Page 28

S erene moonlight streams into our room.

I roll over, watching Ridge’s chest rise. Tears threaten to fall again, I blink the feeling away. This man had held me for the hours I’d cried, sobbing incoherently about Ingrid, the destruction of the Ravels, and my foster family I left behind.

He’d let me cry, all the while rubbing my back and offering reassurance when I needed it. He never breathed a word about the fact that he had lost so much more than I had when the Ravels were attacked. He had been content to let me expose all the dark thoughts and feelings I’d tucked away.

My feet silently find the floor, looking back at him once more. I wonder if he knows how deep my feelings go for him.

Ready? I ask down the tether, hoping she’s awake.

A soft grumble in response tells me Artemis is awake and none too happy about it.

I hold my boots in one hand so as not to wake Ridge or any of the others. Shuffling down the hall in my socked feet, I reach the door at the back of the house that leads most directly to the Keep. Once outside, I quickly slip my boots on and dart across the grassy walkway.

Dark blue waves crash to my left as I break into a jog, the Keep coming into view. I spy Artemis outside the doors, stretching her grand red and orange wings. Even in the moonlight, her colors are brilliant.

“Morning, Artemis,” I tell her, stroking her arched neck. Reaching into my leather jacket pocket, I pull out the dried meat I’d smuggled from the kitchen on my way out the door. I’d wasted several minutes sniffing at it to ensure it didn’t smell like my tonic had. I extend the strip of lamb in my hand toward her, and she clacks her beak at me in happiness.

It’s hardly morning. Artemis cocks her head at me, studying my face. I tried to reach you last night, but your mind was an impenetrable force for once.

I blow out a laugh to cover up the cry that escapes. Ingrid could have died saving me. I swipe at the tears with the back of my hand. The real war hasn’t even started yet. I’m terrified that this is only the beginning.

She studies me for a moment, and I can’t help but appreciate how truly magnificent she is. Her shoulders come up to my eyeline; yellow eyes focused on me.

“Here I was, thinking I was the early riser.” Ridge’s voice floats from behind me. I turn to see him striding down the grassy walkway. “Heading out for a ride?”

My teeth sink into my lip. “Yes, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

He smirks, stroking Artemis’s back. She closes her eyes and purrs at the light strokes. “If you wish to be alone, I can leave you be. If you want company, I’ll join you.”

My heart skips a beat. “I’d like for you to join us.” Warmth spreads through my limbs as he pulls me into an embrace.

“I cannot promise you that things will get easier, Aledrya,” he murmurs into my hair. “However, you will always have me. I would go to the ends of the earth for you. Beyond it. For your happiness.”

I squeeze him tighter in response, love overflowing my senses. “I must have pleased the gods greatly to have you.”

He presses a light kiss to my forehead. “Come on now, daylight is coming soon. Unless you had plans, I’d like to show you something.”

Orion and Artemis take to the skies, following the water’s edge away from the Ravels and mountains. The sea breeze kisses my cheeks, and I breathe it in deeply, bottling it up in my lungs. The mountains sleep along the water’s edge; it evaporates the tightness in my chest .

Things are going to get more difficult. Artemis suddenly speaks up, gliding on a stiff breeze. He is telling you the truth, he’s not leaving. I’m not, either. You do not fly into battle alone.

I can’t help a soft snort. Technically, without you, I wouldn’t be flying into battle at all. She squawks, earning a laugh from me. Ridge and Orion fly ahead, his impressive white wings a stark contrast to the night sky.

Look ahead. This is who we’re fighting to protect, Ridge says as we soar high above a cliff overlooking the sea. A small, sleeping city rests at its edge, the occasional flickering light signaling the early risers beginning their day. Banking left, we fly over rolling pastures of farmland, cows and horses raising their heads as we drift past. A schoolhouse below, with a playground that will be filled with laughing children in a few hours.

I swallow at the lump forming in my throat. Is this still your kingdom?

Artemis floats next to Orion. We’re soaring so high at this point the birds glide with ease, the air so crisp I can see my breath.

