Page 26 of Eluvonia (Rift of Ages #1)

AERIS

I sit staring at the wooden ceiling as water hums in the background. Declan is already sprawled out on the carpet, rolled up like some overgrown dog, his soft snores breaking the silence. I glance at him, a small smile tugging at my lips despite myself.

“He’s so carefree,” I murmur under my breath. “Wish I could be like that.”

The thought lingers, a faint ache blooming in my chest as I lay down on the bed. But the weight of exhaustion soon pulls me under, and my eyelids grow heavy. The sound of the shower fades into the background, swallowed by the darkness of sleep.

When I wake, the first thing I notice is the sunlight streaming through the window, spilling warmth across the room. Blinking, I squint against the brightness, confused by the unfamiliar softness beneath me. It takes a moment for the events of the previous day to flood back .

I stretch, expecting to feel cramped and pinned by Kaida’s ridiculous bulk. But to my surprise, the bed next to me is empty. The sheets are unruffled, untouched. I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and glance toward the floor at the foot of the bed where Declan had claimed his spot.

My breath catches as I take in the sight. Declan is curled up on the floor, his head pillowed on his arm, and lying behind him is Kaida. One of Kaida’s arms is draped loosely across Declan’s back, both of them snoring like a pair of contented bears.

I clamp a hand over my mouth to stifle the laugh bubbling up, but it slips out anyway. The sound is enough to rouse Declan. He yawns and stretches, but freezes mid-motion as his eyes flutter open.

“Aw, Aer,” he mumbles groggily, his voice thick with sleep. “Rather sleep with me than the stinky oaf?”

I raise an eyebrow, watching the lazy smile spread across his face as he turns around to face me fully—only to come nose-to-nose with Kaida. His expression morphs into one of pure horror.

“Dude, what the hells!” he exclaims, scrambling back so quickly he nearly topples over.

Kaida props himself up on one elbow, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “What’s wrong, baby?” he rumbles, his voice still rough from sleep. “Morning regret?”

That does it. I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach as tears stream down my face. Declan leaps to his feet, muttering curses under his breath as he stomps toward the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

Kaida stretches lazily, his muscles rippling under his tunic, then sits up. He smirks at me, cocking his head. “Enjoy the show?”

Still catching my breath, I nod, wiping tears from my cheeks. “Oh, absolutely.”

He rolls his eyes and stands, brushing off his clothes. “Glad to be of service.”

Finally managing to compose myself, I tilt my head and ask, “So… why were you on the floor?”

Kaida hesitates, his smirk faltering for a split second. “You were sprawled out like some sort of starfish,” he says, pointing accusingly at the bed. “When I tried to move you, you slapped me in the face. Figured it wasn’t worth the hassle, so I bunked with Declan.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I duck my head, feigning interest in the grain of the wooden floorboards. “Uh… sorry about that.”

“Don’t apologize,” he says with a shrug. “I’ve dealt with worse.”

The pang of embarrassment fades, replaced by a flicker of sadness as I recall Esra’s teasing during sleepovers. She always said I was a bed hog. The thought twists like a knife in my chest, but I shove it aside and swing my legs over the edge of the bed.

Kaida’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “We’ll head out once everyone’s freshened up. Sound good?”

Surprised he’s actually asking instead of ordering, I nod. He seems to consider something, his gaze dropping to my bare feet. “Before we leave, I’m buying you boots. I’m amazed you haven’t shredded your soles yet.”

I glance down at my feet, dirty and calloused from years of running barefoot through the forest. “Shoes are a luxury,” I explain, keeping my tone light. “Most of our clothes came from fallen Dragons. Women’s boots that fit were… hard to come by.”

His expression softens for just a moment before he grunts in acknowledgment.

Declan reappears, his hair damp and sticking up in every direction. I take my turn in the bathroom, splashing water on my face and staring at my reflection in the small, cracked mirror.

“What are you doing, Aeris?” I whisper, gripping the edges of the sink. “You’re laughing with them. Joking with them. They killed your people—your clan. Why are you letting your guard down?”

My reflection offers no answers, only a pale face with tired eyes staring back at me. Turra’s words echo in my mind: Kaida is as much a prisoner as you are.

I scoff under my breath. “Why should I care?”

But the memory of Kaida’s frustration with his father creeps in, unbidden. Is he shackled by expectations and duty, just as I am by fear and survival?

A knock at the door startles me. “Aer, you okay in there?” Declan’s voice is muffled but gentle.

Shaking off the thoughts, I straighten and whisper to my reflection, “Get it together, Aeris. Their smiles are just daggers dressed in charm. Their words are nothing but sugar-coated lies. Don’t you dare forget the blood they spilled. Remember who you are, and who they are.”

I open the door, stepping out to find Declan waiting with a teasing grin. “You didn’t fall in, did you?”

“Hardly,” I quip, brushing past him.

Kaida is by the window, adjusting his belt. He glances at me, his gaze lingering just a second too long. “Ready to go? ”

“More than ready,” I reply, my voice steady but my mind still churning.

As we gather our things and step outside, the morning sun bathes the village in golden light, but its warmth does little to ease the chill coiling in my chest. I walk a step behind Kaida and Declan, the words I whispered to the mirror still ringing in my ears.

We walk down the dirt street we took last night, the familiar crunch of gravel beneath our feet. The air is heavy, filled with the scent of fresh bread from nearby stalls mingling with the faint trace of smoke from a distant forge.

I spot a large crowd gathering up ahead, as we get closer I notice them waiting in front of the large stage we passed by yesterday.

I tug at Kaida’s, tunic my curiosity getting the better of me, halting him mid-step.

His eyes narrow as he turns to face me, his expression curious.

