“I know how to satisfy it.”
He falls to his knees and quickly brings me over the edge once more.
When we finally start our journey to this secret place, Rath is stiff, the commander coming out in him. There are two Vyastil with us, one trailing in front and the other behind, both slightly smaller than Rath, but I can tell by the way they move that they’re skilled fighters.
But even though we’re with them, I can see the tension in the fluttering of Rathyn’s ears, in the way his eyes take in his surroundings. As if watching for danger.
I don’t feel unsafe, but his nervous energy is making my stomach clench.
But I say nothing, keeping myself tucked between him and his men, my face carefully hidden beneath the cloak, his tail wrapped around my wrist. Possessive, but showing nothing more.
No affection.
No attention.
I understand why. As we move through the dimly lit tunnel that leads from his home to the city, creatures turn to look as we pass. Rathyn doesn’t even glance their way, just walks with the assurance he has as a man of power and influence in this world.
“Almost there. You are doing so well, my Everest.”
I stroke the part of his tail twined around me, and I feel it tighten in acknowledgement. But that’s all I’ll get. And I’m okay with it. For the first time since meeting him, I’m letting him take the lead.
Then I see it, an opening, one that emerges from the dark tunnel we’re traveling through. When we step into the light, my gaze turns up to the orange and pink-colored sky, just enough to see the pale moons hanging in the sky.
What would it be like to have that visible from Earth?
I turn my gaze to take in the smooth path we’re traversing, the pink and red trees sprouting around us, the scent of something unfamiliar and yet sweet hitting my nose as a breeze rustles the robe around my shoulders.
We’re winding our way toward the face of the mountain. The entire thing crowds the horizon, the tip of it bursting up like a fist clenched at the sky. And when the sun hits it from this angle as it descends on the horizon, I can make out twinkling blues and greens winking from the surface of it.
What gems do they have hidden in those mountains? What kinds of rare minerals do they mine that can offer such hope for humans?
In the distance, the trees start to sway, and then there’s a massive rustling noise before huge creatures burst from the woods. For a moment, they look like dragons. Feathered dragons. Their necks are long, their faces are like those of lizards, and their colors are like the Bird of Paradise flower.
They are beautiful and terrifying all at once, with huge claws and massive fangs.
I suck in a breath and hear Everest’s voice in my head. “Do not worry. They do not eat humans.”
“What are they?”
A word erupts in my mind that doesn’t translate to anything like English. It’s a small, three-syllable song, and it’s beautiful.
“Seymosi.”
I try to replicate the sound, but it comes out wonky and dry. Nothing like it sounded when he said it.
I watch as they coast across the sky, then dip below the trees again, and they’re gone.
Finally, we come to a guarded entrance, two Vyastil standing sentry before the stone door in the mountain face. It’s carved with loops and swirls, like if written language were a song.
The guard on the right of the entrance eyes Rathyn, and then his arm extends, and he gives a small bow. Then I hear the two of them speaking in hushed tones, Rathyn’s slightly forceful.
When they stop speaking, the guard meets my eyes and gives a small, subtle nod before stepping to the side. Then we’re passing through into the darkness. It’s only murky for a moment before Rathyn makes a rumbling sound in the back of his throat. A flickering in the rock bursts to life, surrounding us like small fireflies.
I let out a surprised gasp as they glow in yellows and reds, a few blinking neon pink.
“What are those?” I ask when I know we’re alone.
“Githyn. They are small insects that live in the rocks and respond to the sound of a certain vibration.”
