I looked at the Raephim, my back ramrod straight. I snapped my wings into the columns of my spine. My body thrummed with adrenaline. I was ready to pounce on this stranger, in this strange...whateverI was in.
Was this Everthorn Manor? Or somewhere else?
And where in the stars was Obsidian to explain?
“Where. Am. I?”
The Raephim bit her bottom lip as if contemplating what to respond. I began pushing off of the bedcloud. Fear flashed across her eyes. She threw up her hands, lifting her wings while bowed in an act of peace. Surrender.
“Please, Madame. There’s no need to be rash. I am Raephim Khaziah.” She gave me that pretty smile again that made me want to hurl a rock between her eyes. “You’re in Everthorn Manor.”
I froze.
I didn’t know why I expected her to say somewhere different. Truly, I was half hoping she’d say I was back home in Edenael and I’d been hallucinating from very surreal dreams. My wings drooped at the news. I gripped the duvet tighter. I didn’t want to be here. At all. I wanted to be home. I wanted to be with my villagers. My tribe. Manmi and Papi.
I glared at Khaziah as if it were her fault. The healer twitched on her feet, visibly uncomfortable. I didn’t know what to think. I felt an overwhelming sense of defeat and loss.
And beneath that, a growing sensation of fear.
Stars.
Everthorn Manor.
Home to the Everthorn Kings.
The Everthorns, who’d ruled Mortevain Island since the Fifth Age. The Everthorns, who were the first, after the Namyens—the angels of Namenthys Island which had been changed to Barrenrock—to reject the Ouanaviel Empyrean. To reject the Empràr, the Profèt, and the High Farasee. The first after the Namyens to fight for independence. To go head to head with the empire andwin.
It was said that the Everthorns were Namenthys loyalists.
The Everthorns were close friends with the Valoryens, the Kings of Namenthys, for countless millennia. When the Empyrean invaded Namenthys and burned it to ash, turning it into Barrenrock, the loyalty of the Everthorns never wavered. They remained true to their Valoryen friends. As such, they’d been decreed an enemy of the Empyrean.
By default, the Everthorns were enemies tome.
“Everthorn.” I blinked. “Manor.”
I blinked again, unable to process my spiraling thoughts.
“Yes, Madame. You were brought to the king, Roi Everthorn, by his Gargorètti.”
Khaziah smiled. Really, itwasa pleasant sight. I found the ice within my chest thawing. I almost wanted to be cordial. To be pleasant back.
Almost.
“A kindness His Majesty won’t soon forget,” she finished.
Speaking of Gargorètti.
“And just where exactly is Obsidian, anyway?” pushing to my feet. “I would have words with him. I don’t remember agreeing to being brought into this manor.” Snatching the robe from the settee, I slipped it on. “Also, have you seen an onyx, crimson-eyed cinderwolf roaming about? I have words for him, too.” I scrunched my nose, pulling at the ends of the short gown. “Grateful as I am for this hospitality, I would rather take my leave.”
The Raephim’s eyes widened with shock. Her slight shoulders trembled as she stared at me, bewildered. Confusion flashed across her eyes as she crinkled her nose. She looked at me through bright, calculating eyes.
I stilled.
Had I said something? Stars. Was it Bones?
Had he gotten himself into trouble already?
“How did you learn the name of the King’s Gargorètti?”
