Chapter 55
Emmeric
The blurry world slowly came back into focus as Emmeric woke.
He’d been sleeping soundly, and although he hadn’t been dreaming or having a nightmare, there was something that didn’t feel quite right.
It was hard for him to blink awake, but he used his hand to grab onto Iyana next to him. Only to find she wasn’t there.
Again.
His eyes flew open, and Emmeric wildly searched their camp, hoping she was somewhere nearby.
But Altair’s absence and the pain within his chest told him that she was gone.
Judging by how his bond was acting, Iyana was far away from him.
It was that aching stretch. He hadn’t felt it like this since the first time they were separated, after they first met. Emmeric rubbed absently at his chest.
“Godsdammit!” he shouted, waking Kaz and Okab. They sat up blearily, rubbing their eyes. The sky was just starting to brighten as the sun made its slow, wintery ascent.
He couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it; hadn’t realized what she was doing.
This was why she had apologized to him earlier.
Not because they had argued, like he had stupidly thought, but because she had dosed their tea with a sleeping draught and was feeling guilty about it.
This was the second time now in two days that Emmeric had woken up without Iyana by his side, and he really hoped this wasn’t turning into a fucking pattern.
Where are you?
When she didn’t answer, Emmeric stood from his sleeping bag and marched over to Okab, dragging him out of his own bag and giving him a little shake.
“Where would he have taken her?” he snarled in the star’s face. Okab, to his credit, didn’t react. Instead, he placed his hands over Emmeric’s calmly and hoisted himself to his feet. Em hated the look of pity he saw on his face.
“He would take her wherever she wanted to go. He loves her.”
Emmeric scoffed. “He used her. That bastard almost killed her, and you’re trying to tell me he loves her?”
“I’m not saying my brother did the smartest thing—he didn’t. He was a fucking idiot, and I’ve told him that several times. But if she came to him and asked for his help with something, he would have taken her anywhere she asked. So ask yourself, where would she have gone?”
Kaz looked at Emmeric, her eyes wide with fear and understanding.
They both realized where she went. Iyana was stubborn at best and recklessly stupid at worst. Emmeric was going to have to have a talk with her.
They absolutely could not do this to each other.
This was a partnership; they were in this together and they needed to think things through before acting.
It was irresponsible of her to run headlong into a known trap.
He was so angry that it almost eclipsed his fear. Almost.
Because he could still feel a hint of her emotions through the bond, and she was terrified. Whatever she had been hoping to do, it had gone horribly wrong.
Emmeric glared at Okab. “Take us to Athusia. Now.”