55. Raea
Raea
Voices are a mumbled mess in my head as I fight to open my eyes.
I feel so tired, like there’s a weight on my chest. Bits and pieces come to me in flashes.
The Fae males leading me down the dark halls, telling me we had to be quick.
Pulling me along into a hall before shoving me through a door with a large bed at the center of the room.
Another flash of them above me. One had my wrists pinned to the bed, another pinned my feet.
The male with the blond hair and hawkish nose had opened a cabinet in the far corner.
It had been full of items like candles, chains, and whips.
He claimed it was for pleasure. Another flash: a male leaning over me, his hand hovering as he saturates the air with a cloying, sickly-sweet mist. He claims it is to help me relax, but it tastes like rotting flowers and heavy silver.
I inhale it against my will, and the world liquefies.
My limbs turn to lead even as my mind screams for me to fight.
More flashes.
My dress torn, exposing my breasts. Another tear ripping the gown up to my stomach. The males laughing as they joked about being with the most powerful female in history. Laughing that I had yet to be claimed.
One of them was ready, already grabbing himself as he prepared to take a part of my soul, but then I called upon Ryker’s magic.
I had used the gust of wind to pull my hands free before shoving them at the male above me.
He had flown off me as the rain came. The room became flooded as the wind tore things off the shelves and artwork from the wall.
Then Riven stormed in. I had only caught a glimpse of the male, who had looked terrifying.
Even when he appeared on the beach with Morana, he had been calm, a warrior prepared.
Riven had unleashed his dark side in that room, tearing into the five males as a sword of dark obsidian appeared out of thin air.
It was only seconds before the five of them were bleeding and restrained with magic.
“She just needs to rest,” someone says. “I’ll check back in the morning.”
The door clicks shut as my eyes finally peel open. It takes a moment for my vision to clear. The bed dips behind me as Ryker leans over me. “How do you feel?” he asks.
I tell him I’m okay before I roll over. His sapphire eyes glow in the lowlight as I pull him closer, needing to be surrounded by his warmth and his scent.
When I bury my face in his shirt, I inhale deeply.
The truth is, I feel hollow and cold. I don’t even know how to begin processing the events of tonight.
Even though we’ve been away from home, he still smells like the roaring oceans of Okenen and the citrus trees that grow on the palace grounds. The sandalwood smells heavenly.
“Take off your shirt,” I mumble, pressing a kiss to his chest.
He hums. “Is that a command, Princess?” I know he’s trying, I can feel his worry as if it’s my own.
Attempting to lighten the mood, I pull a small smile to my face as he sits up, pulling the shirt over his head. When he lies back on his side, my breath catches in my throat. A new rune is etched into his arm, the dark ink shimmering like liquid obsidian.
My fingers trace the vertical knotwork and stacked teardrops, the swirls interweaving in a pattern that pulses with a faint, heatless light. It is the twin to the brand on my spine—a physical anchor for the power we shared in the storm.
“When I used your magic,” I start, tracing the inked swirls, “my back felt like it was burning.” I exhale, burying my face in his bare chest. “There’s so much to think and worry about, but I’m so tired.”
Ryker’s hand runs up and down my spine as he pulls me closer, tucking me into him. “Rest, Raea. There’s always tomorrow.”
I want to argue, but my lids shut and the world fades away.
I sigh awake, stretching and feeling the cool sheets beneath me. My magic hums delightedly beneath my skin, and my senses pick up the low chatter of the servants walking the halls. I roll over, ready to snuggle up to Ry, but find his side of the bed empty and cold.
I sit up, searching the room for him, but my senses tell me he’s not here. The Bond between us is closed off, telling me he’s out of reach. My hand presses against the sheets, my anger rushing to the surface, ready to scream at him for not waking me when I feel a paper crinkle beneath my palm.
I find his elegant script promising he’ll be back by late morning.
Mumbling some words I’d like to have with him, I crawl out of bed and stumble into the bathing chamber.
I’m quick to bathe and dress, ignoring the small tremble in my hands and chill that has yet to leave me before finding our friends seated in the dining hall.
I don’t need my magic to know they’re all anxious. I had forgotten today is their awakening. I feel like I should say something to them. Anything, but words fail me. As I look around the table, my heart swells with so much love for all of them, I want to cry.
I don’t deserve any of them. Aolyn shoots from her seat the moment she sees me, nearly knocking her chair to the floor as she rushes toward me, flinging her arms around me.
