40. Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty
Ryker
A fter I took Malina’s bag from Hakoa, I flew deep into the forest and landed near a small creek winding gently between the trees. I dumped all the contents out, food, clothes, and weapons—Ayen’s ass, a lot of fucking weapons—and gathered the glass vials filled with demid. I unstoppered each one and poured them into the flowing water, allowing the liquid to be washed away.
This wasn’t easy for Malina, and it was about to get even worse over the next several days. I knew I was being harsh on her when I gave her the ultimatum between choosing the demid or seeing her people, but it was necessary. And effective. She needed to stop the demid, and, while no one could make her do it, everyone was being far too gentle. She was stubborn and hardheaded—she just needed someone to push her far enough to choose it on her own.
Not to mention, Kya would have my head if I had allowed it to continue.
I debated putting Malina’s stuff back in her bag and returning it to her, but I knew users could get very creative with hiding their stash, so I decided not to risk it. Placing everything but the weapons in a pile, I flicked my wrist and set it on fire, heating the flames enough to melt even the vials, and let it burn until there was nothing left but ash and a puddle of molten glass.
Satisfied nothing was left to salvage, I grabbed her weapons and took to the skies, returning to where I had left Hakoa and Malina.
They were still holding on to each other—Malina resting in Hakoa’s lap and gripping his shirt as he brushed his hand down her hair. Giving them some space, I landed back by Nikan and leaned against a nearby tree.
“Thanks for that,” he said as he rested against the same tree.
I nodded, and handed him the ridiculous amount of weapons from Malina’s pack. I still wanted to know more about Kya’s past, I just wished she were here to tell me about it.
“How did Eamon do it? How did he keep you all secret as Roav?”
“Some knew—a few of the Scholars.” He shrugged. “But honestly, no one questioned it. They just assumed we were from one of the other Nations. Either way, Eamon mostly stayed within the lines of the laws when he took us in.”
“Mostly?”
That was curious. Eamon had always been adamant about the law as the High Scholar. Even for children, I had a hard time imagining him breaking the rules.
“Yeah. Technically, since we hadn’t been initiated as citizens of Atara, he was allowed to take us in. But what he never did was make us become citizens of Riyah when we reached our staying age. I think most of it was due to Kya being marked for the Trial. He always had faith she’d be Worthy, and would one day become Lady of another Nation. I think he wanted her to have a full life without the restrictions of a Riyite citizen, seeing as she’s the first contestant from Riyah. And I think he knew Malina and I would follow her wherever she went.”
My mouth gaped. I had assumed since she was from Riyah that she was a citizen and therefore, like everyone else, she couldn’t bear children. But if that wasn’t the case… I swallowed, now taking in the possibility of what our future could look like. I just wanted to confirm though.
“So, none of you were forced to go through….”
Nikan chuckled, and I found it baffling how he could find any part of this situation humorous.
“Don’t worry. You and Kya can have little Worthy babes running amok and terrorizing the palace. Gods help you if they’re anything like her. I don’t know how her parents did it.”
Her parents. “Did her parents perish in the Glaev?”
Nikan shook his head. “No. Malina and Kya’s parents still live on the Drift Islands as far as we’re aware. They were all able to get out in time.”
The way he had excluded himself had me tilting my head. “And yours?”
He stiffened and gazed out at the vast landscape before us. “They didn’t make it. Tsilla didn’t either—my younger sister. She was just a little younger than Kya was at the time.”
It all made sense now, why he was so overbearing and protective. “Kya and Malina—”
“They’re all I have, my only family. Nobody is waiting for me on the islands. I’ve done everything to try and make sure they’re safe and taken care of.”
I understood. He had always been watching out for his own.
I opened my mouth to say just that, but he pushed off the trunk and walked away, slowly stepping across the Ataran soil. I glanced over to Hakoa and Malina.
“Not to interrupt, but we need to get going. It’s going to be dark soon,” I said in Hakoa’s mind.
“Funny. A shadow wielder afraid of the dark,” he quipped. “Just give us a few more damn minutes. ”
“She needs to see Acalen. Today,” I snapped.
He sighed, “We’ll be ready soon.”
“Theron,” I called to the dragon.
He appeared a moment later in the newly restored plains in front of me. Nikan gave him a passing glance but didn’t really react to the Spirit’s presence. Theron hardly noted him and lowered his head to be level with me.
“Where have you been lately?” I asked with a snarky tone.
“Elsewhere,” he clipped.
Cranky ass.
“Your mate has done well. Her task is nearly complete,” he stated. I inhaled sharply at the mention of her. Theron turned his head to look at the vast land, clear of the Glaev. “You should be proud.”
“I am.”
“Yet you still hold anger toward her.” A statement, not a question.
