Chapter 23 #2
I can feel The Devourer tense up as we plunge into darkness, his hands quickly wrapping around my waist.
My smile quirks up and I’m thankful for the void swallowing us so he can’t see my amusement.
A few yards ahead, a glowing green starts to illuminate the damp walls. The light looks ominous for travelers unfamiliar with the trek.
“I know you may think I’m silly, but these close quarters and absence of light makes me uncomfortable.
It sparks demons from my past.” His whisper is barely audible even in the silence of the caves.
The dripping of water is the only noise that filters in, the walls choking out any sounds of waves and the winds from above.
“You’re claustrophobic?” The question pops out of my mouth more as a statement than anything.
All I hear are short pants for a few moments before he whispers, “Yes. Terribly so.” His voice feels even smaller. I place one of my hands around his and squeeze. His palm feels sweaty and I realize he’s quite serious. He shifts closer to me, his solid chest bumping into my back in the process.
Dahla continues on her steady pace as the eerie glow lights our pathway. The decline in our trail increases, and I lean back into The Devourer, urging him to do the same.
Little white mushrooms cling to the glowing blanket of algae and moss, their blue luminescence bright and welcoming.
I stop Dahla, letting my eyes adjust to the lighting.
“Will it help if we stop here for a moment?” I ask, hopefully not sounding like I’m teasing him.
He quickly answers, “If we could sit for a few moments, it might help knowing I could see rather than feel swallowed by darkness.”
I nod and slowly ease my way off the mare. He hops off too and sits against the tunnel wall.
The lit mushrooms make his appearance more focused. His gaze floats across the tunnel, slowly moving towards where the tunnel widens.
“Is it lit by magic?” I hear the wonder in his voice as he reaches a hand out to touch the soft curtain of moss that lingers near his back.
I let out a small laugh. “No, though it does feel enchanting. It grows here, presumably due to the humidity from the natural springs. It’s a wonder how it can thrive in such darkness.”
I continue to watch his hands delicately touch the mossy walls, occasionally dancing over a lit mushroom.
“Sometimes befriending the darkness helps us to not be scared of the monsters within I suppose, like these plants have.” I pause my sentence and think of my words before beginning again.
“If something so simple as these can thrive in the darkness, maybe we just need someone willing to endure our own void to coax us out, or find a way to continue enduring until we find our own shine again.”
His chin comes to my nape and his breath lingers behind my ear.
“How is someone who’s survived such pain not hardened by the hurt?” His inhale causes my neck to crane towards him and he starts again. “You surprise me, Alora. Not because you’re not incapable of being magnificent, but because you choose to be good despite suffering so.”
His pointer finger begins to tap against my leg rhythmically and I start rubbing them, reassuring him.
“Your empathy is perhaps the most beautiful thing about you. I’m not deserving of it.”
He kisses my neck and my nipples harden with the soft ministration.
The hooveclops of the horses behind us conjure a soft melody in unison with the drop of water. If I could bottle this memory I’d drink from the intoxicating allure long after these moments have passed.
His hand snakes deliciously across my throat, throwing my body into anticipation so electric I’m practically humming.
“Let me in, little warrior. Let me see those sacred parts of you.” His whisper sends ripples through my core and need fills my veins.
The thrill of knowing that there’s a possibility of being caught, even though Leeson and Caym are far enough away to not be in hearing distance, has a low throb forming between my thighs.
“I think at this point I’d let you devour me afterall.” It’s the truth, even if it feels scary to reveal.
“Oh, I’d have you for supper if you’d let me, and then suck your sweet come from my lips before plunging so far into you that you’d think I was your only god.” His breathy confession is full of want, sending my arousal soaring.
His feathery grasp along my throat tightens, constricting my breath ever so slightly. A flush begins to form over my whole body, and I’ve never been more thankful for the dark than now.
I shift uncomfortably on my knees. If there was a way to expire from lust, this might just be it.
His hands settle back over my hips, fondling my curves. It feels like eternity passes stuck in this purgatory of lust.
“We must ride on, I’m afraid we’re almost caught by Caym and Leeson.” I whisper into his ear and feel his hair dance across my cheek.
“If we must,” he sighs, “but I do rather like being caught too.”
