Tharen watched as the corners of the sprite’s mouth turned down in fear. She rarely left the library, but had never left the castle—not since Tharen had rescued her and given her a home here.
Her tiny wings fluttered behind her as she gave a firm, small nod. "Yes, I can do that. I promise."
Tharen started for the doors, knowing Azgorath would be following.
"Good. Stay quiet, Nyxila. I’ll—we’llmake sure you’re safe." Tharen corrected himself at the last moment. She needed to trust the demon just as much as Tharen, if she wanted to survive.
Then, he pushed open the doors.
4
CRUMBLING CASTLES AND LOST THINGS
AZ
Nyx’s tiny hands tugged on Az’s hair, but he barely noticed.
The water sloshed around them. Sediment fell from the stone ceilings, with hunks of rubble hidden beneath the icy water that lapped against their legs. He had to tread carefully so he wouldn’t trip.
The flames in the sconces flickered, no match for the air whispering through the halls.
They were quiet. It was hard to hear over the roaring wind and water and their harsh breathing.
Az had one goal in mind: Luella.
He had to get to her, had to make sure she was safe.
But that all hinged on the mercurial dragon King.
Tharen looked back at him. "The halls will open up ahead! Go left!" he called, voice bouncing off the stone and water.
The stone cracked around them, large pieces splintering off from the walls, leaving hollow spaces.
The hall widened, revealing utter destruction. Shattered windows let in sheets of rain; wind roared through the opened spaces. From the few glimpses he could catch, he realized this was only the beginning. It was utter chaos out there.
His sweet, gentle Vincire.Shehad done this. The same female who found solace nestled against his chest, who could not stand the thought of bathing alone…
Az felt Nyx burrow deeper into his hair, gritting his teeth as she gripped his horn.
In the ruins of the halls, they passed no one. No maids, no servants, no fleeing revelers. Az hoped they all found safety. Wondered if they all deserved it, however.
Tharen held up a hand, forcing Az to stop. He ducked as a small hunk of stone fell a few paces to his right, water splashing up and getting in his eyes.
"What?" Az yelled. "What is it?"
Tharen did not look back at him. "Stay there. I thought I heard…"
The mage waded through the water, straight for a torn tapestry, barely clinging to the walls. One end was ripped, the frayed edges rippling violently in the wind. He grabbed the edge of the tapestry, lifting it with effort as the water kept it weighed down. A shadowed alcove was tucked behind it, and within, a small black ball of… fabric?
Az took a step forward, unsteady on the rock-laden floors.
Large, golden eyes peered up at them from a mass of soaked black fur.
Nyx gasped. "A cat?"
Az felt the sprite teeter near his horns, and he lifted a hand, stilling her.
"Tharen!" he called, but the Prima was silent, staring at the creature.
