This Vicious Dream (Kingdom of Death #1)

Madinia

We leave the dock, traveling in silence as we make our way to the city gates. Calysian sends me the occasional concerned look, but seems content to leave me to my thoughts.

I glance over my shoulder one last time, watching as the city begins to shrink behind us. Twice I’ve passed through this place—once while on my way to the Blightmere Swamp—the grimoire tucked away in my cloak—and now again, my chest still aching faintly from the arrow that nearly killed me.

One day, I’ll return. I’ll take the time to lose myself in the maze of tangled streets, to wander through the vibrant markets. Perhaps I’ll even paddle my feet in the sea, just as I saw a group of young women doing earlier, their laughing shrieks piercing the salt-soaked air.