Chapter Thirty-Three
Avari
Aportal journey, a short hike to the car park, and a long drive—the perfect way to describe our day.
The road stretched endlessly before us, disappearing into the distance.
The climate here was different too. Much like the Volcano Lands, where River’s grandparents lived, the air was hot and humid, making each breath feel heavier.
The air conditioning did a good job of masking the heat, but I couldn’t resist cracking the window open just enough to slip my fingers outside. Hot bursts of air wrapped around them, reminding me of Ortensian summers my sisters and I were forced to spend in the tropical forest.
That castle was nothing like the one mother had chosen for her base.
Surrounded by vegetation so lush I could spend days analysing it, with palm trees tall enough to cast shade on unbearable days, it had once felt like my version of paradise.
Especially since my socialite sisters left me alone, and something about the place seemed to keep our mother away. Most likely her own mother.
The topic of grandparents seemed to cling to River and me lately, and it was hard not to compare his upbringing and family ties to mine. The contrast was jarring, though I couldn’t complain about Grandmother Alyssa too much. She never really bothered me and let me do as I pleased.
Perhaps that was why I loved the place.
‘Are we far?’ I asked River whose yawns had become more frequent.
My question seemed to snap him out of his thoughts. ‘Yeah, the place the second riddle might refer to is fairly secluded. Want to stop somewhere and get some rest?’
His eyes roamed over my face as though I were the one who needed a break. Something tight flickered in his gaze before he masked it, and I knew he wouldn’t stop unless it was for my sake, even though I’d already had several naps.
‘Yeah, I’m kind of sick of driving, to be honest. But is there anywhere to stop in this desert?’
The sand dunes stretched for what felt like an eternity, perpetual sunlight scorching them into a vicious trap of heat. One bare step would probably burn the skin from my feet, yet something still compelled me to dig my hand into the sand whenever we stopped.
‘We passed various towns; the next one isn’t too far from here,’ he said, slouching a little.
The drive there didn’t take long, and River wasn’t particularly chatty. I never drove, but from the looks of it, it was tiring.
I wondered if flying was worse. Anya’s back wasn’t nearly as well cushioned as the car seats, that was for sure.
‘Next time we fly, I will rub myself in poison ivy. Let’s see if that makes it any better for you, princess,’ she screeched in my mind, and I giggled.
A couple of confused looks shot my way in the hotel lobby.
‘Just chatting to my beast,’ I told River, who urged me to take a seat while he sorted the rooms.
‘Did you jump his bones yet?’ Anya taunted, and I tried not to roll my eyes.
‘You know there is such a thing as sex addiction.’
‘You need a sex addition, as in to add some to your regime, you get it? Addition,’ she repeated.
I did my best to sound accusatory when I said, ‘Is that what you’ve been busying yourself with along with Roark?’
Anya snickered. ‘Are you trying to live vicariously through me?’
‘Not quite, but it did seem that you two have hit it off quite well,’ I explained. ‘Are you into him?’
‘Of course I am. Besides, it’s not like either of us has many options, not that he isn’t good. He is rather efficient in satisfying my needs. And he can hold a conversation which is more than I can say for some of my partners in the prison.’
‘Why do you always call the banishing a prison? Was it really that bad?’
‘Don’t want to talk about it. Go to your mate and tell me how the search goes,’ she said quieter and left.
‘Good news or better news?’ River asked in a cheerful tone that didn’t match his hooded eyes.
‘Better first,’ I said, hoping the good news didn’t refer to sleeping under the stars. Whether it made me spoiled or a typical princess, I craved air conditioning.
‘You get to spend more time with me,’ he said, smiling.
The corner of my mouth lifted; I didn’t exactly resent that fact. ‘And the good news?’
He raised a hand with a room key. There was a spark in his gaze that quickened my heartbeat. ‘They only had one room.’
‘I don’t mean to sound… unappreciative, but why exactly is that good news?’
‘Well, it’s good news for me.’ The tension from earlier ebbed from his face, as though seeing I wasn’t disappointed had brought him a quiet sense of relief.
‘No shit,’ I laughed. ‘Okay, where is that room?’
A ping resounded from my pocket just as we reached the second floor.
Session tomorrow at 11? Let's get these muscles of yours working.
I can't. We're on the search. I'll let you know when we get back.
Are you safe? Who are you with?
I'm safe.
The feeling of being watched made my fingers slip as I typed my reply. River stood behind me, hovering, the grim aura surrounding him putting me on high alert.
‘A friend?’ The muscles in his face stilled, his gaze turning glacial. ‘Get those muscles working? Interesting.’
He sidestepped me to open the door, and I wasn’t sure how to react. It felt like I owed him an explanation. ‘That’s Isaac. He’s my shadow tutor, though he thinks I’d benefit more from combat training.’
River inhaled slowly. ‘Oh.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Why does he think you’ll gain more from combat than shadow training?’ he asked quickly, and I could swear for just a moment his cheeks flushed.
Was he embarrassed? He should be; he acted like an entitled moron.
We crossed the threshold, and my attention drifted to the flowery smells that clung to our place. ‘Because my mother took so much, we aren’t sure if it’s even possible to grow them back. Or I’m not sure; they all seem to think it just needs time.’
River’s finger grazed my hand momentarily before disappearing. ‘It probably does, Ava. Besides, look at how you got your fire; maybe the time you get your shadows will be as spectacular.’
‘Maybe. I really hope so. Everyone is relying on me getting them. The pressure is… it’s just… My family is shadow royalty; if I don’t have any shadows, wouldn’t that be humiliating for them?’
‘What?’ He closed the curtains and whipped back to me. ‘They’re your family; I’m sure they don’t care what powers you have.’
‘No, I know they don’t. But the other dark fae might.’ I slouched on the corner of the king-sized bed and rested my elbows on my knees. ‘I’ve already been a disappointment in one court, I don’t think I can bear to be one in theirs too.’
His stare bore into mine as his hands cupped my face. ‘You are special and perfect just the way you are. Even without your powers. Even before you released your fire.’
A tear slipped from the corner of my eye, catching against his fingers. ‘Thank you.’
‘Don’t ever think like that again,’ he whispered softly, his voice brushing against my senses.
I touched the hand resting on my cheek, gazing into his warm, beautiful eyes. ‘I’ll try not to.’
Then he kissed my forehead, and I lost it.