Twenty-Three Dianna

River Bend definitely fit its name, with numerous twisting rivers all converging at the center of town and flowing out toward the coast. There were so many boats carrying shipments and cargo of all types. A shit ton of fishermen milled about, and the sounds of bustling life came from the small village. Nismera seemed to have sent a handful of soldiers to every thriving city, which was good and bad for us.

“If you hold him too long, he will no longer be able to breathe,” Reggie said from behind me. One of Nismera’s soldiers flailed his arms. I sighed and lifted his head from the water.

Miska had made herself scarce once we’d found a few of Nismera’s soldiers and dragged them to the forest clearing. She had said she was off to find some sort of plant, but I knew she wished to avoid the bloodshed.

“He literally has gills on the side of his neck,” I said to Reggie as the soldier spluttered and coughed.

“Those are vents, my queen. Not capable of breathing underwater.”

I rolled my eyes and yanked him up with a little shake. His blue skin was almost purple as he gasped for air, his vents working overtime.

“Oh.” I shrugged. “They looked like gills to me.”

The soldier glared at me with four thick-rimmed eyes before looking at Reggie. He rambled in a language I didn’t know. Reggie responded, and the guy started to tremble. He looked at me, shook his head, and then looked back at Reggie. He struggled in my grip, trying to get away from me before speaking so quickly I was afraid Reggie wouldn’t be able to translate.

“What’s he saying?”

“With all due respect, he thinks you’re a psychotic bitch,” Reggie said and cleared his throat.

My fingers tightened around the armor in my hands as I stared at Reggie. “Obviously, but does he know where the caravan is going?”

Reggie bit at the side of his lip. “He refuses to say.”

My head whipped back toward the soldier in my hand.

“Tell me where it is.” A low growl vibrated from my throat, and with how the guy thrashed, I knew my eyes burned crimson now. The soldier’s mouth gaped in tangent with the vents on his neck.

Reggie repeated my words, and the soldier’s gaze shifted between me and him.

“He asks for sanctuary if he speaks.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Fine. Whatever. Sanctuary. Now, tell me.”

The tension in the soldier seemed to ease as Reggie relayed my words, and he started to talk again.

“He said the last sighting of Nismera’s caravan was on Klivur,” Reggie said, nodding toward me.

“Okay, that’s a lead.” Excitement shivered through me.

“But that was three days ago. They stepped through a portal and have not been seen since.”

My heart thudded in disappointment, the hope I had felt moments ago dying a painful death.

“Dianna.”

Words faded as Reggie said something else, but so did the river’s edge. I was too late again. I felt my skin prickle, rage bubbling inside me. It had been a week and a half since they had taken him from me, and the fear of what that damned poison was doing to him was making me crazy. Miska had made an antidote, but it was pointless if I couldn’t find him.

I was beyond restless, beyond worried. Even scouring the air, trying to draw soldiers to me, wasn’t enough. It was all taking too long, and I was terrified I would be too late again. I was practically a red fucking beacon, yet it took days for soldiers to show up. We were running out of time, and he could very well be at Nismera’s doorstep. The worst part was I didn’t even know where Nismera was. I didn’t even know what fucking world she was on. I couldn’t save my own damned sister. Why did I think I could save him?

A snarl left my lips, and I jerked the soldier to the side. My fangs ripped into his neck, his hands clawing at my arms as I fed. Blood hit the back of my throat, replacing the growing pit of anxiety in my gut.

I pulled away and dropped the limp soldier before wiping the blood from my mouth with the back of my hand.

“Your control is slipping.”

A harsh laugh left my lips. “You think?”

“I do not wish to see you regress into—”

“Into what?” I snapped, taking a step toward him. “A monster? Last I checked, I was one. Hello, I am an Ig’Morruthen, not some celestial princess you saw centuries ago.”

Reggie’s eyes bore into mine. “This is not the remains of Rashearim, Dianna.”

“Don’t.”

“There is still hope.”