It was true. I wanted her back in my arms desperately, but the pain I felt had simmered into lividity. She had kept so much from me.
I was angry with her. I was angry she didn’t trust me with her past. I was angry she didn’t trust me enough to bring me with her to the Rip. She had made a choice. One that harmed both of us more than she anticipated. As much as I hated myself for it, I was just so Godsdamn mad at her. The bond and my soul burned fiercely for her, and I wanted her back.
I would get her back, but even when I did, it wouldn’t be the same. How was I supposed to trust her after she left me in the way she did? She thought she was going to die and leave me in this world without her.
I snarled and glided over to Hakoa and Malina before landing with a heavy thump. “Time to go.”
Theron Traveled us just outside of Acalen—a small, remote village at the south-eastern end of Oryn bordering Atara.
Nikan held his arm over his mouth in an attempt to curb his nausea. His face had turned a sickening shade of green from the sudden jolt through space. Malina gripped her stomach and bent over, trying not to heave up her last meal. Hakoa rubbed her back in soothing circles.
Pathetic as it was, seeing them together made me envious. I stopped my lip from curling and simply looked away. I instinctively reached to stroke down the bond, only to be stung by its splinters. The marriage band around my wrist felt heavy, and I wished I had Kya by my side.
“Good to know your pet is a useful form of transportation,” Malina said with a grin. Hakoa snickered.
“I will eat her,” Theron growled.
The side of my mouth lifted, and I chuckled. I had to admit, it was refreshing to hear some of her humor returning.
Malina stood up straight and glanced at the village. “Where are we?”
“Acalen. A village in Oryn,” Hakoa answered.
“I’ve never heard of it,” she said, shaking her head.
I shared a look with Hakoa.
“You weren’t supposed to,” I said, stepping toward her with my hands in my pockets. Nikan came up beside her. “Acalen has been a secret for the past twenty years. Before that, it didn’t exist.”
Her eyes widened. “Is… Is this where they are?”
I nodded. “There are ninety-six Atarans living here—”
“Ninety-seven,” Hakoa added.
I looked at him curiously.
“Seraye and Itham have brought a new life into the world,” he said with a small smile.
Not only were the Ataran people alive, but they were thriving, growing in numbers within their small community.
“Can we meet them?” Malina whispered, looking at Hakoa then me. She grabbed Nikan’s hand.
“That’s why I brought you here.” I nodded.
She perked up and started pulling Nikan toward the village.
Hakoa started to follow but stopped after a couple of steps to look back at me. “You coming?”
I shook my head. “No. They need to hear the news from an Ataran.”
And I didn’t want to think about all the ways I had failed them as a Lord, and by not finding all of the survivors. I hated visiting. Everyone was pleasant and grateful, but it was a constant reminder of my shortcomings of not being able to get to everyone in time.
I stayed behind as the three of them left.
“Let me know when they are ready to depart again,” Theron said.
“Jumping back to your realm so fast because you can’t stand this one?” I jested.
“No,” he clipped.
I chuckled, not knowing if he meant it wasn’t because of this realm or if he wasn’t going back to his.
Wait. If it wasn’t his realm…
For Nox’s sake! Why didn’t I think of this sooner?
I internally chastised myself for being such a fucking moron and not asking Theron the right questions before now. If it wasn’t for his Godsdamn restrictions on interfering, maybe he could have been more forthcoming. I spun to face him.
“Can you go to other realms besides this one and Hylithria?”
He tilted his head to the side. “Some of them, yes. ”
“Some?”
“Yes,” he said, clearly annoyed.
As was I.
I ran a hand down my face roughly. “Why can’t you go to all of them?”
“The Gods do not always create realms where Spirits are welcome,” he said flatly.
Hmm. I hadn’t realized that was a possibility.
“Why?” I asked.
“After we ceased all interference here on Taeralia, they were displeased and made realms of their own without Spirits.”
“Can you Travel me to the other realms that you are welcome to?” I pressed.
“No,” he said shortly.
“Why the fuck not?” My jaw clenched.
“Balance. You are meant to be in your realm, not another. Your presence could wreak havoc. Just like the dark wielder has done here,” he said plainly. “I can take you to Hylithria, but I cannot take you anywhere else. Only the Gods can.”
Shit.
“Alright. Then I need you to go search the other realms for Kya. At least the ones you can go to.”
He blinked and blew out a hot breath. “There are a lot of realms.”
“How many?”
He didn’t respond for a few moments. “More than the sands of Taeralia.”
I hummed as I thought for a minute. “And you don’t know what realm she’s in, right?”
“I cannot tell what realm she is in, but I have the ability to detect her through your mating bond if she is in one once I am there.”
It was worth a try. Even if it took a long time, it was better than nothing.
“Search as many as you can. Find her, Theron. Please, just find her.”