She calmed, but only slightly. “You don’t?”
He shook his head, blonde hair still tousled from sleep, lending him a more human appearance. Softer. “Or a girlfriend, or a lover. I wasn’t seeing anyone when we went to the sky.” Iyana sighed a breath of relief.
Once they were all finished with breakfast and packing up camp, Talon called a group meeting. “We can’t continue to meander away from Athusia with no destination in mind. Team Save Arinem needs a plan, a direction.”
“Team Save Arinem?” Iyana raised an eyebrow.
“Listen, Smalls, I’m all ears if you have a better group name suggestion.”
“I’ll think about it.” She grinned at her friend.
“I was thinking,” Altair said, “I don’t know a lot about the Aztia and Kanaliza magic. Do you?” He directed the question to Kaz, who shook her head.
“It’s history I was familiar with,” she said, “but my understanding was there hadn’t been an Aztia duo in the past three centuries or so. The magic is completely different from mine.”
“That settles it then,” said Altair.
“Settles what?” Emmeric asked, finally contributing to the conversation for the first time that morning. He’d been avoiding Iyana, refusing to even look her in the eye.
“We need to go to the library.”
“The library?” Iyana asked, frowning. “Like, any library?”
“The ancient library, at the base of the Aisa Mountains.”
“Nobody goes there,” Emmeric said, shaking his head. “It’s said to be cursed.”
Altair attached his gear to his horse, swinging into the saddle and holding a hand down for Iyana. “Sounds like a perfect place then to find information about forgotten magic.”
Kaz clapped her hands, excited. “I’m in!”
Iyana took Altair’s extended hand, gazing into his molten gold eyes. “Then let’s go.”
Altair informed them it would take at least a week to reach the library, perhaps longer depending on the weather. They’d need to stop in a town outside of the Aisa mountain range to restock their provisions. The land around the mountains was cold and inhospitable, which was why—other than the curse on the library—nobody ever ventured in that direction. Past the mountains, legend said there was another continent, but anyone who tried to cross either returned quickly, without cresting the first peak, or didn’t return at all. There were probably dozens of bodies scattered across the frozen mountains. Rescue missions weren’t launched for those lost there, as it was too risky for all involved. The missing were written off. Funerals were held with empty pyres or coffins. Iyana shivered just thinking about it. Luckily, their journey would not take themintothe mountains, but only to the base. Even there, the ground was frozen, life was rare, and a wickedly cold wind whipped constantly. For a woman from the desert, it sounded like her version of a hellscape.
As the sun began its descent, painting the sky a beautiful soft pink and stealing the warmth away from the earth, the group searched for shelter for the night. Iyana had become more optimistic throughout the day. They had a direction and a plan, her magic had come more easily to her despite the column of fire incident, and Tal and Kaz had finally stopped teasing her about running off with Altair. Those two were a menace together, but they made Iyana laugh, so she figured she’d let them both stick around—although she was certain Kaz never listened when someone told her what to do. Probably much to her parents’ chagrin.
Even Altair was in an upbeat mood, holding her tight to him on the horse, rubbing little circles into the sliver of exposed skin above her waistline, trailing small kisses down her neck. It all felt sorightto be there in his arms. The casual touches and easy affection came naturally.
The only thing that wasn’t right was Emmeric. He sulked all day, barely saying a word to anyone, even Talon. Iyana was unsure if it was because he’d given up his life for her and she hadn’t been grateful enough, or if he’d thought life on the run would be more exciting. Or maybe he was…jealous? Of her and Altair? But, no, he couldn’t be jealous. Sure, he’d glanced at her heatedly a few times, but that was lust.Lust could be dismissed, swept under the rug, especially for someone like Emmeric who hated her. At least, Iyana thought he continued to hate her—he never spoke to her unless it was necessary, and he was reluctant to touch her when they trained with her magic. Still, she needed to apologize for being a brat and thank him for helping to save her life.
Plus, the night before she’d had a strange but pleasant dream of the two of them lying on a grassy hill, making shapes out of clouds. It was the most peaceful dream she’d had in a while, a welcome reprieve from the nightmares, and she would love to get their friendship to that level of comradery. Despite their start, Iyana had to admit to herself she appreciated having him by her side.
She sidled up to him as he was unpacking Ciri. “Hey, Sully.”
Emmeric’s brow furrowed. “Sully?”
“Yeah, because, you know,” Iyana kicked a pebbled around with her bare feet, “your surname is Sullane and you’ve been especially sullen lately.” She tried her best at a humorous smile but was aware it probably looked forced and disingenuous.
“I don’t like it,” he said, continuing to brush down his horse.
“Well, you call me Mouse and I’ve told you multiple times I don’t like it. So, tough.” This wasn’t going very well.
“Mouse is cute,” Emmeric argued.
Iyana ran a hand down her face. “Look,” she said, softening her tone, “I wanted to tell you thank you. For saving me from those dungeons.” A shiver ran through her. “And I’m sorry I haven’t been more appreciative or trusting, especially after all you’ve done for me.”
Emmeric appeared shocked, pleased, and embarrassed all at once. A giggle formed in Iyana’s chest at the sight, but she forced it down, thinking it wouldn’t be appreciated in the moment.