“It’s been a week.” I felt the words leave my lips on a half-cry. “The lead we had ended days ago, which means I have no idea what planet he is on now. There are hundreds and hundreds of them, Reggie. If he . . .” I didn’t finish it. I didn’t want to.

“Tell me that you’d not feel it if he was with her? If she killed him? Look at me and tell me you’d not feel something.”

“How would I feel it?” I snapped, holding my hand up and showing him my bare finger. “I gave it up, remember? For him. I feel nothing, Reggie. No spark or connection, just hunger and emptiness and . . .”

Fear.

But I didn’t say it. I just spun, running my hands across my forehead. “Fuck. We shouldn’t have left him in that stupid city. It’s my own fault for trusting they were actually helping us. When has anyone not had an ulterior motive?”

“It is not your fault. None of this is.”

“Isn’t it? He’s weakened right now with that wound. A fraction of his power is all he has left now. The rest burns in the sky. He needs me, and I don’t even know where to start looking.”

My leg shot out, kicking a large piece of wood. It sailed through the air, hitting a tree and splintering, nearly missing the hobbled form that had just stepped from the forest. He clutched his fishing pole, took one look at me, at Reggie, and the pile of dead soldiers before he took off running.

My lip curled in a snarl. “And he heard too much.”

Reggie called after me as I sped across the forest floor. The man dropped his supplies, ditching them as he headed straight for the village. It took little effort for me to outpace him. I stood in his path, and he ran straight into me, falling to the ground. He crawled back and raised one hand in a pathetic attempt to ward me off. I lifted him and sank my fangs into his neck, feeding deep. Reggie approached, and I dropped the fisherman, allowing him to fall to the ground with a thud.

“Dianna,” Reggie rubbed his forehead, “I am merely concerned for you, that is all. You have progressed so well. I merely do not wish to see you regress.”

“I know. It’s just that I love him, Reggie. Like real stupid, mushy love, and now I am afraid I won’t get to tell him.” I wiped my chin on my sleeve. “He didn’t even remember dying in the tunnel or what we said . . . I’m just—”

Miska hummed from a few feet away, her small feet silent over the forest floor. Reggie and I turned, both of us shifting to stand in front of the body as she emerged from the brush. “There you guys are. I found some more herbs we can use . . . Dianna, why is your face red?”

I wiped my hand across my mouth. “I ate the guards.”

Miska looked at me and shrugged. “Okay. Are we leaving now? Did you find where Samkiel is?”

Reggie cleared his throat and said, “Let’s go into town and get you some food, yes? Dianna will catch up.”

She nodded and turned to head back to the town. Reggie didn’t speak to me as he followed. I dragged the fisherman’s body back to where I left the soldiers and set them aflame, staying as the ashes floated toward the burning sun.

COLD AIR WHISPERED AROUND US AS WE WALKED DOWN THE BUSY street. Along the wooden piers, fishermen laughed together, others yelled as they tossed crates and bags off boats, and people were out buying food at the small shops.

Reggie tossed some coins I had taken from the dead soldiers to a vendor. Miska bounced toward me with a small sack of treats in hand, telling me how she would save enough to give Samkiel when we found him since we were so close.

Her enthusiasm and kindness seemed to stoke the flames burning in my chest. Her thoughtfulness reminded me so much of Gabby. I said nothing, just smiled as we left and headed deeper into the village. Even with the amount of commerce happening in this village, the people still wore scraps of fabric wrapped around themselves in layers. This town was struggling, like so many we had been to.

“Nismera’s rule seems bleak,” I said, breaking the silence between us. Reggie had been quiet since we left the woods.

“She only cares for herself,” he said, his eyes finally meeting mine.

“Is that a jab at me?”

“Your first instinct should not be to kill.” He pursed his lips like a disappointed father. “There are other options.”

“I feel like you forget who you are talking to. Did you not spend months with me? I’m not the merciful one. That’s Sam . . .” I cleared my throat, afraid to even mention his name in case a guard or someone would overhear. “He is.”

“Dianna.”

