Damn Seers. Even if the Goddess didn’t whisper in her ear, her intuition was sharper than the hunters’ blades. As was mine.
“He’s my mate,” I choked out, salt licking my cheeks.
Zuriel’s face went ashen. Heraphia clutched my arm and hauled me forward, lips pressed into a firm line. “Then we best ensure you’re far, far away from him.”
Long-dead branches cracked under our boots as we pounded through the forest. Screams flitted through boughs, but I shut them out. If the Issaraeth and his group were focused on the other Elessarum, that gave us more opportunity to flee.
I only hoped that none would report onour secondary power of Sight. That would only serve to send the Issaraeth in pursuit of us. We were the real prizes to him.
Still jogging, I spit acid onto the ground. If only we could pause long enough to rinse my mouth in the lake just beyond the treeline.
“Where will we go?” I panted, slowing to a walk once we’d put enough distance between us and our temporary home to snatch a moment of peace.
“Ithuriel’s manor is close by,” Zuriel mused, peering at the sky like the answers were etched among the clouds. “He’s in Sivy. Or should be. We’ll be all alone there.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? If they spotted you, that could be the next place they look? Besides, he’s not one of us,” I hissed.
Heraphia shot me a harsh look. This had been a point of contention for years between uncle and nephew. As the head of House Ilytharï, he had a sworn obligation to the monarchs of the Angel Realm. One he’d broken for us time and time again when he offered us haven. But never for more than a day or two. He couldn’t risk it.
Because if they found out, his dead body would be hung from the walls surrounding Thalvireth Palace. A visible reminder to all those who dared oppose the crown’s unyielding mandate against pacifism in a time of war.
A muscle feathered in Zuriel’s jaw. “There’s food. Shelter. We won’t stay long. We can figure out another plan on the way too.”
“Fine,” I gritted out.
Whatever keeps us out of the claws of the Issaraeth, right?
Clutching the straps of my pack, I trudged forward. The three of us walked in silence, listening for the telltale drum of hoofbeats, the accusatory snap of a twig. The sun passed high overhead. Sank toward the invisible horizon.
Gold flitted through summer leaves, marking the final hour of the day.
And still, we did not stop.
Not until night swallowed the sky, and a heavy, fat moon reflected off the glassy surface of the large lake. Under the cover of darkness, we slipped down the bank and dug our waterskins into the cool, crisp liquid.
I drank mine down in greedy gulps, having to refill it twice before my thirst was slaked. On the third, I shoved the cap tight, not wanting to spill a drop. From my bag, I pulled out two virelthorn leaves and popped them into my mouth.
My stomach cramped as the herb hit it. We had nothing else to eat. Not unless wild berries brambled through the forest ahead. Or we risked a hint of magic to capture a hare.
Heraphia approached, her footsteps wraith-silent in the sand. “We need to keep moving through the night.”
“I know,” I whispered back, my voice no louder than an exhaled breath.
A growl from Heraphia’s belly rumbled like distant thunder. She slapped two hands over it like she could hush its protest.
“If you start feeling weak, let me know,” I said, looping my arm through hers. Our whole life, she’d struggled with a sensitive stomach.
“I promise I will,” Heraphia sighed, a heaviness to her tone that mirrored my own.
Together we trekked back to Zuriel, whose head was tipped toward the stars.
“Ready?” he asked us. The words had no sooner slipped past his lips before a neigh froze the three of us in place. My eyes still tracked toward the sky, in search of a dim glow. Because if the hunters were close, the legendary auravane would be with them too.
“Fuck,” I cursed, fear spiking in my veins as a shadow ghosted across the treetops.
“Move!” Zuriel commanded. My exhausted limbs begged for a reprieve, but we couldn’t stop. Not if they’d brought a mythical bird out to pursue us.
Which meant one of the other Elessarum from our group had spoken of us.Betrayedus.
