Chapter Seven
KYELLA
And what a pleasure it had been.
Only moments later, the whirlpool sucked the ship in, any possible screams of the crewmembers completely absorbed by the storm.
The other sea creatures immediately dove toward where the ship disappeared, sinking underneath the water in search of their prey while the swarms of bats turned heel and followed us.
My body shook with adrenaline as I watched the dark clouds slowly dissipate, evaporating like a heavy fog that lingered over us.
Bright rays from the sun began to stream through, highlighting the ocean as well as the beautiful land before me.
The castle was lit up like a beacon, and I barely resisted the urge to cry happy tears.
Unlocking my death grip from my new friend’s neck, I forced myself to sit up and look around. Glancing back at where the ship had been minutes ago, I grinned as bits of broken wood floated to the surface of the water—the only sign that something had happened there.
Holmeth, Gregory, and Frederick all got what they deserved.
And the best part? They wouldn’t even make it back to Malakai.
I hoped that fact alone caused that bastard to reconsider attacking us.
He was far too cocky, and perhaps this would be the first dose of reality that he needed to understand he couldn’t do whatever he wanted and expect to win anymore.
I knew this marked the beginning of his downfall, and I couldn’t wait to one day see the look on his face when he realized why he lost it all.
My soul wouldn’t rest until that day came to pass.
I wanted him to look at me and understand that the girl he manipulated and abused was long gone, and in her place was the woman who rebuilt herself to take him down.
He once thought of me as his prized possession, but instead I would become his worst nightmare.
This situation only further cemented in my mind my need to train hard each day—it was necessary with the understanding that we were entering a time of war.
I needed to hone my skills and lend as much aid as I could to Myrin and her empire.
It was thanks to her that I even had this place to call home, and I would not stand on the sidelines while lives were lost in a war because of her decision to let me stay.
Tilting my head back as I closed my eyes, I allowed myself a moment to bask in this insane moment as the gentle breeze blew against my skin, my hair flying behind me.
I was free.
I was going back to my men.
I was flying on a bat.
I was flying on the back of a gigantic fucking bat and there were sea monsters!
Two weeks ago, I couldn’t have even begun to imagine that life could be this…extraordinary. Vibrant. There was so much more out there than my mind could ever comprehend.
Hysterical laughter bubbled out of me as I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin once more.
The way it crept into every pore of my being and warmed me from the inside out was healing.
Physically, I knew it was my own abilities healing me, but there was something comforting in the thought that it was the universe healing me instead.
It felt as if the universe was telling me that it had my back and that I was on the right path.
Opening my eyes, I spotted blue skies encompassing the world as far as the eye could see once more. The bat clicked beneath me, and I immediately ran my fingers gently against the soft, dark fur of its neck. “Thank you for saving me.”
I was still beyond confused as to what the hell had just occurred, but I wouldn’t balk at being helped out of that wreckage, no matter how strange it had been.
More clicks came from the bat, and while I couldn’t understand what it meant, I swore the creature smiled at me as it turned its head slightly to the side, a large black eye staring at me.
Glancing back at the large, looming castle we were quickly approaching, I recognized three figures standing on a balcony, waving me down. A small gasp of excitement tore from me as I focused on Myrin, Kolvar, and Dakath.
Until I noticed Elijah crumpled on the ground next to them. Was he okay?!
Worry gnawed at my stomach, but I quickly reminded myself that Dakath and Kolvar definitely wouldn’t be smiling as big as they were if there was something seriously wrong with Elijah.
I wasn’t sure how to tell the bat to fly to the balcony, but Myrin placed two fingers in her mouth, letting out a high pitched whistle.
The creature pivoted instantly. My eyes widened in surprise.
Was she seriously in control of these bats?
I thought I was insane for thinking that earlier.
Is that why she had Barnabus around so often?
After gliding over to the edge of the balcony, the creature came to a stop and extended its right wing over the ledge. The others backed up slightly, dragging Elijah along with them and depositing him onto the couch.
Glancing down at my new furry friend flapping only their left wing to stay aloft, I rushed to my feet and slid gingerly along their wing until I had a clear point to hop off and onto the ledge.
Landing roughly, I stumbled before righting myself and turning around to say goodbye, but the bat had already soared away.
