She gave him another ear scratch. “It’s okay. I’ll take care of him.”
Pax and Raine lifted Casimir, putting his arms around their shoulders as they carried him to Skye. Ava climbed on first, gesturing for them to bring Casimir closer as she grew vines around Skye’s torso, creating a makeshift harness. Willing the vines to wrap around Casimir, a bead of sweat made its way down her neck as she concentrated on pulling him the rest of the way.
Now settled in front of her, head lolling back onto her shoulder, she guided the vines around both of them, ensuring they were secure.
“We’ll see you in a few days,” Raine said, trying to hide the worry on his face.
“Let’s go,” Ava said.
Skye spread her wings and took off into the night.
5
The closer they got to the capital, the sharper the pain in Ava’s soul grew. She almost couldn’t breathe through the sensation.
“Hold on, Cas. We’re almost there.”
A shiver racked his body from the fever coursing through him, his skin a scalding brand against her own. Ava kept her arms around him, refusing to let go despite the assistance of the vines. The vines she had to concentrate on keeping secure, constantly feeding a steady stream of magic into their harness lest it loosen and they plunge to their deaths.
Bone deep exhaustion threatened to pull her under from having used so much of her magic. The combination of fighting, having her great tribulation and the portal being opened had nearly drained her.
The portal, she remembered with terror.
How long would it remain open? How many more of their forces would be able to enter? They’d gotten the book, rescued Casimir and Isolde. But at what cost? They still managed to use the magic in her blood for their own purposes. And she’d lost the first friend she’d made upon herarrival in Eorhan. The one who had been her lifeline during her imprisonment.
Remy was gone. Andras had killed him in seconds. How were they going to defeat him? At this point Deidamia seemed less daunting than him. And that felt strange, considering she was the daemon queen and he was supposedly just her assistant. But he was much more involved than Deidamia. He was the one who led the Oakshire attack. He was the one she ran into at camp. And, for some reason, this didn’t sit right.
They were missing something.
Skye let out a cry, pulling Ava from her thoughts. They’d arrived. The familiar sight of the pale stone castle in the distance neared with every beat of the eagle’s wings like a warm welcome; a reprieve.
Home.
Ava placed a hand on Casimir’s forehead. Somehow, he was even hotter. “It’s okay now. You’re safe. I’ve got you. I’m going to take care of you,” she murmured against his temple, clutching him tighter. “We’re here. We’re home.”
Moments later, Skye landed near the training fields. Thorne waited with a team of soldiers, his scarlet hair aglow in the sun cresting over the horizon. Ava released the vines and lowered Casimir to the waiting crew. She slid down Skye’s side and landed with a thud, sudden dizziness overwhelming her as she swayed on her feet.
Her brother rushed to her side and steadied her with an arm around her waist. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” he asked, panic in his voice.
“No. I just…I’m weak. I think I used up my magic too quickly.”
“You need rest,” he said, helping her walk into the castle behind the guards carrying Casimir. “Kai’s waiting in your bedroom with all the necessary supplies for Casimir.”
“I’m not resting until he’s okay.”
“Let’s go, then.”
A cool breeze whispered through the open air windows, the birds singing their early morning melodies, as they made their way through the alabaster hallways.
Reaching her suite, Thorne helped her into her bedroom where Kai and another healer were already feverishly working on Casimir. Thorne let go of Ava and pulled the large armchair as close to the bed as possible, pushing her to sit, then disappeared.
A little snarl echoed as Titus flew in the open windows and circled overhead, his iridescent wings bright against his black scales. Landing on her shoulder, he nuzzled into her hair. “I missed you too, little guy.” She scratched his head.
Her brother returned with a goblet of water and a blanket. Helping Ava get comfortable, he handed her the water, removed her boots, and tossed the blanket over her lap.
“Drink up and rest.” He sat on the ottoman across from her, keeping an eye on both her and Casimir.
“Kai,” Ava said, her voice so small. “Is he going to be okay?”
