“Centuries ago, Zerynthia warred against itself. The Starborn treated the Earthbound as if they were nothing—they took away their rights, their land, their wives,” I begin.
“Sounds familiar,” Elyssara scoffs.
“The Earthbound fought back with organized armies and attacks. It started a civil war that lasted seven decades. It divided our people and ripped our lands apart.”
Elyssara holds her breath, desperately waiting for me to continue. “Then what?”
“The gods stepped in. Or, one god did,” I correct myself. “Morrathys.”
Elyssara’s breath hitches in shock. “God of Death,” she offers.
I nod. “Morrathys didn’t like the Starborn and Earthbound playing god over death. They used magic to resurrect or destroy atwill, corrupting the natural order. Morrathys intervened because death belongs only to him.”
“How? How could he do that?” Her desperation is palpable.
“Because it was not the way of the Zerynthian people. We are a people of power, peace and prosperity, and we lost our way,” I say simply. “And now, our land is divided by The Decay. Morrathys made The Decay like a mirror, a prison of our own making. The people within it see only desolation, leashed to the curse, never knowing they walk inches from paradise.”
She shakes her head, breath sharp and uneven. “Tell me how we end this.”
No hesitation. No fear. Just raw defiance.
I turn to her, watching how the light peaks through the canopy and catches in her eyes.
I grip the reins tighter, “We take down Maldrak, and reclaim Zerynthia.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
ELYSSARA
We reclaim Zerynthia.
I repeat the words again and again in my mind, trying to reconcile everything I thought I knew. The words ripple through me, strange, new and curious.
Zerynthia.
My heart pounds, thrumming in my veins at this revelation. This jungle feels alive—more alive than anywhere I've ever been. Magic hums through the earth, whispers in the leaves, dances in the light filtering through the canopy like scattered Stars.
This is what freedom feels like.
But beneath my awe, unease curls through me like smoke. Zakarius’s glare is like a blade at my throat, icy contempt radiating from him. My stomach knots painfully. The hostility is personal, undeniable, and alarming. But Kael’s fierce protectiveness rises behind me, wrapping around my unease like armor. There’s something unspoken but palpable between them that they’re not telling me, and I’m determined to find out what it is.
I turn slightly, glancing up at Kael, his gaze fixed ahead, jaw tight with determination. A question presses urgently against my lips, words begging to be spoken.
But another feeling rises, softer, quieter.
Trust.
Tell me everything,I think, directing my thoughts to Kael.Make me believe in your dream.
A curious, hopeful part of me thinks that perhaps I’ll hear Kael just like I did in the tunnel. That I’ll hear a soothing echo of his thoughts, but there’s nothing but silence as we rhythmically glide along on Nyx.
“The dream,” Kael says, breaking the hush, “is to reclaim Zerynthia. Kill Maldrak. End The Decay. Give my people a home again.”
The rich timbre of his voice soothes me, but I still feel uneasy.
It feels impossible to turn The Shadow Wastes into anything other than what it is. How will we ever do that? How can I even help?
Kael’s voice nudges into my mind, sensing my unease.We’ll restore it, Elyssara. I promise you.Then his tone shifts, teasing, low and seductive.But first, allow me to distract you...
