“I’ll come as soon as I can,” Kellan cut in.
He and Raek shuffled to the center deck and gently lifted Aeriden to Tiberius’s back. Raek slid in behind him as I hurried after them and took my place in the front.
Violet and pink light dusted the horizon as dawn neared. Kellan gripped my hand and squeezed, his thumb briefly sliding along the outside of mine as he sent a hot spark to where my powers lingered weakly. My throat bobbed as he pulled his hand away, but I couldn’t find the words.
The marbled gray in his eyes glowed as he stepped away, and Tiberius launched into the sky, the mossy green Votruvian Island of Borva spreading wide in the distance.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
LYVIA
The Arx is an unexplored, dangerous part of Votruvia.
– History of Votruvia, Kellan’s private library, theHydra.
Lyvia – Borva, Votruvia
Aeriden’s blood soaked through the back of my coat, his damp head bouncing against my shoulder as Tiberius flew as fast as he could to the Votruvian Island of Borva. Panic tightened my chest, and I forced myself to breathe, doing my best not to send my hysterical emotions flooding down the connection to my caeluma.
A valley of greens yawned open below us, a forest of cedars and mossy, lichen-covered trees bordering the vast countryside. Pockets of small houses and buildings dotted the land we flew over, each connected with dark, muddy roads. My breath shuddered as I inhaled the fresh Votruvian air.
“Just over this ridge,” Raek called from behind Aeriden. “Take us to the front of the house.”
Tiberius surged over the treetops, and I blinked as a sprawling estate stood in the center of freshly tilled lands. A massive, white house stretched in the distance, surrounded by gardens of greenery and fountains. Three stables bordered a neatly groomed arena where a few shaggy ponies waited for breakfast.
Mist kissed my cheeks as Ti dipped and we banked around the courtyard at the front, his hooves clattering against the stony ground. Aeriden moaned as he began to tip. Raek hopped off Ti’s back and caught him with a grunt before he could hit the ground.
My feet stung as I dismounted too quickly, gripping beneath Aeriden’s blood-soaked shoulders before Raek swooped up his feet and we hurried him up the stone steps. Tiberius thundered down the courtyard before stretching his wings to the sky.
I’ll be back!
Eghan Housestretched above dark, cherry wooden doors in swooping silver lettering. I lifted a leg to knock with my boot when the door swung open, and an ivory-skinned beauty popped her head out.
Long, bright red hair hung in two straight braids as her wide, hazel eyes scanned us.
“Raek!” she cried.
“Naomi,” he gasped, adjusting his grip on Aeriden’s bleeding legs. “We need Mother Eghan.”
Naomi nodded before her gaze caught on mine, and the color drained from her face. Her round lips parted as she took in my pointed ears, the scar across my throat, and the writhing darkness beneath my skin. Something about her scent changed, and my brows furrowed, readying my powers.
“We need to hurry,” Raek urged, shuffling up the steps.
She snapped her head to Raek before nodding her agreement.
We staggered down the softly lit hallway where large doors opened into a myriad of rooms, and sleepy children of all ages poked their heads out. I blinked, trying to keep my focus on Aeriden but unable to help the confusion that arrived.
Votruvian waters run red.That was what Kellan had said.
The Islands of Votruvia were supposed to be horrific—desolate, corrupt, and full of criminals. This was a place of death, of slavery…Morwyn hated this place.
The laughter bouncing down the hallway was jarring against the panic in my heart as I scanned the rooms for the healer’s hall.
Naomi slowed before pushing a large door open, the dim light from the hallway flooding into the large dark chamber. The soothing scents of lavender and sage wafted through the whoosh of air that followed, mingling with the sickening scent of blood and infection leaking from Aeriden. Naomi lit sconces as she swiftly moved into the space.
“What in the name of—” A short, stocky woman in a forest green work dress and stained apron whirled from the back doors. Deep lines bordered her bright blue eyes, which were pinned on our side of the room as she swung a long, driftwood staff in front of her, the tip of it hitting the leg of one of the chairs.
“Mother Eghan,” Naomi began, “Raek has brought someone in need of help.”
