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Oz, however, was less entertained, his eyes widening in shock. “Is that necklace...part of the Daelor crown jewels?”
With a flick of my wrist, I summoned a tiny vortex of sand to dance over my palm. “It helps amplify certain... abilities.”
Zora looked puzzled, but Oz’s face lit up in realization. “You’re a Sálfar! What do you know of your ancestry? Who are your parents? What does it feel like to use celestial metals?” He leaned in, eager for answers.
“I wish I could tell you more, Oz, but honestly, I’m still piecing things together,” I admitted.
Oz turned an accusing eye toward Theron. “You never mentioned she was a Sálfar when we visited. Had I known, I wouldn’t have given you such a hard time.”
Theron scratched the back of his neck, looking a tad sheepish. “Well, I didn’t exactly know then either.”
My curiosity piqued, and I tilted my head. “What’s he talking about?”
Theron shot me an amused wink. “Oz and Zora weren’t pleased with me for taking a concubine. They lectured me about how ashamed my father would be.”
That revelation only endeared his cousins more to me. “Yet another reason to like you two.”
Theron’s eyes softened. “Well, you better, because they’re about to be family.”
Zora’s mouth dropped open. “What? Are you together? Like an actual couple now?”
Theron wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close as his chest puffed out. “Yes.”
I blushed at the pride in his voice. “Come on, let’s get you settled. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
After leading the cousins to a comfortable cave I’d scouted out and making sure they were well-supplied, Theron and I retreated to our secluded alcove. The world outside faded as we bedded down, ready to seek refuge in each other’s bodies from the day’s relentless heat.
The crimson hues of the setting sun stretched out across the vast canvas of the desert, weaving intricate patterns of light and shadows as we traveled over the dunes. As we journeyed on the vanira, Theron’s fingers gently teased the sensitive skin along my arm, leaving a trail of tingling warmth in their wake.
He leaned in, the warmth of his breath brushing against my earlobe as he whispered with a mischievous lilt, “Alright, try to get Zerek this time.”
“That’s too easy.” Chuckling, I summoned a whirlwind of sand, guiding it towards an unsuspecting Zerek. The sight of him being caught off guard, sputtering and trying to shake off the sand, was comical enough that we both erupted into fits of laughter.
Resting against Theron’s broad chest, I craned my neck to catch his gaze. The setting sun painted his face with warm shades, casting intriguing shadows over his striking features. “I love you.”
His bronze eyes locked onto mine, flooding black with emotion, deep and fathomless, a reflection of an endless sky above us. “Every day with you is like I’m stealing a precious moment from the stars. I love you too, more than anything.”
Such candid admissions between us were still fresh, and my heart fluttered wildly, basking in the newfound comfort of our relationship. Theron wasn’t just my lover; he’d become my partner, my confidant, the keeper of my secrets and dreams. Something I’d never dared to hope for.
Something in the distance caught Theron’s attention, his brow furrowing. “What is that?” he asked, voice edged with concern.
Turning to follow his gaze, an icy knot formed in my stomach. The western skies, which moments before had been painted with the brilliant colors of twilight, were now consumed by an ominous darkness, billowing and expanding with each passing second.
A sandstorm.
And it was heading right for us.
The desert, which moments ago was a tranquil expanse under the embrace of the sunset, had transformed into a scene of chaos. The sandstorm raced towards us, its approach deafening, casting a shadow over everything like an eclipse of despair.
“Shelter! Now!” I screamed above the wind, gesturing to the rebels to set up makeshift tents and coverings. My heart pounded, not just from the imminent storm, but from the responsibility I felt for everyone here. “Eyes, mouths, skin—cover everything!”
The soldiers from the Niothe, unfamiliar with the deep desert’s storms, scrambled in panic. Theron and I made quick work covering the vanira’s eyes and mouths. I could sense the spiders’ anxiety, a palpable vibration underneath their coarse hairs.
I anchored a compact tent amidst the shifting sands, its taut fabric flapping violently. As I emerged to take one last look at the approaching tempest, something sent chills down my spine—the storm sounded... wrong. Amidst the cacophony, a strange, echoing roar grew.
Eyes narrowing, I tried to peer through the whirling darkness. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw colossal wings stretching and disappearing into the storm. My mind screamed in denial. No. There was no way.
But before I could process it further, Theron was at my side.
