Telling me that there was still a weapon out there that could harm him, maybe even kill him was offering me his weakness. It was a huge sign of trust. “We can find it together, and we can destroy it together.” I reached out and placed a hand over his. “I didn’t know you as Vritra, or as the Chandra who loved Vayelle, but I know you now, as my friend. AsmyChandra, and that’s the Asura I want to continue to get to know.”
He gave me a watery smile. “I was in love with Vayelle, but you, Leela…I love and respect you. You truly are an amazing woman.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, of course you’re gonna say that. I just forgave you for fucking me over in a past life.”
He let out a soft snort. “Only you can go from deep reflections to light amusement in a single beat.”
I shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a gift.”
He turned his hand beneath mine and then curled his fingers around it. “Come, let’s watch the mainland come into view.”
He led the way toward the stern, and I followed, a sense of peace settling over me. The belief that everything would be okay.
I’m coming, Araz. Hold on.
I caughtglimpses of the land far below. Green fields bordered by clusters of trees. Winding rivers, open lakes, and rocky roads. It wouldn’t be long until we reached the mountainous region that was the devouring force camp. We kept to cloud cover so the ship was camouflaged. But hiding didn’t guarantee safety; Zarael could attest to that.
We were all at risk the closer we got to the vortex’s hiding place. But it was a necessary risk. This was the only way to get to the primordial evil. I refused to call him by his name. To do so would be to give him an identity that I’d have to empathize with, and I couldn’t allow myself to feel sorry for him. Not if I wanted to save my world and my people.
Behind me, the ship was abuzz with activity as everyone prepared to, hopefully, welcome new allies on board. We’d made sure to pack enough supplies—food, water, sleep pallets, andblankets to accommodate extra bodies. But how many would we be welcoming?
If Ravi and Kalani managed to get into Patala, I was sure they would have convinced the naga and the rakshasa who lived there to help us. Dhoona and Yudh might have recruited troops also.
C’ael joined me at the bow, handing me a rolled-up leaf containing boiled rice.
I took it, grateful for his thoughtfulness, and bit into it with gusto. My stomach rumbled in appreciation as flavor exploded on my tongue.
This was the standard hot meal on our journey. The rice was easy to prepare using Jaantor’s fire, and the water djinn were able to draw fresh water from the air to boil it. The leaves were edible too, adding flavor to the meal. There was some dried meat, but we were running low on that. We still had plenty of dried fruit and nuts for protein to keep us going.
“How are you feeling now?” C’ael asked.
“You mean after Chandra dropped several revelations and truth bombs?”
He smiled wryly. “Yes. That.”
“Surprisingly okay. I think I’ve become desensitized to life.”
His chuckle rolled over me, deep and warm, inviting me to step closer. I did so, settling against his side as he drew me in. We watched the clouds shift apart, affording small peeks at the world below. Red earth and the beginnings of mountainous terrain.
C’ael’s sigh moved me. I twisted to look up him. “Are you okay?”
He frowned slightly, then nodded. “Yes. I believe I will be.”
“Of course you will.” I beamed up at him. “I’ll make sure of it.”
He returned my smile, his handsome face lighting up with the hope I wanted to inject into him. The hope I needed him to share.
“We can do this, C’ael. We have to believe in us.”
“I do,” he said softly. “I believe with everything that I am.” He hugged me tighter. “We will get Araz back, and we will save this world, and then…Then we’ll play cards, and I’ll beat you again.”
“Like hell you will.”
“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.”
I nudged him with an elbow, the beginning of a soft laugh in my chest as my gaze dropped to the view ahead.
Zarael joined us, a mug of something steaming in her hands. “We should see the Astura Mountains soon,” she said. “Chandra said he’ll transfer down and check for your friends once we’re above the camp.”
