Chapter 16
Arina
“We are short help today. You will deliver baskets,” Breesha says by way of greeting as I enter the kitchens.
I’m stunned as she pushes a wheeled cart piled with full baskets in front of me. “Alone?”
“You will be fine. You know your way around, yes?”
She knows I do. Since my little mishap, I’ve been going on delivery rounds with the others whenever I can. Working to get my bearings.
Apparently, she’s not worried in the least that I will try to leave. Maybe this is my chance. I haven’t collected any real information to bring back with me, but I can mark my way home. Leave a trail that could lead the soldiers here.
And then be responsible for the death of how many hundreds of innocent fae? No.
I need to speak with Queen Daphne. There has to be a way for them to reconcile whatever rift lies between her and the Rhiza.
I set the first basket before the door labeled on the delivery map Breesha shoved into my hand as she pushed me out. Two sharp knocks should be plenty to let the inhabitants know the basket is out here.
I’m two steps away when, without warning, a hand wraps around my neck, and I’m thrown hard against the wall.
“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you right here.” Shreya’s breath is hot on my ear as she holds my face against the cold, sharp stone. She’s smaller than me, but the element of surprise is working for her at present.
I grieve my missing dagger once more. Fucking Raiden.
“I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to,” I seethe between clenched teeth. The metallic tang of blood covers my tongue.
She shifts her weight, releasing me slightly only to slam back into me. The jagged rock edge meets my cheek with a crack, and I see stars.
I throw my elbow upward into her nose, stunning her enough to get her the fuck off my back. Not giving her time to recover, I run at her, wrapping my arms around her middle and taking us both to the ground.
Rage blinds me, and I lose control, landing hit after hit, channeling all the frustration that has been building in me since being brought to this place, until she’s no longer moving beneath me. I can’t kill her; they’d never let me leave if I murder another rebel. And I would never forgive myself.
She’s still breathing but unconscious as I juggle dragging her limp body and holding open the door to her room.
Once she’s settled—on the floor because there’s no way I’m hauling her ass all the way to the bed—I use her washroom to rinse off the blood from my face and hands. I don’t want to scare anyone or make a mess of the baskets while I finish my deliveries.
I toss her basket of supplies in with her as I’m leaving. Just in case someone comes by and wonders why she hasn’t brought it in yet.
“Enjoy your fucking basket, bitch,” I whisper as I close her door behind me and continue on my delivery route.
I haven’t seen myself, but if the purpling of my knuckles is any indication, I’m sure I’m a sight to behold.
When I knock at the last door of the day, exhausted and battling a massive headache, the sound of tiny feet scurrying about on the other side does wonders for my sour mood before it even opens.
Expecting to see a small child after the handle turns, my smile turns to shock when a woman with a baby strapped tight to her chest stands before me. Two familiar, shy faces peek at me from behind the woman’s skirts.
Before I can articulate my thoughts into words, the woman rushes at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezing, careful not to press too hard so as not to squish her sleeping bundle.
The basket I brought for them hangs from my limp arm as I am too stunned to return the hug.
When she lets go, her hands go to my face. “You were sent to us by the gods! You saved us.” She’s sobbing now. “I had heard a healer was brought here, and I prayed it was you.”
They’re all clean and significantly more vibrant than the last time I saw them.
“I don’t understand,” I say as she pulls me into her living space. “How are you here?”
“We left the healer’s quarters and were followed by two men. We had almost made it home when one of them grabbed me. I thought they were going to kill us, but it ended up being Sir Raiden and Sir Baltas.” I note the slight blush to her cheeks when she mentions Baltas.
Her hands are steady as she unwraps the babe from her sling and shoves her into my hands.
The darling thing is bright-eyed and content. As if she hadn’t been nearly starved to death just weeks ago.
“They brought us here. Gave us food and shelter. It takes some getting used to, but there’s something about this place. It’s easier to breathe here. Easier to exist. Don’t you think?” she asks, beckoning for me to sit in the rocking chair next to the fire in her room.
I think back to my little solo adventure and getting lost in the caves, the chair creaks as I rock the baby back and forth. “I’m not so sure I’d agree.”
She gives me a soft smile. “I hope you will stay.”
