Page 44 of A Queen’s Betrayal (Legends of Worldbinders #1)
Arenna’s shoulders sagged as she released a breath. “Of course I can.” They were born enemies. Their species and their homes were at war. “But you also saw what I went through. I was not willingly putting myself through that just to trick you.”
Kayson grinned. “That’s exactly what someone trying to trick me would say.”
“Seven spare me,” she groaned. “You’re impossible.” The sound of Kayson’s laughter reverberated within her bones, the tone like smooth honey. She almost stopped just to stare at him, not sure if she would ever see a joyful side to him again.
Silently, they began walking toward Marea and Bramnen, who were waiting a short distance away. “How long is it from here to Worden?” Arenna asked.
“A couple of minutes.”
She whipped her gaze to Kayson. “That’s impossible.” According to the maps she had spent studying, Worden was at least another three weeks’ journey from Alaraine.
Kayson chuckled, shaking his head.
Bramnen took out a small bag from his front pocket, letting three silver beans tumble from the pouch. He placed one into Marea’s hand, then Kayson’s, and kept the last one for himself.
Bramnen and Marea both set them under their tongues, and then they were gone . Not just gone, but vanished —like they had never existed in the first place. The only indication someone had stood before her seconds ago was the imprint of boot marks in the grass.
Eyes wide, Arenna asked, “Where did they go?”
“Home,” he replied, looking to the mountains in the distance.
Her lips parted, stunned. Arena quickly realized there might not ever be a time she didn’t feel mind-blown about Vlazias and the magic that beat within its core.
“This is not going to feel good,” Kayson said. “Hold onto me. And whatever you do, don’t open your eyes.”
She put her hands up as he slipped the bean underneath his tongue. “Wait—”
He did not wait, instead wrapped a strong arm around her waist and drew Arenna into his chest.
Her world fractured into two. Then three.
Everything was spinning, rippling, breaking apart before her. Arenna tried to keep her eyes closed, but the force of her movements, the constant push and pull of her body, tore her eyelids open.
Colors flashed and swirled like gauzy curtains blowing in a gentle breeze, rhythmic and smooth. Arenna’s mind felt like it was splitting open, her body felt ethereal as if she were no longer part of her world. She willed her eyes shut, gripping tighter to the strong build that held her.
Kayson must have felt her tense. His arm tightened around her waist, and she used him to steady herself, to calm her mind. But nothing helped the roaring in her ears.
Not even a second later, everything stopped . Her senses slammed back into her, and her vision steadied, though her heart was pumping so intensely it made her sick.
No longer in Kayson’s grip, Arenna wobbled until she crumbled to her knees, vomiting onto the grassy floor. Her body shook with every heave, her head still spinning.
When her stomach allowed her a moment to look up, she realized they had been transported somewhere with scenery vastly different from Alaraine.
They were in the center of a valley, mountain ranges acting as massive, jagged walls on either side of them.
Waterfalls fell from the tops, spilling into the river that wound its way over rolling hills of green, weaving through hundreds of small cottages with smoke puffing chimneys.
To the right of their position, near what was likely the Sylvania River, stood a city of towering half-timbered homes, faint flutters of music, and tendrils of baked goods wafting through the breezy air.
Though her stomach was still tumbling, she couldn’t stop taking it all in.
Arenna couldn’t stop her mouth from parting in awe at the kingdom she found herself in.
Not far off stood Worden Castle, a white stone fortress on the crest of a small mountain, appearing to rise organically from the rocky foundation. More waterfalls dripped from the castle, flowing down the small mountain into a glistening lake.
Someone knelt beside her, placing a cool hand on her shoulder. “You’ll get used to it. Everyone pukes the first time.”
Looking up, she realized it was Bramnen comforting her. “I never want to do that again,” she spluttered breathlessly. Her throat still tickled as if she might not be done vomiting. “What was that?”
“We call it rippling,” Kayson answered. “It takes us from where we are to where we want to be within seconds.”
Arenna relished in his hearty sigh, loving how easy it was to get under the Reaper’s skin.
Kayson shook his head and turned away, muttering something under his breath she didn’t catch—though she was sure it wasn’t kind.
Bramnen helped steady Arenna, and together they followed after him, the crunch of grass beneath their boots the only sound for a few paces.
Despite the fading dizziness and the soreness in her limbs, Arenna felt something warm unfurl in her chest.
It wasn’t magic, or defiance, or adrenaline. It was lightness.
Arenna allowed herself the smallest smile as she walked further into the valley, unsure of what waited ahead, but for the first time in a long time, not entirely afraid to find out.