8. Pallas

Istood up from the dying fire as CommanderAvlyn put out the last of the embers. Extending my hand to Jun, I helped him stand. He was still unsteady, so I gently slung his arm over my shoulders, letting him use me for support.

Ifelt PrincessTori giving me a pointed stare, but I ignored her. I didn't trust her. If she really cared for her brother as much as she said, she would have come for him sooner. She would have tried harder. TheDragonKingdom always had its secrets, and it seemed she fit in perfectly. I don't know how she helped Jun or start that fire when she had no magic of her own. Hadeon would have known if she had. She could keep her secrets. The only thing that mattered to me now was getting Jun safely out of here.

Ifollowed the commander as they led us deeper into the forest of the cavern. The ground was permeated with roots, rocks, and other obstacles, and my poor Jun kept faltering. I found that I wasn't much help either. The shoes I wore were some of my finest, the short heels perfect for dancing at court. They were not built for the thick mud of wherever the hell we were.

Afterabout the fifth time a heel sunk so deep into the mud I had to stop and wrench it out, I finally released a curse of frustration. I ripped the shoes off my feet and tossed them as far as I could into the brush. CommanderAvlyn turned around, giving me a curious glance, but I heard Tori shifting behind me and turned to see her offering her own shoes to me.

"I'm fine." I didn't need help, least of all from her.

Hereyes practically hit the back of her skull. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were so used to walking barefoot on rocky terrain. Maybe it was the haughty attitude or the fine clothes that confused me." What a bitch.

"I said I'm fine."

"Look, you will injure yourself, and it won't bother me one bit to leave you behind, so take the damn shoes."

"Tori…" Jun looked at his sister with soft eyes, and it drove a spike into my heart; she didn't deserve his kindness. ButI had no doubt she would leave me the first chance she was given. I wasn't about to make it easy on her. I held my hand out and took the shoes, slipping them onto my feet. They were made of leather with a firm sole, likely making them ideal for sword fighting. I pulled the laces tight; they fit well enough.

Istood and gave her a quick nod before following the commander. They still gave me that concerned look, so I narrowed my eyes in annoyance. They gave a small chuckle, and I thought I heard them mumble something about "birds and feathers."

Thecommander guided us to a small tunnel that led out of the cave. The deeper we went, the darker it became until everything was pitch black, slowing our progression even more. This would be the perfect place for a predator to ambush us, I assumed, not that I had much firsthand experience with hunting. I let my hand trace along the wall to keep my bearings. It was wet and unnervingly smooth like thousands of hands had polished it by tracing over the surface as I did now. That thought was very discomforting.

Unsurprisingly, the princess couldn't keep her mouth shut and started babbling to the commander about something. They quipped back and forth at each other. I just ignored it all, trying to focus on placing one foot in front of the other, but their talking was incessant and grated on my ears. I gritted my teeth, and Jun looked at me with concern. It seemed my reaction didn't go unnoticed by Tori, either.

"Let's switch. I can help him for a bit." She lifted his arm from over my shoulder. I was about to protest, but Jun leaned on her readily. Having his weight off me was much more relieving than I wanted to admit, so I said nothing.

Thesurrounding air was rapidly growing cold, and soon, without Jun's body against me, I began shivering. My dress was torn to shreds. It had been one of my finest. I would have mourned it had I not been shivering so fiercely. An icy blast came down the tunnel, and I clasped my arms around myself. Where were we? It was summer on the continent, so very few places felt this cold. We could be in the AshenMountains, but since the king brought us here, it seemed more likely we were far north in the DragonKingdom.

"Let me know if you need someone to cuddle up with, my lady." The commander had snuck up beside me without my notice, and I jumped at their proximity and flirtation.

Icouldn't see their face in the dark, but their voice sounded apologetic as they said, "Sorry, old habits die hard. It's getting quite cold. We might not have a choice soon."

Ididn't respond. I'd found throughout my life that my responses never mattered. Everyone had already decided on their actions without my consent. So why bother wasting the energy? I shivered violently at the cold as we kept walking, and I expected the commander to wrap me up in their arms at any moment. I knew what would happen. There would be a not-so-subtle caress of a finger over the curve of my breast as they pressed their hips into the curve of my backside. I lost count of the times I dealt with that and much, much more. But the commander's advances never came.

