Leena
Taming the Vyprale was a relatively quick process, thanks largely to Oz’s role as bait. At first, he was as uncertain of how to behave as he was with women. Restless and fidgety, he couldn’t help but swipe at the gold paint covering his body, smearing it so badly we had to apply a second coat and reattach the vibrant, teal feathers dangling from his clothes. After that, it took nearly an hour of coaxing to get him to shimmy appropriately—a necessary tactic to draw the Vyprale’s eyes to the flashy feathers—and nearly twice as long for him to perform an acceptable birdcall. At one point, he attempted a “sexy” caw that had us all rolling on the ground in tears. But eventually, his antics worked, and the radiant beast had appeared. Oz had only suffered a few wounds, too, which I counted as a total success. The stories I’d heard of Charmers taming Vyprales almost always ended with missing limbs. But his ability to slink into the shadow realm at a moment’s notice made it possible for us to avoid that unfortunate outcome, and I was able to drop out of the sky atop Onyx and tame the confused Vyprale the second Oz disappeared.
And despite it all, he never complained.
“I think I need a drink,” he muttered for the tenth time since we’d returned to Veles. I only shook my head and smiled. He certainly deserved one, but we had more important things to worry about, like our impending return to Lendria. Maddox and Jayla had flown home ahead of us atop her beast to set everything in motion. Apparently, the moment Elianna caught sight of her daughter, she’d honored her deal and set Rhyne’s forces in motion. Ships were already readying in the harbor off the city by the time Noc, Calem, Oz, and I arrived, and troops had seemingly amassed out of nowhere. Their jade armor was intimidating. Instead of smooth lines hugging the shape of their bodies, the cuts of metal were sharp. Severe. As if their armor was a weapon in and of itself. They marched with deadly precision toward the waiting ships, and I was immediately thankful we’d gained such a promising ally.
We waited in the courtyard just inside the castle gates, while Jayla and Maddox circled above us. Her Vyprale was stunning and powerful. Its slender, snakelike body was covered in shimmery, reflective feathers that made it hard to look at directly. With a falcon’s head and lustrous mane that trailed the length of its form—not to mention a pair of wings that spanned the width of a decent-sized house—it was a beast of legend. And that was before it even unleashed its devastating attack. Channeling power from the sun, it stored energy in its wings and rained magic arrows down like hellfire on its prey.
I was only somewhat disappointed I hadn’t been able to keep the beast for myself. Large enough to fly several people at once, incredible strength… But it had to be done, and I had every faith Jayla would show it nothing but love and devotion. The Vyprale wouldn’t have agreed to join her side otherwise. They were picky like that, and I was silently relieved to tame a creature that would ease my decision in gifting a beast to a near-stranger.
Sharp steps sounded at our backs, and we turned to find Queen Elianna moving down the walkway toward us. She approached alone, save Isla at her side, and motioned to the sky for her daughter to join her. The Vyprale descended, somehow floating just an inch off the ground, and extended its wing in a makeshift slide for Jayla and Maddox to dismount. As soon as their feet hit the earth, Jayla sent her beast home and they joined Elianna.
“You’ve managed to keep your first promise,” she said, voice level.
It was hard not to be intimidated by the queen of Rhyne. She was as resolute as the army she wielded, and she stood before us without so much as blinking. But even with her stoic mask firmly in place, there was a glimmer of recognition in her faded-amber stare. I wouldn’t go as far as to call it trust, but it was something.
Noc gave a tight nod. “We’ll continue to honor our agreement. We can’t stress enough how much your support is appreciated.”
“My forces are not to be taken lightly.” She clasped her hands together. “Isla will lead them under your direction, but if at any point she feels your plan is inadequate, she will recall them to prevent inconsequential loss of life. Understood?”
“Understood,” Noc said.
“Don’t mistake this alliance for friendship…or forgiveness.” She pursed her lips. “I will always be watching you, Aleksander. And I hope my daughter will carry that same vigilance when she takes the throne.”
Noc didn’t bristle. Didn’t stiffen. Didn’t react at all, really. But when he finally spoke, his words were somber. “I’m sorry, Elianna. I know those words will never be enough, but you deserve to hear it anyway.”
