Chapter 24
WHO IS YOUR DADDY?
Gavrel
We crashed unceremoniously, soft grass breaking our fall. I squinted against the sky, so blue and bright, after being trapped in a world of darkness.
Groaning, I pushed to my feet, every inch of my body a throbbing bruise. My gaze swept the training field, heart clenching, then easing.
No Phobetor. No Melina.
Relief warred with frustration within me.
“I lost them,” Seryn murmured at my side.
I pulled her into my arms. “We did. But not for long.”
She pressed her forehead into my chest, drawing slow, deliberate breaths until the tension fell from her shoulders.
Therrok squinted, eyeing the distant barracks and the electric hues of the Reverie Weald. Thesa walked along the rail-and-post fence by the cliff. Pip darted in circles around the vryka, squeaking gleefully.
Maya sat up, lashes shimmering with unshed tears. Breena offered a hand, helping her to her feet. Seryn wrapped her mother in a hug.
Holding her daughter at arm’s length, Maya’s thumb and forefinger tugged at Seryn’s amulet. With a grin, she let it drop. “You did it, Little Star.”
The corners of my lips curled at the nickname. I rubbed the back of Seryn’s neck, fingers toying with the chain.
Seryn glanced at me with a soft smile. “It’s the Shadowvault Amulet. It traps embers.”
Breena snorted. “Modest shite. She fought the Minotaur. Fought a cunty, Nyxvein version of herself in front of Melina’s khorda and the rest of Nekrionn, in an Ancients-damned pit her primeval grandmother smashed into existence.
Then she gobbled up Melina’s aura and locked it in there.
” Sucking in a breath, Breena jabbed the air with both forefingers.
“Oh, and let’s not forget she just made Phobetor piss ’imself and drank his aura like a goblet of mead! ”
Before Seryn could protest, Breena lunged at her, hugging her tightly.
“Bree!” Seryn laughed, but didn’t pull away.
“Take it!” Breena squeezed again before releasing her, cheeks flushed.
Therrok coughed, shuffling over to the fence to join his sister.
I leaned close, my words only for my fated. “You’re magnificent.” I brushed my thumb over the shell of her ear, and she shivered.
A blaze of light snapped behind us. “Maya,” the deep baritone voice rumbled through the air.
Maya’s entire frame seemed to melt. Tears rolled freely down her face now as she surged forward.
Morpheus met her in a few strides, and they crashed into one another’s arms, clinging as though they might split apart again.
He looked at Seryn, pride shining in his blue eyes. “You did well, daughter.”
Nodding, Seryn watched as Morpheus rested his cheek on the top of Maya’s head, closing his eyes.
Seryn’s face was a storm of confusion, wonder, and grief. She was processing—her mother found, her true father revealed, her family reshaping before her eyes. I wrapped my arms around her, anchoring her as she gripped my forearms and rested her head against me.
After a moment, her body relaxed, and I kissed her crown. A sharp pang spiked through my chest, and I winced.
She glanced up at me. “You all right, Gav?”
I breathed in, letting the pain dissipate. “More than all right. Just a few scrapes and bruises.”
She arched one brow, but didn’t argue. Taking her hand, we made our way to Morpheus’ palace. Pip darted around the group one last time.
“Thank you for all your help, Pip,” Seryn said.
The pixie tugged Seryn’s braid with a smirk and then poked Thesa on the nose with a tiny squeak. The vryka’s mouth twitched. With a cheeky chirp and a softening of its metallic eyes, Pip zipped off toward the forest, prismatic wings glinting.
Morpheus could barely keep his eyes off Maya. I knew the feeling well. The longing of being separated from your khorda was unbearable at best.
I peeked at Seryn, her eyes bright as she chatted with her parents and the others. This was how she was meant to look.
Sated. Content. Happy.
I rubbed my hand over my scar, and it pulsed under my touch.
I would make it my mission to keep her this way—simply to keep her—and I would die to make it so. At least consider every alternative first. I rather like your heart where it is. Seryn’s words echoed in my mind.
I pulled her closer, tucking her arm in the crook of my elbow.
As did I.
