14
The rest of the day passed in tense silence, the temperature ratcheting up to uncomfortable levels. The guards around them were whispering sharply between themselves while Valine and Sarim kept pace at the lead of the pack. Valine still had her hooks in Sarim, and every now and then, the Valmotti warrior rubbed his sternum with a disconcerted look on his face.
When the sun was high in the sky, a temporary shelter was erected, and the horses were rubbed down and given water. Valine felt guilty and fed her stallion half the apple that was part of her rations. He took it gratefully, and she patted him supportively. One of the guards cared for the horse next to hers. She recognized him as the one who’d ventured into the city with Olivander. He smiled at her, his light eyes against his dark skin reminded her strikingly of Malik, and she found herself longing.
Nearby, Sarim lounged on a closely woven blanket, his head on a tent roll as he popped dried cranberries into his mouth. She found herself seated at the end of the blanket by his feet, legs drawn up, wrapping her arms around them, and resting her cheek against the tops of her knees. She was making herself as small as possible while she looked at him.
Sarim glanced over, raising a brow. He was so at ease and she didn’t understand it.
“You’re still worried,” he stated simply.
Her eyes flickered around their camp, nothing but violet sand and violent sun for miles. The sky was clear and cloudless, the sun white-hot. For all intents and purposes, it was a beautiful day, the sun and moons high in the sky. But they were in the middle of the fucking desert, and she knew with every fiber of her being that there were sand serpents beneath them.
“Sarim, I’m terrified,” she bit out. “There’s a reason no one has crossed the sands in a quarter of a century.”
“And that’s exactly why we’ll be fine. The serpents are drawn to the mountains and the coast—we are near neither.”
“Except for at the end of the sands. We have to meet up with Malik at the break in the pass.”
At the final curve towards Talloh of the Muravo Mountain Pass, a gap in the mountains opened to the Twilight Sands. It was narrow but enough for their company to get through. She prayed that it was too small for a serpent to breach.
He assessed her carefully. “You really want to leave, don’t you?”
“I’d prefer not to stay in one spot longer than necessary, so yes.”
He cast his eyes around and found the men still standing. “Tell them then.”
Valine nodded quickly, got to her feet, and crossed over to the soldiers. “We need to pack up and leave.”
One of the soldiers, a man with light hair and a patchy beard, stared at her uncomprehendingly. His brown eyes were small, but there was a vacant light in them. Valine recognized it as stupidity.
“Are you serious?” he asked, scoffing and incredulous. He turned to the dark-skinned soldier with the light eyes and rubbed elbows with him. “You hear that, Athan? The lady says we need to leave.” He laughed, and so did the others who’d caught the comment.
“I’m serious. We can’t stay here.”
Athan looked at her pityingly, and rage swirled in her. She loathed pity. “With all due respect, Lady Hardgrave, the horses need to rest, and we’re hungry.”
“Well, we’re all certainly going to rest when the sand serpents kill us, won’t we?”
This time, Athan laughed. “You seriously believe in sand serpents? You really think giant snakes are hiding in the ground?”
Valine gritted her teeth, fury and fear creating a violent maelstrom in her chest. “Yes, I do. I’m surprised you don’t believe me. We live in a world with kraken and basilisks and fucking giant spiders and flaming birds, yet you don’t think the barren deserts are home to monsters?” Valine threw her hands up. “Mrithun and Vitus help me. You are fucking useless.”
Valine turned on her heel and found Sarim already packing up his necessary supplies, his horse once again saddled and ready. The other men ceased to think it was so funny.
“She said we need to leave,” Sarim said, low and deadly. “I suggest you take heed.”
The soldiers nodded and set to work, embarrassed flushes burning on their cheeks, but Valine was too anxious to enjoy their shame. She had hardly unpacked herself, and it was seconds more, and she was ready. Four of the men made quick work of the tent, and within moments, it was collapsed, taken apart, and stowed away. Within another few moments, the men were saddled, and the horses were ready. Valine spared one final glance, tugging at her shoulder bag, and took off—the rest of the riders following behind.
Suddenly, a geyser of sand erupted behind them in a violet explosion, scattering wide and high against the white-hot sun. A reptilian roar sounded, piercing in its pitch, and their horses screeched in response, rearing up.
Valine’s steed, already so high-strung from her nerves, reacted the most violently. It threw her from its back and then took off across the sands alone. She landed on the plum-colored sand hard, her shoulder throbbing, a blade digging into her hip, and a bright bolt of pain in her knee. Looking up through her dusty lashes, she caught sight of her worst nightmare.
Exactly where their temporary camp had been set was a titanic sand serpent.