Page 95

A fter handing the deer they’d slain over to the Lapis butchers, Vahly, Arc, Nix, Kyril, and Ruda gathered in the Red Meadow, leaving Ryton in his iron cage. Vahly still had no idea why her earth magic wished for her to keep the sea kynd alive and nearby.

She and the others made a circle near the Silver River, not far from where the Spirit of the River had appeared before they’d headed into the western mountains to find Kyril.

What surprises did the Lost Valley have in store for them? And how were they going to get there when it was covered in salt water and churning with vicious sea creatures?

Vahly pushed the worries away and placed a hand on Kyril.

Are you good with this, Kyril? she asked.

He showed her an image of Ruda bringing him a bowl of water that was over half her size, muscles straining and face tight with the effort.

What a kind little thing Ruda was. Then Vahly saw an image of Ruda combing out Kyril’s pelt and Kyril carrying Zori closer to the earthblood vents in the great hall.

She guessed all of that meant yes, he certainly was.

Vahly set her other hand on Ruda’s forehead.

“I mark Ruda of Clan Lapis as Sourceparent for my familiar, Kyril of the West. If I should die, she will rear him until adulthood and will support him. In turn, he will treat her with the respect owed a proper parent or familiar, seeing to her needs above all others save my own as long as we live.”

Magic shivered up Vahly’s feet and hummed through her body, zinging down her arms and into Ruda, who gasped, eyes going wide, and Kyril, who shuffled his feathers. Vahly could feel the bond that buzzed between Ruda and Kyril, though it had no tug on her.

Arc placed a fisted hand over his heart and bowed to them both while Nix blasted triumphant dragonfire into the air above the group.

Vahly ran a hand along the storm-blue feathers near Kyril’s sunny beak. “Congratulations. You have a Sourceparent, my lovely. And well you deserve such a one as Ruda.” Vahly glanced over her shoulder to see Ruda absolutely beaming.

“And now,” Vahly said, taking the weight of what was to come onto her shoulders, “we head under the waves once again to fight.” Her magic pushed against her chest, bringing the scent of the sea to her nose and the image of Ryton into her mind. “First, I must get the key to Ryton’s cage.”

Ruda gave Kyril one last embrace, then took off into the sky, hurrying back to the palace ahead of them, her wings a match to the sky’s pale light.

Nix straightened her traveling cloak and adjusted her Lapis ring, apparently enjoying the way it reflected the light. “I really don’t see how the sea kynd can help.”

“I don’t either, but my magic says he must stay nearby. It might not be a “help” sort of situation. Maybe he’ll serve as bait.”

Arc’s eyebrow lifted. “Truly?”

“For the Sea Queen,” Vahly said. “He is her consort as well as her general, and he betrayed her. She’ll want to eat him alive.”

Nix laughed. “Now I’m in.” She rubbed her hands, her talons clicking together. “May I tell him the news? Pretty please, Queenie?”

Vahly shook her head. “You’re incorrigible.”

Arc nudged Vahly with an elbow. “And you’re not?”

“Oh, I’m completely incorrigible, but I haven’t had an extra fifty or so years to grow up.” Vahly bit her lip, hiding a laugh.

Nix’s mouth popped open and she stopped, hands on her hips. “You have no idea how old I am, girl.”

“I have a good guess.”

Nix narrowed her eyes, giving Vahly a chill even though she was her dearest friend. “And what happens to those who leak information about me?”

Vahly chuckled. “They soon also leak blood.”

Nix strolled past them, then took off into the sky. “Don’t forget that, Queen Vahly. If anyone can get around an oath to teach someone a much-needed lesson, it’s me.”

Arc tsked at her as she flew toward the Lapis palace.

“Let’s hurry,” Vahly said, waving Kyril over.

Kyril bent to let Vahly climb up, and Vahly held a hand to Arc.

“You’re certain?” Arc’s gaze traveled from Vahly to Kyril’s face.

Kyril dipped his head lower.

“I think he is willing.” Vahly gripped Arc’s warm, strong hand, and Arc launched into place behind her.

Kyril ran a few steps, then rose into the air, his wings beating silently. The ground dropped away, and Vahly held tightly to the furry ruff at his neck.

Arc leaned into Vahly’s back. She thrilled at the feel of his powerful legs pressing against hers and the sensation of his warmth easing into her body.

Twisting, she glanced at him. He wore a sad grin, his crown flickering at the edges of her vision.

His presence overwhelmed her, and she simply wanted to stare.

“I want to gawk at your handsome self, but it’s killing my neck.” She grinned at him and turned back around.

Suddenly, the air behind her went cold and Arc was in front of her, facing her, his legs beneath hers and his hands on her sides.

“What? How?”

He chuckled. “You look so shocked. Is it such a surprise that the Elven King can move more quickly than your human eyes can see?”

Vahly swallowed and kept her fingers in Kyril’s fur. Arc was just ridiculously beautiful in addition to being one of the very few people who knew all her challenges and shortcomings and loved her anyway.

Kyril veered away from the palace, doing a slow loop.

Arc grinned. “Why do you think he’s giving us some time?”

Vahly leaned forward and lifted her chin so that her mouth was close to Arc’s. Her body broke out in goosebumps as his hands moved to her hips. In the middle of all this grief, all this terror of what was to come, this was life. Vahly wasn’t about to let the moment go.

She let go of Kyril and put her hands on either side of Arc’s face.

His jawbone was sharp under her palms. As she drew his mouth to hers, his eyes fluttered closed.

Pleasure bursting through her body, she moved her lips over his, savoring the heat and the magic that was all his.

His arms went around her body, almost too tightly, and he pulled her fully onto his lap as Kyril spread his wings, soaring evenly.

Vahly, still cradling Arc’s head, felt the tips of his pointed ears, and air magic roared around them, the sound overcoming all.

Arc kissed her deeply. She felt his love for her suffuse the movements of his fingers on her ribs and the caress of his mouth.

Stones and Blackwater, how she loved him.

Kyril dipped toward the palace and they broke apart, gasping and smiling.

Arc wiggled his eyebrows, then leapt from Kyril’s back, landing far below on the palace steps, not even faltering for a moment in a jump that would’ve killed most. He looked up at her as Kyril landed.

The sun poured over Arc’s crowned head and brilliant face, lighting him up like fire burned inside him, bright and strong.

As soon as she’d dismounted, Vahly felt the urge to bow to Arc. “You need to stop Elven King-ing so much,” she said, slapping his arm as she walked past. “I want to go to my knees for you when you look like that, and bowing isn’t really my style.”

Arc’s head fell back as he laughed, then he bowed to her. “Apologies, my queen. I must confess the idea of it has its temptations.”

Vahly snorted and reached back to pinch his thigh, wishing they could go on joking and flirting.

Instead, she had to find a key to free her enemy and dive back into the reach of the Sea Queen’s foul magic.