Chapter 38 Audryn
AUDRYN
The breeze rushed past as we lifted into the sky and left behind all that I’d lost in Rivale.
With the warmth of the man sitting at my back, I leaned in, allowing myself to be held up against the sturdy support that had stayed a constant since the moment I met him.
I hadn’t told him I loved him, but I would have the conversation soon, because life wasn’t guaranteed.
Col had been thoughtful to take me far enough away for others not to hear the moment my chest cracked from the news of my father’s death.
If it hadn’t been for his ready arms, I would have fallen to the ground, crushed by the weight of grief.
When he told me who was responsible, guilt rolled through.
I’d had so many chances to kill Hunt, and if I had, my father would have lived.
The only consolation was knowing the guard got what he deserved at the hands of the man closest to me.
Dozens of wings flapped around us as we made our way north. Their rhythmic beat was almost soothing.
“Are you cold?” Col pulled me into him, wrapping his hand around my waist, his sweat-soaked scent a comfort in a time filled with so much sadness.
“If I lie and say yes, will you stay like this?” I mused.
Leanna had my clothes, along with the rest of the books I’d borrowed from the library, placed in bags and dramatically thrown from the bedroom window.
Though she might’ve thought it would humiliate me, it was more of a mercy considering I’d been left to wear the chopped up remnants of their familial wedding gown.
Not offered a place to change, Col and Dysis protected me from the eyes of those who remained in the sea of flowers.
My wyvern covered me with her wings and screeched at each person until their backs were all turned.
I was pretty sure she was threatening them, based on the shared feelings deep in my mind, and I was grateful she didn’t attempt to act.
“You know she’s probably upset that you flew with me instead of with her, right?” Col looked at Dysis, who was flying next to us.
I tilted my head at the creature. “I think she understands. And if not, let’s hope she doesn’t hold a grudge.” On cue, she huffed a breath in our direction, covering us with moisture from her sinuses.
“Oh, she definitely does. You should’ve seen her with Fisher. He’s going to have a difficult time winning her over.” His chest rumbled with a chuckle, and it was the most beautiful sound I’d heard in a week.
Wrapping my hand around his, I pulled his arm back and into me. He adjusted his seat, getting rid of every inch between us.
“So, you got the missive.” I hummed. “That’s how you knew to come.”
“What missive?”
“I sent one a couple of days ago to Kuroden. When I saw you, I assumed you’d received it.” I looked back thoughtfully over my shoulder at him.
“Nope, the day you left was the day I left.” He brought his chin down, letting our cheeks meet.
“It was a risk to help, considering you didn’t want me to, but …
” He sat quietly for several moments while the beating wings flapped around us.
“I couldn’t let you go,” he said, “and Sky said she felt something off inside of you. Like someone might’ve used Macabre magic on your mind. ”
Things were off. I’d been feeling it for weeks, but couldn’t put my finger on it. When I was sitting in the prison, something changed, though. Whatever was wrapped around my mind and pulled me backwards finally severed and shrunk away. It was a slight relief I felt in such immense panic.
“When we get back, I’d like to have someone look at you,” Col continued, “but only if you feel up to it. If you’re comfortable with Sky, maybe she could—”
“Yes,” I said, cutting him off. I inhaled deeply and blew the breath out slowly before continuing. “I trust Sky. You trust her too, right?”
“I do.”
Even without Col’s opinion, I trusted her.
When I’d pushed everyone away in Kuroden, she kept beating at the walls I’d thrown up.
I’d never felt her judging me, even when she should’ve been.
I was grateful she’d been the one to take my father from the chaos.
He would’ve been happy to finally take a ride on a wyvern when he’d only ever seen them in books.
A gryphon flew past us, frantic to get away with a screaming Fisher aboard. Roark and a witch maniacally laughed as they chased after him on a wyvern.
More fae wanted to go to Kuroden than the witches had seats for, so Col sent Roark and Fisher to negotiate taking a dozen gryphons with us.
Leanna agreed to the exchange so long as they were returned.
