Page 50
NOT MY IDEA OF FUN
SERYN
T he beast studied me from the side of one teal eye, the scaly shelf above lifting curiously.
My dread died in my throat as I met its gentle gaze, familiarity clicking in the recesses of my memory.
I craned my neck, trying to get a better look at the wyvern protectively cradling me in its claws.
I recognized the beastie’s colorful plumage, and the recollection fully formed.
One where Sebille slashed her blade at us while I helped a hatchling break free of its egg.
It blinked at me, its pupil contracting before focusing ahead. It was the young wyvern I’d saved, grown to nearly its full size in the last months. In awe, I hesitantly reached up and ran my palm along a hardened scale, and a purr hummed within its cavernous chest.
Was it taking me to the palace? We were heading in the right direction. We soared over the Reverie Weald. Wind slapped against my cheeks, and I squinted as electric shades of orange and cerise blurred below us.
I’d heard Kaden call my name before the wyvern claimed me. He’d come back. Found us. Perhaps it meant he’d already figured out his mother’s fate. Or he’d regretted staying behind.
With a jarring swerve, the beast dove to the right and over the edge of the cliff. My gut roiled as the crashing waves of the Insomnis Sea zoomed closer. A keening cry ripped from the youngling as it banked and then evened out, our bodies coasting parallel to the aqua depths.
I gulped, my head snapping to my right as the mother screeched back, sidling next to her offspring.
The deepest sense of relief flooded me as my eyes locked with Kaden’s and then Gavrel’s, both safely tucked between long talons.
They both looked as if they could breathe again, eyes roaming over my body.
We didn’t have to wait long before Morpheus’ palace peeked through the last gilded rays of twilight. A quick intake of breath flooded my lungs. I wouldn’t ever get over the ethereal beauty of the moonstone structure blending within the gleaming black stone islet.
In unison, the wyverns’ flights curved farther into the sea, as if they understood they should keep out of sight as best they could. I brushed my palms over its belly, and it vibrated under my touch contentedly.
We approached from the back of the cliff; the ebony climbed higher over the moonstone here than it did at the entrance.
The fading remnants of sunlight caught on the moon-phase windows, which ran vertically down the center of the structure. I blinked at the soft glints refracting from the crystal turrets, casting faint rainbows into the dusky air.
My stomach dropped as we swooped near a jutting stone lip nestled near the base of the wall. Waves slapped at the ledge, the foamy edges slinking into a hidden grotto.
With a chuff, the wyvern got as close as its wings allowed and stretched its talons open. Yelping, I plopped into the sea, my limbs flapping through the water. Two more bodies joined me in the surf with muffled curses.
The mother flew toward her offspring, letting out a disgruntled screech .
Bobbing, I called out my gratitude to the pair. The smaller one circled once, blinking at me, before soaring after its mother.
The waves carried us to the ledge, and I pulled myself onto it, grateful that the ocean was not as violent today. That the salted liquid made me buoyant rather than bringing up past fears.
Gavrel and Kaden climbed beside me. Kaden tipped his head to the side and bounced, extricating the liquid from his ear. “So, that happened.”
Still frustrated, I ignored him and moved toward Gavrel at the entrance of the cavern. “Well, we made it this far. No use stalling now,” I said, sloshing through the thigh-high water.
Beside me, Gavrel stretched his neck from side to side. “You gave us quite the scare.” His hand rested on my lower back.
I laughed. “Must have made an impression on that hatchling. That wasn’t exactly how I pictured getting here. Yet, here we are, nonetheless.”
Kaden positioned himself on my other side. “Glad you’re safe.”
“Thank you.” My murmur sank into the splashing water. The grotto was just big enough for the three of us to walk side by side.
“I … Wren found me. Told me about what happens when someone … when they’re culled.” His words cracked. “I can’t say it’s a surprise, but I thought … No, I don’t know what I thought.” He jammed his hand through his wet hair.
With a frown, I glanced at him and took his hand in mine. He tightened his grip as we reached a tunnel, which inclined gradually upward.
Gavrel cleared his throat. “I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”
After taking a deep breath, Kaden nodded at his brother. “It was better I found out on my own rather than either of you trying to tell me. I’ve been … difficult.”
Gavrel looked at me, eyebrows pushing together, and then moved into the burrow.
Pausing at the passage, Kaden released my hand. He stared into the blackness, his words tumbling out in a flurry. “Ser … I … I know I’ve been a right twat, but I can’t seem to help myself when it comes to you. I’ve ruined things, and I’d deserve it if you never talk to me again.”
I tilted my head, letting him go on, curious about how much he’d concede.
“I should have told you long ago about what I’d overheard.
Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it was just weakness.
I needed you to myself, like that would somehow fix the rest of me.
Gavrel is a better man than I’ll ever be.
I’ve been a mess for as long as I can remember, failing at everything that matters. ”
“Kade—” I breathed, shifting closer.