The tears come then. Aolyn has been my friend since my first year in Primms. To have her shut down and shut me out these past few weeks has hurt, even if she ultimately chose to come.
My arms wrap around her. Aolyn is the same height as me—one of the few things that hasn't changed. I am still barely taller than an Elven child, a fact Brynna reminds me of at every turn.
But as I watch Brynna, I realize she is hardly a giant herself. She is full-blooded Fae, yet she is a spitfire in a small frame. She doesn't have much room to talk, though I suspect she uses her insults to distract from the fact that we look more like sisters than enemies.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you,” Aolyn whispers.
I squeeze her tighter, assuring her I’ll be okay.
As she steps away, I’m immediately pulled into Ciara’s arms.
“What have I told you about sneaking away with hot men?” she groans, but there’s an undertone of fear there.
I shrug. “I don’t know. It’s not a lesson of yours I remember.”
She pulls away, her big brown eyes searching me for any scratches or injuries. “Don’t follow them into the dark without backup.”
“Some lesson,” Kamden mutters.
Kellan pulls me in next, holding me tight enough that I feel like he’s squeezing the air out of me. In our hug, I feel his tension release.
When I finally step back, Kamden throws an arm over me for a side hug. I’m torn from his side by Tate.
Tate quickly hugs me, messing up my loose hair before shoving me into Trysten. “I’m glad you’re okay, Raea. Really.”
Trysten catches me, both of us glaring at Tate.
“Last hug.” Tate shrugs.
“Gods, he’s in rare form.” I sigh, already exhausted.
“He’s nervous about today,” Trysten replies, releasing me as I lean in for a side hug. “Are you alright?”
I vaguely recall him being in the hall next to Ryker last night. It was dark, but he’d been there. Ignoring his question, I say, “Thanks for coming last night.” He offers a small nod. “Do you know where Ryker went?”
Trysten sighs, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck as he looks away. “Maybe?” he says, refusing to look at me.
“Trysten,” I urge.
He groans, dropping into his chair. He runs his palms over his face before slapping them down on his thighs. “I’m not supposed to say. And I can’t tell you location-wise where he’s at because I honestly don’t know.”
My brows pinch in confusion.
“He’s fine. He will be fine. He’ll be back before lunch, and then he said something about you guys training your magic today.” When I don’t respond, he throws his hands up. “Sorry, Raea.”
Before I can force it out of him, Carys and Brynna enter the dining hall. They’re both back to wearing their usual attire. Brynna in her brown leather pants and a cropped top. Carys in a gown with some sort of armor built into the bodice of her chest.
They surprise me when they both sit.
Brynna takes the open seat beside Trysten, leaving me to sit beside Carys and Ciara at the opposite end. I glare back at Trysten over my shoulder as I walk away, and he ducks his head.
Coward.
As breakfast finishes, Carys states that she’ll be taking me to work with Vaeric at Zhaerinth while the others are to follow Brynna to the temple.
“The temple?” I ask.
Carys’ face softens. “Your awakening was summoned by the gods. We have a tonic, and Caelus instructed us to deliver them, so the priestesses can do their awakening at the Galanvae Temple in the peaks of the Schie range. It’s the second-highest temple.”
I sit straighter. “The tonic will help with the…pain?”
She pops a blackberry into her mouth. “I mean, it’s never been tested, but hypothetically, yes. And it was a gift to you from Caelus.”
“And this is why we’re friends with her,” Tate says, placing a hand on each of my shoulders as he shakes me. “Gods give her gifts.”
“Tate.” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Just…” Ugh, I want to scream at him, but I can’t fault him. If I had known the exact day and time of my awakening, I would have been a wreck. “You’ll be okay. You can challenge me to a race or something when you get back.”
He perks up at that. “Promise me. No backing out now.”
I roll my eyes, holding out my arm. He grips my wrist. “I promise.”
He grins, looking to Carys and Brynna. “When do we leave?”
As promised, Vaeric is waiting for me when I step through the gateway. He doesn’t hesitate before tossing me a sword. I catch it midair, amazed at how light it is. I twist the blade in my hand, looking at the intricate design in the hilt. The blade itself is absolutely perfect.
“I had it made for you. You’ll get your own blade soon enough, but this is a good one to practice with.” His thick rolling accent is like music to my new hearing. It’s amazing the sounds I can pick up now.
I thank him, dropping my cloak before entering the ring of sand with him.