Chapter 7

7

T he fire popped and crackled as I allowed it to lull me into a meditative state. The flow of being was a welcome reprieve from the anxiety that had gripped me as we neared the border with the Crystal Realm. Kazimir, Viktor, and I had been riding hard in an attempt to reach the Day Realm in time for the little princess’s announcement, and yet sleep did not call for me as the stars winked into existence overhead. Only the smell of smoke that filled my nostrils and the heat licking across my skin kept me company, my friends having dipped into their tents to rest. I didn’t trust that this close to the border, we’d be safe from attack.

My hair fell into my eyes and I brushed it back, no doubt leaving a trail of dirt along my already sweat-soaked and stained skin. We were used to living like this on the road, bathing in the rivers and occasional lakes that popped up in the Night Realm, but the insanity of the last year had me yearning for a bed, bath, and roof over my head.

An owl hooted above me, startling me from my reverie, and I glanced around our small camp to see what disturbed it. Nothing moved in my line of vision, though the leaves on the trees around us ruffled with a light breeze. Grasping my wineskin, I gulped down several mouthfuls, trying to still my beating heart and put myself to sleep.

Viktor snored off to my left, and I sighed, dropping back against my rolled up pack. The stars were brilliant through the canopy, enhanced by the lack of light from the moon. I tried counting them in a halfhearted attempt to distract myself from thoughts of Liliana. Every night when I closed my eyes, no matter where we were, there she was, her white smile flashing in my direction, her head tipping back in laughter, or her seafoam green eyes sparkling with mischief.

I understood how Kazimir had felt when Izidora was in the Iron Realm and we traversed a very similar path through the other realms to find her.

Was Liliana safe? Had she moved on from me?

The last letter I’d sent her was as much a warning as it was a plea. I had no idea if I’d see her in the Day Realm, but with every fiber of me, I hoped I would. Vadim worried for her too, though he’d never admit to it. And High Lord and High Lady Arzeni had nearly collapsed when we returned without her. If I could bring them news of her good health and happiness, it would ease their pain.

My mind ran circles until the first hint of day began banishing the stars one by one. The fire had died to embers, merely smoldering at my feet.I couldn’t bring myself to move, to face the day we entered the Crystal Realm. But if I didn’t wake Kazimir at first light, he’d be pissed about us losing time.

What could he possibly think would happen when we arrived?

Taking a lazy overhead stretch, I yawned wide, my jaw popping with the effort, then sat upright. Rubbing my eyes with the heels of my palms, I tried to ease the tiredness that lingered there. “Kazimir, Viktor, it’s time to get going,” I groaned, muscles and joints protesting as I pushed to my feet.

Muffled sounds drifted from their tents, and I fished out some dried meat from my bags to chew on while we packed camp. Viktor stumbled out first, looking as though he was still asleep, and from muscle memory alone broke down his tent and rolled it up to tie behind his saddle. Kazimir emerged looking fresh and rested, then strode around our encampment with ease.

Must be nice to feel so invincible that sleep came easy no matter where we were.

I paid him no further attention as I readied our mounts, throwing our heavy packs across their backs and buckling saddles around their bellies. Within a dozen minutes, we were astride our horses and angling them back toward the road that led to the Crystal Realm.

No one had spoken, and for that I was grateful. I wanted to hear any potential hoofbeats racing in our direction, and more than that, speaking would give away our location. A sidelong glance at Viktor revealed his lips pressed together and his shoulders tense beneath the fighting leathers he wore. The two of us were dressed for battle because, honestly, we could face one at any moment. Though Viktor disagreed in words, his choice of attire spoke volumes.

The sun drifted higher in the sky, and the trees began to thin, signaling our arrival into the Crystal Realm. We hugged the foothills of the Agrenak Mountains, and on this side of them, the glaciers shone from the top layer that melted and ran off the sides, filling the lakes with their icy, fresh water. Thousands of waterfalls flowed over cliffs, some merely a trickle, others mighty in their strength, but all breathtaking. Viewing them from this distance was incredible, and it looked like the mountains had been painted with them by the expert hand of a master artisan.

As we closed in on one particularly large waterfall, the crashing water overtook my ears, and we did not hear or see the Crystal Realm’s soldiers until we were nearly upon them.

“Stop where you are!” A tall male with dark blond hair called, standing in his stirrups to make himself known. The white horse pranced beneath him, but with the grace of the Crystal Fae, he hardly swayed.

