fifteen
Dove
Muchtooursurprise,Moyrie informs us that our journey to the void will take no more than one full turn of the suns and moon. Rivern tries to convince me to take Mage so I’m not on my feet the whole time, but one horse is not enough to carry all of us, and I will not be singled out. I can trudge through the barren sand just as well as the others.
Rivern’s main concern is the heat at the highest point of the day, but we still have our boots to protect our feet from the sizzle of the sand. As for the suns, we will just have to make do. Moyrie informs me that her shimmering scales thrive on the warmth of the suns’ rays. She isconfused when I tell her that my skin may burn if in the heat for too long.
To diffuse any fight from Gideon and Rivern—who doesn’t like the idea of so much of my body being exposed to the sun—Moyrie provides me with her white-threaded cloak. It is similar to the one Fury gave me, however, the silver’s is thin and light. Almost like it isn’t there—perfect for the sand’s untold hot weather.
With our small entourage sorted and my two protectors somewhat satisfied, we make our way across the sand, Rivern’s intimate, Solen, providing aerial coverage of our progression.
Gideon stays at my back and Rivern at my side as we move forward, Moyrie leading the way through the unending sand dunes. This land is truly unforgiving when both the primary and secondary suns sit high in the sky. The fine sand reflects a burnt yellow in the harshness of the suns above, giving me a perpetual eye squint. It’s hard to believe that only a turn’s walk away lies the vast ocean, and beyond that, the forests that lead into the Kingdom of Haven.
Through our trek, Fury is blissfully silent, not providing any unnecessary commentary. I hope Saff and her egg are doing well, but I don’t want to bridge the gap between me and the God to find out. The more I sit with my predicament, the more I feel the need to choose between them. And I’ve already chosen Rivern, haven’t I?
We secured the bond through a coming together of our bodies. I didn’t go that far with Fury or Gideon, even though I wanted to.
We definitely shouldn’t.
I press my fingertips against my temples. Without looking at him, I sense Rivern energetically probing me, watching me,making sure I’m okay. No doubt he feels all the warring emotions moving through my body.
Not only do I feel Rivern, but there’s also a distinct pull at my back, Gideon eyeing me off with every step. I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t taken his eyes off of me this whole time. His piercing irises are a reminder of our growing feelings for each other.
Maybe we can be friends?After all is said and done, he will be free to find someone else.
At that notion, a sharp pang moves through my chest, making me trip on an elevated mound of sand. Before I can face-plant, two sets of hands firmly grasp me. Lightning runs through my veins at the contact.
Blowing out a deep breath, I say, “I’m okay.”
Both males don’t let go.
Looking to my side at Rivern, I glare. “Let go. I’m fine.”
A grunt comes from behind me. Rivern returns my glare with a tinge of sympathy. I push him away, and they both release me.
“We’ve been walking for all of the light. The suns are receding, so we are taking a break,” Gideon announces behind me.
I stand straight, gazing at the darkening sky ahead, a blue and purple cast making its way along the horizon. “I don’t want to stop. I want to keep going.”
Moyrie stops and turns, finally aware our small entourage has suddenly halted. A wind whips up the fine sand around us. The particles dance around my cloak, stinging my legs before they fly off.
They are worried about me. I read it through the waves of emotions falling off Rivern. He wants me to rest, to eat. While the bond thrums happily, knowing my bonded mate feels this way, Dove—the fighter,the warrior—wants to keep pushing on. I don’t want to be looked down on.
I can’t be the same weak woman who let herself be manipulated and pushed around.I’m different now.My body and my mind are stronger. My heart beats to a rhythm that bolsters me instead of tearing me down.
I may not be an immortal shifter, a fae prince or a Silver Sands princess—my heritage is basic human—but I can keep up. The need to prove myself to these creatures is almost unbearable, squeezing the arteries of my heart. Argus rears his head, puffing smoke.
Sensing their need to say something, I direct my following words at Moyrie, telling her to lead on. She nods her head and continues, Solen circling around us overhead.
Ignoring the glares from the two males around me, I push onward. A deep, ominous growl comes behind my back.
“We can rest,my love. We all need our strength for this next leg.”The words are a solemn whisper from the contemplative fae prince beside me.
Refusing to look at him, I trudge through the blowing sand, the winds picking up, a slight chill finding my exposed skin.“You forget I have Fury’s power. I’m fine.”I grit my teeth, pushing down the grumbling in my stomach, my sore calf muscles and the aching tiredness after the daybreak activities in the serpent pit.
It’s not like I haven’t experienced hunger or pain before.
Pain is an old friend.