He held up his palm, going on, “And you … I’ve wanted you for so long.
I convinced myself that my feelings were enough—that if I held on tight enough, you’d eventually feel the same.
But all I did was ignore what you needed and punish you for not reciprocating.
That’s not just unfair … that’s cruel. And you deserve so much better. If that is my brother, then so be it.”
His head dropped, following a heavy exhale. “But there’s more to it. It’s like this blade in my belly. That everyone I care for will perish too soon. If you and Gavrel … if you go through with the ceremony. Then the odds are higher that you’ll both be taken from me at once. And I’ll be alone.”
The wall around my heart trembled, and my breaths were shallow.
“I don’t think I have it in me to fix all my wrongs right now, but I’m going to try.
When I was alone in Aion, I regretted not coming with you.
The terror I felt when that wyvern took you.
Damn it.” He cringed, fists clenching. “I’m just so fucking angry all the time.
And in between, I am … numb. Confirming Ma’s truly gone.
Losing you. And my brother. It’s too much to bear.
I’m going to keep fucking up, even though I don’t want to. ”
The final stones chipped away at his admissions. My Kaden was still underneath all the caustic layers. He just needed to dig his way to the surface.
“You’re my best friend, you sod. You’ll never lose me.” I touched his shoulder. “Even when I’m gone, you’ll still have me—right here.” I tapped his chest, then brushed my palm over his cheek .
With a sigh, I let my hand drop. “I’m still cross with you. I need time, but we’re not broken. You’re not broken.” I met his eyes. “And if I hear you call yourself a failure again, I swear I’ll stab you.”
A rough chuckle shook Kaden’s chest. I continued, a breath easing out of me, “Just take it one day at a time—you’ll figure out what you really need.”
He nodded, his body shifting uneasily.
The corner of my mouth tugged upward. “Come on. Let’s go fulfill a bloody prophecy and see what happens next.”
A forlorn smile fluttered over his lips. “Fair. Let’s get on with it then.”
Together, we activated our auras as we entered the tunnel, Gavrel’s glowing tattoo leading us forward.
Kaden touched his brother’s shoulder, his face apologetic. Gavrel studied him for a moment and let his shoulders relax before he cupped his brother’s nape in return. “Always, brother,” Gavrel murmured, and touched his forehead to Kaden’s.
Hope was there, just within reach. We’d taken a step toward mending our relationships. With any luck, we’d live to see it grow another day.
We sloshed through the tunnel until the water gradually dispersed. Our path twisted, leading us deeper and deeper within the cliff.
As we finally neared a stairwell leading down, the air thickened and chilled, pushing into us as if trying to shove us back. “We must be close,” I whispered, peeking down the steps.
Irritably, my aura snapped around me the further we walked.
“This is not my idea of fun; I’ll have you both know,” Kaden groused.
“I don’t think walking into a massive pit of despair is anyone’s idea of fun. Well, perhaps Melina’s,” I retorted as we came to the end of the stairwell.
Before us lay the dungeon’s massive pit, embered sphere torches lit the space along the edges of the spiraling ramp. I pushed my energy within me, and the Larkin brothers tucked away theirs as well.
Gavrel glanced at us, putting his finger to his mouth and then to one ear. Cautiously, I leaned toward the side of the pit, my stomach dipping a bit at the sound of metal rasping against metal.
From a few levels below, Balor Drent’s words slithered up the walls. “Mistress bids you to eat. She said I could have some fun with you if you didn’t. I always enjoy our time together.”
With a look of disgust, Elder Marah Strom spat on his face through the bars of her prison. Thick metal cuffs bound her hands, a chain tethering her to the wall.
Balor snickered, “Now, now, Marah. No need to be so bold after all this time. It’s a shame that your fetters bind your ember. It’d be more fun if you could put up more of a fight.”
With a grunt, he rolled the circular gate along creaking grooves, and a flash of royal blue scurried out of sight within the cell. Her chains scraped across rock as she tried to put distance between herself and the Akridai.
Quietly, we made our way down the ramp while Balor was distracted.
“No!” Marah screamed, and something clattered to the rock, the sound bouncing off the gleaming walls.
“Lea … leave her be, you fiend,” Elder Endurst Guust protested from the cell next door. He fisted the bars, and his cuffs clanked against them angrily, but his words sounded limp and feeble.
Slowly, we each drew a dagger. The weight of my blade felt good in my hand. But it would feel even better sinking into Balor’s flesh.
We neared the cages, the sound of scuffling and dissent ricocheting. I pressed my body against the obsidian between Gavrel and Kaden. Gavrel’s eyes narrowed as he pointed toward his chest and then to the cell. He jabbed his finger toward Kaden and then to Endurst’s cell.
His palm faced me then, telling me to wait. I shook my head at the sound of Marah’s pleas. Mouth pinching, his face fell as he realized I wouldn’t stay put.
Table of Contents
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- Page 50 (Reading here)
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