Yanking on my reins, I slowed my horse, coming to a stop in line with Viktor and Kazimir. Both my friends stared straight ahead, and I returned my attention to the approaching party. “Who seeks passage through the Crystal Realm of the északi Empire?”

Clearing his throat and pasting on a disarming smile, Kazimir shouted, “King Kazimir of the Night Realm, along with High Lords Endre Zadik and Viktor Adimik!”

The cavalry eyed us warily, but there was no denying we were Night Fae. Whether they believed we were noble was a different story. “Where are your papers?” the leader questioned.

“Papers?” Kazimir said with a light laugh. “I need no papers. I am the king of the Night Realm.”

“All those seeking entry into the Crystal Realm are to have papers granting permission to enter. If you do not possess them, we cannot let you pass,” he explained, a hand hovering near the sheath strapped to his saddle. Behind him, three mounted archers tightened their grip on their bows, drawing back the strings ever so slightly.

With a furious glance toward Viktor, I tried to convey my confusion and concern, but he ignored me. The distant look in his eye told me his mind was churning over a way out of our predicament.

“Why wasn’t the Night Realm informed of this change? We do, after all, share a border.” Kazimir’s voice hardened, the deep timbre resonating with a hint of fury – one that usually did not bode well.

“Recent orders,” the leader explained, hand twitching. “Now, if you’ll please return to the Night Realm and come back when you have the proper paperwork.”

Had Liliana revealed the contents of my note?

My stomach plummeted as Kazimir flicked his fingers, the imperceptible movement that signaled he was about to use his magic.

“Kaz–” I started, but was cut off when Viktor voiced his opinion.

“Vaenor is a month’s ride from here, so if the change was ‘recent,’ as you say, we would not have had sufficient notice to obtain the new paperwork. If I remember correctly, the Crystal Realm has a grace period for all new laws enacted to give ample time for word to spread throughout the large kingdom. Surely we fall within that grace period.”

The Crystal Fae’s eyes narrowed on him. “You still can’t prove who you are. How do I know you aren’t another group of refugees?”

Refugees?

With a flourish, Kazimir produced the Night Crown from his bag and placed it on his brow. “Is this proof enough?” The emerald color in his eyes deepened to black, and I waited with bated breath to see if he would unleash his binding magic should the male challenge him again.

With a backward glance at his companions, the Crystal Fae grumbled and settled into his saddle. “Niilo, send a raven to Blire Palace immediately, notifying them of the king’s entry into the Crystal Realm.”

Kazimir made to move forward, and the archers lifted their bows in one smooth motion. “You haven’t been dismissed,” the leader said smoothly. Another soldier, Niilo I assumed, slid from his saddle and scribbled on a piece of parchment against his horse's hide. Then he opened a small cage hanging there, quickly securing the note to the leg of the bird inside, and threw the creature into the air.

The tension rolling off Kazimir was palpable, and I tried my best not to shift in my saddle as we waited for the Crystal Realm’s warriors to settle and release us. Niilo lifted his hands to the sky, and the bird zoomed away on the artificial wind propelling it. Once it was out of sight, the soldier remounted his horse, nodding to his commander.

“Right, here’s how it’s going to go. That raven has sent word into the Day Realm of your entry and that we will be escorting you until we reach the border. We’ve requested another unit to replace our station. Don’t try anything, or you won’t like what happens when you reach the Day Realm.” Without waiting for a response, he turned his horse and kicked him into a gallop.

The growl that rumbled from Kazimir’s chest was animalistic, though he spurred his horse on in pursuit of our escort’s leader. Viktor and I followed, the remaining Crystal Fae taking up position behind and around us as we raced around the foothills of the Agrenak Mountains.

I tightened my grip on my reins and glanced sidelong at Viktor. My oldest friend stared straight ahead, into Kazimir’s back, and refused to look at me. With gritted teeth, I returned my attention forward. I didn’t trust Kazimir not to unleash his binding magic on the Crystal Fae who would be escorting us, endangering Viktor and me. He cared for nothing and no one but himself these days, and maybe it was my lack of sleep, but I was running out of patience for it. Tired of walking on eggshells around him. Exhausted from biting my tongue.

I wanted my friend back, the one who’d lived at my house while Cazius was off searching for Izidora. The one who was strong, calm, brave. The one who’d earned my trust and loyalty in the years riding across the continent together.

Was he gone forever, or was there still a chance for him?

The question lingered, louder than the waterfalls and the hoofbeats in my mind, as we hugged the path through the Crystal Realm. Thank the Goddess it was a short one, otherwise, we might be fucked by the time we arrived at the Day Realm’s border.