"The General also sends word that our patrol scouts found and rescued three people who escaped Malvolio. One a Tronovian, another a Frost Elf, the third we believe belongs to you. He goes by Bastian Tarkin, but we know him as the Beast of Midori."
"The Tronovian and Frost Elf," Sylvane jumps into the conversation, drawing the messenger's dark gaze. "What are their names?"
"Nyx Harland of House Delaney and Aurelia Basililus-Sol, daughter of Enver Sol and Sylvane Basilius," he says calmly, not realizing who they are to us.
"They're alive?" My voice doesn't sound like mine.
The courier takes me in, eyeing me head-to-toe. "Injured. But alive."
"Thank the Stars!" I let out, running fingers through my hair. I crouch to catch my breath, my heart thundering in my chest. "Can you take us to them?"
"Who are you to them?" he stares down at me, skeptical. I don't blame him. The sand dwellers have kept a healthy distance from the other kingdoms after the Great War for self-preservation. Bringing outsiders to their city is a risk.
"I'm Aurelia's mother," Sylvane presses a gloved hand to her chest. "I am Sylvane Basilius-Sol. This is Atlas Harland, Nyx's brother. We came to Midori to find them. Bastian attacked Tronovia and took them captive."
The answer seems to satisfy him. "Are the dragons in the garden yours?"
We nod.
"Then you will follow me." He stares harshly at the Midorian rulers. "No Midorians are permitted to enter Vashbehtan. General Naziri only sent his message as a warning. Midori will certainly be the enemy's first target. Plan accordingly."
"What should we do?" Garren balks. "We don't have enough soldiers to fight them should they come. In the Great War, we had dragons and magic wielders to protect us."
The messenger smirks. "Perhaps you should have considered that before you attempted to execute General Naziri. Good luck to you. Our hands are clean." He motions for us to follow him, sliding his helmet on. "Come. I'm ready to rid myself of the stench of this city."
Garren grabs my arm, worry marring his face. "What do we do?"
"Once we have Aurelia, we will return to strategize," is all I can say. "For now, have everyone prepare to evacuate."
With that, I chase after Sylvane and the courier. "What's your name?" I ask him and he doesn't break stride as we march into the garden courtyard where our dragons await.
"I am Amir Sur," he motions to his gold dragon who is slightly bigger than Seraxes. "This is Zalina. She's fast, so try to keep up."
Seraxes snorts, as if a challenge has been laid at her feet and she's ready to dust us all.
Matching his speed, Sylvane and I mount our dragons and we collectively spear into the sky. We fly directly for the desert wasteland. Hope stings my lungs.
"I'm coming, Shaye," I whisper. "Just hold on. I'm coming."
Forty - Seven
Eris
Inever thought I would be back here. Hydra hasn't changed a bit from the little I was permitted to see. I was escorted from the ship's brig to the dungeon beneath the palace. It's not damp and sewer infested like other dungeons around the Six Kingdoms. I am locked in a room with a bed and a private bathroom, but the door is bolted shut and the only window is a large, circular one with a view of the underwater portion of Hydra. I press my hand against the cold glass. My people are swimming freely around the underwater city, not casting me a second glance.
Though I am one with the sea, I know my mother was strategic in placing me here. I've grown fond of the sun and the above-sea world. This is one of her many micro cruelties to keep me in line.
Food comes twice a day, but I've barely touched my first meal this morning. My appetite is lacking. An aching body and broken heart will do that to a girl.
Bolts to my cell door unlock and within seconds, the circular door swings open. I whip around. No one is permitted to visit me. Anxiety spears through me at the thought of seeing my mother's guards. But I rest easy when I see Thalia in the threshold.
"It's been a while, Thalia." I greet my older sister.
"You've certainly looked better, Eris," she shoots back. There's no hostility in her tone, only teasing, and it makes me breathe easier. Out of all my sisters, Thalia and I used to be the closest. I felt guilty when I left. I knew she wouldn't understand and she probably wouldn't forgive me for abandoning her. But at the moment, it was all about survival. So, why is regret bubbling in my chest now?
"I've felt better, too," I stand up, wincing with the motion.
She frowns. "I was told to tend to a few cuts you sustained on the journey home." In two steps, she's on me, her hands grabbing ahold of my arm and lifting my sleeve. She stills when she sees the bruises. "What happened?"