“I’d do it for you, too, if I had to. To keep you safe. What do you think happens if someone runs their mouth and we get caught? You think she will be kind to the fate who betrayed her and survived? Or what about the last living Jade City healer? Do you think she’d welcome a child into her ranks?”

Miska smiled at me, holding her satchel tighter as we wove through the crowd. Reggie, against his better judgment, let his eyes soften, and I could have sworn a corner of his lip twitched under his hooded cloak. I wondered if the fate had ever had friends before, much less anyone willing to protect him.

I pulled the hood a fraction higher over my head. “So yes, I’ll be the bad guy. I’ll be the one you can all judge or hate, but I’ll still keep you safe above all else. You may have seen it as wrong, but if he’d even whispered a word of who or what we are or looking for, he would have been more fucked than he is now.”

We passed a few more people, barely brushing their shoulders as the street grew more crowded.

“You cannot rule with fear. You will only create more enemies that way. Not allies.”

“Who said anything about me wanting to rule?” I glared at him as he pulled the hood around his head a little tighter. “Besides, a crown on my head all the time? Can you imagine? It would mess up my hair, and I’d have to find outfits to match.”

Miska giggled behind me at my joke. However, Reggie did not. We moved through a small crowd gathered around a few stalls full of fruits and loaves of bread. I reached out as we strolled and grabbed a small purple fruit.

I turned to Miska as we continued to walk. “He likes fruit,” I whispered to her as I passed it unseen between us. She smiled and took it, stuffing it in her satchel. If she were going to be positive, then fuck it, I would too.

“Ah, yes. Your hair, what a drastic concern compared with peace in the realms,” Reggie said, not seeming to have noticed our exchange.

I snorted. “You think they will have peace with me? You have met me, right?”

Reggie cocked a brow as we passed through a family of tall, multiple-legged beings bickering with each other. “Oh, so you expect him to take another as queen? You are his, correct? Is it not what you both scream relentlessly in the dead of the night?”

My eyes narrowed on him. “Remind me to get soundproof walls when we eventually find him and build a new home.”

“My question remains. You will rule by his side. Already, others will not accept you for what you are. Will you further prove their point by piling bodies at their feet?”

I didn’t say anything for a moment as we carried on. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. My focus had been on surviving day to day. I still didn’t want to think about it. My main concern was finding and healing him. Crowns, thrones, and saving the realms could come later.

“Let’s just find him. Then we can save him, The Hand, and the realms. We will worry about politics later.”

Reggie sighed. I stopped and extended my arm, stopping both Reggie and Miska. The crowd moved at their own pace, but a chill ran down my spine. It was a sensation I knew all too well. My head whipped to the side. Across the street, between two buildings, stood a man clad in black. A hood draped his head, covering every part of his face. My heart dropped in anger, replacing all other emotions. Flames burst to life in my hands, and I ran past Reggie, darting through the crowd as he called my name.

Beings yipped and yelped as I pushed through the crowded street, the heat from my flames clearing a path as I ran. The figure was only six paces ahead of me when he turned down an alleyway. I jumped over a cart, the owner stumbling to the side and yelling after me.

I darted past a vendor full of fish and skidded to a stop at the mouth of the alleyway. A ball of flame left my hand with the force of a hurricane, hissing as it flew. It burst against the stone wall at the end of the alley, the fire extinguishing upon impact. I stopped and searched the alley but found nothing but overloaded trash barrels and a few small skittering creatures. The massive wall was the backside of another building. Where had he gone?

“What are you doing?” Reggie asked, coming up behind me, Miska holding his arm.

“Didn’t you see him?” I pointed toward the empty alley.

“See who?”

“Kaden,” I snapped. “He was standing there back in the city. Watching us.”

“Dianna.” Reggie glanced behind me, then back, concern filling his eyes. “Kaden is not here.”

“I saw him,” I said. “I felt him.”

“Respectfully, Your Grace, Kaden is not here. You are the only powerful force in this village right now. Even if he were here, the legion would be with him. There is no way he goes anywhere without her regime now, especially when it comes to you.”

