Page 22

SISYPHEAN PEAKS

SERYN

“ S he’s something else.” I chuckled as we guided our boat toward the city.

Behind me, Gavrel dug his oar into the muck and propelled us forward as I did the same on the opposite side.

He grunted. “When she says little, she says a lot. And vice versa. I lose my damned mind trying to piece together her true meaning sometimes.”

In agreement, a wry laugh sounded in my throat. We moseyed through the swamp, the sun dipping toward the horizon. Dusky shades of amber painted the doombarks. Shadows seeped over the mire.

Over my mind.

“Do you think we’ll find Kaden?” I whispered.

“I’ve no doubt we will,” Gavrel replied.

My oar stilled. “It’s been weeks.”

“And look how far you’ve come. It was time well spent.” His confidence was a balm to my frayed doubts.

“I have a newfound kinship with Sisyphus. Constantly pushing a massive boulder up a mountain, only to have it tumble down again and again.”

His dimple fluttered as he rested his elbows on his knees and leaned in.

“Perhaps. And maybe it’s because you’re skilled at looking at the whole scene.

You take in the entire landscape and are in awe of its might.

But every peak was carved over time, whittled down by the elements.

Perhaps it doesn’t look altered, but it’s ever-changing.

You can overcome the mountain if you have the will.

And you have that in abundance.” His eyes swept over my body, and a shiver rippled over the places his gaze touched. “You’re a force of nature, Asteria.”

My chest expanded with shallow breaths, and I rubbed one hand along my forearm before turning back and digging my paddle into the water. The damp air didn’t help the flush heating my skin.

My musings scampered about as we maneuvered through the swamp. The things we’d need to accomplish. But he was right. I needed to take one thing at a time.

We’d met with Yaya, Marek, and others often during our time here. To share information, dive into the Elders’ weaknesses, and strategize the next steps. My mind wandered to our last meeting.

Marek bent over a map of Midst Fall in Yaya’s kitchen. Yaya handed out cups of tea as the morning sun spilled over the lines and circles marring the weathered map’s surface.

“We’ve pockets of ravens throughout the realm. Helos is the biggest stronghold, of course.” He poked the marked capital on the map. Rhaegar, Gavrel, Breena, and I listened attentively as he went on.

His finger trailed to the south, into the Pneumali region.

“But our second largest is throughout the deserts of Pneumali surrounding the capital. The Elders and their minions stick largely to the city. So, we’ve taken advantage of that.

Learned how to traverse the lands least accommodating to dwelling.

Same here.” He pointed to the Ourea Peaks, the mountain range separating Haadra and Evergryn.

Gavrel’s eyebrows scrunched in thought. “How many ravens do you estimate we have? The Order of Draumr is at least five thousand strong, not to mention at least five hundred Akridais. And those who worship the Elders as though they were Ancients.”

“We’re around the same, but as skilled fighters? Two-thirds more like,” Marek noted.

“But we’ll use our skills traversing the land to our advantage. We also have the element of surprise on our side,” Rhaegar added. “We’ve been slowly recruiting over the decades, coordinating targeted attacks that undermine their following. That cast doubt throughout the realm.”

Marek crossed his arms. “And it’s working. But we need to make a stronger stand soon.” He glanced at Gavrel, bracing his hands on top of the map. “Spit it out.”

With his hand cupping his jaw, Gavrel’s brow furrowed.

With a heavy sigh, he looked to the ceiling and then around the room, meeting each of our eyes.

“I agree that we should accelerate our timeline. I am loath to admit that Melina demanded that I … I hunt Druiks and Scions specifically over the turns. Her obsession knew no bounds, but only worsened as time went on. I attempted to thwart her, but wasn’t always effective. ”

Remorse glazed his eyes, his shoulders sagging.

The rest of his confession stayed locked behind the grim line of his mouth.

I held my breath at his admission, knowing it pained him to say the words out loud.

He was likely disgusted with what he’d had to do for Elder Harrow.

