Warrior of the Drowned Empire (Drowned Empire #6)

CHAPTER SEVEN

RHYAN

Meera’s face hardened, her eyes on Lyr, a dare in her expression as if she expected a fight. “If Jules is in the capital, then that’s where we’re going. All of us,” Meera said pointedly. Her gaze flicked to me, daring me to object.

Most of my interactions with Bamaria’s former Heir Apparent had been in the last year, when she was weakened from visions. But I could see the flare of who she’d been before. The Meera who might have become Arkasva and High Lady.

Lyr’s own aura still felt faint, but a sudden burst of heat rose off her skin as if in response.

“Yes. We’re all going,” Lyr said, and turned in my lap, her gaze intense. “Now we know for sure she’s there. We’re going to get her back.”

“We will, I swear,” I promised. “And if Aemon’s headed there, too, maybe we’ll take Moriel down as well.” There was a violent edge to my words I couldn’t hide. Ever since I’d seen that bastard whip Lyr, I’d barely been able to stomach looking at him. And now that I knew the truth, knew he was evil, my hatred for him had grown.

“We need a plan. We should leave Glemaria tomorrow. First thing,” Lyr said. “We need to forge a path south to the capital. Then we’ll find a way in.”

My throat tightened, but as Lyr leaned forward, trying to stand, I let her go, my arms falling to my sides. She was steadier on her feet than I’d expected, but as I reached for her hand, the cold still clung to her skin.

“Lyr, wait,” I said. “We can’t just leave Glemaria.”

Her hazel eyes flared with anger, the golden flecks molten. “What do you mean? That’s what we’ve been discussing for days. We have to. It’s been almost two and a half years. And every second we wait, is another second she’s tortured.”

I’d seen the determination and fire in Lyr’s eyes, the moment the shock wore off, she’d become obsessed. Nothing was going to stop her from rescuing her cousin. Nothing was going to stop me from doing the same. I’d do anything for Lyriana. I’d crawl through the fires of hell for her. But this was more than that. Jules was my friend, too. I cared for her, too. She’d been there for me at a time when I’d had no one. I also needed to get her out of there. Needed to protect her.

And I fucking would.

But, not at the cost of Lyr’s life. And if I knew Jules, she wouldn’t want that either. She’d been just as protective of Lyriana as I was.

I squeezed her hand, still careful to keep my aura pulled back. “Partner,” I said softly. “I’d go get her this second if I could. I’d travel into the Palace, jump into every room until I found her, kill everyone who’d laid a hand on her.” My voice rose with the truth of my words, my rage boiling under the surface of my skin. “But it’s not going to be that simple. There’s going to be far more than the wards of the Palace and the Emperor’s soturi guarding her. Especially now. I need to tell you both something I heard this morning. I think it’s related to your vision.”

Lyr’s eyes widened, a quick glance to Meera before turning back to me.

I rose to my feet. “The Emperor’s trying to do damage control right now. With …” I coughed, hating bringing this up. “With Brockton’s death, and the fact that you’re both missing, as well as Morgana, and … well, me … people are talking. Public perception is that Imperator Kormac doesn’t have control over the South. Between the Imperator’s failings, all the akadim attacks, and the unsecured transfers of power, rumors are spreading, and political protests are breaking out. Rioting, even. And it’s becoming increasingly known that Aemon hasn’t made contact with Lumeria in days. It makes the Emperor look like he picked the wrong man to lead. From what I understand, my father’s at the helm of making sure these stories spread. If I know him, he’s encouraging, if not outright funding, some of the riots. He thrives on civil unrest, especially if he can blame the violence on a rival. The Emperor plans to distract everyone while Imperator Kormac cleans up the mess,” I said.

“While he tries to find us you mean,” Lyr said, her eyes meeting mine. “Tries to find me.”

“That, too.” My fingers flexed violently at the thought. At the idea of Imperator Kormac getting his hands on her. On actually marrying her to that gryphon-shit ass of a son he’d spawned.

Over my dead body.

I nodded wearily. “In a month, at the end of winter, the Emperor will be hosting a Valabellum for Asherah’s Feast Day.”

Meera squinted. “What? A Valabellum? But those are … they’re—”

“Barbaric?” I offered. “Old-fashioned?” I laughed, the sound grim. “My father did something similar after an akadim attack here. It proved to be quite a distraction.” And a tragedy. It was the event that made me forsworn. I could feel my blood heating at just the thought of that day.