My chest heaved, the Ig’Morruthen in me thrashing to kill. I shook my head, glancing back toward the empty alley. “I know what I saw, what I felt, Reggie.”

“Are you sure you are all right?” Concern furrowed his brow.

I took one last glance at the empty alley and burned wall before nodding and moving past them. “I’m fine.”

Neither Reggie nor Miska said anything as we headed back into the crowd. A few looked our way but steered clear. Others pretended they saw nothing as they moved their food carts further away. We made it past another shop, the worker watching me warily. The whole village probably thought I was crazy, and maybe I was, but I saw him. I swear I did.

“Has this happened before?” Reggie asked. “Have you seen or felt him since the remains of Rashearim?”

“No, not really. Maybe a shadow here or there, but never anything as clear as that.” My eyes darted to his. “The only other thing is the man with orange eyes, but that’s only in my dreams.”

“Why have you not spoken of seeing things outside of your dreams?”

“Because we have more important things to worry about, and I chalked it up to everything that’s happened.”

Reggie stopped in front of me, Miska by his side, watching us. He placed his hands on his hips, the cloak flaring at his sides. “That’s exactly why you should say something because of everything that has happened. The realms are open, which means the Otherworld is open. They have powerful allies that may sense your power, too.”

“And so what, they stalk me now? In my dreams or out here around every corner?”

“Perhaps.” He scratched his head. “I am not sure.”

Screams rang through the streets, interrupting our conversation. Shouts followed, and my heart thundered. I was right. Kaden was here, and he’d brought the legion. I grabbed the dagger strapped to my thigh, holding it sideways as flames lit my other hand, and I prepared for a fight. People ran toward us and scattered as Reggie grabbed Miska, holding her close.

“The sky.” Miska pointed.

Reggie and I looked up where the clouds seemed to flutter. No, not flutter, but part. A heavy beast burst through the opening. Its creamcolored wings shot through with gold spread wide. It looked like it was headed right for us. It tucked its wings and arrowed toward the ground. People scattered, leaving only an empty street.

Thick talons on its front feet flared wide as it slammed to the ground, its landing shaking the street. Feathers covered its head and massive chest, its beak glinting in the sun. A tail whipped behind it, long and smooth with a fluff of fur at the end. Its back legs ended in paws bigger than my head, and I suspected they concealed claws that could rend and tear.

The massive beak opened, and it screeched, the sound echoing so loud it could shatter windows. It bore down on me with the lethal grace of a predator, its hot breath blowing the hair back from my face.

“Your dagger,” Reggie said a few feet from me, “lower it.”

I listened, the dagger clattering to the street as I held my hands up. The flames died on my palm, and the massive beak closed.

“You smell of the King of Rashearim.” Her voice held a unique musical lilt.

My heart fluttered as her words slowly sunk in.

“Sami.” I shook my head. “Wait, how can I understand you?”

Eyes the color of the warmest gold narrowed into slits and glared at me. “You have the blood of Ro’Vikiin in you. All beasts speak Beast.”

“Ro’Vikiin? Kaden?”

Her massive head tilted, the twin feathers atop it rising as if they were ears. “I do not know that name.”

I shook my head. “Okay, moving on. You know Samkiel? Do you know where he is?”

Her beak pressed close to my chin. I didn’t step back, but I did turn my head away. She took one big sniff, and I had to control myself not to flinch away from it. “Intertwined, yet I see no Mark of Dhihsin.” Her massive head drew closer, her sharp beak hovering over my breast as it inhaled. “Peculiar.”

I didn’t care what it said. She knew where he was. That was all I needed.

“Where is he?”

She yanked her head back, the golden feathers of her chest fluffing. “You do not command me, beast.”

“Beast?” I scoffed. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? Now tell me, where is the King of Rashearim?”

The giant birdbrain ignored me, choosing to flare her feathers instead. “I know the blood that runs through your veins. All from the realms recognize it. Ig’Morruthen.” She said it like it was a curse. “My eye does not work on you, so I ask, what does the King of Rashearim mean to you?”