It was so much easier to breathe in Surrelia. Clean, crisp air flowed into my lungs as if it could purify the banestone soot coating them.
Boots pounded down the hall as we entered the foyer, crystalline stars scattering rainbows everywhere from the chandelier above.
Thesa’s wings flared, and Therrok widened his stance as Kaden burst in, a wide grin plastered on his face.
He scooped Seryn in a tight hug before setting her down.
I pressed my lips together, tucking away the smile threatening to surface.
Any lingering jealousy faded. Although my brother would always be her best friend, and they had a history, Seryn was mine, and mine alone. Both things were true. As it was meant to be.
His joy was contagious as he embraced me, clapping my back.
“Welcome back, brother. The Nether Void didn’t kill you, and smiling won’t either,” Kaden teased.
I grunted, refusing to indulge him.
When he turned, his mouth fell open. “Maya?”
Seryn’s mother smiled, gathering him in her arms. He buried his face in her hair, then lifted her off the ground, swinging them both around. “Maya! Holy shite!”
She laughed, cupping his jaw when he set her down. “As cheeky as ever, Kaden. Meet Therrok and Thesa Flint.” The siblings lifted their chins in quiet acknowledgment, eyeing my brother.
He grinned at them, and both of their gazes narrowed.
Kaden rubbed his nape, cheeks puffed. “Marek and Rhaegar returned to Midst Fall. Daddy Dream and the pixies helped them find a portal shortly after you all went on your adventure.”
“Ancients,” Seryn whispered, hand tightening in mine. “I hope they find Yaya.”
Kaden nodded, brushing her biceps. “I’m certain they will, Ser.”
Elders Marah Strom and Endurst Guust met us in the foyer. In a flurry of lemon-colored robes, Endurst bowed. “Welcome ba-back.” He swallowed, pausing for a moment. “We’re pleased you’ve returned. News of Melina?” he asked carefully, as if saying it faster would make her appear.
“She followed Phobetor into a portal, but it didn’t seem that they were on the best of terms,” I answered.
Marah inhaled for several seconds and then smiled softly, eyes landing on Maya. Color rose in her pale cheeks. “I am so very sorry for our part in your imprisonment.”
Maya squeezed her hands. “Think nothing of it. Melina made prisoners of us all.”
Marah nodded, her eyes darting between Seryn and me. She opened her mouth but then closed it, trapping her next words. Instead, one hand fluttered to her chest, she closed her eyes, and then turned down the hall.
“Please excuse us. We’re still re-recovering.” Endurst patted Kaden’s shoulder. “With the help of this fine young man.”
Kaden wiggled his eyebrows. “You hear that? Fine young man.”
Smiling, Endurst dipped his chin and bid us farewell before following the other Elder.
Seryn’s stomach rumbled. Kaden smirked, throwing an arm over her shoulders, nudging me aside. “Time to eat. What has Maya been feeding you down there?”
“Insolent young man,” Maya retorted, swatting his arm.
“Ah, but Seryn eats men for breakfast.” He tapped his chin, a smirk tipping the corner of his mouth.
“Kaden,” I growled. Seryn rolled her eyes.
He lifted his hands in surrender, chuckling. “I jest. Let’s eat, be merry, and figure out how to save the realms.”
Maya turned to Seryn, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “We’ll find you later. But for now …” Her eyes flicked to Morpheus. “There are things long overdue.”
Seryn nodded before the words fully left her lips. “Go.”
Maya smiled and let her hand fall away. She went to Therrok, whispered, and put something in his hand. With a grunt, he tucked away whatever she’d given him in his vest pocket.
Seryn’s gaze lingered on her parents for a moment.
As we entered the Great Hall, I studied my brother. His humor. The ever-present grin. He was acting more like himself. But I wasn’t sure whether I should be relieved or worried.
I rested my hand on Kaden’s shoulder. “Why didn’t you portal to Midst Fall with the others?”
He shrugged. “I needed to know you both came back safely. Besides, there were the Elders to heal. Ancients to schmooze.” He waved his hand dismissively. “And I promised Marek I’d keep an eye on—”
His eyes shifted behind us, a flash of clover rippling over the irises. I blinked, unsure if I’d imagined it. He continued with less humor, “—her. It was all I could do to keep him from killing the woman. The bastard packs a fucking punch.”
