15. Esther
ESTHER
“I’m not riding that horse with you. I’d rather walk.” I regret the words I spoke half a day ago, and I know the fucker is purposely testing me as we delve deeper into the mountains on an incline.
“If you weren’t so stubborn, you might not be panting so harshly and keeping us at a slower pace,” Regent suggests from on top of his mighty fucking mare.
I pin him with a glare as a smile toys at the edges of his lips. Grimace is curled around my neck, hidden in the warmth of my hood. My legs are on fire as the incline only continues to grow.
Regent’s still recovering, though he acts as if his body isn’t still processing the poison.
It was his idea to leave the foot of the mountains.
More difficult to be found, he suggested, until he was at his full strength, before we continue toward the auctions.
I still can’t believe I’d actually saved his sorry ass only to drag my feet behind him.
The thought of being pressed against his body creates an immediate heat that strikes at my core, and I try to swat it away.
I don’t know what kind of bullshit he’s casting on me, but the temptation, it would appear, is growing hungrier by the day, and of all things, for a greer that I can’t even stand.
My mind shifts to Blaze, and my body grows heavier with each step.
I wonder what happened when we trapped him and the villagers inspected the barn.
I have no doubt that Blaze made his way out of that situation, but a longing remains in my chest. Of all the people to be hunting me, he was the last I expected. Dahlia’s cruelty has no bounds.
I look up at Regent’s shoulders as I grab onto a thin tree that’s flaking bark to help pull myself up at an awkward angle. The dead trees surrounding us are blanketed in white. Small flakes of snow drop onto my coat, and harsh breaths of air billow from my mouth.
I might not actually ever see Blaze again because this fucking mountain might be the death of me.
Regent slides down from his mare, leading her instead as he slows his pace to match mine. He’s done it multiple times now, and every time I ignore him, creating more distance between us. He falls into a quiet pace beside me.
The snow beneath my step breaks away, and I slip awkwardly, but Regent catches me by the elbow.
“Careful, little Denva. You’re useless to me on a broken ankle.”
I quickly pull out of his grasp. “Are you going to tell me what that word means yet?” Coming from his mouth, I presume it’s an insult. His silence only irritates me more, and I huff out a billow of air. “Are we almost there?”
“Soon. We’ll stay for the night and then move on in the morning. We can’t stay in one place for too long.”
A beast’s cry bellows in the distance, stealing both of our attention. Whatever it is, it sounds big.
“Let me guess, like the jungle, there’s things that will eat us here too?” I ask.
“Always. But I’m just as familiar with these lands, and where we’re going, most don’t dare venture too closely. Especially Felia-blessed beasts.”
“Okay, glad the poison didn’t impact your ability to still be exceptionally vague about everything,” I complain harshly, breathing out white smoke, my lungs on fire.
I look down to see the tip of my braid poking out of my hood, and it’s covered with flakes of snow.
Wherever we’re going, it better have a fireplace.
Finally, we come to stand on top of the hill, and I stare at the ground, panting harshly before looking up. When I do, my breath falters.
“Beautiful.” I sense Regent watching me as I take in the stunning view.
An abandoned city sits below us, small huts circling the main castle, blanketed in snow.
The sea in the distance looks frozen in time, the water calm, despite the whistle of wind that moves the snow around us.
It’s obvious, even from here, that no one has lived in the city for years; it emits an ominous, cursed atmosphere.
But that’s part of its charm. “What is this place?”
Regent’s hands are on my hips as he lifts me onto Reene. I fight him until I’m frozen in place by her whinnying, but I don’t get kicked off, which is progress. Obviously, saving her owner’s life has put us in a momentary truce.
“This is Cadalla, a place of prayer and sanctuary,” Regent explains. He tugs his mare forward, toward the bridge that crosses over the mountain to what looks like a private floating island.
“What god was worshipped here?” I ask as we approach the broken bridge. Bits of it have crumbled, and a few planks are charred, as if someone tried to burn the bridge. But despite simple wear and tear from age, it seems preserved.
Regent’s eyes remain fixed, and I can sense the uneasiness as we approach. “Kahali, the harvest god.”
“Well, do I have a bone to pick with that asshole,” I’m quick to say, thinking back to my kingdom.
