“The huntress sword may never fall into the wrong hands. If the one who bears the darkness tries to wield the sword, it’ll scorch them in a blue fire, consuming their life. The souls of those who tried are trapped inside.” - Book of Azure
I RIDE THROUGHOUT THE MORNING after a sleepless night.
Tossing and turning after I felt his hands slide across my dress, his fingers digging into the fabric tightly against my skin. His purposefully-tousled hair, falling perfectly around his jaw down to his shoulder, almost completely making my heart stop beating for good.
I have never hated his hair.
I have always loved it.
My stomach rolls into knots, tightly constricting my lungs as I suck in a breath in remembrance.
My chin lifts upward, letting my hair catch in the wind as a strong gust rushes past me. The golden hues mix in with a soft pastel as the sun slowly climbs higher in the sky.
The Fireninze is swifter than any horse I've ever ridden. Her coat glistens like an ember flake in the night sky. Her muscles ripple with each powerful stride and leap we take over fallen logs. My fingers grip around the golden reigns tightly as we ride hill after hill.
We soar through the rolling lands as if we are the only two left here in this Realm. The lush grass, filled with a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers, just beyond the castle walls, makes me feel as if there is no war coming. No battle games. But the beauty is just hiding the violence of what truly goes on in the Realms.
I didn’t need Florian to shift when I left the Kingdom. I clung to her strong neck as she gracefully leaped over the glistening stream that separates the land from the Kingdom. I have never felt such a rush before in my life.
Until this moment.
And with her by my side, I feel I can finally stop Tilly and take down the Wailing Mother.
The horses of the Gods are gifted with strength and speed much swifter than any dragon I have seen. They might not be able to breathe fire like a dragon. Some might not be able to fly like a dragon. But I can feel the God of Fire’s power radiate off of the Fireninze and I know, these horses are meant to be here for a reason. Unsure if that reason is to destroy the dragons, or fight the darklings and take down the Darklands for good.
I must read the book of Azure. I need the truth.
I take my leather water sack, tilting my head back to let the water glide down my tongue and to my throat as we ride back to the Pyre.
With a swift movement, I toss my leg over the horse's body and slam my boots onto the gravel. Theon and Kaine swoop inwith their horses, gliding across the tips of the Pyre’s statues overhead. Their horses' hooves slam into the ground, kicking up dirt before setting into a gentle trot.
Kaine gives me a subtle nod, and I do one back. He seems to be in a good mood, which I am surprised after having his father here in the Realm for the celebration of the chosen.
Most of the men are out riding, Queen’s order, as we are supposed to connect with them deeper before the next game. We need to learn the way they ride, understand their gifts and strengths in order to kill off more of the darklings.
But this year is different—the first time the Fireninze has ever been bonded—so as I learn her ways, so does the Queen. I wasn’t “prepped” like the others. There is no book written by our Gods.
They fear her like they fear me.
And with the two of us together, they should be trembling in their boots if they dare try to come after me again.
Tilly better brace herself for what's coming, and I hope Skydance is watching closely, so he can scurry back to his false Queen like the coward he is.
He is no man. He is no warrior.
A warrior fights for what they believe in. Not hides in the shadows, lurking to wait for another to strike. He would have never made it to the chosen eight if he stayed in the games.
But as I glance around the Pyre, my heart sinks, shifting into a sudden rush of sadness with the thought of Koen still hiding away in his room. I have yet to see Koen leave since I left last night.
Ivker, Zake, and Octavian walk out from the air wing section of the Pyre, securing their daggers in their sheaths as they head towards the Pyre training pit. Somehow the Queen has allowed them to stay due to their years of service here in the Pyre. She announced it at the celebration after I rushed out after Koen. Ten years they have rested here. Ten years of battling in thegames and tracking down the Wailing Mother. Now, they are able to live here as a gift for their years of trials.
Their years of service to the crown.
Only if they please.
And truthfully, if Death and Kaine want me to overthrow the throne, I believe I need these men by my side. They are ruthless, fearless, true warriors. I need them to fight with me. Klayra can help with that.
My hand brushes against the Fireninze’s head before taking my other hand and gliding it down her face.