“Your father held a Valabellum?” Lyr asked.

My throat tightened, as I threaded my fingers through hers. She still didn’t know the whole story. “Something else. An Alissedari. The fight takes place on gryphon-back. To end it, only one person has to die.” I bit back a sudden burst of nausea. Memories of that day felt more visceral than they had in the year since it happened. They’d plagued me ever since we’d crossed the Glemarian border. That day was threaded into the scent of pine in the air, in the cold breezes I felt, and every time a gryphon roared. I squeezed Lyr’s hand, remembering that what we were about to face was somehow worse. “An Alissedari is tame in comparison. I never thought I’d think of that event as merciful.”

I felt suddenly wholly naked and vulnerable in a way that I hadn’t been before with Lyr. Like she could see what had happened to me. And even worse, see the horrible things I’d done. See all the ways I failed. I had to tell her everything. She deserved to know. But I was still afraid this would be what made her see me differently.

“Are you sure?” she asked carefully. “The Emperor’s really hosting a full Valabellum?”

“Yes. It was all anyone was discussing today, everywhere I patrolled. They’re already recruiting soturi for the fights, and casting the roles.”

“Casting?” Lyr asked in disgust. “Lumerians are auditioning for this?”

I nodded grimly.

The Valabellum was a reenactment of the War of Light, simultaneously a proper soturion fight, and a theatrical play. Dozens of battles would be staged throughout the arena. But unlike a habibellum, which was merely practice, this was a fight to the death. In the final event, seven soturi took on the roles of the seven Guardians. Asherah, Auriel, Cassarya, Hava, Ereshya, Shiviel, and Moriel. Anyone could die in the lead up, and many would. Each fight represented one of the battles told in the Valya where endless numbers of Lumerians perished. There were no rules in the fight, no limits and many risked death by nightfall. But there was one death above all that was guaranteed.

In the final fight, whoever played Moriel was expected to die. Historically, it had been considered an honorable role to play. A worthy sacrifice.

It was a call back to the earliest days in Lumeria Matavia–when the Gods could still come down to earth at will. Dying wasn’t a big deal back then, bodies could be shed and then regrown at will. Killing would have been a spectacle, brutal, and shocking. But ultimately meaningless, because the dead would reappear in a new body the next day. At least, for a while that was what happened. After enough time had passed, around the time the Valalumir had been created, the deaths began to stick. And those who’d planned to return to Heaven were stuck, living until old age in their mortal forms. Those who’d died, remained dead, their souls lost until they were reborn as another—with no memories of their past life. When Asherah and Auriel were banished, most Lumerians were already trapped.

“Those who are meant to die in the arena will no doubt be assigned carefully,” I said. “I would expect the Emperor and his elites to have picked out their sacrifices before even announcing the games.” The role of Moriel would be given as punishment. Some Arkasva would pay a lot of money to see their chosen enemy killed in such a way.

Lyr’s face fell. “That means Lumerians from all over the Empire will be traveling to Numeria. Including the Imperators.”

“There’s going to be an increased presence of soturi everywhere,” I said, “and far too many of them know our faces. It’s not just going to make it harder for us to get to the Palace, but nearly impossible to get inside,” I said. “And even if I find Jules …”

Lyr swallowed roughly. “You’ll have to get her out yourself.”

I frowned, nodding. I couldn’t jump holding two people at once, much as I’d tried.

“Even so, we need to get closer. We need to learn the grounds as soon as possible,” Lyr said. “Inside and out. We have to know the schedule of everyone who works and lives there. We’re going to need to get access somehow to the blueprints of the Palace, too. Find out exactly where they’re keeping Jules.”

Meera shook her head. “Blueprints like that aren’t going to be available to the public.”

“They’re not,” Lyr said. “But some were stored in the preservation rooms in the Great Library.”

“Bamaria’s out of the question,” I said. “But, the Library of Glemaria has copies. I know where they’re kept. They might not be up-to-date, or reveal every secret. But it’s a start.”

“Let’s go then,” Lyr said, her voice almost hopeful. “Can you bring me there? Now?”

“We can’t,” I said. “Not right now. Lyr, you’re still not recovered from the healing you’ve done. You’re freezing. I’m not taking you anywhere until your body temperature returns to normal. And I’m certainly not letting you out of this cave until you’ve rested. Now lie down.”