And if I knew anything, there had to be a good reason.

Neoma grasped Marek’s biceps, silencing him before he could retort. Instead, he scoffed and glared at Gavrel. Rhaegar dipped his chin and slapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder in a show of support.

Obstinately, Neoma pushed her shoulders back, nodding at the commander. “It’s war, boy. We’ve all done things we’d rather not admit, and if you live long enough to confess your sins, you’re doing something right.”

Gavrel lifted his chin, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as he offered her a polite smile.

Marek cursed under his breath and stabbed a finger onto the map.

“ We should pay a visit to the deserts. Touch base with Keethan and his team. As for the mountains to the north, I haven’t had word from Oren since his last missive.

He mentioned some sort of flying animals attacking his camp.

Took out a dozen or so. They were going to investigate and report back.

” His brow furrowed, rubbing his middle fingers against his thumb.

“Last harbinger starling he sent nearly took my finger off,” he muttered.

Yaya rolled her eyes and placed both hands on the edge of the table. “All right, so we send scouts to the Peaks and meet with Keethan. And now that we have the next piece of the prophecy, the first step is to find a way to Surrelia. To destroy that amber under Morpheus’ palace.”

“Without the Dormancy Pods. And without offing ourselves,” Breena muttered.

“Bloody void,” I grumbled, sipping my bitter tea. “May the wings of the ravens carry us.”

A toad leaped over my oar, croaking loudly and bringing me back to the present. I pressed my lips together. “So, you think I’m ready?”

“Ready?”

“For whatever awaits us when we find Kaden. When we … when we go against the Elders.” My tone hardened at the end.

“You’ve always been ready. When it comes to protecting those you love, there’s no question,” he retorted.

“You know what I mean, Gav.” I turned back and tossed him an eye roll.

His mouth curved, and his muscles bunched and flexed as he worked. Heat zinged from the small of my back and burst behind my ribs, spreading over my limbs. My thighs pressed together, and my fingers slackened as I studied him. I jerked in surprise as the rod slipped in my grip.

Bollocks.

Why was this man so damned attractive? It was almost ridiculous. I spun forward, tightening my hold and digging into the silt once more.

An amused sound reverberated in his throat. He knew the effect he had on me. He just wasn’t choosing to be as gentlemanly as he once was about it.

Damn him .

He leaned forward, slowly brushing his fingers over my back as he moved my braid over my shoulder. “As I said, you’ve always been ready. You just have to choose to believe it.”

“ Can you believe it?” Breena twirled later that night in her hut. She wore a silky, pewter-colored dress that hugged her curves as if liquid metal poured over them.

“You look lovely. What’s the occasion?” I quirked one brow as she handed me a dark bundle, kaleidoscopic threads twinkling throughout.

“The Moonbud Revelry, woman. Open the present.”

“The Moonbud Rev—” My words tapered off into a gasp as I unwrapped her gift. It was the dress I’d admired that first day in the main square. “Oh, my Ancients. Thank you, Bree. How did you?—?”

She grinned. “I can’t have you looking like rubbish at Helos’ biggest party. Besides, I have plenty of coin from the errands I run for the Korax.”

I inclined my head, studying the delicate threads as they shimmered in the moonlight. “Errands?”

Dismissively, she waved her hand at me. “A little stabby here. A little slice there.” My eyebrows lifted as I looked at her, and her mouth somehow stretched even wider.

“Anyway, the Budding Moon and Selene are sacred to this region. They act like absolute heathens during the celebrations. Drink. Dance. Feck.” She winked.

“Not necessarily in that order. It’s absolutely delicious. ”

A laugh thrummed in my chest. “Sounds scandalous. When is it? ”

Gavrel and Rhaegar joined us. “When is what?” Gavrel asked.

I glanced at him. “The Moonbud Revelry.”

Gavrel leaned against the wall, and Rhaegar grinned while placing his boots by the door. “Ah, yes. Merrymaking is had by all. The citizens celebrate the Budding Moon and make offerings to the Moon Ancient. It goes until the sun rises.”