She considered him for a long moment, and then turned to me. Her gaze softened. “Thank you for gifting my daughter a formidable beast. I look forward to our continued relationship. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She gave the slightest bow before turning her back on us and signaling to her daughter and Maddox. “Jayla and I have a strategy to formulate regarding her presence along our southern border. I expect weekly reports on any developments in Lendria, as they relate to our alliance and my troops.”
“Of course, my queen.” Isla bowed low, only straightening once the royal family departed. Her hands formed neat fists by her side, and she power walked right through our group, leaving us scrambling to keep up with her. “We head for the docks. Now. As it appears you came to Rhyne with few belongings, we’ve taken the liberty of stocking some things for you.”
We moved quickly down the city streets, passing opulent houses and shops that shifted in style the closer we got to the water. The quaint manors were more open, a bit larger with bay windows and wide doors to allow greater access to the sea breeze. A few locals meandered from vendor stalls to handle their morning shopping, and the scent of fresh fish collided with the salt in the air. A heavy chill rolled in off the ocean, and I rubbed my arms to try to spark warmth. Hopefully, these supplies Isla spoke of included clothing better suited to winter. The thin blouse and breeches I’d secured before taming the Vyprale were doing little to combat the weather.
When the docks came into view, Kost upped his gait to match Isla’s. “We should discuss our plans for landing once we arrive at Lendria.”
Isla glanced over her shoulder at us, then frowned. “I’m assuming we’ll need to dock in secret to avoid Varek’s detection.”
“Yes,” Kost replied. “Though our options are limited.”
“Penumbra Glades?” Calem offered. “The small trading town there doesn’t get nearly as much traffic as Ortega Key.”
“That won’t work,” Noc sighed, gripping the back of his neck. He glanced out at the horizon, his gaze snagging on the ships. “There are still a good number of people who live there, and word travels fast. Varek will hear of our landing before we have a chance to regroup with our brethren and formulate an attack.”
“And anything along the eastern coastline is too close to Wilheim. There’s no way we’d go unnoticed,” Oz said.
Isla halted and whirled in place, planting her hands on her hips. “I can end this mission before it even starts. If you have no plan to get my troops safely into Lendria, I’ll call them back right now.”
Kost ran his hands along his vest before giving the hem a forceful tug. “I said our options were limited, not impossible. Jumping to conclusions helps no one.”
A spark ignited in Isla’s gaze. An unspoken threat. “Is this how you speak to everyone?”
“Is the leader of Rhyne’s army prone to rushed judgments?” Kost frowned.
“Okay, okay, enough of that.” Calem shouldered his way in front of Kost, giving him a forceful nudge toward Oz. Oz only slapped a thick hand over his face, effectively muffling a sigh. We were used to Kost’s nature, but there was no doubt in my mind that this fiery mage would consider everything out of his mouth an insult. I had at first.
“The issue is,” Noc said, cutting a hard glare to Kost and silencing his second-in-command, “that no matter where we land, it’s only a matter of time before we’re found out. Currently, our troops are in Hireath—a place Yazmin knows well. It’s no secret we’ve made the beast city our stronghold. For now, it’s protected enough. It’s just a matter of getting us there.”
“Have the ships make anchor on Hireath’s western coast,” I said as I tried to sift through my memory of the land. “There isn’t a place to dock, but we can take rowboats to the shoreline. There’s a hidden path there to the city.”
Noc nodded. “Varek won’t think to patrol there, at least not at first. There’s no clear place for an armada to land, and no coastal towns. If you can guide us, then it’ll work.”
“I can do it.”
Isla rounded her stern stare in my direction. Despite her diminutive stature, there was no way in hell I’d ever underestimate this woman. Her umber gaze was not to be taken lightly, and that had nothing to do with the errant spark of magic that would sometimes flare to life across her irises. Finally, she relented with a quiet huff. “All right. We’ll chart an exact course once onboard. Shall we?”
“Lead the way,” Noc said. Isla strode forward once again, her quick pace effectively ending the conversation, and we followed after her in silence.
The moment we hit the docks, Isla directed us toward the nearest ship and then left to attend to her forces, stating she’d rejoin us within the hour in time for launch. Waves crashed against the creaking wooden boards, and the soft breeze I’d felt in the city transitioned to a full-blown wind that smacked into my face with icy force. Shivering, I sidled closer to Noc. He looped an arm around my shoulder and guided us onboard. Sailors moved about the deck shouting orders and readying the sails. Barrels of drink, crates of food, and other cargo were loaded in an orderly fashion. For the most part, no one even bothered to acknowledge our presence. Just the occasional gruff “hello” or “move,” and the one chipper soul who directed us to the captain’s quarters.
