Page 58 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

“ I t’s been almost three weeks,” said Ava, pacing in Thorne’s suite. She had sought him out after dinner to beg him to send another team to the camp. “We’ve heard nothing from them.”

Raine, Quinn and Jorrar were present, sitting in the living room. Ava could barely function through the ache in her chest. Something was very wrong. She could feel it. Though she didn’t know how to explain it, a sense of urgency pulled at her soul. As if Casimir was calling out to her.

“Sit,” her brother urged from his place in a chair by the fire. “I’m sure they’re alright. Casimir knows what he’s doing.”

“I can’t sit,” she said as she continued her pacing.

Thorne rose from his chair and approached. “Calm yourself.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down,” she replied, voice rising. “I should have gone. We all should have. I know the layout better than any of you.”

“It was too risky,” her brother argued, leaning against the mantle. “What if they’d captured you again? ”

“I know. But something went wrong. I feel it,” she insisted, pressing her hand on her chest as tears pricked her eyes.

Thorne looked at her with resolve. “Alright then. Let’s gather another team and?—"

They were interrupted by pounding on the door. “Your Majesty. It’s urgent.”

Thorne strode across the room and opened it. An out of breath soldier stumbled in. One of the members of Casimir’s group.

Ava’s throat tightened, awaiting the news.

“What is it?” Thorne asked.

“Everyone’s dead,” the soldier panted. “I’m the only one who got away.”

Ava marched toward the soldier and gripped his collar, yanking him closer. “Where’s the general?”

“They have him,” he said.

“Who?” asked Thorne, but Ava already knew.

“Deidamia and Andras,” he replied.

She shoved the soldier away. Not sparing anyone a second glance, she left the suite, ignoring her friends calling after her as hundreds of flowers erupted across the floor in her wake.

Half an hour later, Ava was saddling up her horse with another group of soldiers, Raine, Quinn and Jorrar in tow. Pax and Maeryn had also joined, insisting they wanted to help. Thorne would stay behind to monitor the kingdom, but waited to see them off.

Their animal companions were restless, staying close by as they waited for the group to leave. Thorne’s giant golden eagle, Skye, was coming along too. She’d be vital in case they had to make a quick getaway.

Ava hadn’t said one word to him after she left the room.

She was furious at him for allowing the mission in the first place, though she knew it wasn’t his fault.

He hadn’t tried to stop her when she insisted she come along on the rescue, knowing he wouldn’t be able to keep her away from her soulbond.

Raine approached and placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll get him back.”

She didn’t answer, couldn’t speak for fear of what she might say to anyone, even if they were only trying to comfort her. She had never been so angry in her life, and she was trying not to take it out on Raine.

But it wasn’t just anger. It was fear. Terror.

The idea of the man she loved being brutalized at the hands of her previous abusers was utter agony. It was as if her soul was splitting apart with every minute he was in danger.

Her head was full of memories of her own torture and what they might be doing to Casimir. The vision the Elderoak had shown her. It was coming to pass. And she felt as though she would crawl out of her skin if she didn’t get there now.

The pain he must be feeling. The fear. Would she know if he died?

No. She wouldn’t entertain the thought of his death. Refused. No one else would be taken from her. She pushed the fears away as she turned to her brother.

“I’m sorry we didn’t involve you in this. We were trying to protect you and keep you out of their hands,” he said.

“I know. And I understand. But you and Cas don’t get to decide how to protect me anymore. Don’t take that choice away from me. I’m capable of protecting myself. I want to be involved in the planning and decisions. I can help.”

“I know.”

“You know that I’ve been around Deidamia and Andras more than most of you,” she said. “I eavesdropped on their conversations. I paid attention the best I could. I might have important information. Don’t shut me out for fear of what might happen. Please.” Her voice broke on the last word.

“Alright.” He pulled her into a hug. “I know you’ll get him back,” he whispered. “Be safe.”

Pulling away, she mounted her horse. The group said their goodbyes and journeyed through town, Ava riding in silence next to Raine who was stewing in his own anger. Worried for his best friend’s life.

She felt for her magic and found it. Writhing. Ready.

Wrathful.

It took all her strength to contain it, keeping it locked away until they arrived at their destination. Ava allowed her rage to smother her fear and used it to fuel her mission. She would infiltrate the camp and find Casimir. She would rescue her beloved. Her soulbond. Her love.

And she wouldn’t hesitate to kill every single daemon who stood in her way.