Chapter 19
The meeting lasted over an hour, going over everything they’d learned during today’s brutal, but successful battle. Ava’s leg still throbbed almost unbearably despite the tonic Kai had given her, and she desperately wanted to see her brother and tell him all that had happened. She missed Mosshaven.
She missed her home.
But they wouldn’t be able to remain for long before they had to leave. Again. And probably not for the last time.
Casimir sat beside her, still holding her hand. He had three broken ribs and dozens of lacerations on his back. Luckily, Kai had been able to heal him, and though still sore, he was able to move around with ease.
“Are you ready to go?” Jorrar approached with Quinn and Pax.
Everyone else had dispersed throughout their camp, overseeing the large company of soldiers, healing the wounded, and beginning the clean-up within the walls of Torvac.
“We’ll walk to where the animals are waiting so we can bring them along, and then you can make the portal,” Casimir said, scooping her off the ground.
“How far is it?” Ava wrapped her arms around his neck, settling against him.
“About half an hour,” Quinn answered.
“Half an hour? You can’t carry me the whole time.”
“You doubt my strength, love? I’m offended.” Casimir gave her a smirk.
She sighed. “Your ego sure is strong enough.”
He let out a chuckle as they emerged from the tent. “I’m fine. I can carry you.”
And carry her he did. The entire way and hardly out of breath by the time they reunited with their companions. Casimir set Ava down gently, supporting her with an arm around her waist. Luna bounded forward, rubbing against Ava’s hand in greeting.
Bastien, Aro and Percy gathered close as Ava cut her palm, knelt, and drew the symbols on the ground, feeding her magic into the earth. The portal appeared within seconds.
Casimir picked her back up and followed Jorrar and the others through, emerging in the middle of the training fields next to the castle. The animals followed, heading to the woods to hunt.
“Gods, I could use a bath,” Quinn lamented.
“We all could,” said Jorrar. “But we must find Thorne first.”
“I’ll find him,” Pax said. “Meet us in the dining hall.”
The rest of them strode through the pale stone hallways, the orange glow of the sunset shining through the open air windows. Peace settled over Ava, a replenishment of her soul as she inhaled the lilac carried inside on the breeze and listened to the birds singing their evening songs.
They entered the dining hall, a fire roaring in the large hearth on the far wall. Casimir gently placed her in a chair. “I’m going to go speak with the kitchens to get us some food.”
Jorrar and Quinn sat across from her, the latter with an anxious look on her face, tapping her fingers on the table.
“Are you alright?” Ava asked.
Quinn grimaced. “It’s nothing.”
“Oh, come on. Tell us.”
With an eyeroll, Quinn said, “Fine. I missed your brother.”
Ava gave her a wide smile. “You care about him.”
“Of course I do.” Quinn scoffed.
Ava’s smile grew wider. “You loooove him,” she said in a singsong voice. “You want to maaaarry him. And have his babies.”
Quinn glared daggers at Ava. “Keep your mouth shut.”
“I’m just saying. Besides, I’m paying you back for teasing me about Cas that night we went tavern hopping.”
Quinn smirked. “I still remember what you said about him.”
“What did she say?” Casimir asked, returning to the room.
“She said she wanted you to throw her on the bed and fuck her brains out.”
Jorrar choked on a cough. “Oh, for the Mother’s sake…”
Casimir sat beside Ava with a smug grin. “Well…eventually I did and by the way you screamed, I’m quite sure it exceeded all of your expectations.”
Ava’s neck flushed as she put her face in her hand. “Oh my god.”
“Please tell me I did not just hear what I think I did,” Thorne’s voice echoed as he entered with Pax.
“Nope. You didn’t hear anything,” Ava said.
Thorne met eyes with Quinn and she casually rose from her seat and approached him. They stared at each other for a moment before he pulled her into an embrace, murmuring something in her ear Ava couldn’t hear. But the way they had looked at each other spoke volumes.
After greeting Quinn, Thorne took his seat at the head of the table and scanned the group. “You all look terrible. What happened?”
Thorne tapped his two fingers together, the only sign he was stressed. “His brethren trapped and punished him…What does that mean?”
“I don’t know,” said Casimir. “But it sounded like he was using her for his own purposes. Then killed her because she was no longer needed.”
“With their queen now gone,” Thorne mused, “do you think there’s a possibility the daemons will no longer follow Andras?”
Casimir shook his head. “I doubt we’d be that lucky. As long as Andras continues to promise them whatever they desire, I’m certain they will continue as they have been. Who knows what lies he’s crafted to explain her disappearance.”
“Jorrar, what do you know about our father and this supposed friendship with Orion and the others?” Thorne asked.
“Not much. I was an advisor to your father, but he rarely listened to me and the others. He was a secretive man. Prior to Deidamia and Andras arriving in our world, he was fairly close to Orion, Valeria and Eros. He’d often take trips to Frosthaven and be gone for weeks.
But I do remember him acting strange around the time our enemies appeared. ”
Thorne swirled the wine in his goblet. “He had been that way ever since I can remember…often rambling and pacing. Mother protected me from most of it, keeping us separate as much as possible.”
“Why were they so close?” Quinn asked.
“They all had similar views on hybrids,” said Jorrar.
Casimir tensed. Ava pulled his hand into her lap, squeezing it gently. Jorrar’s statement confirmed what Valeria had said when they ran into her near Frosthaven.
“What’s the problem with hybrids?” Ava asked.
“Many years ago, some of the fae believed the separate kingdoms shouldn’t have children with each other. It was initially an attempt to maintain stronger bloodlines, especially among royalty. The theory was if a child was born of two kingdoms, their strength would be split into both abilities.”
Ava ran a finger along the edge of the table. “Meaning they weren’t as powerful in one specific magic?”
“Basically,” Thorne said. “But it isn’t quite accurate. Some hybrids are not as strong in a single ability, and yet others are…there is no rhyme or reason to it. Honestly, I think most of it has to do with some people just believing their kingdom or magic is better than others.”
Ava took a sip of wine. “Not that different from the human world,” she muttered.
Jorrar set down his fork and gave her a warm look.
“Most worlds likely have their own similar stories. From what I recall, Valeria and Eros were the most adamant about it. I do remember overhearing Vardan once stating if interbreeding didn’t cease, there would eventually be no fae left with only one ability. Powers would weaken and so forth.”
“It’s not like that here at all now,” Ava said.
“That’s because I’ve been undoing that prejudice for decades,” said Thorne.
Ava admired her brother. He was a fantastic king, a good man, and truly cared about his people. “How old were you when you became king?”
“I was in my mid-twenties.”
“Which is very young in our world to rule,” said Jorrar. “But he quickly proved himself to be a far better ruler than your father.”
Thorne smiled and gave Jorrar a nod. “The four of you will go to Caelestia as soon as Ava’s leg is healed. Jorrar, I will write a letter informing Orion of your arrival. I am not asking his permission and expect all of you to be welcomed immediately. Will you send Percy to deliver it?”
“Of course.”
Thorne scanned the group. “You have three tasks to complete while you’re there. Get the end of the book translated, gather information, and convince them to join us.”
“Will they?” Quinn asked.
“I don’t know, but Casimir”—Thorne gave him a stern look—“you must be on your best behavior. Set your hatred for your brother aside and control your temper.”