Chapter 15
Petra
It had been four days of chaos. Four days of planning, packing, and panicking, with a session of something akin to flight training for everyone.
Turned out, Whit didn’t know he was afraid of heights.
So afraid, in fact, that he lost consciousness half a mile in the air and toppled from Ventus’ back.
In a dramatic and heart pounding show of stealth, Ventus managed to dive quickly enough to catch Whit and return him safely to the ground, much to Miles’ dismay.
He woke up in the grass with all of us around him, proceeded to vomit then yell, “You can’t break up the Penumbra! ” Then he lost consciousness again.
When he finally came to for the second time, Nell broke the news that she and Rixa would be staying behind with Whit and Ventus to guard Taitha in case Malosym decided to attack.
Whit nodded as he listened to Nell. “Well, if that’s what her Majesty thinks is best. But I really wanted to fly to Nesan,” he’d said, and we all knew that was not the truth .
A not-so-small crowd had gathered at the edge of the city, marveling at the beasts that stood ready as we made our final preparations.
The leather workers and blacksmiths in Taitha had worked quickly to fashion straps that we could fasten over the driva’s backs to hold our belongings and another strap to help us keep our seats.
Adorex sniffed at Cal’s sword as he lifted his bag onto Obitus’ back and tied it down. “I think she likes me,” he laughed, gently patting Adorex’s snout.
Cal. Good , Adorex thought, and my heart swelled.
Miles was silent as he tightened the strap at Gehenna’s side.
He’d willingly joined in all the preparations, but most of his answers to me and Cal were short, the words unadorned.
He said what he needed to and nothing more.
He hardly spoke to Nell and Whit, not even when they were being — admittedly — irritating.
The moment the day’s tasks were completed, he promptly retreated to his chambers.
“Need anything else?” I asked, coming to stand by Miles’ side.
“Nope,” he answered without looking up from his task.
I placed a gentle hand on his arm, and his movements stopped, though his eyes stayed forward. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” He continued fastening the strap, and I stared at his profile that was so much like Cal’s.
“You went through a lot.”
He gave the strap a final tug, patting Gehenna’s side. “We all did.” Then he walked away, back to where Summercut stood, conferring with him one last time before we departed.
Miles. Angry , Adorex thought. Gehenna. Miles. Safe.
“She’ll keep him safe?”
Adorex chuffed in confirmation. Gehenna would keep Miles safe.
“Thank you, Gehenna,” I murmured as I laid a gentle hand against her side. It didn’t do much to calm the disquiet in my chest about Miles, though .
My mother emerged from the crowd, Solise at her side.
I’d seen her a few times since we’d returned from Eserene, but never for longer than a few minutes.
Never long enough to have a conversation aside from asking if she’d been getting enough to eat and if she was sleeping well.
And since talking with Larka, I felt a sense of peace.
I loved my mother, but it wasn’t fair. I loved her, but what she did to me, what she expected of me, wasn’t fair.
And there wasn’t much I could do or say to change that.
Ma’s lips were pressed in a tight line, but her eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered as she pulled me into her arms.
I leaned into her, pretending for just a moment she’d been the mother I’d needed and not the mother she was.
We were who we were because of the things we’d endured.
And a life spent living in Inkwell had made her distant, soft, and sensitive.
I couldn’t fault her for that anymore than I could fault myself for being distrusting, cynical, and scrappy.
Acceptance. It felt…good. It was freeing.
“I don’t know what else to say other than I’m sorry,” she murmured, pulling back to search my eyes.
I let out a heavy breath. “I forgive you, Ma.” For everything. Because I had a feeling that even if she hadn’t been despondent, even if she hadn’t married Castemont, I would’ve ended up right here anyway.
A single tear spilled down her cheek, her hand moving to her mouth. “Go be the queen I know you are.”
Solise stepped forward, pulling me into a hug. “Be careful,” she whispered.
“I will be.”
She planted a kiss on my cheek, giving my shoulders a squeeze before moving back to stand beside Ma again. I raised my gloved hand to wave goodbye. “Hopefully I’ll be returning with an army. ”
A few feet away, I fought a smile as I watched Cal give Kauvras a stiff handshake. They’d talked, though I hadn’t pried for details. He’d tell me when he was ready.
Kauvras. Good , Adorex thought.
“Really?” I asked quietly.
Kauvras. Good. Kauvras. Sad.
Something about that sent a pang of hurt through me. Kauvras’ hands flexed at his side as he and Cal exchanged a few words, as if he wanted to reach out and hug his son, clap him on the shoulder.