Wekept walking, and the temperature kept dropping. My teeth were chattering so loud the sound echoed off the tunnel walls.

Thecommander surprised me again by speaking very close to my ear. "Look, I understand this isn't ideal. But if you keep this up much longer, your body could start shutting down, or you might just rattle those teeth right out of your skull. So, my lady, can I touch you?"

Myfeet froze, but not from the cold. I couldn't remember the last time someone asked before touching me. I'd been Hadeon's plaything for so long. HadI really forgotten I deserved that basic decency?

"Yes, Commander."

"Call me Avlyn."

Theirarms were muscular and unbelievably warm as they wrapped around me from behind, pressing their whole body against my back. It was glorious, but the embrace was very restricted and professional. They were just stopping me from going into shock.

"What's the holdup?" Tori and Jun had caught up to us.

"Nothing." The commander shifted away, and a tiny whimper fled my lips as the cold air whipped between us. I felt them hesitate, then wrap their arm around my side so that we could walk together, still touching. They gently pushed me forward, and we continued our descent.

"Thank you, Avlyn."

"Ah, she speaks!" A chuckle fled their lips. "But don't mention it. History would show that I am way too lenient for beautiful women with bad attitudes."

"You better not be talking about me!" Tori called back over her shoulder. Avlyn laughed again. The sound sent a warmth through my heart that had nothing to do with their body heat. They leaned close to whisper in my ear, the warm air of their breath ghosting over the pointed tip. "LikeI said, very bad attitudes."

Wewalked until even the commander was barely keeping me warm. WhenI noticed I could just make out the elegant lines of their face. That meant…

"Daylight ahead!" called the princess. Avlyn quickened our pace, and a few moments later, we reached the end of our tunnel. The icy wind whipped me even harder, and I looked out over a small beach nested against sheer rock cliffs. The ocean that beat the shore was a dark, menacing grey, and I couldn't see much beyond our small landing because of the thick mist.

"TheSea of Spirits," the commander whispered. I pushed myself deeper into their side as my shivers resumed. They wrapped their arm around me tighter.

"How can you be sure?" I asked.

"My lady, I would know this ocean were I blind and deaf." I didn't have time to ask why before Tori and Jun came up beside us.

"Nowhere to go," Jun commented.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Tori gently responded. "I was always quite the climber, you remember."

Junhuffed, "Yes, but I never was. Besides, have you climbed since…" He trailed off, looking at her arm. Her dress was more torn up than mine, and I saw a massive scar running around her left bicep. She clasped it reflexively under his gaze.

Inthe palace, I pulled her by that arm, and she had winced. At the time, I thought she was just being dramatic, but now something like guilt stirred in my stomach.

"I'll be alright; we have little choice anyway." She kept rubbing her arm as she spoke.

"Ok, you two, stay here or in the tunnel to avoid most of the wind. Tori, you come with me." The commander released me from their hold. I wasn't as gentle as I should have been getting Jun next to me in the tunnel's entrance, but I was desperate to stay warm.

Wesat shivering together, and he undid his coat to wrap us under it. We sat in silence, watching the commander and princess dart around the small beach, examining the cliff walls and who knew what else. Tori's talkativeness had rubbed off on Jun.

"You can trust her, you know." His voice was barely above a whisper.

"How quickly you have forgiven her."

Hesighed. "She's my sister, Pallas."

"That means nothing."

Helooked at me with sad eyes filled with pity. I glanced away so I didn't have to see it. He sighed again. "It means something to me."

Ileaned my head onto his shoulders, and we didn't say anymore. We knew we never had to speak of it. This silence was especially loud. I had grown used to Jun's singing; it always lifted my broken heart. Jun's magic was incredible. In all my research with my father, voice-channeling magic was some of the rarest, even before magic disappeared. Most required external facilities to control their magic, whether that be glyphs, enchanted instruments, or even magical tattoos.

Junhad never been trained. He learned to control it himself. He'd even told me it had been easy, natural, although he hadn't even known that was what he was doing at first.

