Chapter 45
Chapter
Forty-Five
EVIE
“ S top it,” I muttered as Adara, Leesa, and I ventured back toward the Merchants’ Prefecture.
With the roads now devoid of guards, the civilians seemed happier and more relaxed, smiling and still cheering in the streets at the mere mention of the war, which still didn’t have an official name.
Some called it the Serpents’ Surrender, others preferred the Obsidian Obliteration. Neither had the right ring to them.
All agreed we were once again safe–which wasn’t right at all.
The Dragon had returned victorious.
The Serpents had suffered a horrible defeat and were still looking for the remains of their monstrous snakes.
The supplies were once again flowing in the Capital. Apparently, the granaries hadn’t been as empty as the Sages and advisors had led us to believe. Lord Valenthir had been accused of syphoning the barley reserves to his brewery and selling the surplus to the Fair Isles, helped by the Port Master’s ships.
Valenthir had vanished, presumed runaway. Adara had pointed out one of the rows in his garden had risen suspiciously in the dead of night, in a shape that very much resembled that of a human.
His disappearance would be investigated eventually, after all the other crimes were judged.
It was a joyous day indeed.
But even though the war was won, the real battle hadn’t ended.
Not all of the Sages had been involved in the machinations–or had been too clever to leave a trace. Banu and Valuta’s foundation hadn’t been rocked sufficiently.
Even today, I’d heard civilian prayers blessing the royal family and the advisors, who’d been misled by the greedy, cruel Sages.
The Senate had taken my place as the scapegoat in their schemes. Banu and Valuta must have been truly desperate.
“I haven’t said anything,” Adara said.
“I can feel you judging,” I said.
“I always judge.”
“Do it to someone else for once.”
“Can’t. Leesa is about as impeccable as a human can be.”
Leesa blushed. “Aww, that’s so nice, thank–”
“You’re too nice,” Adara said with a smile. “There, I judged someone else. Now let’s get back to you.”
I rolled my eyes, tucking my hood further down my forehead. Now that The Dragon had returned and everyone knew it, I could take a break from the curious stares, at least for one day.
With him back, some of the weight on my shoulders had already vanished.
It was comforting to not have to carry the responsibilities by myself anymore, even as his close presence distracted me constantly. The bond was stronger than ever.
Meeting in our dreams must have tightened that chord–or me swallowing his blood during our kiss of death, as he’d called it, had done the trick.
I hadn’t checked. I’d avoided being alone with him since he’d returned the day before, like a coward. Like a confused, childish coward.
He’d noticed it, but had kept his tongue. I felt his patience dwindling, though.
I felt him everywhere . All the damn time.
Right now, he was facing the Senate of Sages and simmering with rage.
“We should wait,” Adara finally snapped as we hurried across the bridge. “The Dragon has just returned.”
“Which means we can now proceed with the plan without fearing we’ll be thrown in jail or flayed alive.”
Unsurprisingly, I hadn’t seen Nylen since that day of my mock trial in the port. A shame, really. The Dragon would have loved a chat with him.
“We still need to be careful,” Adara cautioned. “The advisors will retaliate.”
“They will, but we can’t ignore this opportunity.” I quickened my steps. As if that could help me evade Adara’s questioning eyes. “All the Sages, including dear old Beryn, are wetting themselves in front of The Dragon right now. We can finally visit Isalyth in peace.”
There was a weird sense of justice in how Isalyth and I used each other’s skills–and I had one more piece of information against the advisors that I needed to deliver.
As we neared the edge of the bridge, two hooded figures rushed toward us. My senses ignited in tune with the flick of my switchblade, as Adara tensed next to me.
Shock overtook my worry as I noticed the graceful gait of one of them. I could detect it anywhere–after all, those elegant feet had trampled all over my heart.
“Kaya?” I asked, lowering my weapon. “What in Xamor’s name are you doing outside Phoenix Peak?”
“Warning you. The guards wouldn’t let me anywhere near the meeting to alert Zandyr.” She pushed her hood back. I gasped as I saw the state of her. Kaya was nothing but skin clinging desperately to bones. Harsh, deep bags hung under her eyes. It was a miracle she was still standing. “Go back to the citadel. Hurry!”
I shook my head. “What are you–”
“You need to leave, Evie,” Kaya said urgently. Gods, she was so thin. “Hate me, hate him if you must. But get back behind the wall. You’re not safe here. My parents are planning–”
Kaya never finished.
A great boom shook the entire Capital.
No.
It shook the bridge we stood on.
The stones underneath my feet trembled. My senses blared, pumping my feet into a run. But only half my steps met solid ground–the rest jolted through nothing but air.
I wouldn’t make it to the ledge.
The edge of the gorge was rushing out of my reach.
A hand shot out and gave me the final push I needed to hit the rim. My chest collided with the hard rock, crushing the air out of my lungs. My fingers dug into the pavement grooves hard enough to draw blood, as I dangled in the air.
I was not dying today.
I barely had time to see Adara and Leesa crouching on the ledge, safe, before Vexa’s horrified scream drowned out everything else.
I looked behind me. My heart plummeted to the bottom of the gorge as I saw Kaya falling.