Awindwielder? Is that what the boatman is?
Vilder nods. “They have three.” His forehead puckers in thought. “It should be four nights at sea at the most. My estimation is that we’ll arrive early in the morning on Ninth Day.” He turns back to his journaling, and Seniia dives into a book on medicinal herbs.
Four more nights. Will Llyr be waiting for me at the Arc? Burn him and his promises. My nails dig into my palms as I search my memory for his exact wording. There has to be a way for me to fulfill this soulbinding without having to interact with him. I chew on my lip. He never said I had to talk to him, did he? He only made me promise to go to the Arc. Fate willing, I’ll have to go no farther than the front door before I can turn around. Worst-case scenario, I’ll have to find a way to get inside the Arc and out again before he can get ahold of me. And then I’ll never have to see him again.
chapter thirteen
I’M DREAMING AGAIN. THE MAN before me is nearly as breathtaking as Aster. They share the same tall, muscular frame, golden skin, and strong jaw, but contrary to Aster’s messy dark blue waves and honey-colored eyes, this male has straight golden-blond hair tied in a neat ponytail at the nape of his neck. His eyes are a dark blue, bordering on black, and the icy, detached energy surrounding him sends shivers down my spine.
My surroundings tell me I must be in a fortress or castle, and the handsome male sits rather nonchalantly in what must be some sort of throne. He’s sipping a glass of deep burgundy wine that matches the heavy velvet curtains draped over the tall windows, and the dark stone that makes up the floor, walls, and ceiling only adds to the sinister mood of the place.
Wherever I am, it’s daytime. I stare at the jagged peaks of the mountain range outside the window. There’s none of the warm sunlight I’ve become accustomed to so far in Rea. On the contrary, it’s similar to the somber atmosphere of Bronich, making me think thatwherever this place is, it’s located somewhere within the Void. The sickening sweet smell that surrounds me is familiar, yet not...
Jolted by a flash of shadowy movement at the corner of my eye, I spin around, my heart lurching at the sight of the tall dark figure guarding the door. An umbra. Although I want to look anywhere but at its twisted black shape, I can’t pull my gaze away. The shadowy creature turns its hooded features toward me. A shiver runs down my spine. Can it sense my presence? For a moment, it stares right back at me from inside the darkness of its hood, the sensation of its soulless gaze making my skin crawl.
It’s all right, Laïna, I reassure myself.It’s not real. You’re dreaming.
The umbra turns its attention back to the male on the throne as he speaks.
“Bring her in.” The male flicks his fingers toward the heavy double doors, causing them to slam open, only to reveal another umbra waiting at its threshold.
“My lord,” the umbra says in its hissing voice, bowing its head low before it steps to the side to reveal a beautiful Rean female.
My breath catches.Nana.
She pushes past the umbra as if it’s nothing. “Have you lost your senses?” Her violet eyes are ablaze.
“No. But hopefully you have finally come to yours,” he drawls, drinking her in as if she’s the last drop of water on the planet. “I knew that poor excuse of a male would not be enough to satisfy one such as yourself. Am I right?” He licks his lips.
Nana clenches her teeth, glaring at him in a way that makes me grateful I’m not on the receiving end of her anger.
“I’m not in the mood to play your games today,” she snaps, then turns her attention toward the two umbra. “Really, Casimir? Umbra?”
Casimir. I frown. The name rings familiar.Casimir. A wave of icy dread washes over me as the pieces click into place. How could I have forgotten? Seniia’s voice was barely a whisper when she mentioned his name. It’shim. The one who caused the Darkening.
Nana shakes her head. “Aster said you would do it, but I defended you.” Tears glisten in her eyes. “I fuckingdefendedyou!” The knuckles on her fists are white.
“Oh, come on now, mi na . . .”
“Don’t you dare.” She glares at him. “They are—were—humans.” She gestures toward the nearest umbra, who shows no reaction. “You had no right!”
“Are you saying the humans may not have powers?” He throws a glance in the umbra’s direction, then looks back at Nana. “They came quite willingly,” he adds with a smirk. “You’d be surprised how many find a soul to be a fair price for power.”
His words echo Llyr’s that day in his workshop. The day everything changed.
Casimir leans back in his chair, sipping his wine. “Reans. Such hypocrites. Claiming equality, yet denying power.” He cocks his head at her. “I didn’t take you for such a racist.”
“It has absolutely nothing to do with racism, and you know it,” she seethes through clenched teeth. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath. “They are not made for it, Casimir. Yes, they become immortal, but at what cost? Their human bodies cannot withstand the pressure ofanytype of magic. They rot. Decay.” She gestures toward the umbra, scrunching her nose at the foul smell. “Not that I’m supporting this madness, but if you insist on handing out this magic, evil as it may be, wouldn’t the shadowborn be a better option? At least their bodies can withstand it.”
“The shadowborn...” He purses his lips in thought. “No. Their will is too strong. Humans are easily swayed, and their critical thinking skills are...mediocreat best. It makes them loyal. It suits my purpose perfectly.”
As Nana stares out the window toward the ragged mountaintops, her eyes reflect her disappointment.
“I’m only here to turn down your offer,” she says after a while, turning back toward him.
His lips pull back, revealing his fangs. “Why?” He moves out of his chair, circling her in a slow, predatory way. “What is it he has that I cannot offer you and more?” Shadows trail from his fingertips, caressing her. “Soon you will be dead while I live on and on” His shadows wrap around her, pinning her arms to her torso. “With me, you can be powerful.” He grabs her chin with his dark tendrils, forcing her to meet his gaze. “With me, you can rule...forever.”
“I don’t want—”
