Page 116 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

Raiden dropped his hands. “Yes, sorry. It doesn’t get easier. Wielding will, and understanding your limits. But I promise that you will hit those limits, and you’ll have to wait for your body to replenish each time.”

Kora remained silent for a moment. “How often do you reach your limits?”

Raiden swallowed. “Sometimes.” Did he fuck. Him and Zephyr were the only two people he knew that didn’t possess a limit. That was until Erick Cadell’s lungs came into the equation. He enjoyed the ease of conversation with Kora. He’d never experienced something like this, the vulnerability, the casualness. The comfort.

“Don’t worry, you’ve got an eternity to get used to it apparently.”

“Very funny.”

“I am quite funny.” He could hear the smile gracing her lips. “Goodnight, Raiden.”

“Goodnight, Huntress.”

50

Kora

There had been no nightmares. No shadows, or ghosts of the past. For once, Kora awoke soundly, her mind clear and her muscles relaxed. Sunlight filtered through Raiden’s balcony, so much so that Kora wondered if the Mist remained. She stretched, inhaling deeply as Raiden’s scent filled her nose, instantly calming her.

She glanced to the ceiling . . . empty. Kora rolled across the large bed, to find Raiden curled up on the mattress with no cover, his hair ruffled and his face relaxed. She eyed the way his arms spread across the cream mattress, his biceps still flexed despite dreaming. The way stubble lined his jaw, leading to his hair that glistened like freshly made weapons. His eyelashes were long, his lips pout, and his body—stop staring.

Raiden’s eyes flew open, and she gasped.

“Enjoying the view?” His voice was heavy from sleep and Kora’s legs clamped shut.

“Just checking to make sure you hadn’t floated away.”

Raiden blinked and sat up, his eyes wide. “I’m . . . on the floor.” He swivelled to meet Kora’s stare as she continued lying on her front, her chin propped on her hands. “That’s the first time in months.”

Kora smiled. “I also slept well. As well as I can. I had a dreamless sleep. Even without a magtrate solution.”

Raiden scanned her for a moment. “Perhaps you can now make new dreams.” The hidden meaning made her breath catch and Kora rolled away. She couldn’t tell him the truth behind her future. Thanos had predicted it, and it was woven in fate’s plan.

“I don’t have time for dreams. I have a deal to fulfil.” She winced as her lack of essence slammed back into her, how hollow she felt inside.

She was back here again. Weeks of training, of learning and gods-damned sweating buckets for naught. But this time, her power had been stolen by the demon within. Meaning it was somewhere, waiting for her. Hidden beneath the layers of Kordelia’s cage.

“My father’s deals are binding,” Raiden rolled his shoulders. “And never truly fulfilled. But he’s never resorted to death. This is the first time, and I don’t understand it.”

Kora’s stubbornness consumed her as she faced him. “Let me be the first to break that.”

“I have an idea. Now that I know I can get through a night without floating away.” Raiden’s crystalised eyes sparked. “But we’ll need to leave today if we’re to make it back in time for your deal.”

“Leave? Where to?” Kora brushed the edge of Raiden’s bed. His room was identical to hers, but with darker furnishings and a lot of cushions and paintings.

“It’s time to hit the books.” Raiden smiled. “We’re going to the Galen Archives.”

“Absolutely not,” Aryn barked at Kora as she packed in her room. After applying the ointment from Raiden for her magical leech bites—called isuga cream, which sounded nicer than saying bloodsucker cream—she pulled on a set of grey and tan leathers, ready to face the day.

She was tired of waiting around. Tired of wondering what was going to happen. When would Barron attack? Was he going to attack at all? Would Hector finally snap and kill her? Would this mystery assailant strike with their shadowed claws again? Would Erick wake up from his coma? Kora needed action, and this was the next best thing.

“Raiden said it’s quicker to fly and he can’t carry two people.” Kora tied her backpack, glancing around the room to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. Unlike Raiden’s, not a single tapestry of art graced her walls. Maybe she could add some if she survived Zephyr’s wrath. “You need to stay here.”

“Where you go, I go. That’s our deal.” Aryn stepped forward. The hazel in his eyes had vanished and gold burned, swirling so much that she looked away. Aryn blinked, breathing deeply, letting the gold push out until it was just a ring around his irises.

“I don’t like being far away from you either.” Kora stopped before Aryn and took his slender hands. Her thumb brushed over his favoured archer tabs. He wore loose clothing, with vambraces and his longbow slung across his chest. Now looking at it, she realised the patterns engraved into the wood were runes.

Just what power he channelled into them, remained a mystery.