“Thank you,” I whispered into the wind, gratitude filling my heart.
Before I could even turn around, two sets of large arms surrounded me, squeezing me between large bodies. Pure relief and euphoric joy slammed into me, knowing exactly who was holding me.
“Fuck, Ky,” Dakath muttered, his lips resting against my temple. “I’m so sorry. We never should have left you alone, even for a second.”
Kolvar’s large hand came up to grip my chin, forcing me to look up into his beautiful hazel eyes that glimmered in the sunlight. “Darling, I hope you know we are never letting you out of our sight ever again. Bathroom trips? They aren’t solo trips anymore.”
My lips split into a full smile as he let out a laugh and lowered his face until it was mere inches from my own. “I’m only slightly kidding,” he added, chuckling before sealing his lips to mine.
I melted into his touch for a moment before Elijah’s slumped body came to mind once more.
Breaking away from Kolvar, I pushed fervently on his chest until he backed up. “Elijah?!” I yelled, sprinting over to where his prone body lay on the couch in the Empress’s sitting room.
Shit. What was wrong with him? I needed him to open his eyes and talk to me to calm the nerves rolling through my stomach with the unknown.
Brushing the back of my fingers against his cheek, relief slammed into me when he murmured, “Love?”
Was he…was he calling me love?
Cradling his face in my hands, I whispered, “Can you open your eyes for me?”
His thick, blonde lashes fluttered against his pale skin until they finally opened and those gorgeous emerald eyes gazed back at me. “You’re here,” he breathed out, awe filling his voice.
“Can’t get rid of me that easily,” I joked lightly, dropping my hands as he pushed to sit up, wincing slightly as he held a hand to his temple.
Lifting his eyes to where Myrin stood off to the side of the room sipping from a cup, he muttered, “That was uncalled for.”
Lowering her cup, she lifted a single brow and retorted, “Agree to disagree.”
“Wait,” I interrupted, taking a seat next to him on the couch and scooting toward him until our thighs pressed together, desperate to be as close as possible to him. “Did Myrin knock you out?”
He let out a grumble that was answer enough, opting to grab my hand and lift it to his mouth, placing a gentle kiss there. “How did you come back to us? I couldn’t have been out that long.”
Dakath took a seat in the chair to my left, and I reached out for his hand as well, squeezing it and smiling at him before glancing back to Elijah.
“You probably wouldn’t believe me without seeing it with your own eyes.”
Kolvar tucked his large body into the chair across from us, leaning forward until he was close enough to rest a gentle hand on my knee as he said, “You chose a poor time to take a nap, brother. It was quite the sight to behold.”
This caused everyone to chuckle, besides Elijah, who opted to grunt under his breath about how he didn’t opt for his unconscious state.
Myrin took a few steps forward, gracefully dropping into the final remaining chair, depositing her cup onto the table between us all, the motion breaking Kolvar’s reach and forcing him to lean back in his chair.
Folding her hands in her lap, she glanced up at me.
“I’m very happy to have you back with us, Kyella. Are you well?”
The edges of her eyes and lips were pinched, belying the worry she must have felt for me.
It made my heart swell, seeing the undeniable care she felt for me.
Her gaze traveled down my body, and I followed it, wincing as I took in my state.
Dried blood covered the tatters of my dress alongside the holes that had been cut into it with the daggers.
The memories washed through my mind of the torture I’d endured, sombering my mood rather quickly. Taking a deep breath, I nodded my head and exhaled as I looked back up at her. “I’m okay now.”
My words didn’t seem to soothe her, but she nodded in return. “We will ensure you always have guards with you if, for some reason, these three ever have to leave your side again.”
“We won’t,” Elijah growled out.
While I appreciated that they wanted to protect me, this situation had only proven my need to train. I didn’t want to be coddled and kept in a room, guarded at all times.
“I need to train more.”
My words hung in the air, and all three men exchanged a look, likely wondering what brought me to that conclusion. Then again, they weren’t aware of what I’d been through, though I had a feeling they would ask for those details soon enough.
It was Myrin’s expression that fascinated me the most, however. The concern for me faded, and in its place, pride shone in her gaze. She smiled, nodding in approval.