“Our land is slowly dying. Most earth greers left our lands, sensing a rot had begun, and no matter how much they try to fix it or pray to Neina for fruitful harvest, they say we’re damned.
I didn’t know the god originated from here, though. ”
As we walk across the long bridge, I lean over the large drop and watch as ice water far below rushes through.
“So, why is it abandoned?” I ask curiously as we walk beneath the wide arch and tall defensive wall that, much like the rest of the mystical temple, crumbles only in certain places, but still holds strong.
On either side of the entrance is a statue of Neina, as is common in places of demigods and prayer.
Which means Kahali was a god of good nature.
Growth and prosperity, as expected of the elusive demigod.
“The god disappeared. When there is not a god to pray to, the people will move away and find a new one.”
I side-eye him as he leads us into the entrance with various pathways, though he immediately turns right down a cobblestoned lane.
The wind sends movement through the two-story rooms that look as if they might’ve once housed worshippers.
Small noises howl, and as my invisible chains rattle around us, always curious as to whether they’ll pick up on anything magical.
Tiny flickers of fire-born beasts seem to chatter at my chains, as if equally inquisitive.
It’s not uncommon for beasts to sense my magic. Most of them, however, are quick to run. I can tell these creatures seem more curious than anything. Then again, it might be because of the powerful greer beside me.
“You and your mare seem familiar with this place,” I say, thinking of the way she acted last night. As if immediately drawn to the safe lodging, and how he leads with certainty through the city.
“I’m accustomed to these lands and I know few will follow us here. Once a god leaves, it’s believed to be cursed, or if the temple is shunned, the god is trapped and will fall into ruin.”
“So you’ve brought me into a cursed sanctuary to gods that I don’t believe in. I feel like that’s doubly fucking me over after I only just saved your life.”
“If this is how I get rid of you, it’s a lot easier than I thought.
” My jaw drops in shock, and the edges of his lips twitch as if he’s trying to refrain from smiling.
Did he just try… a joke? We stop at a large wooden door, and he offers me his hand.
“We’ll rest in here for the night. There is a tub where you can bathe.
I’ll search within the walls for a change of clothes. ”
I ignore his hand and fling myself off Reene. His fingers bend midair as if he wants to wrangle my neck instead. I’m still not under the illusion that this man actually cares for my well-being.
“I’ll be inside shortly,” he suggests, as if my hesitation is because I’m going in without him.
I watch Regent as he leads the mare into a nearby barn.
Grimace’s little head pokes out, the cold-blooded creature choosing to stay in my warmth.
He could at any time return to his marking, but we’ve had a lifetime together of making sure he was hidden.
Now, I sense neither of us want him to return.
When I can no longer see Regent, I decide to go inside.
I can’t help but wonder about the harvest god. I’ve heard stories of demigods being killed and converted into randor blades. Although rare, it can happen. I wonder if the same thing happened to the god here?
I push a wooden door that opens into a grand hall with a spiral staircase in the center. Cracked vases, wooden furniture, and chairs remain unscathed by the elements outside, a gentle breeze pushing me toward the next set of doors.
A scuttling sound comes from the other side.
My invisible chains catch onto faint fire beasts, and I pull out Blaze’s blade as I advance.
His blades have always been close to an ideal size for me, but still, they’re not mine.
Though selfishly, it feels good to finally carry a weapon again, especially his.
Grimace pushes back my hood, scampering out from its warmth and coming to perch on my shoulder, his nose sniffing inquisitively.
I slowly open the door, a loud creak in its wake.
A noisy crash makes my heartbeat pick up as I shove the door open fully, preparing myself for an ambush. Three whips of flames flash across my vision and then hide behind the dressing screen to my right. A gold bowl spins and rattles on the floor.
I remain on high alert, however, I can’t help but take in the beauty of the open bathing chamber that looks out toward the cliff edge with an unobscured view.
The bathhouse is still in immaculate condition, with wooden furnishings, gold bowls, and the bathtub itself, large enough to fit six people comfortably.
It’s carved from white stone, the same material that the alcoves and pillars are made of.
It’s the view beyond the bathhouse that takes my breath.