Chapter 26
Elariya
“Vyrenth Hollow Awaits”
Wolfe and I roamed the skies for one blissful hour.
I wished we could have stayed suspended in that ethereal space forever, but he decided to take me back to the ship when a light rain began to fall.
Although we'd breached the Veil, we still had a little while yet until we arrived in Galaythia.
At least I was feeling a hundred times better. There was still weakness threading through my body, but absorbing the magic had restored and rejuvenated me. I was even able to walk when Wolfe placed me back in my room.
He left me with the order to rest, so I did, and I fell asleep again. When I woke, which couldn't have been too long after, Arielle and Sirril stood at my bedside like gentle guardians.
Arielle had brought a beautiful royal-blue dress for me to wear, and Sirril made me that cinnamon porridge I loved.
“How are you feeling?” Arielle asked, her eyes scanning me with practiced concern.
I sat up straighter and rested against the bedframe. “I feel a lot better.” The extra sleep seemed to have given me an added boost.
“You'll start to feel even better as the day wears on.”
“The color has already returned to your cheeks,” Sirril chirped in his hearty voice, setting the porridge on the nightstand with careful precision. “I'll see you both once we dock.”
“Thank you. And see you soon,” I told him.
Sirril bowed and sauntered away. Arielle stepped closer when he walked through the door, her remaining presence a reassurance I never expected to feel.
“Are you still in pain?”
“Not so much. I just feel a little lightheaded and drained.”
“That should hopefully pass by tomorrow.”
“Thanks for the dress.” I glanced at the garment she'd laid at the bottom of the bed. “It's very pretty.”
“It's one of my favorites. I thought you would like it, too.”
“I do.” I nodded.
“Thank goodness we're the same size.” It was a light joke, but I sensed the unease lurking beyond her smile.
I could see she was still trying to be a friend. Through the night, while I drifted in and out of fevered sleep, I heard her healing me with whispered spells and felt her tending to my wounds with gentle hands.
I'd almost thought I'd never see her, or anyone again, but every time I felt her presence it gave me hope. She and Garrick had been with me the whole time until I drifted into solid sleep.
“Thanks for taking care of me last night.”
She flicked her wrist as if to say it was nothing. “Of course. I'm sorry I couldn't stop the Ruskiel before things got that far. I'd never seen one before.”
“Are they rare? I hope they are because I never want to see one again.” The memory of the monstrous witch with her giant tentacles would always make my skin crawl.
Arielle released a heavy sigh and nodded. “Thankfully, they are very rare. Except for Wolfe, none of the other guys have seen one, which makes it even stranger that we encountered one last night.”
My core clenched with unease. That was quite odd. What were the chances of seeing something so rare? Then again, how often did humans sail through the Veil? Wolfe had said Ruskiels were attracted to those with mortal blood the most. Perhaps that increased our chances of seeing one.
Gods, I hoped my humanity wouldn't attract any more unwanted attention. I didn’t have the mental strength to deal with anything else.
“Don't worry,” Arielle spoke quickly, probably seeing the fear flickering in my eyes. “I've heard of all sorts happening in the Tideheart. That was just one of them. We shouldn't have any more encounters like that while we're in Galaythia. Not unless we go looking for trouble, which we won't.”
“That makes me feel a little better. Are you okay?”
The question surprised her at first, then she seemed touched by it. “I am, thank you for asking.”
“I... would have helped you.” I thought it was important she knew that. “Even if I didn't know how. I would have tried.”
Warmth brightened her face, and she reached forward to rest her hand on my knuckles. “I appreciate that.”
“It would have been the least I could do. I was the one who attracted the creature.”
“Do not blame yourself for that. It's just one of those unfortunate incidents.”
“It certainly was.”
She picked up the tray with the porridge and set it in my lap with care. “Eat and get dressed. Food will make you feel stronger. I'll come back in a little while and we can go over the plans for today.”
“Could you give me an idea of what we'll be doing? I’m a little nervous.” That was putting it lightly.
“Sure. We'll be docking in Galaythia in a few minutes. We'll head to Vyrenth Hollow, Wolfe's home, and basically take things easy for the next two days. I'll be with you the whole time, helping you to restore your magic and your health.”
That sounded doable, almost too good to be true. “So, we're not going to just jump into the tracking spell straightaway?”
“No.” She smirked. “Even Wolfe knows he'd be risking failure if we attempted any sort of spell with you so weak. It's in his best interest that you rest.”