“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, gesturing toward the crowd.

Kaida hums softly, his gaze flicking to the stage where a male stands, animated and confident, addressing the crowd. For a moment, he watches intently, his stance rigid. Then his fingers wrap around my wrist.

“It’s time to go, Fae,” he says quietly, but firmly, pulling me along.

“Kaida, stop! That hurts!” I protest, but my words fall on deaf ears. I struggle against his grip, trying to free myself, but then the male’s voice reaches me again, clear and cold.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s start today’s bidding! This Fae is fresh, recently caught from the Arboriscyne Forest, just north of the Iryndel Castle! She is a healer, and good with her hands, not to mention she isn’t bad to look at either! ”

The words hit me like a dagger to the heart. Healer. No. It can’t be.

I plant my feet in the dirt, stopping abruptly, my breath catching in my throat. Kaida growls low in his chest, his frustration palpable. His grip tightens slightly, though not enough to hurt, and his eyes remain fixed on the stage.

The cage is wheeled into view, clunky and rusted, with something—someone—in it. Blonde hair is the first thing I see, messy and disheveled. My hand flies to my mouth, stifling the gasp threatening to escape.

“Esra?” I whisper, my voice trembling with disbelief.

Declan places a gentle hand on my shoulder, his voice calm but urgent. “Do you know her, Aer?”

I nod, tears spilling down my cheeks. “That… that’s my best friend. I thought she died.”

Kaida’s expression hardens, his jaw tightening. Declan groans softly beside me, his face etched with unease.

The male on the stage calls out numbers, and hands begin raising into the air, bidding for her. The sight twists my stomach.

“I need to do something,” I say, my voice a trembling plea. “I… I can’t lose her again.”

Declan’s grip on my shoulder tightens, stopping me from moving forward. “Aer, no,” he murmurs, his voice low but firm.

“Let go, Declan!” I plead, fighting against his hold. “I have to get to her!”

Kaida steps forward into the crowd, his presence commanding immediate attention. He pushes past people with a brutal efficiency. When he reaches the stage, the male freezes mid-sentence and bends down, listening intently to whatever Kaida says.

“What is he doing?” I hiss, my breath catching in my throat.

Kaida’s words seem to strike the male, whose eyes widen in disbelief before he vigorously shakes his head. He straightens, raising his hand to the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize, but this Fae is claimed. Let’s move on.”

The crowd murmurs in confusion, but no one protests. Someone behind the stage unlocks the cage, and the sight is horrific. Esra is yanked roughly out of her confinement, her body weak and fragile as she fights against her captors causing a growl to rise from my throat.

“Easy, girl,” Declan whispers into my ear, his voice steady but soothing.

I watch in horror as they pull her toward Kaida. His grip on her hand is gentle, leading her away from the stage. Did Kaida save her for me?

“I think you’re growing on him,” Declan says softly, his breath warm against my ear. “He wouldn’t do this for just anyone.”

Once Esra is free from the crowd, I rush forward, my sobs breaking free as I gather her into my arms. “ESRA!” I cry, my voice cracking with emotion. She stiffens under my embrace, her body rigid.

“I can’t believe you’re okay!” I sob, my tears falling freely, patting her back as if that will erase the pain she’s endured.

But eventually, the shock wears off, and she pushes me away with a force I wasn’t expecting.

“What?” I say, my confusion evident as she glares at me with hatred.

“Did you buy me so you could kill me off, then?” she spits, venom dripping from every word. “Since your little plan didn’t work?”

I freeze, my brows furrowing as I try to process her accusations. “What? What are you talking about?” I ask, my voice trembling with disbelief.

“You sold us out!” she screams, her voice rising above the chaos. “You gave us all to the Dragons so you could live in luxury! I knew you were always spoiled but to kill our whole clan!”

I grab her by the arms, desperate to quiet her, to prove her wrong. “No… No, that’s not true. You don’t know the full story!”

She scoffs, pulling away sharply, turning her face away from me. “I thought the same until I saw you,” she says bitterly, her voice thick with emotion. “Look at you! You’re dressed in their clothes, you obviously haven’t missed a meal, you’re clean—”she turns back, tears flooding her face.

“You do not speak to her that way.” Kaida growls.

Esra glares at him and then turns back to me, “And look, your boyfriend even bought you a new plaything! Am I a gift for you to boss around, like I always was back in the cave?”

The words hit me like a blow, and I drop my hands from her arms, stepping back in stunned silence. Kaida places a firm hand on my back, his expression hard as he tries to intervene.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says firmly.

Esra snaps, her voice seething. “Oh, I’m sorry, master, did I speak out of turn?” she mocks, her voice laced with venom.

“It’s best we go home,” Declan offers softly. “We can settle this in private. Too many eyes here.”

I sniffle, nodding in agreement. Declan places a hand lightly on Esra’s shoulder, his touch gentle. “Would you mind coming with us? ”

Esra sighs deeply, her shoulders slumping. “You act as if I have a choice.”

“You don’t,” Kaida grunts, his voice low.

He leads me away, back down the street, while I try to absorb the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. “Come on, Fae,” Kaida says softly. “I promised you some shoes.”

In silence, we walk through the bustling streets, looking for a shop. But then a scream pierces the stillness, sharp and echoing through the air. More screams follow, urgent and terrified, as Dragons rush past, their expressions frantic.

“What’s going on?” Declan asks, his brow furrowing in concern.

Kaida shakes his head, his eyes scanning the destruction. Smoke rises above the buildings, dark and thick, mixing with the sounds of panic.

“Let’s go,” Kaida says grimly, taking off at a run. I sprint after him, the world blurring as we round a corner into chaos.