Chapter 38
Ava trembled, trapped in the makeshift shelter with her friends, soldiers, and animals. Their bodies were pressed together, and it was hot…oppressive. She took a breath, trying to tame her racing heart and reminding herself they were all right. They were safe.
A flicker of light appeared in Jareth’s hand, allowing them to see.
“Are we buried?” one of the soldiers asked.
“I’m not sure,” answered Casimir.
Ava said, “This feels awfully familiar…”
“At least you didn’t break your leg this time,” Raine quipped.
“And at least you didn’t break your ankle.”
“True,” Raine said. “I have an idea.”
“Let’s hear it,” Casimir replied.
“Who has the smallest animal here?”
“I guess Luna…” Ava said.
“We need something smaller,” Raine said. “Wait. Is Pascal in here?”
Gisela paused. “No, he’s not. One moment.”
The group remained silent, waiting for Gisela. A few seconds later she spoke, “The rockslide is piled against one side of our shelter. If we lower the free wall, we should be able to hurry out without getting crushed.”
“Which side?” Casimir asked.
A caw echoed from behind Ava.
“We need to go toward where we can hear him,” Gisela instructed.
“Alright. Earth magic wielders, keep the vines steady. Imsel, I need you to lower just enough of the stone wall to let us out.”
“Understood.”
“Ready? On three. One…two…three.”
Ava concentrated on controlling her vines, along with the others, keeping them secure. Imsel lowered a section of rocks and their shelter was flooded with daylight.
“Move!” ordered Casimir.
With swift feet, Ava followed the group out. Within a few seconds, they were freed, and their refuge collapsed in a heap once they released their magic.
“Well, who knew they had earthquakes out here?” Ava muttered. “Is that normal for Eorhan?”
“Only in Igneothenia,” said Maeryn. “Because of the volcanoes.”
“How often does that happen there?” Raine asked.
“I am not quite sure. Seeing as I did not grow up there…or have you forgotten, captain?”
“Right,” he smiled, giving Maeryn a wink.
“It’s time to keep going,” Casimir said.
Their party resumed the trek through the canyon. The sun was now beginning its descent below the tops of the cliffs as the day prepared to shift to night, a cool breeze winding through the ravine.
“May I ask you a question?” Ava asked, as she walked alongside Maeryn.
“Of course, Your Highness,” said Maeryn.
“Please. You don’t have to call me that.”
“Why not? It is the proper term. And as royalty, I should respect your title.”
Ava stepped over a rock, Luna trotting next to Aro at her side. “I appreciate that. And though I know it’s what’s expected, I prefer my friends don’t call me that. It feels strange.”
“Friends?” Maeryn gave her a puzzled look. “Do you mean to say you consider me your friend?”
Ava suppressed a smile at Maeryn’s surprise. “I would like to, yes.”
“Alright. I think I can accept that.”
Ava wiped her brow with the back of her hand. “You don’t sound very enthusiastic.”
“My apologies, Your—”
“Ava.”
“Ava. My apologies. I’ve never had much in the way of friends.”
Ava tilted her head. “Why not?”
“I grew up in isolation with our citizens who escaped. I was born there. We didn’t have much time for fun or friendship. Everything was about work and ensuring our survival. Then, when I was old enough to hold a weapon, I began to train to join our forces.”
“Why didn’t your people ask for help from the other kingdoms?”
“That, I do not know. I believe it was because they feared leaving the safety of the cave system. Afraid of being sucked back into another war or battle.”
“But when Percy finally found you?”
“Percy?”
“Jorrar’s owl. That’s who found you all.”
“Yes. Right. I think Our Majesties were finally ready to leave and re-join the cause.”
Ava nodded. “I didn’t really have a lot of friends either. Until I came here.”
Maeryn waited for an explanation.
“We moved around a lot. I didn’t know why at the time, but I’ve since learned it was because we were running from Deidamia and Andras.”
“Your family was hiding like mine. Just in a different way. But you came back to your homeland and now you have many friends.” Maeryn gestured to the group.
A lump formed in Ava’s throat as she absorbed that statement. “Yes. I do. And I’d like to be your friend too. I’m sure the others feel the same way.”
Maeryn gave her a genuine smile. Though her short, powerful build combined with the tattoos and piercings often made her appear intimidating—especially when she was commanding her army—when she smiled, her face lit up.
Ava lowered her voice to a whisper and leaned in. “It seems like you and Raine are getting along quite well now.”
“Yes. I suppose I would say he’s my friend too.”
Ava raised a brow. But Maeryn didn’t seem flustered or embarrassed.