That'swhy Hadeon had been so desperate to claim him. He'd spent the last five hundred years killing or capturing anyone with even the slightest hint of magic. So, when rumors came from the PearlKingdom of a twin with a magic voice, he hadn't been subtle in his invasion.

I'dbeen so relieved to see him go, knowing that I'd have a few weeks of peace; I hadn't spared a single thought for the people who wouldn't survive it. As long as I survived, that's what mattered. ThenI met Jun.

8 monthsago

Thegardens were barren in the middle of winter. Nothing remained but the frozen earth and a few dried vines; the leaves barely held on in the crisp breeze. In the spring, the palace gardens would have this place looking like something out of a dream. Flowers of every color blossomed between stands of the golden ambrosia flower that fueled everything in this empire. No one was out here during the winter. It was a perfect hiding spot.

I'dworn a thick fur coat to keep out the winter chill. The soft white fur had come off a mountain cat from the AshenMountains. There was nothing magical about it, but there were so few left that the coat was worth more than what most people in the outer ring made in a year. I let the dirt touch the hem as I sat on the edge of the derelict garden bed, trailing my fingers through the dead soil.

"Pallas, my love, I have someone for you to meet." My whole body tensed as the bottom of my stomach dropped out. He was back. I'd seen his entourage coming up the main road of the city. I'd grown stupid in his absence, bold.

Iclenched the coat's lapels in my fist, hoping it looked like I was trying to stay warm and not hiding my flushed skin. Hopefully, my swollen lips would be mistaken for chapped in the dry winter air, and the chilly breeze would sweep away the scent of ash and rose.

Ilifted off the ice-cold stone and turned to greet Hadeon. He wore his typical elegantly embroidered purple coat with golden threads that glistened in the afternoon sun. The straight collar nearly reached his sharp jawline. By his side was a boy, but not truly a boy, for he had the body of a tall, slender man and a low voice to match. His angular face was clean-shaven and handsome, complimented well by his long dark hair that was pulled back into a tight bun. His deep slate eyes shone with innocence reserved for the very young. Hadeon had his arm around him, and the boy tried to shift away unsuccessfully. I saw him flinch each time Hadeon's body shifted, and I knew what that meant.

"Pallas, this is PrinceJunKhato of the PearlKingdom. I have a feeling we will all become very close soon." Hadeon grinned that terrible grin I knew all too well. He looked at the boy as if he wished to devour him, which he surely would. A horrible part of me was grateful for it. Maybe this new toy would distract Hadeon away from me, and I could have a bit more peace. How many toys had Hadeon played with and discarded over the years, but I remained? I didn't care what happened to them.

Butthen Jun looked up at me, giving me the softest smile I had ever seen. It was hesitant and beautiful, a shy smile many hadn't seen.

"It's nice to meet you, LadyPallas."

Forcenturies, I'd hardened my heart. I wasn't meant for much in this life and most days, all I clung to was the idea of survival and the hope that I might somehow outlive this situation. I had long ago given up the thought of escape or happiness. I belonged to Hadeon, and I wasn't worth anything without that possession. But maybe these last weeks without him had allowed a fatal flaw in the armor to crack open.

Onelook from those kind grey eyes and my heart split. He did not know what was coming or what Hadeon would put him through. I did. I had long ago given up on myself, but the thought of this boy going through what I had scraped open wounds I thought long plastered over.

"It's nice to meet you too, PrinceJun."

"What's that?"Jun snapped me out of my musings, pointing out at the sea. I squinted. Through the mist, I could just make out a ship. I waved my arms and tried to hop up and signal them, but Jun held me back with surprising strength. His face was like stone.

Ilooked again and saw the purple sail of the ship materialize through the fog. The flaming crown etched in gold seemed to burn as the wind whipped the sails. Hadeon's soldiers. My saviors and my nemesis. I was at a crossroads, unsure which path I would take. WouldI choose my abuser or Tori's? And despite centuries of pain, a part of me still longed to run back to Hadeon, to face his wrath, if only because I understood that path. I knew what would come. With the commander and Tori, everything was uncertain. Jun's grip shook around my hand. I had a choice to make.