He wiggled his jaw as soft footfalls sounded, and Seryn flinched as a figure emerged.
“What’s she fecking doing here?” Breena hissed, moving forward. “Ready to stab us all in the back again?”
Kaden stepped into her path, but Breena elbowed him in the side. The exhale whooshed from his nostrils. “Damn it, woman.”
Caelora Aundyne raised her pretty, oval face, her back perfectly straight. “I deserve that. But I assure you, I didn’t mean for anyone in Helos to get hurt.”
Seryn grabbed the back of Breena’s breeches just as she lunged for the other female. Violet burst around Caelora just as Breena’s aura ignited.
Breena gritted her teeth. “Let go, Ryn. I need to accidentally hurt her.”
Seryn yanked on her friend. “Just a moment, Bree. There’s a reason she’s here, roaming freely.”
Thesa and Therrok watched the scene unfold from the corners of their eyes.
“I missed your logic, Ser,” Kaden muttered, holding his side and glaring at Breena.
Breena stopped struggling and crossed her arms. Seryn looked at Caelora, eyes narrowing.
Caelora’s mouth flattened, and she tucked her dark, golden-blonde waves behind her ears. “Thank y—”
Seryn held up a palm. “I don’t need your gratitude. I need you to explain. Your choices led to my grandmother’s capture. To Helos burning.”
The slightest hint of remorse swept over her features before she tucked away her gift, purple waves vanishing into the air.
“Please, sit.” She went to the table filled with various cuts of meat and fresh produce, not waiting to see if we followed.
Kaden waved his arm, inviting us to sit, a new smile plastered on his face. Breena nudged his shoulder as she passed him with a huff, and he shook his head.
Seryn and I sat across from Caelora and Kaden as she folded her hands atop the wood. Everyone took a seat, a heavy silence blanketing the space.
One of Thesa’s nostrils lifted as she studied the spread. “I’ll find us something to eat,” she mumbled, marching from the room.
Therrok shrugged and pushed his bulk onto the bench next to Kaden, who scrunched his brows and shifted closer to Caelora.
My hand found Seryn’s on her lap, and I twined my fingers with hers. “Best if you start at the beginning, Miss Aundyne.”
She drew in a breath, eyes drifting over the moon-phase windows.
“Someone once told me,” she murmured, “the price of vengeance is mercy. I did what I thought I had to do … and I paid the price.” She plucked at her lavender-colored dress. “Helos paid the price.”
“And when the Akridais and Draumrs spilled through the illusion border you opened?” Seryn pressed. “What could Melina possibly have offered you to betray Yaya and the people who took you in so profoundly?”
“After the Winnowing Trials, Melina took an interest in me—my blended ember. She gifted me my memories and this rune.” Her fingertips scrubbed at two interlocking decagons on her left hand.
“She tried to recruit me to the Akridais, but I refused. Then she learned of the one thing I’ve always wanted …
something I thought I’d lost forever. She sent a missive by harbinger starling, promising it if I merely dropped the barrier so she could meet with Yaya to discuss an armistice. I—”
Breena snorted, but Seryn lifted a hand, waiting.
Caelora sighed, pressing her palms flat against the table top. “After my mother died, I waited so long. I didn’t know what Melina had truly planned, and she promised no harm would come to anyone.”
“And you believed her?” Breena scoffed. “Clearly, you’ve suffered multiple head injuries throughout your turns.”
“And if I did that,” Caelora continued, unfazed, “she’d grant me a meeting with my father.
I didn’t think she’d stage a full attack just yet.
Our intel suggested the Elders weren’t aware of our numbers in Helos.
I admit my selfishness—my desire to meet my father after all this time blinded me.
I wanted—no, needed—him to pay for what he did to my mother. ”
Seryn’s fingers stiffened in my hold.
My forehead creased, and my eyes narrowed. “And who is your father?”
She frowned as if the name tasted bitter. “Elder Ryboas Ash.”
Breena shot back to her feet. “Bollox!”