“Petra,” Summercut called from behind me, gesturing to the piece of parchment in his hands.
I steeled my spine as I approached him and Miles, Cal close behind.
“Alright,” Summercut started, looking down at the parchment that outlined our plans.
“You’re flying to Redwater tonight. I’m not sure what state you’ll find it in.
They didn’t reply when we sent word about Malosym.
” I nodded, mentally preparing myself for what that meant.
“Rest there tonight, then you’ll fly two days across the Widow’s Sea to Nesan.
Now, you’re sure the drivas can make that flight? ”
“Adorex, are you sure you can fly for two days straight?” I called, and Summercut flinched when her massive head swung our way. He still wasn’t used to the drivas. In all fairness, neither was I.
Five. Days. Easy. Two. Nothing.
“She says they’ll be fine,” I assured Summercut.
“Okay then. Two days across the Widow’s Sea.
You’ll arrive just south of Bienmari Point,” he said, referencing the spot he’d pointed out on the map yesterday.
“You’ll stay there for the night so you can all be well-rested for your meeting with Nesan’s royals.
Then it’s a two hour flight from there to Araqina.
Once you meet with the King and Queen of Nesan, you’ll move on to Eddena, then Tadrana, and the rest of the list. Each of you has a copy in your saddle bag. ”
“Thanks, Commander,” I said .
He lowered his head. “We’ll be ready when you return.”
With that, I climbed onto my seat atop Adorex, Cal onto Obitus, and Miles onto Gehenna, and we took off to build an army.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Hello?” Cal called, but the only response was the echo of his voice bouncing off the abandoned homes.
It hadn’t been a surprise to find Redwater deserted, but it was a punch to the gut all the same.
Clothes hung on lines. A broom rested against a fence.
A teacup sat abandoned on a porch step. A mass of lives simply stopped in their tracks.
I was almost sure the darkened spots on the dirt beside my feet were dried blood.
It would be eerily silent if not for the waves crashing against the shore just beyond the next street.
Redwater was bigger than Blindbarrow. Seeing Blindbarrow empty and abandoned had been jarring. But it was a small village. Seeing Redwater, with its wide streets and taller buildings, was heartrending.
We’d come upon a sizable house that seemed pristine.
I tried not to think of those who’d lived there before Kauvras came with leechthorn.
Maybe they hadn’t been here. Maybe they lived somewhere else, and this was a summer home.
Maybe they were still alive and well, drinking tea and playing cards somewhere across the Widow’s Sea.
A massive splash sounded, and I turned just in time to see Obitus’ wings flapping furiously as he rose from the water, something huge and writhing between his jaws. Red liquid spurted from the sides of the driva’s mouth as he bit down, chewing on whatever it was he had.
I squinted, trying to discern what he had in his mouth. “What is that?”
“A shark,” Cal whispered, his eyes wide. “He just dove in and caught a fucking shark. ”
“Holy shit,” I murmured. “Is that normal? I don’t even know what they eat.”
“Probably something you should’ve figured out before we left,” Miles answered, and there was no mistaking the cold ire in his tone.
My mouth fell open, and though I probably should’ve been taken aback at his tone, it was concern that shot through me. Miles hadn’t spoken to me like that. At least, not since I’d come into my power. I searched for a response, but I couldn’t seem to find one.
Luckily, I didn’t have to, because Cal did. “What the fuck did you just say to her?” he asked, immediately stepping chest to chest with Miles. Miles met Cal’s stare, neither of them showing any signs of backing down.
“Stop,” I ordered, and both men took a stiff step back. I forced my shoulders to relax, trying to appear as if Miles’ tone hadn’t rattled me. “We’re all tired. It’s been a long day.” Because the last thing we needed on this journey was any more conflict.
With a final huffing breath, Miles turned away, reached for his bag, and retreated inside the house.
Miles. Angry , Adorex’s thoughts echoed through my mind, a bit quieter from where she swooped and soared over the ocean.
Yeah, Miles was angry. Cold, sharp dread pooled in my stomach.
“It was a long day,” I repeated to Cal. “He’s just a little irritated.
He’s probably sore from the journey, too.
I know I am. And the wind up there was harsh,” I rambled.
But I knew I wasn’t justifying it. I was just trying to make myself feel better. “He’s just tired, right?”
Cal leaned in to kiss my forehead, his eyes still locked on the door that had slammed behind Miles. “Let me get our bags inside. Then I’ll go talk to him.”