase the spark of exhaustion in his own chest until he was panting with exertion. Only then did we agree to a silent truce.
I glance over at Draven as we trudge the final distance to the end of the forest. His black hair is damp and messy, and mud splatters part of his imposing armor. The sight of it brings a smug smirk to my lips and makes me feel a bit better about the fact that I probably look equally ruffled.
Drawing in a deep breath, I drag a hand through my hair to remove a few stray strands that are stuck to my forehead and cheeks. Part of me can’t help but think that Orion had a point. This forest was unnecessarily unpleasant.
I turn towards him and Isera as they catch up to me andDraven where we have stopped a short distance from the tree line. My eyebrows shoot up when I take in their appearances. I’ve been so focused on getting through the forest without Draven pushing me into a pile of mud that I have barely been paying attention to our other two companions. But now that I do, I can barely believe what I’m seeing.
Both Isera and Orion somehow look completely unaffected. Apart from the unavoidable mud on their shoes, there isn’t a single speck of dirt on their clothes. No drops of sweat line their temples, and I swear to Mabona, neither of them has so much as one strand of hair out of place.
I gape at them. “How the hell are you two so clean and pristine?”
“I don’t sweat,” Isera and Orion reply in unison.
Surprise flits across both of their faces as they exchange a glance. They quickly break eye contact and turn back to me, but the moment Orion can’t see Isera’s face, I swear amusement tugs at her lips for a second. I stare at them in stunned disbelief.
“I have ice magic,” Isera explains.
Orion shrugs. “I’m royalty.”
I frown at him. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Royalty doesn’t sweat.” He flicks a nonchalant hand. “Sweating is for peasants.”
“Just get a move on,” Draven mutters. “We’re here.”
After shaking my head at our far too unruffled companions, I hurry after Draven as he strides the final distance to the tree line.
Air leaves my lungs in a whoosh when I reach the edge of the forest. My jaw drops, and for a second, my eyes can’t comprehend what it is that I’m looking at.
We’re standing at the edge of a cliff. The steep side cuts straight down in a sheer drop, and we’re so high up that I can’t even see the ground. Instead, the side of the cliff disappears down into clouds below us. But that is not the most astonishing part.
Massive islands, which look like upside-down mountains, arefloating in the air before us. The piercing tip is pointing straight down, and each island appears stationary, but they’re not attached to anything. They just float there among the clouds, completely free in the air.
The mostly flat surface of each floating island is covered in grass and trees. Sticking up amid the vibrant vegetation are elegant buildings in bright colors. Orange dragons soar through the sky between two of the islands farthest from us.
Dragging in an unsteady breath, I stare at the gorgeous view before me. I thought the Unseelie Court, with its massive waterfalls and glittering canals, was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. But this… This might be the most astonishing thing I’ve seen yet.
A sharp twinge of longing and regret hits me like a blade to the chest. The world is so big. It’s absolutely bursting with incredible things and breathtaking places. And I have seen none of it.
I pull at my collar as the sudden tightness in my chest makes it difficult to breathe.
I’ve missed so much. I’ve beendeniedso much.
I want to see it all. I want to experience this world in all its glory and get drunk on new sights and sensations. I want it all. I want fucking everything!
That tightness in my chest intensifies, strangling my throat and squeezing my heart hard, as my gaze is once more drawn back to Draven. I want to experience this beautiful place with him. The real him. Not this unnatural version that looks at me with such hatred.
My eyes burn and my chest aches. I want him back.
“Ryat,” Isera begins. “Earlier, you said Tanaka hates you. Why?”
Her timely interruption snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts, and I manage to force the black waves of rage and despair back enough to suck in a deep breath. Dropping my handfrom my collar, I shake out my arm and take another steadying breath. With effort, I return my focus to the task at hand. Convincing Rin Tanaka and her Orange Dragon Clan to help us take down the Iceheart Dynasty.
Draven holds Isera’s gaze for another few seconds before he turns to look out at the floating islands again. “Because I burned this place to the ground a hundred and forty years ago.”
“You didwhat?”
Next to her, Orion chuckles. “Of course you did.”
