“Whereis he now?”
WhenIfirst saw his true form,Icouldn’t believe it.Thegreat empty pit of denial that comes when a tragedy too large for the mind to comprehend unfolds before your very eyes.Thenthe anger came.HowhadInot known?Howmany times hadIlooked into those emerald eyes over the centuries?Thetruth had been right in front of me, andIhad not seen it.
“Hewas last seen flying north.Sourceshave him flying out into theSeaofSpirits.”
Ishook out my limbs, still stiff from the recovery.DidAbraxasknow how close he had come to overpowering me?Didhe knowIhad laid under the fiery artifact, closer to death thanIhad come to sinceIfirst gained my powers?Istripped off the flimsy white robeIhad been dressed in, surveying the large burns that ran over my chest.I’dused every healerIcould find to rid myself of a similar scar after facing theWorldBreaker, but here it sat again, reignited.AfateIcould never escape.
Thewound was still fresh enough that it stung as the surrounding skin pulled with my movement.Iran my fingers over the raw surface, savoring the pain that laced through me.
“YourEminence?”Plagislingered behind me.
“Sendevery scout we have to the islands.Iwant him found immediately.”
“Sir, with theDragonArmy’sinvasion, it would be prudent not to—”
Ilashed out and struck him across the face with both my hand and power.Hecrumpled to the floor immediately.
“Iwant him found.Now.”
“Ofcourse, sire.”Plagisclutched his cheek as he rose from the ground. “Iwill see it done.”Hescampered from the room, andIwas alone with the heart.
Iturned to face it.Thedragon’s heart floated in the center of the room, its fire still beating as if the magnificent beast merely slumbered.Glyphsdanced along enchanted circles, glowing the same deep red as the magic and my blood.Theyorbited the heart in all directions, binding it to me.
Fora moment, the maroon flames flashed a vividgreen in my mind.Abraxas, howIdesired him and how he resisted me.Butno longer.Hewould be bound to me, just like his father.Hewould bemine.
Chapter 7
Tori
Iwoke to the pale light of morning streaming into the cave.Despitethe humid air,Ishivered.Itried to fall back asleep and will my mind back to him, but it was too late.Theday had claimed me in its cruel clutches.
Iplaced my hands on his side, the chill of him penetrating into the skin of my palms.Ireached down into the earth, finding the magic easily.Iguided it through my body and willed it into him with every fiber of my being.IhelpedJun; maybeIcould help him.Itwas futile.Themagic wouldn’t cross over into him.Theshadow of death clung to him and prevented my efforts.Itdiffered from the shadows ofJun’smind.Thesewere darker than the void that had formed everything, something no light, no life could cross.
Before, the magic had felt like a river, a flow that molded and changed within my body.Ishaped that amorphous power into a hard and sharp sword.Istruck that dark barrier over and over, but nothing changed.Myfingers shook with the effort, andIcould feel my knees give way as more of myenergy was drained.Myheartbeat grew dangerously slow, but still,Ifought, ruthlessly striking that magical barrier.
Thatwas until a rough hand landed on my shoulder. “Careful,Princess.”ItwasAvlyn. “Nopoint in killing yourself before we can figure this whole thing out.Leavehim be.Ihave some breakfast for you.”
Ifinally pulled my palms off the dragon’s side, andAvlynsupported me asIwobbled over to the fire.
Breakfastwas squirrel, again.Iknew better than to complain.Pallassat in silence, sharing hers withJun.Hemade a bit of a face as she pulled pieces off for him but didn’t protest.InoticedPallasate very little of their shared squirrel.
Avlynhad scarfed theirs down in about three bites.Inibbled at mine and gave half toPallas.AsIheld it out, she characteristically said nothing but slowly took the squirrel from my hand with a small nod.
“SorryIcouldn’t catch more, but they were getting wise to my trap,”Avlynmouthed around their last bite.
“Thankyou for hunting for us,Commander,”Pallasmurmured, andAvlyn’seyes went wide in surprise.
“Um, yeah, of course,” they mumbled. “Andyou can just call meAvlyn.”Theybusied themselves with cleaning their greasy hands on their trousers and stood.
“Well,Isuppose this is as good a time as any.Let’shead out.We’veonly got one bladder for water, and it’s full.Butkeep your eyes peeled for water sources as we travel.”Avlynscratched their head. “It’sbeen quite some time sinceI’vetraveled in a group that was all fae, so we might push ourselves quite a bit.”
Iwas about to protest whenPallasdid it for me. “Junis still recovering; we won’t be able to push him.”
Asmall frown curved at the corner ofAvlyn’slips, but they nodded. “Wecan take turns helping him as needed as well.Alright, troops, let’s head out.”
IsawPallasroll her eyes at that, but she didn’t complain as she stood and helpedJundo the same.Sheslung his arm over her shoulders, supporting him as they followedAvlyn.Ibrought up the rear.
Ifelt very naked without a weapon, but the only oneAvlynhad hung on to in our escape was a single dagger, which they held.Theyled us back to the tunnel we had previously found.Wemade slow progress through the growth of the cavern,Junoccasionally tripping on roots andPallasneeding to assist him.Shestruggled as well, wearing heeled shoes that were appropriate for court but not for adventuring through rough terrain.Onanother day,Imight have found the situation hilarious, watchingPallas’ face scrunch up in disdain as her heel sunk into the muddy earth.Shelooked an awful mess, her luscious hair tangled horribly, her beautiful gown covered in soot and dirt, and her makeup was smudged.Shemore resembled a farm girl than a lady of the highest court.Iwas sureIlooked no better, butIknew it would affect her more than me.
