Chapter 38
SCARRED BUT UNbrOKEN
Gavrel
The next morning, she gasped awake, body swaying and breaths hitching as if her world tilted violently. As if surfacing from deep water.
I caught her before she tipped forward, my hand bracing her shoulder. “Easy, my love,” I murmured, though my heart slammed repeatedly into my ribs.
She could soul-wander. It was how we’d met so often in my dreams. My scar stung as if a handful of barbs stabbed under the thickened flesh.
“Gav …” she whispered. “Was it real?”
I met her gaze, unable to speak past the weight of what we’d learned, and simply nodded.
She ran her hands over her stomach and arms, grounding herself, ensuring she was still whole. Then her expression hardened with sudden resolve. “Then it’s settled.”
Before I could stop her, she swung her legs off the bed and slipped into her breeches, then yanked on one of my tunics without bothering to lace it. The fabric hung loose at her collarbones, and determination burned bright in her eyes. “We need to tell the others.”
“Now?” I asked, arching a brow.
“Before anything else can go wrong,” she said, already heading for the door.
We found the others gathered at The Boggy Grog for breakfast. The air was thick with the aroma of roasted root vegetables, but their conversation stilled when Seryn approached.
She explained everything—about soul-wandering, the Elysium Tree, the Somnis, and the ritual that would decide her worth. By the time she finished, a shroud of silence hung over the table.
Marek leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed in thought. Neoma’s fingers tapped against her bowl like the ticking of a clock. Breena’s mouth puckered, while Rhaegar and Xeni only nodded grimly, jaws tight. Kaden crossed his arms, and Letti quietly held her sister’s hand.
Neoma broke the silence. “I knew you were special, girl, just didn’t know the extent.”
Seryn’s cheeks blanched before a rush of flame coated the pale skin.
“We’ll all be there with you,” Letti assured, squeezing her fingers. Seryn gave her a grateful look.
Kaden scooped some sort of vegetable porridge into his mouth and smiled around the bite, nodding enthusiastically.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. And if any of ya were thinking you wouldn’t be there …” Breena slid her thumb over the edge of one dagger.
Marek’s nose scrunched, and he sniffed.
Rhaegar chuckled, raising a goblet. “To the soul-wandering raven, may her wings carry us through the Somnis.”
I lifted my cup with the others, and a few other patrons in the pub as well. I sipped the sweet juice, letting it soothe the trepidation skulking within me.
Neoma stood, punctuating the end of our conversation with a hearty slap on the table. “All hands to the square. There’s a lot of work to do before tonight’s feast.”
Kaden snorted. “How many celebrations do the Korax have?” He touched his chest, his hand forming a tent over it. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for as much wine as I can get. And dancing with lovely maidens.”
Seryn tucked her bottom lip behind her top teeth, stifling her amusement.
“Some levity would do this city good after everything we’ve been through, yes?” Neoma replied, narrowing her eyes at my brother.
He held up his hands in surrender.
Breena nudged him in the side with her elbow. “Gotta love a city that celebrates often. Isn’t it the Mireberry Moon?”
“Yes,” Marek mumbled.
Kaden smirked. “Sounds like my kind of moon.”
When we left the tavern, the weight of the risks and what was coming pressed down on the group, crushing our usual banter. Breena and Rhaegar stayed behind, chatting with some visiting ravens.
Rhaegar’s friends, Korax recruiters from the Pneumali region, had arrived early this morning with a slew of new ravens to help rebuild. Seryn hugged Keethan and Eliz Wynt, her smile wide when they’d entered on our way out.
I shook their hands, Eliz cupping our grip with both hands. “So good to see you both again. I hear congratulations are in order, Seryn.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Er, in what regard?”
Keethan chuckled, “So modest. You’ll do well as the new Bogs Elder, my dear.”
Her chin lifted. “News travels fast.”
Eliz smiled. “As swiftly as the raven flies.”
With pride shining over her features, Neoma’s hand rubbed Seryn’s biceps. “You’ll need to get used to the attention, granddaughter. You’ll be doing great things for our realm. I’ve no doubt.”
Seryn’s back straightened even more, and she rubbed her lips together. I wove my fingers with hers, and she held on tightly.
“Any news from the north or east?” Neoma asked Keethan.
“Lucan’s rule is burrowing deep in Evergryn. A few Korax are still stationed there, but we can’t be sure they’ll make it tonight,” he reported.
Eliz leaned in. “Ryboas is still fumbling around the mountains, last we heard. In better news, Neris, Zeph, and Drakon should arrive shortly.”
I glanced at the Korax leader, and she stretched her neck to the side, answering before I could even ask. “Korax commanders from Haadra, Pneumali, and Pyria Island. It’s time we gathered to discuss what the cause must do next. When they arrive, find me in the war cabin.”
The line of Neoma’s lips stiffened. “I’ll see you all tonight.” She squeezed Seryn’s shoulder before she went off in the other direction. Seryn watched her go.
Outside, Helos was alive with motion and the tireless work of repair. The city still stood, scarred but unbroken, and its people refused to let ruin have the last word.
In the main square, we joined them and spent the rest of the day helping to rebuild.
