“Good,” I said. I met Korrak’s gaze and nodded. “Get them sorted. Fix their armour, repair their weapons, get them fed. Whatever you need, just let me know, and I’ll get it for you.”
He bowed his head before turning and barking orders at the soldiers.
My hair rustled, and Vol peeked out with a low whistle. “That was actually truly terrifying. Remind me never to piss you off.”
“You piss me off daily,” I commented, though my mouth quirked at one corner.
“Very true,” he said, chuckling.
With a quiet breath, I summoned my shadows back.
They didn’t obey.
Instead, they clung to the ground, umbral claws digging into the dirt as I wrestled them for control. I’d allowed the darkness to gain more ground, and now I was paying for it. It absolutely refused to let me cage it again.
Cursing under my breath, I lifted my head to find Calyx, Levi, and Eliza watching me. She must have seen the struggle, because her mouth was twisted with concern and her face a bit pale.
Levi, however, looked absolutely delighted with his sly grin and sparkling eyes. Our gazes met and he gave me an approving nod, almost like a teacher pleased with his pupil.
I met his nod with one of my own, then turned and strode back to the outpost, dark smoke leaking from my fingers.
Chapter Twenty
RATHIEL
I caughtup with Lily outside the ruined outpost wall. I’d left our room just in time to catch the end of the show. Even now, as I reached her, I could see how much that display of power had cost her. The darkness she’d described to me last night had all but clawed its way free again, and she’d fought tooth and nail to regain control.
“You alright?” I quietly asked.
She threw me a small, tired smile. “Fine.”
I didn’t remotely believe her, but I also knew better than to press. Especially when we were surrounded by more than a thousand ears. We’d agreed to keep Lily’sconditionon the down-low. Me broadcasting it to her entire army hardly qualified.
“I forgot some gear back in our room,” I told her. “Walk with me?” Code for:Do you need a break? Or a moment’s rest?
Before Lily could reply, footsteps rushed toward us. Lily and I turned as one only to find a wiry venerath hurrying toward us.
“Princess,” he called out before skidding to a dusty stop right in front of her. “My scouting party spotted the second dragon.”
Lily tensed. “Where?”
“Sulphur’s Grasp,” he said, leaning over to rest his hands on his knees while he collected his breath. I made a mental note to add stamina training for the army, then refocused my attention on the scout.
“Sulphur’s Grasp,” Lily repeated, sighing.
“Not ideal,” I agreed. Not ideal in the least. There were some places even the strongest, toughest hellspawn didn’t venture. And Sulphur’s Grasp was one of them. Toxic fumes polluted the air, while acidic lakes freckled the terrain. Not to mention, it was the home of some truly monstrous hellbeasts.
“That’s a day’s march east,” she said, her gaze now locked on the horizon. She ran a hand over her jaw, silently contemplating our choices.
“Lucifer’s palace is a two-day march west,” I said, even though she already knew that.
She nodded. After a moment, she sighed, her exhaustion evident. “Our goal is my father. The dragon is irrelevant.”
“Unless Lucifer summons it to the battle,” I said. “He’ll learn the moment we start marching. He knows everything that happens in this realm. The way I see it, we have two choices. Fight the dragon now or fight it when we face Lucifer. One is far less risky.”
“I know, but is it worth it?” She turned and faced me. “The dragon hasn’t attacked us. Or maybe, the dragon broke free of Lucifer’s will and is simply living its best life—in a toxic basin full of acidic lakes. Maybe that’s its version of a vacation.”
Her attempted humour brought a half-smile to my lips. “We have no way of knowing.”