My cheeks blaze as I push upwards and make my way towards Dahla.
He does the same, prowling behind me as the sound of Caym and Leeson gets closer.
We quickly get seated atop my mare again and I urge her forward until we finally see the trail widen. New light filters in from the distant opening, a warm yellow of lantern light, thousands of them.
The entrance to the cave city is huge, easily big enough to fit war ships through, masts and all.
“Gods.” The low rumble of Kassiel’s voice reverberates through my bones.
“Impressive, huh?” His silence confirms the sentiment.
I remember walking through this very opening for the first time, it was before I had Dahla so the trek lasted me much longer, my boots soaked by time I got to the village of The Hidden.
Springs and pools lay in expanse beneath my gaze, surrounded by reeds and grasses, concealing a few of the smaller ponds.
I pause on the edge of the entrance and steep trail behind me and casually wait for Leeson and Caym to make their way down to us.
“What will you do when we meet the rest of your council?”
Kassiel’s question doesn’t surprise me, I’ve been wondering the same thing too. What will become of our captive?
I can’t help but wage war with my thoughts. On one hand, he is close to the king and has committed atrocities on his behalf. In the same breath it is clear that he was forced into doing such heinous crimes.
If you ask The Devourer, he would say he’s guilty. And he is, I know this as fact. But I can’t help but feel there’s more that needs to be discovered about the man with the shadow band tattoo.
“I’m not sure, honestly.”
I turn to face him for the first time, and I see concern dancing in his eyes.
The prospect of them using him for their own satisfaction makes ice fill my veins. Using him. Just as King Euron has done for gods know how long.
“How long has King Euron kept you as his executioner?” The question pops out before I can stop myself.
“I have been at the king’s side for over two hundred turns.”
“Say that again?” The tinge of disbelief settles wrong on my tongue. I’m almost positive I didn’t hear him right because that can’t be possible.
“I have been by King Euron’s side for two hundred turns, give or take a few.”
A feeling of uncertainty washes over me and I can’t tell if he’s mocking me somehow.
“Kassiel, I don’t understand your meaning. How old are you saying you are if you’ve supposedly been by the king’s side for that long?”
Looking at him now, he doesn’t look over thirty turns.
His chiseled jaw, dusted with the starting of a beard is still youthful and muscular, his skin practically unwrinkled except the beginnings of age in the corners of his eyes.
If I compared him to Caym who was nearly thirty—six, Kassiel was definitely younger.
“I’m nearly two hundred and sixty—nine turns.”
If he thinks he’s somehow lightening the tension between us, he’s doing the opposite. In fact, it nearly has me shoving him off the back end of Dahla.
The twinkle in his green eyes feels sharp, though when he sees my expression, he quickly narrows the mossy pools.
“I know it sounds absurd, but I would not lie to you.” I level my stare across the rest of his body, taking inventory. His disheveled hair makes him look more rakish in this lighting as it frames his face. Without his leather tie holding back the onyx curtain, he looks as decadent as sin itself.
His broad shoulders straighten with my observations, presumably seeing that I’m not so willing to accept his story.
“How?” My voice is low, cold and unfeeling.
“Rune. He’s a Rhwym.”
I just continue to stare at him blankly.
The Devourer’s bold brow lifts and he says, “You haven’t heard of that rarity, I assume?”
“Is it that obvious?” I let the sarcasm drip with each word.
“He’s someone who can bind the will of another, or in more disturbing cases, someone’s soul. It’s an ancient magic from long ago bloodlines.”
The clattering of rocks rolling down our direction brings my attention past Kassiel and Caym comes shuffling into view.
“We’ll talk about this later.” I rush the whisper out, eager for Caym to not hear me. Whatever this new information reveals, I’m oddly protective of it, of him.
The Devourer drops his chin ever so slightly, his eyes searching mine for an answer.
A loud caw reverberates against the stone and Kina’s dark form flies overhead. The bird continues onwards, stretching her ebony wings in the wide cavern.
“She must be excited to be home,” Kassiel says, watching the raven get smaller in the distance.
A noncommittal grunt is his answer as Caym rides faster down the slope. “Leeson should be right behind me, so move your ass.”