Ridge looks over at me then; I can see his gold eyes twinkling. This is our kingdom. You have to stop living life looking in.

My breath is shaky as I look at the vast world below. The one I have been so blind to for all of my life. Joining the Ravels had been about me, about finding a place that felt like home. I had let myself forget far too often that there was an entire population of people relying on us.

There is one other thing, Ridge says, his silver hair ruffled by the stiff breeze. You should know that Laz gave up his right to hold the Aledon seat long ago. You, of course, would also hail from Aledon if things would have been different.

My legs feel jittery, and I try not to squirm on Artemis’ back. I like this version of you, the one who shares things with me.

The smile he gives me in return makes me worthless. Flying in silence, I take in the serene picture below. The people who are not yet awake, who will go about their busy days without knowing what lies on the horizon.

The night sky shifts to a warmer hue, indicating daylight will break soon .

We loop back, aiming for our imposing home perched on the sea. Back to our friends, to plan on how to protect those innocent people.

Upon landing, the sun starts peeking over the horizon, sending faint streaks of pink and orange through the sky.

Artemis lands gracefully next to Orion. They swiftly make their way to the rest of the Odyssey, waiting outside the Keep to hunt for breakfast. Ridge and I walk along the path back toward the house, when I see Ingrid leaning over the railing of a balcony waving her arm. She’s leaned to the right, as if favoring a good side.

“Aledrya!” she shouts, cupping her hand around her mouth.

I wave to her, darting off the path and jogging up the steps to greet her. Huffing by the time I reach the top, Ridge chuckles behind me, looking not at all winded. I scowl at him before addressing Ingrid.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, my heart still pounding, having nothing to do with running up the stairs. “Are you well enough to be out here?”

“I’m fine, fusspot. I’m a spell-master. I already started speeding up my healing.” Ingrid hugs herself, flinching. “You’re going to think I’ve rightfully lost it.”

“No, I won’t,” I promise, reaching out and taking her hand. “What is it?”

She bites her lip, hesitating. “While the healers sewed me back up, my pain made me sense things. See things.” Her words are careful, deliberate. “I was in such discomfort that I probably hallucinated. However, I realized I’ve seen what that man tried to serve you. It’s Turndrite.”

Ridge stills. My eyes dart between them. “What is Turndrite?”

“It’s a poison, but it requires multiple doses spread out evenly to work…which is why he must have used your fertility tonic to do it,” Ridge says, cursing softly under his breath. “He was never trying to fully poison you; he wanted to incapacitate you.”

“Yes, exactly. I learned of it as a child, because I’ve always been drawn to spells and potions. I confirmed it by using the glass you stashed away. Do you know where they grow it?” Her question is clearly rhetorical, because she continues on without stopping. “Wastelands.”

My body goes rigid. “Is that right?” My question is directed at Ridge.

His jaw ticks. “I’m honestly not sure.” He pauses, thinking. “The chef worked in my kitchen for many years, yet the king somehow got to him. It doesn’t make sense.”

“I agree.” Ingrid sighs, running a hand over her face. “Do you remember where he was from?”

“No.” Ridge breathes deeply, as if flustered.

My mind rushes to shuffle the missing pieces; my heart elevating with my racing thoughts. “I thought nothing grew in Wastelands. It’s deserted.”

Ingrid grows pale, biting her bottom lip. I press on quickly. “How did you have access to it as a child if it only grew in Wastelands?”

Ridge is silent, his shoulders stiffening and gaze becoming wary as Ingrid shuffles her feet.

Ingrid doesn’t answer, instead her eyes turn glassy and red rimmed.

“Tell me, Ingrid.”

I watch emotion rapidly sweep her face, changing from shock to determination. “You already know the answer, Aledrya.”

Ridge lightly touches my arm before addressing Ingrid. “You were the Last Family of Wastelands.”

“Yes.” Ingrid’s eyes remain on me. “I watched Rathian tear my family apart, destroying the Human Realm. The Wastelands is not what it seems to be. When he discovered what we’d been hiding, he murdered for sport. Our spells could not protect against the wrath he brought to our land. I want to take that bastard down.”