She scoffed. “Are you serious right now? I can’t do that. I won’t. Now that I know for sure where she is? That I know we only have a month?” Her voice rose. “Morgana and Aemon are going to be there. And if we’re not faster than them, we might never get her back.”

Just like Asherah.

The thought came unbidden. A sudden memory unlocked. My Goddess was fiery and headstrong, protective to a fault. And she was quick to sacrifice herself for the ones she loved. For me. For Auriel.

Fuck. Hadn’t that been all that Lyr had done the last two years? Hiding her cuts and bruises as she took care of Meera alone, as she healed her and protected her, vision after vision. Then she’d taken care of Morgana, too. Had barely slept those first few weeks of training while she was trying to be everything to everyone.

That same exact personality trait that had cost Auriel his soulmate.

The sorrow and grief I’d remembered in my vision and in my dream was now pulsing through me. The loss was ancient, but it suddenly felt too fresh and near. I could feel the loss of Asherah, and right at that moment, it felt as if I was losing Lyr. It was like a warning. One I would heed. I would never let anything happen to her again.

“We are going to rescue Jules,” I said urgently. Lyr hugged her arms around herself, her face full of anguish, her eyes refusing to meet mine. “Lyr. Hey! Look at me. Look. Partner, look at me. We are!”

She looked but shook her head. “Really? Partner?” she spat.

“Yes. Me sha , me ka , Lyriana .” I pressed my fist to my heart, tapping it twice before I flattened my palm against my chest. “We will. But we’re never going to get her back if we don’t do this right.” My voice was harder than I’d meant.

Lyr’s nostrils flared. “And who says you’re the one to decide which way is right? That you’re in charge? Because you were named my apprentice? But you forget, I have my magic now. I’m stronger than I ever was before. I can fight. You know I can.”

“Not this second you can’t!” I hissed.

“For just going to the library?” she yelled. “Gods, Rhyan.” Her aura snapped with annoyance. “You’re not actually in charge here.” Her voice lowered. “I’m not in your bed right now.”

“Godsdamnit, Lyr! I’m still your apprentice!”

“But not my Arkturion!” she spat. “I never signed up to be part of your legion!”

“That’s not what I—fuck.” I took a step back, trying to calm my racing heart before I said something to make it worse. “Lyr, listen to me. Please. We’re not just going to a library. This isn’t Bamaria, and we’re no longer Heirs. Soturi from both ends of the Empire are hunting us. We have to be ready for anything, ready to fight. Get in, find what we need, and get out. This isn’t a library visit. It’s a battle. And anything can go wrong.”

“Lyr, Rhyan’s right,” Meera said softly.

There was a dangerous flash in Lyriana’s eyes as she looked at her sister. Something silent passed between them.

“Lyr?” I asked.

Her aura darkened, her face twisting, moving from anger to something that looked very much like heartbreak. “You didn’t see what I saw,” she said quietly. “The lion … Jules … the terror in its eyes, her voice ... ” Her eyes watered. “We can’t leave her like that.”

She was closing in on herself. I knew that look. She was close to a panic attack. Forgetting to breathe.

“Lyr.” I stepped into her space, and pulled her into my arms, rubbing my hands up and down her back, breathing slowly for her. It was a good sign that she let me, that she didn’t pull away. Those were her worst times—when she wouldn’t even let me help. When I had to coax her into receiving even basic comfort. She was so angry with me just now, I wasn’t sure she’d let me. But thank the Gods, she did. I kissed the top of her head. “I swear on my life, we are going to get her back. All right? You trust me, don’t you?”

She exhaled sharply, then her arms tightened around me and she nodded, burying her face in my chest. “I do.”

“I trust you, too. We will succeed. But with a plan. The stakes are too high. If we’re entering the capital, there can be no mistakes. We’re not going to get a second chance. Neither is Jules. For her sake, we need to do this right.”

Her arms tightened around me in response.

And I took a deep breath. “We do have to leave this cave before tonight though,” I said. “My father’s men will reach these cliffs by sunset, and I’d rather not test the wards against the number of soldiers I counted.”

“Where are we going?” Meera asked.

“There’s another cave I know. It’s at the base of a cluster of mountains, outside the eastern villages. And it’s close to the library. I scouted the landscape this morning and it was empty. It’s farther east, which is good—the soturi I scouted are coming from the west. Once we’re there, we’ll be able to reach the border fairly quickly when we need to leave.”

