“Excuse me!” he exclaimed as he practically flew towards her. “What is this place?”
Taryn was four feet away when a crack of lightning thundered in the sky above. His head snapped up to the source, a storm hovering above the translucent wall of energy. Odd,he thought, the storm hadn’t been there just a few seconds ago.
The wall beyond looked like a collection of auroras in the sky, made of blues and greens that expanded for miles. Even from the cliffside overlooking the oceans, he could hear the buzz of power emanating from the barrier.
When he looked back to the woman, she was nowhere to be found. The woman had completely disappeared. Had she jumped off the cliff? Taryn approached the edge and peered over, but saw nothing but the endless ocean.
Thunder cracked again, and a bolt of lightning struck the massive aurora wall. The wall cracked like an eggshell, the impact from the lightning fracturing it in all directions, splitting in pieces. Fragments of the turquoise wall tumbled from the sky, landing in the water like massive boulders—
Suddenly, the view began to dissipate. The sky above him fell apart like sandstone. Images flashed before him as he fell through space: Streaks of starlight passing by him, a golden feather made of flames, emerald scales glittering in silver light.
The images faded, washing away like a river. Taryn screamed, reaching his arms out as he fell into the dark, starry abyss.
Chapter 12
‘I created this land for my lineage. For my House.
We are built from strength and cunning.’
— Testimony from Evyen Deyanira’s coronation (Post-Division)
Airess
The sound of rustling leaves whispered all around her like a comforting blanket, nature’s melody gracing her ears as trees swayed in the wind. Warm sunlight touched her face, soft blades of grass tickling her palms as she lay flat against the hard ground.
The sounds of chirping birds and rushing waters became more prominent as she gained consciousness, finally awakening from her dreamless slumber.
Wait!
Her eyes shot open, looking onto the canopy of trees, taking in the sunlight trickling through the leaves above.
Where am I?
Airess inhaled slowly and turned her head to her right, her muscles aching at the movement. A body lay next to her. Her gaze trailed up a pair of long legs, a muscled, shirtless torso and finally— Taryn’s face, annoyingly more handsome asleep with his features at rest. She stifled a frustrated groan at the sight of him. His black lashes framed his closed lids, disheveled brown hair curling perfectly around his face. His earring dangled as the morning breeze caressed over him. She allowed her eyes to trail lower, curiosity taking over.
From his wrist, up his arm and over his shoulder was a sleeve of tattoos inked in red. Some were symbols she had never seen before intertwining together, creating a beautiful tapestry of art on his warmed skin. It was the particular tattoo on his bicep that stood out: the red ink depicting art of a dragon. Airess ripped her gaze away, willing herself back to reality.
Did they escape the guards? Is he still taking her to the Guild?
Her eyes darted towards his ankle. The chain connecting them still very much intact, though that green poison coating the chains in the prison was now gone. Looking back at Taryn’s face, she noticed a golden dagger resting beside his head, ready to use at a moment's notice. There was no doubt it had belonged to a Lucien soldier. Did he steal it to break them free?
Airess frowned. She supposed she should count herself lucky she wasn’t back at the capitol by now, however they wound up here, alone together in the woods. But this was another problem entirely. Getting away from this Fae male would be difficult with his enhanced senses. Airess wasn’t exactly equipped with a weapon and bynomeans was she trained in physical combat. She stared at the dagger in contemplation.
Would she have to inflict violence to get away?
Couldshe be capable of such a thing?
The question brought up unwanted feelings. She had never killed before. Hells, she didn’t think she would ever have tohurt—much lesskill—anyone. But life had surely taken an unexpected turn. Airess would be smart to adapt to her newrealityas it changed.
Here goes nothing.
She sprang up quickly, grabbing the hilt of the blade and rushing on top of him, straddling his hips, the dagger now poised at his neck. Taryn’s eyes flew open in surprise, his glowing silver irises striking her. She hated that she found it beautiful.
“Unchain me,” Airess said, her voice low. “And I might think twice about shedding your blood.”
His gaze slid down her body, leaving heat in its wake, until it landed at the flush of their hips pressed against each other. Taryn’s lips curved, maddeningly slow. “Are you flirting with me? I must say, it’s working. I quite like when a female threatens to shed my blood.”
Airess flushed, his reaction not what she was expecting or intending. Then, he actually had the audacity tolaugh. His arm moved beneath her, and a burst of water shot through the air. The water, shaped narrow, rushed into her hand.
