Sightings of Vaelier rebels have been more frequent lately, setting everyone on edge. The war between the realms of Lyrichia and Vaelier is intensifying, and it’s finally spread to our shore with the occasional rebel sighting. What I don’t understand is why, in a war over magic, they would come here, to an island without it.There’s nothing on Alyssium for the rebels. At least, nowhere they can get to it.
My gaze slides to the towering prison.
What dark secrets hide there?
“Would you really like the answer to that?”Alyssium whispers.
I swallow hard. “No.”
The island chuckles. Or maybe it’s the rumble of boots slapping on stone as the guards pull their perimeter tighter.
I shouldn’t be out here tonight.
When Callum left for the continent to refuel his magic, I promised him I’d stay within the confines of the village until he returned. But as Father’s cough worsened, I had no choice but to offer my help with tonight’s pyre. He won’t regain his strength on porridge and grain alone. If I want to afford extra meat and healing tonics, then tending to the burning is the quickest way.
Murmurs rumble through the beach while we wait for the guard to return from the forest. When he does, his blade is clean, indicating no trouble.
The relief is felt through the group.
We spend the remainder of the evening in complete silence until the guards order everyone to stand back so they can lower their torches to the kindling. Fire unfurls beneath the wooden planks holding the bodies. It dances with the breeze as it climbs, spreading across the beach as the heady scent of burning flesh becomes overwhelming.
Around me, a few cover their noses. At the other side of the pyre, a girl lurches forward and vomits. But I press my shoulders tight and bear the sickening stench of melting skin. Of charring insides. My gaze fixes on their twisting faces, trying to remain strong for them. Until I notice a Fae at the edge of the pile has shifted.
His arm falls to the side, and the pine needles I placed in his hands flutter along the beach.
“Evaline,” Icurse as I rush forward to gather her blessing from the stony ground.
A frozen needle pokes my finger as I shove it back into the dead Fae’s palm. It’s utterly ridiculous to think this will do him any good, but if I stop trying, then what is the point of all this death?
“Get back!” a guard yells from across the beach.
But I can’t. Not yet.
I arrange the Fae’s hands on his chest while flames lick so close that sweat trickles down the back of my neck.
Placing my fingers over his lashes a final time, I move to step back, but as I do, the Fae’s grip on my fingers tightens. His lids fly open, and they’re filled with fire.
Not fire.
Starlight. So bright and pure, it cuts through endless darkness.
“Where are you?”
The whisper on the wind sends a shiver up my spine. My mouth falls open as the fire inches closer, barely kissing the back of my hand. It’s on the verge of burning when strong arms grab me and pull me back.
“Elorie!”
As I’m spun around, I grab my knife and jut it upward, aiming for the throat. I’m not tall or strong, but I’m quick. My blade slices through the air, and Callum snatches my wrist just as my blade nicks his neck, drawing a drop of blood.
“Close one, little human.” He hitches an eyebrow.
Guards start to inch closer, and he shakes his head, waving them off and pulling the blade from my fingers.
“Callum, gods, I almost killed you.”
“You barely nicked me.” He swipes his thumb over the already healing cut, holstering my knife. “You’re getting better. Quicker.”
“I’ve been practicing.”
