Chapter 7 #5
“There! We can climb out!” Leukos pointed at the space above their heads.
If they used the outstretched claws and limbs of the beasts like tree branches, it might work, but it wouldn’t be easy. Aurora feared she wouldn’t last long enough for a climb.
“Fuck that,” Epicasta huffed. “Brace yourselves.”
Theron wrapped his arms around Aurora, shielding her with his body as a tempest spawned underneath their feet.
Epicasta shrieked as she unleashed a violent blast of air, sending the lot of them flying up and out of the ring of razor-tipped death.
In the half a heartbeat between rising and falling, they were weightless.
Sharp pain stabbed her behind her eyes, and she felt her magic snap back.
In that moment, another blast of wind sent them flying away.
The monstrosities fell on each other as Theron and Aurora hit the ground in a jarring tumble.
Dazed and disoriented, Aurora could only manage a groan as hot, salty blood ran down from her nose and filled her mouth.
Theron pulled them both to their feet, shield and spear at the ready, when a blast of radiant light shot up from the centre of the camp.
It reached up into the sky and spilled out like a fountain, bathing the whole of the camp and beyond in a wave of divine magic.
The shrieks of the monstrosities reached a crescendo before being silenced.
“Hyllus…” Aurora murmured.
He’d done it. They were safe. Aurora nearly wept with relief as the last bit of strength left her legs.
Theron crouched in front of her, his hands roaming her face as his magic washed over her.
She hadn’t realized what sensations his magic had muted until they were returned to her.
She felt the ticklish grass beneath her, the blood-smeared dirt on her skin, Theron’s warmth, and the sudden chill of the night breeze.
She placed her hands atop his and let herself drown in his golden eyes.
“You found me,” she whispered.
“I will always find you, Aurora,” he vowed, his thumbs stroking her cheekbones.
Theron pulled her into a fierce hug, kissing the top of her head as she shook in the aftermath of the terror. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her ear to his chest, taking comfort in his wildly beating heart.
Warm.
Alive.
Safe.
“Your Highness, I must insist you return to Boreas.”
Aurora jumped, just then remembering they weren’t alone.
Over Theron’s shoulder, she spied Leukos looking very much worse for wear and using his sword like a crutch.
One of his arms hung limp at his side, his foot twisted at an alarming angle.
He leaned over Epicasta, who had rolled to her side and was just getting her bearings.
Epicasta laughed bitterly before groaning. Theron muttered darkly under his breath before turning around so he could watch the scene unfold. He leaned against the nearest tree with Aurora in his lap, his arms wrapped around her possessively.
“Shouldn’t we…” Aurora nodded at the two.
Theron snorted, instead getting more comfortable, nuzzling her head.
“Some things you need to allow to play out.”
“You really must remove that stick from your ass, Leukos,” Epicasta sighed.
“Queen Flora demands your return. I am duty-bound to carry out her orders.”
“Casy!” Hyllus raced into the clearing, skidding to a halt on his knees before her. He bathed her in the glow of his divine magic. “What hurts?”
“My ears. This dog has been barking in them,” Epicasta hissed at Leukos.
Hyllus turned on Leukos, his expression stormy. He grabbed the man’s face with a hand as divine magic poured out of his palm. Aurora gasped as Leukos fought the avatar’s hold. When next he spoke, Hyllus’ voice was laced with ominous power—a divine command…or curse.
“Breathe a word of her presence here, and Justice will strike you down.”
He released Leukos, who fell to the ground. The Viridian nobleman raised a shaking hand to his face where the avatar’s glowing handprint branded itself before sinking beneath his skin. Aurora swallowed nervously. She’d only seen a divine curse performed once before by a high priestess.
Theron chuckled.
“You’d best be on your way, Avatar. The Viridians will come sniffing around soon enough.”
Hyllus helped Epicasta to her feet and nodded at Theron.
“Remember what I told you, Aurora.” Then Hyllus turned his eyes on Theron, all warmth gone in an instant. It sent a chill down her spine. “If you break her heart, not even Death will be able to spare you from the curse I’ll bestow on you.”
“And if you think to take her from me, know you will suffer in kind,” Theron replied, his voice threatening as a thundercloud as he squeezed Aurora closer.
“Your Majesty! Your Highness!”
The Aurean soldiers had begun their search in earnest. Aurora opened her mouth, about to ask that Hyllus and Epicasta stay.
But she pressed her lips together almost as soon as she’d had the foolish thought.
She had to pray they would meet again. Hyllus turned to Epicasta, who smiled as she laced her fingers through his.
She turned her head and winked at Aurora.
“Make him grovel, would you?”
They raced into the tree line and were swallowed by the night.
Aurora raised her gaze to Theron.
How in the goddesses’ good graces was she supposed to make him grovel?