AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fortunately, Juron changes the conversation to save his own dignity. “I’ll take first watch tonight.”
“It’s all right,” I say. “Natharius can.”
The Void Prince’s head whips over his shoulder. “I can do what?”
“You can take first watch,” I reply. “Actually, you can keep watch all night. You don’t need to sleep like us mortals, do you?”
He glowers and turns back around, staring at the rolling hills stretching around us.
I consider issuing him a command to keep watch and wake us should any threat arise, but I already ordered him to protect me and he will be forced to dispose of any enemies. Of course, they may pose a threat to my new companions, and Natharius may opt to take no action, but I’m sure Taria is more than capable of defending herself.
After feeding Zephyr aether crystals and eating something myself, I lie back on the blanket and stare at the stars. A small slither of moon has been carved from its luminescent form. Zephyr curls up into my side, and it isn’t long before he’s snoring away. As loud as he is, no one comments on his snoring.
I close my eyes and will myself to sleep. While my body is exhausted, sleep doesn’t come easily to me. And when it does, it isn’t a restful one.
Once again, I find myself in that meadow with black threads lacing through a shining violet sky. Arluin’s form fades into view, his raven curls gleaming in the purple radiance.
“Reyna,” he says, stepping closer. “I’ve been trying to speak to you these past few nights. If not for the tracking spell remaining intact, I’d have feared for the worst.”
I scramble back, almost tripping over my feet in my haste. “I thought I made myself clear last time,” I grind out. “I want nothing to do with you, except your demise. You’re not welcome in my dreams. Not now, not ever.”
Arluin frowns. “How can you say never? No one can know the future.”
“No.” My fist clenches. “Iwillhate you forever, Arluin. I can promise you that.”
He says nothing, but his frown doesn’t relent.
“Leave.”
“Reyna—”
“I said leave!”
Arluin doesn’t disappear, not even when I demand it over and over, and I’m forced to pinch myself hard.
My eyes flutter open to the twinkling stars. I let out a deep breath, the tension slipping from my shoulders now I’m rid of Arluin and his torment. Zephyr is nestled into me, snoring away. I’m not sure how long I’ve slept, but Juron and Caya appear to be fast asleep. Taria hasn’t moved, remaining cross-legged in her meditative position, and Natharius is nowhere to be seen. I roll my eyes, though the moon is my only witness. I should have issued the Void Prince with a strict order to keep watch. After how much he complained about being ordered to stay put inside the temple, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. So much for that.
Though I’m annoyed by him being unable to co-operate even once, I’m grateful for the distraction from Arluin. I imagine the Void Prince’s silver hair, angular features and crimson eyes in as much detail until I’ve painted his portrait in my mind.
“Aminex,” I whisper softly, careful not to wake the others. My magic takes shape, connecting my mind to Natharius’s.
“What is it?”comes his growl.
“You’re meant to be keeping watch.”
“I am.”
“You’re nowhere to be seen.”
“It isn’t my fault your mortal senses are lacking.”
I sigh loudly and hope he can hear it in my mind. “Where are you?”
“Above.”
I tilt back my head and stare up at the midnight sky. It isn’t until I squint that I notice movement, a shadow flickering across the stars. It descends a little lower and then I can make out the silhouette’s curved wings and the flash of silver hair. I can almost feel his crimson eyes burning down on me, even from this height. “Make sure you don’t fly too far away. Or else I’ll have to issue a command to make you watch over our camp.”
Natharius makes his contempt clear through his silence. Having no desire to engage with the loathsome Void Prince for longer than is necessary, I release the spell tethering our minds together.
