Page 123 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

Without breaking eye contact, Kora drained the warm liquid in one and grimaced. Despite the lack of scent, its flavour was bitter and syrupy at once, the liquid strangely thick as she swallowed multiple times for it to go down. It settled in her stomach, swirling with heat, and Kora glanced down, expecting something to happen.

“Nothing’s happening.” Not even a creepy glow, or a gurgle. She half expected to flatulate at this point.

Raiden just laughed. “I told you, it’s dangerous to humans. You need to sleep, it works best overnight. Whatever happens, remember you need to come back. Don’t linger in the dream. This close to the gods, you’ll enter a new state, one only your essence can transcend. You could lose yourself, and may never return to the mortal plane.”

“And you didn’t say this before because?” Kora reared. What did he mean not return?

“I’ll be here as your anchor. I’ve got you, Huntress. I won’t let you lose your way. Just remember, return from the dream.” And gods damn didn’t she believe him.

“I don’t think I could sleep right now,” Kora glanced around, the darkness of the peaks unnerving her.

“It’ll hit you soon. It makes you drowsy. The amount you drank is more than we use for rituals.” Raiden patted the mattress roll on the other side of the fire. Kora paused, noticing the two spread out next to each other. She laid down, her breathing fast as her heart soared, working overtime with the iridweed in her system.

“Raiden . . . what does that symbol mean?” She yawned, pointing to the stone opposite her. It burned bright, the silvery etchings swirling in her gaze, distorting her reality as her stomach grumbled, folding and knotting repeatedly.

“It means rift. That’s what this place is—Haizea’s rift between realms. It’s why magic is so concentrated here.” Raiden laid down beside her, his warmth and the firepit opposite alighting Kora’s skin. Sweat broke out on her forehead and she rolled to face him, grabbing his arm in a panic.

“I don’t feel well.”

“It’s working, your body needs to process it.” Raiden’s mouth softened, and Kora’s hand snaked up to stroke his strong cheek, boldness coursing through her. The aurora blazed, dazzling her vision as purple shadows crept in at the edges.

Her mind spun and her limbs became heavy, her hand falling to the ground between them. Raiden clasped it with one hand, whilst the other brushed her hair from her damp cheek, tucking it behind her ear. He traced her scar from her temple, following it down to her neck, his stare positively feral, and soon that was all Kora could see as darkness enclosed in.

But it didn’t hurt. For once, her scar didn’t scream at the contact, it didn’t shiver with coldness or tingle with an ache that was her common nuisance. It was like Raiden’s touch was the arnica salve she’d depended heavily on, soothing her skin and mind.

“Kora?” She frowned, unsure as to whether Raiden had truly said her name. He never used her name. Maybe it was the drugs. “Don’t let me float away.”

“I’ve got you, Rai.”

53

Kora

Aweave of diamonds rippled, replacing the aurora of lights as it ascended to the heavens. Kora reached, stretching her shoulder until it nearly popped out of its joint, to swipe her fingers through the shimmering expanse. Her hand passed through, and she frowned at the lack of feeling from the diamonds.

Kora twirled, long hair cascading down her back, tumbling in white, thick waves. Her leathers had been replaced with a light blue dress, the satin changing colour with every reflection of light as it flowed through all the colours of the ocean.

“Took you long enough, child.”

That voice. Tears sprung to Kora’s eyes as Agatha materialised on the boulder in the heart of the meadow. The iridweed swayed in the gentle breeze, the sun, high in the clear blue sky, bounced off the ice caps of the mountain peaks.

“Agatha!” Kora raced to her, the iridweed petals staining the hem of her dress.

She was stunning. Her grey hair was voluminous, thick braids framing her brown face, paired with beryl eyes that glimmered with mischief. Just like the void, every time Agatha blinked, a new colour surfaced.

Kora catapulted into her arms, sobbing into Agatha’s white gown, crusted with golden lace. “I missed you so much! I’m so sorry! I couldn’t save you.”

Agatha stroked her hair, hushing her cries as she cradled Kora in her lap atop the warm boulder.

“It was my time, dear. There was nothing you could have done.”

“It’s been so dark without you. I can’t see the way forward. I don’t know what to do.”

Agatha’s hands stilled. “It has already begun. He is returning, and darkness will consume your world. You must fight Kora. You must face this path.”

Agatha’s dark premonition. Kora shuddered.

“Who is the Dark One? Please . . . please just tell me.”