Which meant I’d have less far to jump. Something I needed to be mindful of with every move we made. Traveling now meant covering the distance three times. Once carrying Meera, once returning back for Lyr, and then a third trip, carrying her with me. It was starting to wear me down, far more than I wanted to admit.

“ After we travel tonight, and I rest, we go to the library,” Lyr said.

I offered a small smile. “As long as the coast is clear, we’ll go. We’ll look for the blueprints and anything else that might help.”

“Thank you,” Meera said. “I saw you brought some vegetables back. I’m going to make some stew for everyone to eat before we leave. And Lyr,” Her eyes lingered on her sister, “Rest.” Meera’s expression hardened, before she turned and left us alone.

“How soon can we go?” Lyr asked, her eyes searching mine.

I slid my hand up through the back of her tunic, to the nape of her neck. Still cold. My fingers pushed into her pressure points, squeezing and kneading the tensed muscles.

“We’re not going,” I said firmly. “Not unless you actually rest.”

She shook out of my hold. “Gods, Rhyan! You don’t get to decide that. We’re on equal ground here. Partners, remember? This isn’t the fucking chain of command!”

“Lyr,” I growled. Gods, we’d just gone over this. “Auriel’s fucking bane.” I froze. My chest tightened. It felt strange to say that now.

Lyr paled. “I am actually, aren’t I?” She gave a shaky laugh, a nervous, profoundly sad smile spreading across her face.

“No. No. That’s not what I meant. We are partners. And you’re strong as hell. It’s not about that. Okay? I just … please rest. With me. Do it for me. Because …” I swallowed, still finding it difficult to admit weakness, even in front of her. “Because I need it.”

Her eyes searched mine, and I watched as she examined my face, frowning. Finally, she nodded in agreement.

Maybe I looked worse than I realized. It didn’t matter. She’d agreed. I could practically sigh in relief now that she was safe in my arms again. Seeing her face covered in blood had distracted me from my own exhaustion. But now that everything had slowed down, I could feel just how affected I was, feel it down to my bones. I desperately needed to close my eyes. And I wanted Lyr’s body wrapped around mine when I did, even if we were fighting.

I reached behind her knees, and scooped her into my arms, walking us both back to our bed. Laying her down, I carefully pulled the stack of blankets away from the fire. Then I crawled in behind her, gathering my cloak over us. My arms wrapped over and under her, holding her against me, our legs tangled together.

Her breath began to slow, her shoulders delicately rising and falling. I reached beneath her shirt again, splaying my hand across her belly, reveling in how soft her skin was. In how she was finally starting to warm. She made a soft noise of satisfaction and snuggled closer against me.

“I hate fighting with you,” she murmured.

“I hate it, too,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”

“Me, too.”

My heart pounded, as I dared to ask the other question in my mind. “Lyr? Will you promise me something?”

“What?” She snuck her hand over mine, holding it beneath her top.

“With this new ability to heal …” I trailed off, my eyes burning as it all hit me at once. What she could do now was amazing. Miraculous. And yet, nothing could be more dangerous for someone like her, someone who cared so much for the ones she loved. Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to give her life for another. Someone who had died in a past life doing just that.

It scared me so fucking much. Both times she’d called on her kashonim with Asherah, it had drained her. And this? This was a direct connection to the Valalumir, a celestial force not even capable of withstanding the earthly plane. The Valalumir was the most powerful light in existence, but here, it was in crystal form, and broken into pieces, with one exception. The one slice of the Red Ray, burning inside Lyr, inside her incredibly mortal body.

Gods, I wanted to reach inside of her, toss out that damned contract, hug her to me and never let go. I wanted to keep her safe. Keep her warm. Forever. But I had to settle for this. Just holding her to me. And asking. Begging.

“Rhyan?” she said, her voice was heavy, already coated with oncoming sleep.

“Promise me something,” I said. “Promise you’ll be careful. That you won’t overextend yourself with the healing. Use it sparingly. Only if you absolutely must. That’s all. That’s all I wanted to ask.”

She didn’t answer.

“Partner?” I said.

But she’d already fallen asleep, her breathing slowing, deep, and even. I leaned forward, suddenly aware that my own energy felt restored. My eyes had been drooping, but now I was all at once, completely wide awake. Like my tiredness had been taken. Like I’d been healed.

A small golden glow emanated from beneath her tunic.

Shit. My stomach turned, guilt and worry warring inside of me.

I laid my head down, and listened to her breathe, my heart pounding as I watched the fires burn.