CHAPTER 44 CORY
I smell Mili before I see her, sensing the frantic energy coursing through her veins from her heightened scent. My eyes narrow with focus as I turn to spot her half-running through the field to find me.
She nearly crashes into me, panting slightly from the sprint, and I quickly lift my arms to her own and ask, “What happened?”
“I have to find Aurora,” she blurts out. “I think she’s the one that broke the dam.”
My eyes harden as I ask, “Are you sure?”
Mili nods. “Yes, but I don’t know where she is. Do you know how to locate someone?”
Godsdamnit. That’s one of the spells I’m least versed in; since I spent so much time in the volcano, my parents never insisted I study it. I shake my head, trying not to show my sudden irritation with myself, but Mili doesn’t seem to notice.
“That’s alright. I’m sure Chrysthinia does.” I nod, humming, and start to set off along the path to Chrysthinia’s. Mili grabs my arm in hers and stops me, saying, “Wait, Cory. I’m going alone.”
“Ha!” I guffaw. “You’re funny. Come along now.”
Mili hisses and steps in front of me. I stare down at her, arching an eyebrow, and try to suppress the rush of sexual tension that courses through me from our sudden standoff.
“I mean it,” she states, planting her feet firmly. “It’s Aurora , she’s not going to talk to me if you’re there. I made Max and Port stay behind, too.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, good thing I’m not Port or Max, then, isn’t it?”
Spinning Mili around with my hands, I begin to walk both of us down the path to Chrysthinia’s. Mili groans, but allows me to lead her. I feel a glimmer of some kind of pride in my chest; as much as I hate to admit it, it feels good to have moments like these with just the two of us.
The group dynamic is special, no doubt about that, but there’s something electric between Mili and me. Maybe it’s because I’m not afraid to call her out when she’s wrong, or maybe it’s because she challenges me in a way nobody else can. Whatever it is, I’m glad for it.
And thank the Realm’s Mother she’s not walking into this encounter with Aurora completely alone.
We arrive at Chrysthinia’s, and they hurry putting the spell together. They pull out a translucent gold scrying orb, and my eyes wander over it appraisingly. I find myself wondering how a village wizard gets their hands on such a valuable piece of magick, but my thoughts are interrupted by Chrysthinia beginning the location.
Mili and I hold hands as Chrysthinia chants:
She may be far, she may be near.
Find her footsteps, find her hands.
She must be there, she is not here.
She will be found, she will appear.
As Chrysthinia’s eyes twitch, closed firmly as they rest their hands on either side of the scrying orb, a wavering image of a blonde faery forms in the magickal sphere. My eyes widen with insuppressible interest in the spell, but Mili kneels with focus and gazes into the orb.
The image within the orb sharpens and the image of a decrepit driftwood cabin forms around Aurora’s shining yellow hair. I purse my lips together in thought: where are there cabins of that age in Ethelinda?
Mili looks similarly focused, although her gaze drifts up to the ceiling as she begins to think through what, exactly the orb is showing us. Chrysthinia sighs, the spell completed, and taps their finger on the orb nonchalantly, mapping out the room it’s showing us.
I don’t know how in the Realm they can be so casual about such a powerful piece of magick; it’s as impressive as it is irksome. I shake the thoughts out of my head and turn back to Mili.
Her eyes are closed, scrunched together, but they fly open after a moment. She turns to Chrysthinia with a grin, “She’s in the South!”
Chrysthinia hums approvingly. “You remembered the old village, hm?”
“Thank the gods I did, too,” Mili sighs. “I have to go to her.”
“I’m coming, too,” I announce, crossing my arms sternly.
Mili rolls her eyes and replies, “Nobody said you weren’t, silly.”
At that, I feel my ears redden with a tinge of embarrassment, but I force myself to scowl and pretend not to mind her words. “Well, let’s go, then.”
“Alright, charmer,” Mili winks, smirking. I swear this woman can see right through me .
Chrysthinia walks us both back out of their cottage, and Mili waves nervously as we leave. The wizard nods sagely at her, and some unspoken understanding seems to pass between them. Mili stands a little taller after that as we fly above the road to the Southern beach.
