Chapter Fifty-Four

C HAPTER F IFTY-FOUR

Everyone is silent as we stalk through the forests in the far east of Emberwell. The morning has barely settled, yet dark clouds still seep across the sky in ominous waves. It’s a reminder that Aurum’s attack destroyed more than we thought.

After leaving our dragons a few miles back so as not to spook the seer, my brothers, Rydan and Link now stride ahead of Darius and me, while Freya has her eyes on the ground as she holds on to the strap of her quiver. She looks completely guilt-ridden after what happened yesterday, and as much as I keep telling her it is nowhere near her fault, she still blames herself for what she said.

From decay and ruin, they reclaim their vengeance.

No door can bar; no seal can bind.

Yet the rivers hold the answer, and the lover who once was—

‘I’ve noticed Idris and Enox seem to have gotten close lately.’

Darius’s voice gently coaxes me back to reality as he jerks his chin towards my brother.

I turn my head to look, and where Idris is usually so sure-footed in his surroundings, he seems distracted now, his face lacking its usual golden hue as he peers over his shoulder and notices me staring.

‘And I thought he would never get used to dragons.’ I smile at Darius, but I think he can tell it’s not quite there.

Tibith, on the other hand, whirls around in circles a before climbing onto Darius’s shoulder.

‘I am used to dragons too!’ he babbles, and Darius and I chuckle.

‘Says the one who likes to rile the whelps up whenever they get too close to Goldie.’ Darius smirks, making Tibith huff. ‘You should talk to him.’ Darius’s smile fades as he looks at me. He means Idris. ‘It looks like he needs it.’

I bunch my lips to the side as I set my eyes on my brother. His left wrist is bound in a crude splint, the angles all wrong, as if he might have put it back in place himself. He likely never allowed Leira to take him to the infirmary.

Since he came to my rescue yesterday we haven’t had the chance to speak about what happened – how he risked his life for me against someone like Aurum. I know what he would have said, though – that he would sacrifice his life if it meant Illias, Iker and I were safe. Much as I would, too.

I nod my head at Darius and walk over to my brother, falling into step beside him. ‘How is your wrist?’ I ask him, watching as he cradles it protectively against his chest.

‘Better,’ he murmurs, avoiding my eyes.

It sounds like a lie.

I decide to focus ahead as we move through the dappled light of the dense woods, an unspoken tension hanging between us.

‘You’re strangely quiet,’ Idris says, breaking the silence. ‘I thought you would have accused me of lying by now.’

I hesitate as I glance at him. He’s trying to find humour in all of this, though it has never been his style. Shrugging, I say, ‘I’ve got a lot on my mind.’

He nods. ‘Same here.’

‘I was thinking, though,’ I say. ‘About the times you told me I couldn’t train to become a Venator.’

He quirks a brow.

I chew on my bottom lip. ‘I wonder what would have been like if you had never let me leave that day.’

Idris stops, so I turn on the spot to face him. ‘There was never an if,’ he tells me quietly. ‘You know yourself it was meant to happen.’

‘I know,’ I say, my eyes flickering to where Darius now laughs at whatever Tibith might be saying. ‘But I’d like to think of a different life in which I went back to our home, shouted at you for not letting me go and then continued on our days undisturbed.’

He gives me a tight smile. ‘Me too.’

I don’t know what comes over me, but my heart urges me to embrace my older brother. So I do just that and wrap my arms around him. It makes me feel young again. Back then, I would argue with him and later on say how I couldn’t sleep. Idris would lift me up into his arms with a sigh and sing this lullaby our mother used to sing to send us all to sleep.

‘Close your eyes, the day is done,

Rest in my arms as the sun sets,

Let sleep take hold,

And your dreams raise a new beginning.’

As the last note of the lullaby fades in my mind, I smile but it doesn’t last too long as an uneasy silence falls upon everyone.

Idris tenses as I step back and glance around the clearing. Dense thickets border it as a rustle from deep within the forest sets every nerve on edge.

Freya nocks one of her arrows in readiness. My eyes narrow against the dimming light, and at that exact moment, a shape emerges.

‘Shit!’ Rydan yells as the familiar screech of a Rümen splits our eardrums.

My brothers and friends reach for their weapons as Darius stalks towards it.

My heart pounds in my chest and my protective instincts flare to life as I step forward, palms outstretched between everyone and the Rümen. ‘Stop!’

The all come to a halt.

The Rümen included.

It cowers, flapping its leathery wings in a form of distress.

‘It’s hurt,’ I say, frowning as I look closer. The Rümen’s wings are shredded to bits, blood dripping and painting the grass.

Something palpable connects us as we come face to face. It is a sort of sadness and pain that reminds me that this creature is alone and likely the last of its kind.

I stare and stare at it, at the venom seeping through its sharp teeth, and I hear its weak cry.

A hand then comes across my waist, its immediate warmth and scent telling me it is Darius. I don’t notice I am crying until he wipes the dampness away from my cheek, and I lift my head up to him.

‘It’s not our—’

‘I know,’ he whispers.

Enemy is what I wanted to say.

But as the Rümen’s sudden shriek pierces the forest, it disappears in a flurry, sprinting off and leaving bloody leaves in its wake.

‘Wait!’ I tumble out of Darius’s grip, wanting it to come back, but someone steps out from the trees and I skid to a stop. It’s a woman, and her dress is a blend of forest materials that resembles the ones I’d seen Elves wear in Olcar. As she takes another step into the clearing, I notice her eyes are a vivid blue, contrasting with the deep mahogany of her skin. The slightest light catches the contours of her face, highlighting her cheekbones as she takes in everyone’s defensive stance as well as the lingering traces of the Rümen.

When her gaze finally rests on Darius, her eyes are alight with surprise. ‘Darius?’

Baffled, I look at Darius, but he doesn’t seem to know her. He narrows his eyes, moving towards her with cautious curiosity. ‘I’m sorry.’ His chuckle is low. ‘Have we met before?’

‘Oh, yes.’ She slowly smiles. ‘Many years ago. I am the one who assisted the witches that took those markings off your hands.’

The seer.

It’s her.

‘I was never able to forget those golden eyes of yours.’ She chuckles. ‘ Darius Rivernorth. ’