Thankfully, the Ardens offered to deliver them back.
The only other caveat was that Leanna would claim Col stole them to keep up the charade of a feud between the two kingdoms. Whether the feud would last was a matter to be determined at a later date.
I thought back to how so much had changed since I first climbed on a beast with Col behind me.
“When we first went to Kuroden, you said the wyverns would kill the gryphons if they flew together,” I said, watching the two creatures dip and dive in the distance.
The wyvern kept space between them even though it was much faster and could easily catch it.
“I lied,” Col said smugly.
My head snapped around. “You what?”
“Lied.” He smirked. “I wanted you to ride with me, so I lied to Ryder.”
“Amalee didn’t even correct you!” I laughed.
“Nope. No matter how ridiculous the lie. I extend the same courtesy to her.” He shrugged.
The wyvern dropped back, allowing the gryphon to gain altitude and resume at a casual pace. We began gliding down to Rynholm, and my stomach fell. My body tensed, bracing perhaps for both the landing and seeing my father’s lifeless body.
“He belongs with my mother,” I whispered, unsure if my voice would carry over the wind.
“Where is she?”
I exhaled. “Near the northern border with Kam.”
We had buried Kamden near a large aspen tree in the mountains in the northwestern area of Rivale. It was near a place our parents took us as children, so isolated the likelihood of being discovered was slim.
“What if we created a space for all of them in Kuroden? We could move them there when you’re ready if you’d like. In the meantime, we can bury your father here or take him straight through, it’s up to you.”
“I saw them, you know?” I fidgeted with his fingers on my abdomen for several minutes, and he stayed quiet as he let me decide just how much I wanted to share. “In the prison.” I shook my head. “It was probably a hallucination from the fumes, but—”
“I believe you,” he breathed.
“They were at peace. And for a moment, I couldn’t see anything other than being with them.
” Tears streaked my cheeks. “Everything felt hopeless.” Zalzre dipped lower, and I leaned back, adjusting for the angle.
“I knew my father would’ve been happy in Kuroden with you.
He would’ve loved it there, even if I didn’t make it. I knew you’d keep him with you.”
“I wish I had the chance to know him,” Col whispered.
I exhaled. “Me too.”
“Will you tell me about him? About each of the members of your family?” His voice was soft. “When you’re ready.”
I nodded and wiped the tears from my cheeks. Col’s fingers traced over the same watery lines just before he turned my head and made gentle kisses over them.
Zalzre made one last dive, and my stomach tilted.
Burying the last member of my family wasn’t something I’d expected to do, but in their absence, maybe Col, Sky, and Amalee, could hold their place.
With Jaspar and Benton remaining in Rivale, at least for now, I’d need to depend on those around me more than ever.
Maybe Draven could teach me how to cook something using herbs from a garden I’d happily help build.
Roark and I could finally share more than a few words in the corridor, however awkward they may end up being.
And I’d commit to getting to know the dozens of others who’d stepped in and exposed themselves so valiantly.
Not because they had to, but because they chose to.
Though none of the people from Jaspar’s chapter left with us, I’d pledged to help them from a distance.
Col exchanged information with Jaspar and agreed to discuss the logistics of getting the gems to him in Rivale.
And I’d given him my ring as my first payment toward the life debt I owed to the group and given Jaspar my home to do with as he saw fit.
As for Maris, she couldn’t return home without her family’s safety being put at risk. She rolled her eyes when she said she was going with us, but I think she secretly wanted to go. I could already see the shenanigans Micah and she would get up to.
Zalzre’s claws hit the ground, and Col leaned into me, dipping his chin over my shoulder. “Give me one more moment before I let you leave my arms?”
I nodded.
“There’s no pressure,” Col breathed, “but do you think you can sleep next to me tonight?”
“Will you be getting me a fish sandwich in return?”
“Fish sandwiches for everyone,” he whispered.
He squeezed in around me and sat quietly as I gathered myself. And off in the distance, a single white stag strolled out from behind a tree. The animal lifted its head and held my stare.