–––
When we finally arrive at the beach, several hours later, the Sun is falling low in the sky. The two of us land quietly on the sand, and I turn to squeeze Mili’s shoulder gently in what I hope comes across as a reassuring gesture. Luckily, Mili turns to smile softly at me, appreciative.
She bites her lip, then, and I tilt my head in a silent question. “I want to go in alone, Cory.”
I sigh. “I was worried you’d say that.”
“I mean it,” she frowns. “Aurora won’t talk to me if you’re there.”
“We’ll make her,” I snarl. “After she almost destroyed the entire town, it’s the least she can do.”
Mili scoffs and crosses her arms. “You can’t just intimidate someone into a conversation, Cory.”
I hate to admit it, but I know she’s right. A moment passes, and it’s clear she can tell that I know she’s right. Still, my pride stings from being left behind, and I growl back, “If she hurts you–”
“She won’t.”
“If she does,” I continue, growing heated just at the thought, “I reserve the right to storm in there and show her exactly who she’s messing with.”
Mili purses her lips. I don’t know how she’s going to respond – was I too aggressive? Did I scare her away? Does she see me as the violent dragon they all think I am? –but after a moment, she sighs and nods. “Fine.”
I can’t hide my surprise. “Fine?”
“If anyone hurt you or the other shifters, I wouldn’t know what to do. I’m a peaceful person, but that would – it would be hard to keep my usual composure.”
I nod, mind reeling from these words. Mili, who I can’t imagine hurting a fly, would defend Max, Port, and me? Perhaps we have more in common than I thought.
“You understand, then,” I say slowly.
Mili nods, her expression growing hard with resolve. “I’ll be back, okay?”
I nod, but don’t let myself kiss her. If I touch her now, I’ll never let her go again. I watch as she enters the small beach hut, where I found Aurora by sensing her scent. My shoulders tense with stress and agitation, and I roll my neck to try to calm myself down.
Minutes pass.
Then more minutes pass.
The Sun grows low on the horizon, and I decide that if Mili hasn’t come out by the time it falls completely, I’ll storm into the cabin, decorum be damned. Luckily, she slips out the front door a moment later, and I restrain myself from rushing over to her.
She hurries over to me and sighs, “Let’s get the Realm out of here.”
We fly back to Ethelinda, but Mili lands before we turn from the path leading to the forest back to the town. I frown, but land with her, wondering what she’s stopping for.
“What happened, Milica?” I ask, looking deep into her eyes for some explanation.
She shakes her head, eyes shining, and steps to bury her face in my chest. I wrap my arms around her, lowering my chin until it’s resting on the crown of her head, and rub circles into her lower back.
“She was so angry , Cory.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
She pulls back, wiping a single tear from her eyes. She looks heartbroken, but I can tell she’s doing her best to keep it under wraps. I brush her cheek with my thumb, and she leans into my touch, lip quivering slightly.
She sighs shakily and continues, “She’s just different. Colder. It ... it scared me.”
“Oh, Mili,” I sigh, wrapping my arms around her again.
“Eventually,” she speaks into my chest. “She admitted that she broke the dam, although she said she didn’t realize how much damage it would cause. She wouldn’t tell me why she did it, but she said that Kar gave her the idea.”
I’m struck with such sudden rage that my voice sounds unlike my own as I growl out, “Kar?”
Mili winces. “I wasn’t surprised, per se, but it did alarm me.”
I straighten, pulling back to gaze into her face. “I’ll go find him.”
“Cory–” she starts, eyes widening.
“It’s safer than you coming with me. It’s Kar , for the Realm’s sake. He might try to harm you, Mili. I won’t let that happen.” The words come out steely and firm, and Mili stares up at me with pursed lips.
“What if you can’t find him?” she whispers.
I can’t let myself think that’s possible. I straighten my shoulders and shake my head. “I will.”
Together, we walk to the cottage, where Max and Port are waiting for Mili. Port quickly pulls her into a hug, and Max watches awkwardly – I’ve got to work on him with his confidence around Mili , I think to myself. Mili turns to me, a pained expression on her face, but I stay emotionless and strong.
Then I head to the woods.