“Finally decided to join us,” I say, leveling a glare at Kael. My tone drips with venom, but the truth—that I was worried—lurks just beneath the surface. I bury it with a scoff.
“Miss me, El?” Kael’s smirk is sharp, almost cutting. There’s something darker beneath it, something that tightens the air around us. He pours himself a glass with a casualness that feels deliberate, almost like he’s hiding behind it.
“Go on, Little Star,” I say, turning to Seren with forced indifference. “Where are we going?”
Whenever Seren is excited about a new discovery, she speaks at a cadence that I can barely decipher. She is a flurry of words and theories and lore that all weave together to create a tapestry of unmatched knowledge.
“Skaedor’s Crest,” Seren says with a barely contained squeal, as if the name alone is enough explanation. When we all stare blankly at her, she rolls her eyes. “Oh come on. It’s only one of the most legendary peaks in Aevryn!”
“Seren, I’m going to need a little more than that,” I deadpan.
She exhales, looking exasperated that we don’t know what in the Stars she’s talking about.
“Skaedor’s Crest is a jagged, snow-capped mountain that riseshigh above the surrounding peaks of the Nyvaryn Range, located a day’s hard ride from Galreth. So, if we leave at first light, we’ll arrive at the perfect time to view The Watcher’s Eye. I am certain of it!” Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I find myself smiling back.
“You are truly brilliant,” I offer, and kiss her forehead affectionately.
“What can we expect in the ranges—and at the peak? What’s waiting for us?” Therion sinks into an arm chair in the corner, a fresh glass of liquor poured, and leaning on his thighs, hands raking through his clipped, sandy blonde hair still speckled with the blood of The Aegis Covenant. He says the words like a sigh, exhaustion pulling at his features.
“I’m so happy you asked!” Her tone is still high-pitched and giggly. I watch the ever-serious Therion from where I’m standing, and notice an almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. He doesn’t let it turn into anything overt, but it was there.
“From what I can find, Skaedor’s Crest is... well, it’s place of myth and legend,” Seren begins, her voice trembling with excitement. She shuffles through a pile of papers before pulling out a faded map, her fingers tracing the jagged peaks. “It’s the highest peak in the Nyvaryn Range, always snow-covered, always treacherous. Skaedor was a Starborn warrior—a myth, really—who hid the compass there to keep it from unworthy hands. It’s said that kings have sent armies to claim it, and every one of them failed.”
She pauses, looking at each of us in turn. “The mountain doesn’t just test your strength. It tests your truth. The sighing winds... they reveal what you’re hiding, even from yourself. To take the compass, you have to offer something real—your deepest truth. And it’s not optional.”
I don’t miss the fleeting exchange of weighted glances between Kael and Therion, and something about it sets my instincts on edge.
“And on the way? Do tribes still inhabit the ranges? What of animal life?” Kael’s directness is all command.
Seren clears her throat, trying not to shrink under the weight of Kael’s authority. “I have read nothing of tribes in that region since Skaedor’s time, due mostly to weather. The ranges are covered insnow, making it almost impossible to climb, let alone live there. However, I read of shadow lynxes and frost drakes occupying the area.”
“And what is their method of attack?” Therion asks. He’ll be our best weapon out there, sensing their presence before the rest of us.
“Shadow lynxes move like living shadows, silent and invisible until they strike. They’re said to hunt in pairs, their glowing red eyes the only warning before an attack. Frost drakes are worse—massive, wingless beasts with icy breath that can freeze a man where he stands. Or at least, that’s what the books say.”
Kael moves forward, drink in hand, all unflinching command and authority. “We leave at first light. Finn, Torv—reset after the attack, rally the rebels and do a full sweep through the village. I want no trace of The Aegis here when we return,” Finn and Torvyn nod efficiently at their orders. “Jax, Merrik—I need you to gather horses and supplies, and then I need you to resume your duties at The Joining before suspicion arises. We need to be able to access the tunnels after the compass.”
“Alright, lad,” Merrik agrees, slapping him on the shoulder affectionately. The scowl on Jax’s face speaks volumes for how she feels about the order, but she nods indignantly, not trusting herself to speak.
“Ronyn, Seren, Elyssara, get some sleep. We leave in a few hours,” with that, Kael spins on his heel and makes for the door. Apparently he thinks this is over, but I’m only just getting started.
“And who the fuck put you in charge?” I lace my words with menace, my earlier fury returning with a vengeance.
I can hear the mutters and murmurs of the group around us. “We’ll give you some space, love,” Merrik’s pained expression, and the hand he drags down his face belie his soothing tone. He makes for the door, but before he gets there, I harness my growing rage.
“No one fucking move,” I pronounce each word explicitly. “I have quite a few questions, and you will all answer me.” I lean closer to Kael, and drop my voice an octave, “There’s no battle to silence my questions now—so sit the fuck down. We’re going to have a littlechat.” My venomous words are punctuated by a bright flare from my Lightborne marking.
Good.I let the glow linger—a reminder of what I could unleash.
Kael’s jaw clenches once, like he’s biting down on something that wants to escape. His dark expression falters—traces of guilt or hesitation mar his face, though he takes a seat at the table. “I promised you answers.”
And I promised him questions.
Lots of questions.
CHAPTER FORTY
KAEL