I roll my eyes at Caym. “Well you’re clearly in a good mood.”
“The promise of a bed just out of reach is enough to make even you irritable.”
I snicker, unfortunately he’s right.
“Add in the warmed pools directly in my lodge, paired with you blocking my way is enough to make me a bastard.” He’s smiling as he says this, the genuine grin spreading his lips wide enough to reveal his bright teeth.
“You do look rather dirty,” I tease back.
Watching Leeson appear into view, I turn forward on Dahla and urge her forward again.
Truthfully, we’re all relieved to be ending our journey in River’s End.
The fortress itself is able to keep the king and his riders out, but it’s become home for us as well.
We’ve built our lives here, found family we thought was lost, or forged new members to call our kin.
It’s not often you can come home and feel like you’re truly safe—I still struggle even in River’s End with that fact.
But for Caym and Leeson, it’s where they plan to raise a family of their own one day, so I can’t blame them if they loathe leaving in the first place.
The lush gardens that marry the caveline are the first thing to greet us. Tall, thriving trees joined by ornamental grasses and haphazardly strewn flora are a stark difference to the terrain above us on the cliff’s edge. Down here could easily be mistaken for a mystical forest, and perhaps it is.
With enough magic pulsing from those that call it home, surely it feeds off the spent power, absorbing the enchantments.
“I’ve never seen something such as this.” Wonderment fills Kassiel’s words, and I can’t help it when my cheeks pull up in a smile.
“It is rather beautiful. One never gets used to entering River’s End, I think at least.”
“I have seen many beautiful things in my lifetime, but none as beautiful as this particular star that shines brightest despite all of her torment.”
The words leave me feeling like he’s speaking in riddles, but my mind is hazy and tiredness begins to settle in.
I simply reply with, “It sounds beautiful. Where on the continent do you see it? What constellation does she reside in?”
He huffs behind me.
“What is so funny, Devourer?” My mind floats elsewhere, longing to finally rest in my soft bed, though I know the council will be eager to meet with us first.
“Wherever you go, that is where the star resides.” His voice is small, quiet, as if he could hardly admit it aloud.
I peer over my shoulder at him and the intensity coming from his gaze is palpable. I’m not sure why my heart decides to leap into my throat or why my insides feel like they’re bursting with wings, but his words feel like warmth to the frosty thorns that form me.
“Thank you.” I hope he can feel the sincerity in my gratitude.
His thighs squeeze around mine, hugging them for a few long moments before releasing.
“Anything for you, little warrior.”
Gods why is he so flattering? He’s making this council meeting much harder to go to with every lash of his sentiment.
The trail swerves to the right, leaving us in a hidden spot in front of our companions. I hastily turn around and kiss his lips, throwing him off guard. My need for him grows as the reality eats away at my fantasy.
It dawns on me that I’m nervous for him, I’m scared what the council will do. I can beg and plead all day long, but if I’m outvoted, his fate will be left to those who don’t know his circumstances.
Quickly turning back around, I start talking through my plan with my handsome captive.
“We need to have you tell them, the council, everything you know.”
“Alora, I…” His voice trails off, his words caught up. “I’m not permitted to speak on some things, as I’ve been cursed by far worse things than King Euron. The ancient witches of Miera, they’re oracles who can control the fates of many. My curse isn’t a simple one.”
I can sense his hesitation to reveal more.
“Kass, whatever has happened, we have time to figure it out. We’ll figure this, whatever it is between us, out.” Desperation spills from my lips.
“Alora, you strong, kind, blazing star in my darkness… I can tell you what I’m able, but do not put your hope into something the fates have doomed for eternity.”
A phantom ache pains my heart, and I realize that maybe he doesn’t plan to stay here with me. It burns of rejection, turning my body to stone.
All I can focus on is that swelling disappointment that hollows out my chest as we finally enter the carved city walls, the parapet featuring many little alcoves of statues and hiding spaces.
If it had been any other day, I would have noticed the arrows pulled taut from the city guards.
If I hadn’t been slowly drowning in my darkening thoughts, I would have realized that The Hidden already waited for our prisoner, some of them eager for retribution.
I would have been more prepared instead of greeting them with my fragile countenance.