I tilt my head, hoping she’ll say more, but her rosy cheeks are tilted down at the tiny thing in my arms, and the firelight shines in her glistening eyes.
The two older children play with wooden figurines at my feet, and I try to picture my life if I never return to the Smog.
Raiden
I DON'T BOTHER knocking.
Arina stands in her washroom with her back to me, scrubbing her hands. She doesn’t turn when she hears me coming. Instead, she wraps a torn cloth around one hand, and I stand behind her in silence.
She attracts trouble like trees attract birds. Curiosity overcomes me, so I ask, “What did you do?”
“Knock much?” she asks, avoiding the question. And then, “This is nothing. You should see the other guy.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing. Whatever mess you’ve created, I’ll be required to clean it up. It’s best if you tell me now.”
She turns to face me, giving me a clear view of the gash on her right cheek that’s outlined in a dark, angry bruise.
I grab her chin, lifting it to take a closer look, and she doesn’t tear herself away. She just stares hard down her nose. It looks as if her face met a rock. I release her, and she begins to dab at the wound with a wet cloth.
“Who did this?” Hot anger rises to the surface. Anger that I have no control over. Anger that I should have no right to feel.
“It’s not important. They’re only trying to finish what you started by bringing me here.” The jab stings, but it also brings me comfort to hear her spirit remains unbroken.
I follow her out of the washroom, still waiting for an answer.
She deflects, “What are you doing here?” Just getting in one last look at my little snake before I go. I can’t ignore the call of her heart to mine, and being able to see her whenever I want has spoiled me.
“I came to say goodbye. But now it seems that will have to wait until we’ve sorted out whatever this is.” I wave my hand in her general direction. “Now. Tell me who’s done this to you. I assure you, you will not like my method should I have to find out on my own.”
“I will tell you in exchange for an answer to my question.” She wants to barter, maybe this will be good.
“Fine. What’s your question?”
She’s been spending a lot of time with Breesha, and I had entrusted her there because I knew she might share some of her wisdom with the healer. I have been expecting questions, and I’m ready to answer this one.
“Who is Invidia?”
I bite my cheek, trying not to grin at her brashness.
“She is a demon-goddess. She is a parasitic leech. They say she feeds off the emotion of envy. Have you not been told much of the gods?” I ask, though I know the answer.
She tilts her head at me, and I swear I can see the gears in her head turning. She knows very little of the gods, and even less of other deities.
“What does she have to do with anything?”
I shake my finger once in the air. “That wasn’t our deal, little snake.”
She huffs such a heavy breath that her shoulders rise and slump. “You knew I would want to know more than just that. Tell me, or you shall never know who is responsible. I can promise you that.”
I allow myself a small smile at her insolence. She is made of something so much more resilient than she even comprehends.
It’s hard to know how much to share, but I give her enough to chew on for now, “Invidia is from the underworld. The Smog is her magic made into a living thing. She has other … skills. They say she can turn people to stone.”
As expected, Arina blinks at me, likely wondering if I harbor even a shred of sanity.
“Okay, say I believe you,” she starts. “If you know she’s the reason for the curse, why hasn’t anyone done anything?”
I shrug. She’s either going to believe me, or she’s not. “She is currently feeding off Queen Daphne, and we have not found a way to lure her out so the queen is unharmed.”
“That’s … why are you telling me all this?” she asks, skepticism still clinging to her words.
“It’s widely known amongst the Rhiza, and you were bound to find out at some point. Now. Tell me who fucking hurt you.” I barely get the words out because my jaw is clenched so tight.
She sighs and sits in a chair. “Shreya. Considering I murdered her partner, I’d say I deserved much worse.”
“Did you provoke her?” I take the seat across from her and lean forward, resting my forearms on my knees.
“Not unless delivering her supply basket is offensive in some way.”
I narrow my eyes at her.
“I swear.” She raises her hands. “She attacked me from behind, and I was defending myself … mostly.” I follow the path of her eyes as she watches a small insect crawl across the floor and slip through a crack in the wall. No doubt she’s wishing she could escape, too.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many bugs in one place,” she says absently. “Above ground we don’t have many animals, and very few bugs have survived the Smog.”
“It’s sealed off from the Smog. Haven’t you been able to feel it?” I ask.
“No? At least, I don’t think so.” She looks down at her hands.