My ribs were stiff and sore, but it was a small price to pay to see Helos still standing. There was work to be done. There always was.
While we were lost to the Void, the city’s people had fought to reclaim what was theirs after the Draumrs and Akridais had scurried away.
New timber bridged the gaps where fire had eaten through the walkways. Smoke-stained walls were scrubbed. Some homes had been restored completely; others were singed but holding strong.
I lifted another plank into place while Kaden hammered a nail into the side of the shop we were working on. The main square was bustling with the rhythmic clang of tools, the rasp of saws biting into doombarks, and the grunts and shouts of people working together.
Sweat beaded at my temple, stinging as it slipped over the healing cut on my cheek. The scent of smoke still lingered in the air, faint but stubborn, a reminder of how close the city had come to destruction. But also of how it survived. Just like the Korax.
Kaden wiped the back of his hand over his brow, glancing at me. “You look like you’re enjoying this.”
“Beats being forced to stay in bed while you mother me,” I quipped, fitting a board into position.
He chuckled and drove another nail home. Around us, children carried scraps of wood, women patched roofs, and two old men argued over where to hang new lanterns. Helos was slowly putting itself back together, piece by piece.
Kaden’s attention drifted across the square to where Caelora handed Jace a tool. The male’s well-honed muscles flexed beneath his ivory tunic as he worked.
I brushed my left thumb over the spot where my hidden tattoo lay. Like me, his skin was unmarked in the mortal realm, but the Oneiric realms, or when he was actively using ember, revealed the intricate runes scrawled across his flesh. I was curious what other abilities his gift afforded him.
A sharp thwack broke my focus. Kaden hissed through his teeth, shaking his hand as a string of spectacular curses followed.
Caelora’s head snapped in his direction, her mouth pinching tight before she dropped a pile of wood at Jace’s feet. The Magister’s brow lifted, his gaze flicking between her and my brother with a mix of annoyance and intrigue.
I bent, retrieved the hammer, and held it out. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” he snapped.
“They seem to have reconnected.” I nodded toward Caelora and Jace. “I hear he brought her here after her mother died.”
Kaden only shrugged and went back to hammering, jaw tight.
Seryn wandered over, offering us water. “How’s your thumb, Kade?” she asked, rubbing his shoulder.
He grumbled, thrust the injured thumb out, and let a shimmer of clover energy ripple over it. After gulping down the water, he handed the cup back with a curt, “Fine.”
Seryn smirked at me over the rim of her drink. I shook my head and pulled her into my arms. She laughed, squeezing my waist as her gaze swept over the piazza. “It’s remarkable how far the people of Helos have come.”
I kissed her forehead. “It is.”
Voices rose from around the square, breaking the quiet. Kaden charged toward the commotion, hammer clenched in his palm. Seryn and I followed.
“Why is she loose?” one man barked, his pudgy finger jabbing at Caelora. “She’s the reason our city’s in shambles!”
Murmurs rippled through the growing crowd. Some shifted uneasily; others clenched their fists.
Jace stepped close to Caelora. “Just a minute, that’s not the whole story. Let’s all keep our heads.”
Caelora lowered her gaze for a moment, then touched his forearm. “I’m deeply sorry for the harm I caused. I only hope to rebuild our home—and earn back your trust.”
“This ain’t your home no more, girl,” the man spat. He turned to the crowd. “She should be tied up with the Elder bitch!”
More people nodded, several shouts of agreement peppering the air. Two more men flanked him, sneers twisting their features.
Kaden’s jaw ticked, his biceps bunching as he gripped his tool. I laid a hand on his arm. “Kaden …”
He shrugged me off, pushing through the crowd until he planted himself in front of Caelora. “Best you move along.” His words were low and dangerous.
The man snorted, glancing at his companions. “You wanna join her, boy?”
Kaden growled, mallet inching higher as he advanced.
Before violence could erupt, Caelora reached for my brother’s hand, fingers curling over the handle. He froze, and Jace stayed close, eyes sharp, observing their every movement. She tilted her head, amethyst eyes meeting Kaden’s. His shoulders sank.
Seryn drew in a quick breath. “Her aura …” she whispered.
I squinted, but saw no trace of ember as I scanned Caelora.
The female crushed her eyes closed, then opened them before addressing the crowd with calm authority.
“Everything will be fine. Return to your work. Let’s rebuild together in peace.
” Her words rolled over the mob, melodic and compelling.
The tension in the square exhaled, the crowd releasing a collective, soothing breath.
I blinked, and Seryn grabbed my hand. “She … she did something with her gift.”
My eyebrows lifted. “I didn’t see her aura, though.”
She shrugged. “I did. Her emotions were heightened. Her throat glowed as she talked, and energy poured out of her. It was almost like …” Her words drifted off.
“Like what?”
“Like the sirens I met.”
I brushed a hand over my jaw. “Anything’s possible. Could others see their song?”
Seryn nodded. “When it wasn’t directed at them, yes.” She watched the others dissipate and resume their work as if the whole situation had never happened.
Kaden shook his head, gave Caelora and Jace one last scowl, and then stomped off in the other direction. Caelora pushed her shoulders back and left the square. Jace hesitated but followed her.
“Let’s find Yaya,” Seryn said, pulling me after her.