My stomach flip-flopped at the mention of Wolfe, his name sending an unwelcome thrill through me. “Resting sounds good.”
“I hope to have you at least feeling your magic again by the end of the day.”
My eyes widened at the prospect. “Really? Could you truly do that?”
“I think I could.” The proud smile that graced her face promised she'd do her best. “Eat now and get ready.”
“I will. See you in a little while.”
She dipped her head and left. I inhaled a sharp breath, still feeling the magic in the air even in here. It clung to everything like invisible silk. I tucked into the porridge, my body and mind thanking me for the sustenance.
I finished eating and changed into the dress Arielle left. The royal blue fabric felt like liquid against my skin, transforming me into someone who might actually belong in this magical realm.
Looking at myself in the mirror was a good feeling. I’d been through a lot, nearly died, but there was an inner glow in my expression that looked like happiness. It was strange given the circumstances but it felt right.
By the time I finished fixing my hair the ship had docked.
I thought I'd see Wolfe again, but he was nowhere to be seen once I stepped off the ship.
Accompanying me were Arielle, Garrick, and Sirril. Wolfe and the other Bloodsworn weren’t around. It wasn't until Garrick uttered a spell that made the ship fade into the air before us that I realized they'd left. He'd left.
I wanted to ask for Wolfe, ask when I'd be seeing him again, but I felt it would seem strange. Too desperate, too revealing of the confusion he'd stirred within me.
Somehow, I had a sinking feeling that the little connection we'd shared earlier was a hello and goodbye moment rolled into one. A brief glimpse of something that would never be allowed to bloom.
I sensed that things would be very different now that we'd reached our destination. This was obviously the start of it.
There would be no almost kisses, hand holding, or enchanting bathtubs to give me comfort. No more stolen moments where I could pretend this was anything other than what it was.
It made sense. After all, Wolfe Nightblade was my captor. I was his prisoner here in Galaythia. Not a guest. No matter what happened, no matter how my treacherous heart reacted to his presence, I needed to remember those things.
“Don't worry, my Lady, the ship will return when we need it,” Garrick explained, mistaking my sullen expression for surprise at the ship's disappearance.
I schooled my thoughts immediately. Watching an entire ship disappear was exactly the sort of thing that should surprise me. It did. But thinking about Wolfe had momentarily overshadowed my shock.
“Where did it go?”
“To be serviced.” He grinned, crossing thick tattooed arms over his chest.
“And probably to sulk somewhere private.” Arielle chimed in with a shake of her head. “They have to service it after every voyage because the poor ship is always in desperate need of recuperation after a round with them. I'm surprised it hasn't sailed away and left you all stranded.”
This was the second time I'd noticed how inanimate objects were treated like living things here. I liked that. It felt respectful. A recognition that magic breathed life into everything.
“You do realize that A. we have wings to fly wherever we want, and B. the ship is bound to its captain.” Garrick smirked with cocky male confidence.
“My Lady, the ship would never betray Lord Nightblade and leave him stranded,” Sirril cut in with absolute certainty.
“It might consider it with the crazy way you guys train. There were sword shards all over the hub,” Arielle scoffed, but there was fondness in her exasperation.
“I think you're just bitter because you don't get to see Bastian when we're away.”
Garrick's taunt hit the mark, and Arielle's cheeks flushed a deep beetroot red that made her look younger, more vulnerable.
I'd gathered, from mere observation, that she and Bastian seemed to be a couple. I wasn't entirely sure, though.
It was the way he'd flown after her when the Ruskiel trapped her in that sphere. His actions spoke of someone who jumped into action when a loved one teetered on the brink of life or death.
“That is not why. And I'm not bitter.” Arielle's voice carried just enough edge to prove she absolutely was.
“Then maybe you're pissed because Wolfe left me in charge.”
“You're not in charge of me, Garrick Galwyther.”
“I beg to differ, but I think you'll find that I am.” His tone oozed the decadent charm of princes and noblemen.
“Orders directly from Wolfe himself. So, if Elariya needs anything, anything at all, she's to see me.” He winked at me playfully, revealing a side to him I hadn't seen before—lighter, more boyish.
While Arielle rolled her eyes at him and shook her head in defeat, I gave him a polite smile.
“Don't mind him.” Arielle tugged on my arm with sisterly protectiveness.