“Everything.” I didn’t hesitate or pause. I didn’t have days to think about it, nor would I deny it as I had so many times before. No more would I run from what I felt and have the world suffer for it. I’d lost him because I couldn’t tell him, because I was too afraid to tell him, and I was about to lose him once more. “He is everything to me.”

If a giant bird beast could smile, I felt this one would have. Her eyes darted to Reggie, and he nodded. I wondered how much fate knew about this creature.

“Just a rare occurrence to witness twice.” She cocked her head again. “The King of Rashearim’s heart seems to beat for you as yours does for him. I hear it even now.”

I started to demand what she meant and where my Samkiel was when she lifted one massive wing. I ducked to avoid being hit. Regal and majestic were the only words that came to mind as I took in the beautiful breadth of her wings. I stood in wonder until I saw the silver chain and pendant wrapped in a piece of worn paper.

My hands shook as I reached forward, carefully untangling the necklace from the soft and surprisingly warm feathers. I swallowed against the dread that ate at my gut, my chest feeling as if the world itself sat upon it. My mind, heart, and being were screaming, remembering the last letter I had received. If this was a goodbye letter, I would burn the rivers to steam here and now. Unraveling the note, I clenched the necklace I had given him between my fingers.

My Akrai,

I am not familiar with how fast toruks can fly. It’s been too long, but I hope this finds you quickly. I am okay. I am alive. Please smother the anger and rage I know you may feel at the betrayal. We have more important things to worry about now, I fear. Jade City has been selling poisons for Nismera and insuring shipments for a while, it seems. I also believe they used more than enough on me, which is why my healing has been less than ideal. They are moving us to Flagerun. It is a stronghold similar to the prisons of your world. Roccurem knows the world. Have him show you, but please arrive as quietly as you can. I need to figure out exactly what is being held there. I’ll explain more when I see you. I assume you will make some quip about me being a hero, but if I can’t help those who need it, then saving these realms seems pointless to me. Please, just be careful and try not to set too many things on fire until you return to me.

I—

It looked as if he had scratched out whatever else he was going to say before simply signing it.

Be careful. Yours always, Sami

A strangled noise left my lips, and I raised the note to my chest. The weight I had carried the last ten days dissolved. I clutched at the silver chain, the pendant dancing at the end of it. I clasped his necklace around my neck, turning toward Reggie before saying, “I know where he is, and I need you to tell me how to get there.”

“Of course,” Reggie said.

I turned back to my new bird friend. “I need your help.”

She gave me a haughty sneer as she rose. “I do not answer to you.”

“I don’t need you to, but these people are also important to him. I need you to take them somewhere safe until I return with Samkiel.”

She looked at me as if I had grown three heads. “You would go and save the King of Rashearim?”

My hands dropped to my hips. “Oh, I would level the universe for him, but he told me to be good, so I’ll stick to saving him instead.”

“There is no kindness left in these realms, dark one. The King of Rashearim is kind. If you mean what you say, then I shall help. My only wish is that you protect the realms, protect him.”

Reggie stepped forward, Miska trembling at his side as she looked past me and toward the creature behind me. I handed him the note, and he read it over before nodding and placing it in his pocket.

“I know where that realm is and how to get you there quickly, but you must wait for nightfall.”

“Fine. You can still do your cool misting thing. When it’s safe, I’ll summon you and let you know what I find.”

Reggie nodded. The bird beast lowered her wing and crouched. I didn’t realize how large she actually was until Reggie helped Miska onto her back and leaped up behind her. Miska reached into her sack, pulling out the small treat she had saved.

“Here, for when you find him.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at her before turning and meeting the creature’s gaze, making sure it saw my eyes flare pure Ig’Morruthen red. “Take care of them. Get them somewhere safe, or I’ll roast and serve you for dinner.”

She snapped her beak in frustration before letting out a piercing screech as if to tell me to go fuck myself. She spread her wings wide and lifted skyward with one devastating downward thrust. A powerful boom echoed shortly after, like thunder splitting the air, and then they were gone.