She reared back and jumped onto the dragon’s back, clinging to the saddle as Varax screeched and took off into the stormy sky.
Chapter
Six
Ana,
I assume you knew, but there’s no time to demand explanations. She’s remembering, and I fear she won’t go unnoticed for much longer. If you or your brother have any information about what’s happening beyond the border, I beg you to find a way to pass it to me. Burn this letter after you’ve read it.
—Vane
Hours later,Varax landed in a field surrounding a small lake. Night had fallen, and Nya was shivering violently, had been for some time now. She hadn’t thought to change into something warmer before fleeing and was now regretting it, even if she’d had no idea where to findmore well-suited clothing for flying. Besides, if she’d looked, someone might have stopped her.
Her vision blurred as she slid off Varax’s back, landing in a heap. She pushed up to her hands and knees, the dirt rough against her skin. The air smelled sweeter here, free of the heavy scent of smoke and sulfur that permeated the Gods’ Aisle. Shecurled around herself in the tall, swaying grass, feeling her consciousness begin to slip away.
Someone is coming.Varax was rustling her wings.He will help you. I must go.
Nya half-heartedly reached for the dragon as she took off, a wave of panic overcoming her. Varax wouldn’t leave her if she was truly in danger, but…
Footsteps crunched in the grass nearby, and Nya stiffened when a smooth, masculine voice mused, “Why am I not surprised a Vemon dragon managed to seek you out too?”
She tried to open her eyes as he knelt next to her. A familiar chill crawled up her spine; a beckoning whisper laced with the promise of an endless fall into the void. It was a feeling she often felt around her mother—and within herself.
He came into focus for a moment, and as she saw the moon-pale skin, dark hair, and ether-laced black eyes, she whispered, “Thanatos.”
His smile was hard to read. “Hello, granddaughter. I’m glad I found you. They were hours away from ripping apart the entirety of the realm to find you, and that would have created quite the mess.”
“Wha—”
Her vision tilted.
Thanatos was no longer a man, but a creature of night and lightless stars she could not see butfeelin the echo of her own soul…
In a flash, he returned. Cold fingers skirted just above her collarbone, and he frowned. Just before she faded completely, she heard him mutter, “Fucking Fates.”
When she came to, Nya was wrapped in several blankets, a large fire roaring in the nearby hearth. She blinked a few times, trying to orient herself but not recognizing the room.
The decor was simple, mostly consisting of a few ornate mirrors on the walls and two woven rugs covering the dark hardwood floor. Thick curtains were pulled over the only window in the room, and she was lying on one of two large couches that took up most of the space. It appeared to be some sort of sitting room.
She swallowed, her throat dry, and pushed herself into a sitting position. Her limbs were sore from riding two days in a row. The hum of low voices filtered into the room from the hallway; she wrapped one of the blankets around herself and crept towards the door, her feet faltering when she heard her mother’s voice.
“—not going back. He doesn’townher just because he married her.”
Someone cleared their throat. “Not technically, but it appears the situation is more complicated.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Nya’s lips trembled. That was her father. They had both come for her, all the way to this place they feared and hated.
“Yes, whatdoyou mean?” That voice, a woman’s voice, Nya did not recognize.
“I mean…” He—Thanatos, she realized—sighed heavily. “It appears Kronos’ son is much smarter than his father ever was. He did his research. He’s aware of the ancient traditions, Nya.”
Nya.Another of Nyx’s name.
The goddess who she was named for, who had created this world with her twin brother, Sol, born alone in darkness before he had lit it up. After hearing and wondering about the principals her whole life, it felt odd to hear two of them speaking just beyond the door. They were her mother’s true parents, after all.
“Do you mean…?” Nyx trailed off quietly.
