Page 125

K yril roared, and the stone gryphon echoed the ear-splitting sound as it veered westward.

Vahly held her breath, waiting for Astraea to defend herself, to call up the sea and swallow everyone whole. What could Vahly do if the Sea Queen did this? Could the sword raise enough land to thwart such a move?

The sea quieted. The creatures swam away. The warriors on both sides stilled beneath the stone cage.

A layer of salt water undulated over Astraea’s body and face. Her eyes had gone flat black, and her red lips tightened into a straight line as she stared at Vahly.

Swallowing, Vahly urged Kyril closer. This was probably a trap. It had been too easy to capture the Sea Queen. The stone gryphon flew above them, a shadow of protection darkening the glistening water and the glow of the sun’s last rays on the pillars of Astraea’s prison.

Vahly’s magic surged inside her, and she saw a flash, a vision. Webbed fingers. A sea kynd slicing its own palm. Blood flowing onto the oaken sword.

“I can see you believe you’ve won, human.” Astraea’s voice was harsh as it crossed her thin, magical barrier of water to carry on the wind. “But I must submit to the balance by freely offering my blood to your fine weapon there. And that, I will never do.”

Run her through, Queenie! Nix soared above the cage, eyes catching the sunset’s last gasp. To hell with the balance!

Believe me, Nix, I want to. But I can’t rush into this. Not after what Lilia told Arc. There is no other Blackwater-marked sea kynd to take her place and share her blood with the sword. My magic tells me the ritual must happen. My stomach turns inside out when I consider any other alternative.

Vahly bumped Kyril with a heel, sending him in a gentle dive toward the rebels. Lilia’s head appeared above the surface. The rebel leader placed two leaves on her gills and watched Vahly expectantly.

“Have you heard anything new from your Watcher?” Vahly asked. “Any news on a newly born Sea Queen?”

Lilia shook her head. “The Watcher is hidden far from here. We’ve had no word or update. I hate the fact, but Astraea must be kept alive until we can persuade her to give up a portion of her blood. Only then will all kynd live in harmony.”

Vahly gritted her teeth. “She won’t do it. How are we supposed to talk her into this?”

The rebel leader set a cold gaze on Vahly. “This is war. Use what she loves to bend and break her.”

“What does that beast of a female love?”

“Her singer, Larisa.”

Kyril flew up and over the rebels, then floated on an air current back toward Lilia.

“A singer?”

Lilia dipped beneath the water, then rose again. “Astraea loves her like a prized possession. If you threaten the singer, then perhaps Astraea will yield.”

But they had to get their hands on this singer first. Vahly nudged Kyril, and they flew over the enemy army with Astraea at their back. “I will run your queen through if you don’t deliver Larisa the singer to me at the coastline by sunrise.”

To prove her point, she rushed the cage, oaken sword outstretched.

The sea surged above the enemy army, and shouts rose from the waves.

“I will secure the singer!” a sea kynd female raised her spear. “We will make peace!”

Arc made a noise, and Vahly turned to see his gaze on the one who’d spoken. “So some do long for peace like Lilia and her rebels.”

Vahly had Kyril fly around the cage. “Your folk wish for peace. It is your choice whether they receive it. Either way, you have lost. If you won’t give your blood, I will simply kill you and suffer whatever consequences the Source may have in store.

I won’t be fooled into freeing you without that blood.

” Vahly locked gazes with Amona. “Please set up a watch on her. If you believe we can spare one soul at a time to rest on land, that would be good. We have a long night ahead of us.”

Will your stone gryphon remain in the sky? Amona flew beside the massive rock beast, her distance showing her respect for the magical creature’s deadly capabilities.

Magic sizzled under Vahly’s ribs. Yes. It will remain where I order it .

Amona dipped her head, and Vahly was almost certain a proud grin lifted the edge of Amona’s snout. I will do as you order, Earth Queen.

Nix zipped by and gave a wink.

Vahly mentally ordered the stone gryphon to keep watch, then she turned Kyril toward the coastline, for once feeling like she belonged seated on a rare creature alongside an elven king.

Blooded for the battle, her birth mother had said of her name so long ago when Amona had rescued her.

Her blood did indeed feel crafted for this fight.

Power tingled in her fingertips as she sheathed the oaken sword and set her mind to the next fight.