“We were children and curious about everything. Especially the tales our grandfather told of creatures that lurked below. Harpies, chimeras, lamias, giants… everything scary that would deter us from venturing too close. That only enticed me more. To prove I was wrong—that no such creatures existed—Basil dared me closer to the edge. So close that I ended up tumbling right over. Fortunately, the isle had netting that encased theperimeter. Even though I was fine, I don’t think Basil ever forgave himself for that.”
Even with the wind rushing past us, the tenderness in her voice was unmistakable. I was met with an alarming—and unwanted—pang of envy; I didn’t understand the familial bond she spoke of.
Is there no one in your life you would need to speak to?
There never was, and there never would be, anyone to worry for me. Having personal ties to another only got in the way of duty. Rahzlyn’s desire to protect her family—if true—was not my problem.
Clearing her throat, she said, “Anyway, Scorpio’s quite far. Won’t your beast tire?”
“That’s what arches are for.”
“Arches?”
“Magic doors, so to speak.”
“What—”
I pointed ahead. “You can’t see it, but the wind combined with the water condensed inside that cloud allows for an arch to exist there. They can only be found where two elements meet, though they’re rare and difficult to find. The Astrals placed them strategically throughout the realm for Chosens to utilize.”
“I’m not a Chosen though,” Rahzlyn said. “How?—”
Cobalt jerked upright, silencing Rahzlyn with a squeal. Her wings flapped with exertion and lifted us higher toward the arch. No guards patrolled the area presently. Daylight made it harder for me to spot the translucent glimmer that floated in the middle of a stationary cloud. It remained frozen in the sky despite the winds that carried other tufts around it.
I nudged Cobalt’s ribs, urging her to level out and coast. “My talisman will get us through.”
“But skin?—”
“Arches are different, as are talismans when using them. Skin contact isn’t required.” Thank the stars, because if I touched her skin with mine willingly—without a barrier, like gloves—it would grant her the ability to remove my banded topaz ring from my finger. Like fuck was I granting that kind of power to anyone, let alone an apostate.
The tailwinds of Gemini surged us through the shimmering archway. Once in Scorpio on the other side, we drifted out of the cloud permanently stationed like the one we’d flown through in Gemini. None of our guards patrolled this area either.
“How strange,” Rahzlyn muttered. “Did we travel through time too?”
In the blink of an eye, we’d gone from bright daylight to a midnight blue, starry-filled sky. “It’s still night here in Scorpio. We are thousands of miles southeast from where we were in Gemini.”
Cobalt’s rapid pace evened out as a result of the calmer Scorpion skies. Unlike in Gemini, the only clouds in sight were the ones in which the arch resided behind us, and the Barrier far below us.
“Ow,” Rahzlyn hissed suddenly. She raised her black-sleeved arm.
“Just because there’s no wind doesn’t mean you should let go,” I said, securing the reins. “Hands back on her mane.”
She ignored me, studying both arms now. “I didn’t realize Scorpio was so hot.”
“It’s not.” The air was crisp and dry. “Our winter just started.”
“Then why do my arms feel like they’re burning?”
Before I could respond, her body jerked forward. I gripped her hips to keep her from sliding. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“My—” She broke off in a scream. “My body, it’s onfire!”
Her head lolled against my chest. Foam seeped from her lips as she thrashed violently. Gripping her cheeks, I tilted her face to the side to prevent choking. From the way her eyes rolled into the back of her head and her limbs seized, I knew she was no longer fully conscious.
Cobalt’s head craned to get a look at what was happening on her back. “Faster, Cobalt. Take us home!”
Even through my gloves, Rahzlyn burned. With one arm steeled around her body, I lifted her sleeves to examine her arms. Glistening dark liquid coated her skin.
Blood.
