We returned to our wing of the palace to apprise Bowen and Finn of our plans. We would travel to the surface where I would rebuild the bridge between realms. Finn would continue south to meet up with Xuri, while the rest of us entered Vorkut to meet up with Evander, Delah’s mercenary connection.
“So Nokts are known even in the Nereids?” Finn asked.
Dom nodded. “I believe that moving forward, we should be on our guard for them, even as far north as the glacial hinterlands.”
I interjected, “They are hunting me. So, wherever I am, we can expect their presence.”
Dom took a small step forward, his voice unyielding. “I don’t want you in harm’s way. You have my word that I’ll protect you.”
“I don’t need protecting.” I scoffed.
He hesitated, pupils flaring. “I know. But I hope you’d let me anyway,” he softly responded.
I did want that deep down. But we both knew it was an impossible expectation. I inhaled a shaky breath, momentarily forgetting our audience. I lived on borrowed time; happy endings were for maidens without blood on their hands. Not for people like me, with a man like him.
Fate had bound us together, ripped us apart, and offered me a chance to right my wrongs. Oracles had foretold a future of tragedy. I would do well to remember that. For him, though, I would do whatever it took to see him live. I would defy the prophecies.
Finn cleared his throat and exchanged an amused grin with Bowen. I glanced down at the realization that the floor beneath my feet had frozen in a path headed straight toward Dom. Heat crept up my neck, and I threw a dark glare toward Bowen, whosesmile only grew. Dom studied our exchange in my periphery, a pulse of his shadows momentarily darkening our room.
I cut off my renegade magic and entered my room to pack my things.
Chapter Thirty
THE GENERAL
As soon as Rue left, I stalked out of the room, suppressing a growl. I’d been a dying man since the day Xuri found me. As solid a truth as the beat of my slowly poisoned heart. Letting someone in now, when I was so close to death, was a stupid, selfish thing to do. Bowen’s familiarity with Rue scraped away at my resolve. It revealed a possessiveness I couldn’t restrain. The growl emerged anyway.
I turned a corner and barely missed running into a warrior. His powerful tail stalled as his cobalt-blue hair floated forward, slightly obscuring his face. He swiped it aside and offered a respectful bow. “I’m Trent. I’m ready when you and your companions are.”
An array of blades outfitted his torso. A trident lay secured to his back, the strap stretched tightly across his chest. The trident’s iron prongs formed octopus tentacles that wound around each other at the base, extending out into triple lethal points. His body carefully honed into its own deadly, muscular weapon.
“I was just coming to find you. We’re ready.”
Aydrielle emerged from behind Trent and offered food for our trek. Likely various fish, maybe some kelp in varying statesof brininess. I accepted it with thanks, though my taste buds recoiled. She slowly grazed her finger down my arm.
“I hope we meet again, General,” she intoned.
With all politeness, I offered a respectful nod.Foka, I was glad to be getting out of here.
Queen Thaleia arrived to see us off and informed us that after we portaled out of her realm, her and Aydrielle’s magic would no longer protect our air supply. Rue would have to take over to keep us from drowning.
We secured our weapons and bags to belts and straps. Daggers lined Rue’s thighs. I stole glances at her as she absently traced the hilts, her shoulders softening with the movement. The siren queen wished us well, and then the portal appeared as a menacing whirlpool.
Rue reached out and my hand found hers. She peered at me gratefully, her brow furrowed in concern over the swirling water before us.
“I’ve got you,” I whispered. She steeled her shoulders as we moved to the portal, Trent leading the way.
An onslaught of rushing water consumed us. Rue’s fingers made a viselike grip around my hand as I felt the pull within the portal seek to rip us apart. I gritted my teeth, suppressing my own apprehension. And then it spit us out.
The light from the surface reached our depths, even though we were still far beneath the sea. My lungs and nose tingled as the last of the nymphian magic dissipated. Rue kept her wits about her and immediately had a bubble of air around our heads, offering a seamless transition from Aydrielle’s power to her own.
She slowly relaxed and released my hand. Though my fingers were relieved at the reprieve from her panicked grip, a tendril of disappointment wound through my chest at the loss of our connection.
She pulsed the current around us to assist with her search, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Finally, she stilled, a smile slowly transforming her face. Her hand extended and magic rippled outward, twining with shimmering threads that were barely visible in the streaming currents. She rotated in her position, stopping after she found me.
“I found it! I found the bridge. More of it is intact than I expected. It’ll take me some time to mend, but I know I can.” Her joy rivaled the warmth of the sun. She laughed, and I knew in that moment there was nothing I wouldn’t do to hear that sound again.
Her magic swirled through the seawater and a walkway took shape. It formed an ensorceled bridge that was more tunnel than open path.
