Page 78 of Immortal Origins (Chronicles of the Immortal Trials #1)

A kadian rushed Ambrose and Lily down the hall towards Magnus’ study. Their footsteps carrying them as they shifted the bags on their backs and silently processed the night’s events.

Magnus had ordered him to get them there after the events no matter what got in their way, and gods be damned, he’d burn anyone who stood between him and getting her to safety.

Heart pounding in his chest, he made sure to run them back to his chambers where he packed for the two of them while Ambrose changed into her leathers and the gilded corset plate that Magnus had gifted her.

Her new daggers strapped to her thighs, she gave him a sharp nod when she came out of her bedchamber.

One hour.

He’d said one hour and they were already way too close to that time being up.

The flames beneath his chest licked his rib cage as he shuffled down the hallway, eyes sharp for anyone lurking in the shadows.

Casimir may have lost for now, but Akadian knew the royalty well enough to know a First King would never accept defeat.

Let alone one as bloodthirsty as Casimir.

He didn’t put it past him to have bounty hunters and assassins crawling all over the palace in case this exact moment came to be.

He moved his eyes to Ambrose. Her cheeks were flushed as she ran next to him, her breathing uneven as she held Lily’s hand dragging her along.

Even though her brows were pulled together in confusion, and her face was tight with her own thoughts, she didn’t let it stop her from doing what needed to be done.

Gods, she was beautiful.

How incredible she’d been.

He knew she was powerful but the pull now unfolding in his chest—drawing him even closer to her—allowed him a glimpse of the power radiating beneath her skin, and she was magnificent . He’d never experienced something so awe-inspiring and he wondered if she could feel it too.

She had to.

The determination in his eye was matched with the one in Lily’s as she glanced sideways at him and they both understood.

It was time.

Everything was changing now.

Like it or not, Ambrose had to be ready.

He truly hoped she was.

* * *

Magnus swung open the door to his study and Ambrose, Akadian and Lily pushed in before anyone else could see them.

Ambrose placed her hands on the desk as she tried to catch her breath and her thoughts but her mind wouldn’t stop racing.

Lily survived. Akadian was alive. The gods had returned. The gods were alive.

“Magnus,” she breathed.

“I know, child.” He nodded and pointed a look at Akadian. “It’s time. Are you all ready?”

Ambrose’s eyes darted between the prince and her mentor. She had a million questions. For all of them. But they’d have to wait. “Ready for what?”

Magnus sucked in a sharp breath. “I want you to meet someone. Her name is Saray.”

A figure cloaked in black stepped from the shadows and Ambrose kicked herself for being so distracted she didn’t notice any other presence in the room.

The being reached a hand up to pull their hood back and Ambrose had to stop herself from recoiling.

The hand wasn’t scaled the way she was used to seeing, but sleek like the skin of a snake as she pulled back the hood and revealed a face that so closely resembled a human had it not been for the same skin that coated her hand.

Her eyes yellow, with sharp pupils and long blue hair that matched the shade of her skin.

A female draconian.

“How is this possible?” Ambrose asked, wide-eyed. No one else seemed surprised but her.

“Hello,” the draconian named Saray spoke and unlike the harsh grating the males had, her voice was smooth.

“Who are you?” Ambrose straightened.

“A friend.”

“Are you here to help us?” Ambrose pleaded.

“Yes.” With that, Saray lifted her hand and her charge filled the air, a warm sensation filling the study with an electrifying build up.

Without thinking, Ambrose dropped her hips and pulled one of the daggers strapped to her thigh that she’d stolen from the metal mage and pointed it at Saray’s chest. The draconian simply shook her head, unafraid, and gave her a small smile. “I’m not here to harm you.”

“It’s alright.” Lily grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

“What are you guys hiding, why aren’t you shocked?” Ambrose accused, looking between her friends and mentor.

Saray swept her hand across the wall and the stone began to warp and dance as though made of water. She waited a moment before slipping her clawed fingers from beneath her sleeve and placed her hand against—no, through —the wall.

“That’s not possible…” Ambrose remarked as she walked forward and when she went to touch the wall, expecting stone, her fingers fell through and a draft touched her from the other side. Pulling her hand back in the room she asked, “What is this? An illusion?”

Saray shook her head and the blue strands around her face twisted like a curtain, “It’s no illusion. It’s quite real, I assure you.”

Magnus gave her a nod, “I can show you. I swear, everything will be explained but we don’t have much time.

Casimir will be rallying his forces and coming after anyone you love.

He still may not be allowed to touch you until the trials are over, but that doesn’t mean you or any of us are safe. We must go. Now.”

“What about Ernaline? Adym?” Her heart pounded into her throat and ears. She wouldn’t leave them behind.

“It’s all been arranged. They’ll be safe, I swear it to you.” Akadian lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it gently. “I know this is a lot, but we have to go.”

As Ambrose looked at their waiting faces, each one patiently allowing her to take in this information, the mixed charge that filled the air told her it wasn’t the time for questions. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Fine. But you guys have so much explaining to do.”

The corners of Akadian’s mouth pulled up into that sly smile that could make her knees melt and tears welled in her eyes as she thought how close she was to never seeing him smile again. All that mattered is they were all alive. She’d just have to trust them.

Lily pulled her into a hug and for the first time since before the tournament, she smiled. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”

Ambrose squeezed Lily’s arm as her stomach twisted. Conflicted, she meant it when she said, “I’m glad you’re okay too.”

Lily flashed her a smile. “It’ll take more than that to take me out.”

Saray dipped her head. “It’s time. The portal will close soon.”

Mind and heart racing, Ambrose readjusted her pack and stood tall.

Magnus was the first to step through. He walked with the confidence of someone who had done this countless times as his colorful robes disappeared through the wall as though he plunged himself into a pool of water.

Ambrose gasped as Lily followed suit. Not once batting an eye as she stepped through what Saray had called a portal.

The draconian followed, glancing back at them, worry etched across her features. “You must hurry.”

Looking up at Akadian he stared down at her with a soft expression that somehow looked like it was carrying the weight of the world in it.

He pulled her close and placed a hand behind her head, his fingers lacing themselves in her hair as he brought her mouth up to meet his.

Where the first kiss had been hunger this one was tender.

So light his lips barely brushed hers as though he were afraid to break her.

Or himself. She reached her hands up and curled her fingers into his shirt, pulling him closer as her heart thundered.

“I won’t let anything hurt you,” he promised. “Ever.”

“I know,” she assured.

He twirled a strand of her hair between his fingers, the glow of it so slight as it bounced off his skin. “Ready?”

She pulled in a breath until it completely filled her lungs before she let it out again. “Ready.”

“Let’s go.”

He pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her waist as the two of them stepped through the wall as the voices rang, “Well done, young mage…”