“It sounds lovely. The way people hold on to their traditions here is truly inspiring,” I remarked, my fingers brushing over my new dress.

Rhaegar nodded, tapping his fingers against his burly chest. “In the Bogs, where the tides hold dominion over the landscape, the moon’s phases mirror the constant flux of life for the citizens.

Here, the people hold Selene in the highest regard.

The Budding Moon, in particular, signifies renewal and a link to the celestial dream realm.

It’s widely believed that Selene will aid Morpheus in the restoring of dreams.”

“Well said, Rhaeg,” Breena added. “And here I thought you loved the revelry because you wanted to indulge in mireberry wine and charm your way through all the willing females?”

Rhaegar snorted, dismissing his friend with a wave while sweeping his eyes over Gavrel. “You’ll need to get a proper overcoat.”

The commander grunted.

“In a week’s time,” Breena added.

Gavrel grumbled under his breath, nodding at them before leaving and marching toward our lodging across the bridge.

Hugging my friend, I smirked. “I’ll ask Marek if he has an overcoat for Gav. Thank you for my dress, Bree. It’s beautiful. Want to practice dagger throwing with me tomorrow?”

“Absolutely. I’ll meet you at your place with the sunrise. Not sure if I’ll barge in or not, so it’s up to you if you have clothes on.” She wiggled the delicate slashes of her eyebrows as I chuckled my way out the door.

Marek’s shanty wasn’t far. I breathed in the crisp, damp air as I meandered to his door. As I lifted my fist to knock, his door swung open .

Bewildered, his mouth dropped until he collected himself. His chest was bare, per usual. Although he was fit, the sight of him didn’t turn my eye. He didn’t make my mouth water and heart flutter. Didn’t make my mind and body a traitor like the sight of Gavrel did. I frowned.

“Happy to see you as well,” he muttered. “Are you lost?”

With a heavy sigh, I suppressed my eye roll and pushed past him. It was tidy, but unadorned. Exactly how I would have pictured his home. Utilitarian, but comfortable.

“I just learned of the Moonbud Revelry,” I said, turning in a circle, eyes roaming over his space.

“Congratulations.”

A chuckle stuck in my throat. “Would you happen to have an overcoat Gavrel could borrow?”

He scoffed.

“Please?” My smile spread wide, eyebrows lifting.

He stomped over to a trunk in the corner, and after digging through piles of fabric, he whipped out a piece of clothing and tossed it to me. “That should do.”

“Why, I didn’t realize you had proper clothing,” I teased.

“If I could get away without breeches, I would. But I don’t want to cause a commotion among the mortalfolk.”

I cuffed him on the biceps, and it was like slapping stone. “Was that a joke? My Ancients. Have I died?”

He snorted, his head tilting ever so slightly. “I find it more efficient to go without a tunic. In this climate, the fabric clings, and anything that impedes my movements is impractical. One must always be ready for an attack.”

My eyes slid over the scars marring his flesh. To the wicked scar skating diagonally across his face. Lifting his chin, he met my eyes without shame.

“Helos is lucky to have you,” I repeated the accolade I’d given him the first day we met.

His jaw jutted forward, his chest rising and falling with even breaths. “Perhaps I am the lucky one. ”

“It’s hard for you to take a compliment, isn’t it?”

Conceding, he dipped his head, his russet hair brushing his shoulders as he moved his head from side to side. “You sound like Yaya. She’s … she’s a fine woman. I do believe my life would be on a different course if I hadn’t found her.”

Compassion welled up under my breastbone. It was nice to see this softer side of him. There was something more to Marek than the haughtiness and contempt he wore as a shield, instead of a tunic, most days.

He sighed, the white slash through his left eyebrow rising. “Anything else, Seryn?”

My mouth pinched in an amused line. “No, thank you. This’ll do. Good night, Marek.”

He showed me out, his tongue pushing against his puckered lips. “Good night,” he mumbled, before closing the door behind me.