48. Astraea
Chapter forty-eight
Astraea
A wheezing cough interrupts any discussion that Shayd and I were going to have.
Instead, my attention is pulled back to Mavros, where he dips his head, pressing his ear close to Zinya’s mouth.
Worry etches between his brows. I’m not sure exactly what happened to her, but I imagine it would take a lot to keep her down like this.
“We need to find shelter and get her water.” Mavros says, brushing a stray hair away from her face and adjusting his hold on her.
“And maybe something for the swelling.” Colette adds, reaching out and taking Zinya’s wrist and rubbing small circles on the inside of it.
Watching my newly found family hurt brings even more determination to my aching chest. Kyros may think he's the only one who can save us, but that is where he’s mistaken.
He taught every one of us how to survive when we were struggling to in some way.
“I can’t portal for at least a few hours at best. Opening portals back to back and transporting this many people really took it out of me.
” Ruaan says, rubbing a hand through his disheveled hair, clearly annoyed by that fact.
He answered at least one question I had about how everyone ended up together, even though not all of us had gone through my portal.
“I can. Portal again, I mean.” I say after a moment's hesitation. At least I think I can. I can feel the power still simmering beneath my skin. As strange as it sounds, it almost feels like I am actively pulling it from the land under my feet, though that can’t be right.
Kyros never said anything about siphoning magick from the land.
I’m not sure it’s worth mentioning to the group, at least not right now under these circumstances.
“There are caves in the dead sea. They would be our best option for something nearby. It’s difficult for even Kyros to portal several people at once, and to get somewhere you’ve never been might be a challenge for even the most skilled render.
Are you sure your power is ready for that?
” Mavros asks, and reflexively I flex my fist and then extend my fingers out as I watch the shadows that cover my skin swirl and dance like a moving motif of dark art along my arm. I meet his gaze and nod.
“I can do it.” Though the words leave my mouth confident, I can’t help but pull my lip between my teeth and chew on it as doubt tries to sink its claws into my mind.
“She can.” Shayd says confidently to the group as he still sits in the sand.
He pulls his knees up so he can rest his arms across them.
“Your magick is different from his.” He jerks his head in the direction of Ruaan without making eye contact with the man who just nearly killed him.
“Different from Kyros’ or Mavros’ magick too because you are not merely Senka-born.
Your lineage is what gives you your magick, and while your mother was Senka-born like royals in this realm typically are…
You are far more unique.” He runs his tongue out over the cut in his lip before he looks at his hands that hang limply between his knees.
“I know it might be hard for you to trust me after what you’ve learned.
I’m not saying I'm perfect… I’ve done many horrible things in my life, but I’m hoping the good can somehow outweigh the bad.
” Though Ruaan scoffs, I somehow feel the sincerity coming from Shayd as he speaks, but I stay silent as I wait for him to continue.
“Believe it or not, I’ve made it my life’s mission to help the people who foster magick.
I’ve been doing everything I can to work against everything Phaedra was doing.
I didn’t know in the beginning. I was young.
I heard their plans, and coming from a strong line of Senka-born, I was intrigued by the picture of power that Phaedra and Connard painted.
Neither of us realized just how far she wanted to go…
but when I learned what she wanted… because of you, I knew I needed to get you somewhere you would be protected.
Astraea, you hold something this realm has not seen in millennia.
” My body tenses under Shayd’s gaze, like what he said is supposed to mean something to me.
“Um… guys?” Beckett cuts in, “This all sounds interesting, world changing and everything, but do you think it can wait until after we get somewhere for shelter? I don’t like the look of that.
” He points out in the distance where a rolling back cloud of sand is rushing toward us like a wall of churning shadow. Sandstorm. Just like I was afraid of.
I can do this. I tell myself as I look down at my hand again. I can render a portal to an unknown destination. I’ve done it before. I can do it again. Just this time I need to aim.
The magick rushes through my veins, responding quickly to my call.
I need to open the portal and I need to save these people.
Most of them have been willing to see me as more than just a princess, and now I need to prove it to myself.
My hand whips out, and something that feels like static shock nips at my fingertips as black flame and deep smoky shadows shoot out.
They create a vortex of darkness before the portal opens up with little effort.
Everyone steps back, looking at the display of magick with awe.
I never realized before, but the portals I conjure look different compared to the others I’ve seen.
Even the nightmare creature's portal was glowing amber with the haze of red flame around its perimeter like theirs.
But mine, it's like the glow of my black flame. Star fire caught in the darkest night.
“The caves?” I ask for confirmation. “The Eolian caves of the Dead Sea?” I try again, speaking to no one in particular.
Kellan nods, and I take that as good of an answer as any.
“Once everyone is through, Cole and I will go to Kaeleith to get something for Zinya.” I say as wind and particles of sand begin to assault us from every direction.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Cole cautions. “You heard what Kyros said…” She’s right, but Zinya needs Kaeleith’s help.