“Do you think Maeryn knows?” Ava asked Luna.
No. I don’t think she does. She seems to like him, though.
“But how would she not know? Would she not feel the pull?”
You didn’t.
“That’s because I was still human. I felt it once I became fae.”
Well, it’s been said not everyone feels it at the same time. And often, if you are not open to finding love…if you’re closed off or in denial…it takes longer to sense it. Or it could be related to her growing up in isolation.
“Interesting,” Ava mused.
“We’re losing daylight,” Casimir said. “It’s time to find somewhere to sleep tonight.”
“There’s a cave up ahead,” Jareth said, pointing to an opening high on one of the cliff’s walls.
“What if there are creatures living in it?” Zara, one of their soldiers, asked, adjusting the sword at her hip.
“We’ll scout it out first,” Casimir said.
Minutes later they stood below the cavern.
“I’ll go,” Raine said. “I’ll bring Sabriel. She has the best nose and can sniff out potential predators.”
“I shall come with you,” Maeryn said.
Using his magic, Raine grew roots from the ground, twisting and turning until they formed a ladder leading to the mouth of the cave. He began to climb, Maeryn following behind.
“How are you going to get Sabriel up there?” Ava asked.
“Like this.”
Sabriel stood at the base of the ladder and Raine controlled the roots to gently wrap around her and pulled her to the opening. She gave him a growl and they disappeared inside.
She did not like that, Luna said.
“I feel like Raine probably puts her through all sorts of things like that.”
Absolutely.
“I bet Imsel could have just made stairs out of stone.”
Oops. Luna’s feminine laughter echoed in Ava’s head.
Not ten minutes later, Raine popped his head out of the cave. “All clear.”
Casimir prepared to grow another ladder, but Imsel stepped forward. “Wait.”
They extended a hand and red rock burst from the ground, forming steps.
“Why didn’t you do that in the first place?” Raine called from above.
“You moved too quickly before I had the chance.”
I’m kind of disappointed I don’t get to ride in the vines like Sabriel, Luna said before bounding up the stairs, the rest of their party and the animals following.
Aro was so large, they still had to use vines to steady him as he lumbered along, growling the whole way in irritation.
They built a fire at the mouth of the cave. Maeryn used her magic to burn it down to a pile of hot coals—perfect for providing them with a place to cook and light to see, but preventing smoke from filling their hollow home for the night.
Ava roamed through the rocky space, eyes scanning the walls.
It was larger than it appeared from the outside, with a second chamber big enough for the animals to settle down.
Gisela and Imsel once again worked in tandem to create a water trough for them and it wasn’t long before Sabriel and Aro were fast asleep.
“Luna, how long can you go without food?” Ava asked, concerned about the fact that they hadn’t seen much wildlife that could provide prey for their companions.
Probably a week or more. I made sure to eat plenty before we entered the desert. Sabriel can go longer and Aro the longest.
“Since he has the largest fat stores?” Ava said, assuming it was similar to the bears back home.
Aro opened an eye and growled at Ava, then went back to sleep.
Yes. Because he’s the biggest. Don’t worry about us. We’ll hunt for insects and small rodents if we begin to get hungry. Or we could always eat Jareth.
Ava shook her head in amusement as her feline friend padded on silent paws, joining Aro and snuggling into his side.
She ran her hand along the sandstone wall, its smooth edges and texture fascinating, as she headed back to the group for dinner. Other than a few insects, the cave was clear and free from predators, and they should be safe from the larger beasts that might prowl the sands at night.
Taking a seat in between Casimir and Gisela, Ava accepted the roasted meat handed to her with thanks and chewed quietly, lost in her thoughts. With everything that had happened, she hadn’t spent much time truly processing what her task now entailed.
She couldn’t stop from ruminating on what her brother was doing right now, especially after the attack on their capital.
Had the rest of the daemon army reached Mosshaven?
Were they fighting for their lives while Ava and the rest of them searched the desert for the only thing that could aid her in her task?
Casimir’s hand moved to her back, brushing in slow circles as if he knew she was spiraling. Always knowing exactly what she needed, even when she didn’t realize it herself.
She finished her dinner as she let his touch steady her.
Ava jerked awake at the noise of someone screaming on the other side of the cave.
“We need help! Someone help him!” a soldier shouted, his companion releasing pained screams.
Ava leaped to her feet, Casimir already rushing toward the scene. When she approached, he put his arm out, stepping in front of her. “Stay behind me,” he said, then asked the soldiers, “What’s going on?”