I registered a whisper, low and earnest against my temple, but sleep consumed me all too swiftly before I could make out what he said.
Chapter Forty-Three
THE SPY
Aheavy rapping echoed through the chambers of my mind. The discordant knocks yanked me out of a dreamless slumber. Dom released my waist, rolling over to address the intrusion. He wiped his hand down his face, blinking focus into sleep-riddled eyes.
I threw my arm up, shielding myself from both sound and the burgeoning day with all of its burdens. Today we would portal to Haluma.
The knocking escalated into belligerence. Dom angled himself enough to peer down at me, an apologetic smile forming. “Finn,” he rasped out, then cleared his throat. “I’ll stall him, but it’s time to get up. Did you sleep well,m’est kisertes?” Dom’s morning timbre elicited a small collection of goose bumps.
I repositioned myself so that we faced each other. Ribbons of light illuminated his gilded irises. I gave in to the way they mesmerized me, like the moon pulls the tides ever closer.
I softly swallowed. “I slept more soundly than I have in years.”
His smile could tame the sun. He traced my face with his fingers, brushing his thumb across my lips. “I would love to spend the next week in this bed with you. But we have to getready to meet the others.” His voice pinched, and he left the bed to throw on his leathers.
His steps rang solid down the stairwell. The creak of the front door morphed into Finn’s bellowed greeting. I yawned, stretching languidly. I ran my fingers across the sheets, Dom’s lingering warmth imprinted in their softened wrinkles.
Sitting up, I wished I could imprison this day within these walls, with only Dom and I. My magic could cage everyone out, and we would be free to justbe. We would cook breakfast, explore one another, swim in the lagoon, investigate the silver symbol tattooed upon both our chests. We could make up for time we’d lost. I sighed.
This wasn’t my reality. The last few days with Dom solidified my resolve. I would do whatever I could to ensure his success in finding the cure to his cursed blood and taking down the king.
I searched for my battle leathers. Dom had left them neatly folded on a nearby dresser. They were freshly cleaned and mended from our time in the ocean and our battle with the Nokt, another detail Dom must have orchestrated shortly after arrival. I reluctantly removed Dom’s oversized shirt.
The curious scales from my armor glinted midnight blue in the brightening light of day. I rubbed the pads of my fingers down the overlapping scales, marveling anew at their collective tensile strength despite their seemingly individual fragility. I sensed that Dom’s magic was the source of the proprietary armor. They mimicked what I had seen of the drekis, but instead of a bottomless black that reeked of death magic, these scales, made of magicked metal, glimmered in shades of silver and midnight blue.
Weapons holstered, I trudged down the stairs, steeling myself for the onslaught of the day. Muffled voices ceased their volleying at my appearance. Dom offered a tender greeting, a warm cup of tea in his outstretched hand. I gratefully accepted,moving to stand at his side. I glanced at the floor where I’d spilled my cup the night before, all traces of our passion removed.
“Sorry for the wake-up call,” Finn stated, not sorry at all. “The others are gathering. As soon as we have our supplies, we will portal out, and perform a spectacular jailbreak. One they might even write songs about.” More theatrical movement with his eyebrows.
I grimaced, shoving my face into Dom’s shoulder. I was not prepared for his energy this early in the morning. Dom chuckled beside me, the rumble seismically shifting my organs. The silvered stamp below my clavicle tingled in response.
“Finn, how about you leave before she stabs you. We’ll be right behind.”
Finn tilted his head in curiosity but obeyed the request.
Dom leaned toward me, gently massaging my shoulders. “Thanks for not attacking my Second.”
I nodded as we finished our tea. The last vestiges of sleep wafted away. At least Finn had shown up with a peace offering of warm pastries. We grabbed one each on our way out. Dom’s magic locked the door behind us.
We stood outside, near the sparring fields. Our vials, weapons, and armor secured, checked, and rechecked.
Sieren extended a chalice containing a dark, viscous liquid. “This will open your minds to be able to communicate with one another. Take two large swallows.” I downed the contents, stifling a gag at the bitter flavor.
The chalice passed around until all of us had consumed the necessary amount. Sieren offered a gracious bow. “May you return unharmed and successful.”
“Wait!” Korin ran up to our group, her need for air overtaking her ability to speak.
She gave me a tight squeeze, then handed me a necklace.
“I made this last night. A true friend is one who puts the other first, willing to brave pain, willing to risk. You’re a true friend, Rue.” Tears from some faraway place prickled. I affixed the necklace, positioning it beneath my armor. A wide grin bloomed across her youthful face, and she flashed me her matching necklace. I kissed her forehead.
“Is everyone ready?” Dom asked, grabbing my hand. The portal opened, its inky blackness our entrance to the wood outside my and Delah’s shared cabin. Dom twined his fingers with my own. He gave me a quick squeeze, then we stepped through.
The winds whipped my hair, but the experience compared to Belham’s portals was gentler, a brisk fall breeze compared to a winter maelstrom. Dom and I emerged first, then Bowen and Finn. The portal shrank behind us.
A distant scream sounded, and Korin tumbled out of the closing portal, landing in a rolling heap in the dirt as if she pitched herself through without thought to the consequences. My mouth dropped open.