“Just get us to the caves. The rest of the plan can be worked out once we're safe from this storm.” Mavros barks, trying to shield Zinya the best he can from the onslaught of sudden weather.
He steps through with her, not without making eye contact with me first. I can tell this decision is not easy for him, but he does better than Kyros at trusting others and giving up control.
Beckett follows. Then Ruaan, forcing Shayd to go through with him, one arm twisted back behind his back.
Kellan and Cole look at me, then out to the sandstorm.
Cole reaches for my hand, and I twine my fingers through hers. Then she does the same with Kellan, and with a nod we all step into the dark vortex of my magick.
The caves in the Dead Sea are different from those we sought shelter in when Kyros, Kellan, and I were fleeing from Eathian.
These caves are pure darkness. The only reason we can see anything at all is because Kellan and Beckett searched through the darkness to find what little they could that would burn and started a small fire.
We missed the sandstorm swallowing us with only seconds to spare, and once on the other side of the portal, even if unsettled by what’s recently unfolded, we all breathe a little easier.
“I want to come with you—when you leave.” I jump when I hear Mavros’ voice close behind me.
He comes to stand at my side as we both watch Cole and Ruaan fuss over Zinya on the other side of the dancing flames.
I turn my head slightly to look up at him.
His jaw is set in a familiar rigidity that brings an ache to my heart.
The brothers are so different from one another, but for every difference they carry, they have just as many similar characteristics, especially when their emotions are heightened.
“I think you should stay. When Zinya wakes up, you need to be here for her.” I sigh, and he drapes his heavy arm over my shoulders.
I close my eyes, reveling in his warmth.
Even if the desert has given plenty of heat, it’s the comfort he’s offering me in this moment that makes me feel something the heat of the desert couldn’t.
Even if my chest aches in a way that feels like my already broken heart is ripping me to pieces.
“If Zinya wakes up and learns what Kyros did and that I allowed you to try to be the next sacrifice?” He pauses, eyebrows hiking up his face as he looks sideways in my direction.
“She would kick my ass.” He smiles in the playful way that he always does.
Even in the darkest of times, Mavros always has a way of bringing a lightness that just comes easily for him.
“She may already just kick my ass for the oath I gave to begin with.” He laughs again, this time squeezing me closer, but as I look up again to see his face, I notice how the smile doesn’t reach his eyes.
“What you did to save her was valiant, Mavros. She’ll see that.
” I counter, realizing that the same could be said for what Kyros did.
I guess I can understand how Zinya might also be upset.
I know I am furious at Kyros for doing what he felt he had to.
I feel angry and hurt beyond measure. Treating himself as someone who can be sacrificial for our safety. A martyr.
“And you feel that way about what Kyros did?” Mavros asks, clearly reading my silence. I take a deep breath, looking away from him and at the others.
“He said he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me again, but this?” Hot tears suddenly building behind my eyes as I turn to look back at him. “This is the most terrible thing he could have done. He gave himself, but at what cost?”
“Sometimes, the most terrible things we do are powered by the purest intentions. It’s the cruel reality of love, princess.” Mavros says, but his eyes are back on Zinya.
Love. Something I thought I would never have, but as I think of Kyros and everything that we have been through…
When I look at the people here surrounding me now and the man at my side, I know I don’t just have it, but rather I have an abundance of it.
I have a family with these people that I now realize I would do anything for.
And I know Mavros is right because I'm sure Kyros feels that way too, and truthfully I know that’s why he did it.
Love is destructive; like fire, it’s all consuming. And the thing about using someone's love as a weapon is the fact that when you add flame to an already raging fire, you’re more than likely going to be burned.
“I need to have a conversation with Shayd, but I think I just need a few minutes to rest.” I say as I wipe my eyes and suddenly feel even more drained by the very real, very hard emotion I’m trying to accept.
I understand why Kyros did what he did because that’s what you do for love. I understand because I love him too.
“Take your time. Beckett did bring a bag that had some supplies in it. I think it was packed by Kyros considering all the shit that was in it.” It’s then that I notice the bundle of fabric he has in his hand.
“Looks like these were packed for you.” He says, extending his arm and offering the clothing to me.
Training gear. Kyros knew we might be on the run if things went awry with Phaedra.
Of course he had a backup plan; why wouldn’t he?
“Thank you,” I say, taking the clothes and clutching them close.
Warmth builds behind my eyes again, knowing that Kyros thought to pack them for me.
And I couldn’t be more grateful for the chance to get out of this dress.
“I’m just going to go over there to change.
” I point to an alcove not far off from the others.
“Of course. I’ll send Colette over. You shouldn’t be alone.” I don’t argue with him, just nod.
“Thank you, Mavros.” I reach out and take his hand, giving it a firm squeeze. “For everything.”
“Princess, you’re going to be my sister one day, real soon.” He lifts my hand between us and jerks his head at the ring on my finger, and my heart clenches. “That’s what family’s for.”