Once we were safely inside the warm cabin, I sank into one of the armchairs across from the captain’s desk. My muscles practically melted into the worn upholstered fabric, and I kicked my feet out in front of me. Calem did the same, sprawling out in an identical manner, as Kost came around to the table to examine the maps already laid out against the mahogany wood. Noc leaned against the back of my chair, his fingertips dancing idly along my shoulders.
Rubbing his head, Oz scooted toward the desk. “So, what kind of mage do you think Isla is?”
I tilted my head. “Kind?”
Noc’s fingers tensed, then resumed their dawdling. “There are different types of mages. Depending on their class, they can only wield a certain type of magic.”
“I only know of two, no, three types, thanks to our encounter with Eryx,” Kost mused, his gaze glued to the maps. “Those who can make things out of magic’s essence, like Noc’s old ring. Those who can project magic like a weapon. And, apparently, those who have compulsory talents.”
“The exact mechanics of their magic system are a bit of a mystery to me.” Noc shifted to drop his hands lower and began to massage the base of my neck. My head rolled forward, and he chuckled. “Regardless, their magic is not to be underestimated. As for Isla… I can’t say for sure. But, I did encounter a mage who could fire off offensive magic during a battle with Rhyne. That’s actually how I met Kost.”
Kost allowed himself a small smile. “She would’ve killed you if I hadn’t gotten to her first.”
“Maybe she was a relative of Isla’s?” Oz’s thick brows drew together, and he folded his arms across his chest.
“Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of time has passed since then, though it is odd a mage would call Rhyne her home. There’s likely a reason why she’s not in Allamere.” Noc gave my shoulders one last squeeze, then let his hands fall away.
“And that’s our cue to zip it,” Calem said as he tapped his ear with one finger. A minute later, heavy footsteps crested on the other side of the door before Isla strolled in, a bit of redness to her cheeks. A freezing wind whipped in behind her, and I slouched down in my chair to avoid the brunt of the gust. She slammed the door shut and stalked toward the table, finally taking a seat across from us.
“You’re welcome to use this cabin as your room for the duration of our travel. I’ll be staying with my soldiers. The sleeping chamber has several cots,” she said, yanking her thumb in the direction of a door tucked between some shelves. “Your things will be here momentarily.”
“Thank you,” Noc said.
She braced her forearms against the table, and her blond hair fell in a wave over her shoulder. “Once we get closer to Lendria’s shore, I’ll be counting on you to guide us to a safe place to anchor.”
“Of course,” I said, straightening in my chair.
She glanced between us, then abruptly stood up. “Well, if there’s nothing else, then I need to make sure everything is in order.”
“Wait…” Oz tensed, and then he slammed his mouth shut as if he hadn’t meant to speak. Shuffling his feet, he studied an indistinct spot on the floor. The rest of us stared at him. Calem had to bite his lip to keep his smile from claiming his entire face, and Kost’s eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline. Never before had I wanted to leap from my chair and give Oz a hug as badly as I did in that moment. When we’d been out together in Ortega Key and he’d been shy around the ferryman’s daughter, at least there’d been something—food—for them to bond over. Something to smooth the embarrassment and awkward, stilted conversation. But now…
“Yes?” Isla prompted when Oz didn’t add anything further.
He refused to meet her gaze. “What about…rations?”
I winced just as Calem let out a bark of a laugh that he tried to disguise with a cough. Noc threatened to murder him with his stare. Isla blinked. Slowly.
“We have plenty of food for the journey, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Good. I mean, no. I mean, yes, that’s good. But I was offering my help. In the kitchens. You know, if you need it.” Sweat developed along his hairline, and he wiped it away. “Not that I’m suggesting you need my help. You’ve clearly got it figured out.”
Isla snorted. “Clearly. Anything else?”
Oz shook his head violently. “No.”
“Are you positive? Because you have a habit of stopping me every time I’m going to walk away.”
“There’s nothing,” he muttered, ducking his head. “Really.”
“Sure,” she drawled, a wicked smile tugging on her lips. “I’ll be back in a bit to discuss our route more in depth.”
Calem exploded into howling laughter the moment the door closed, and Oz’s shoulders slumped forward. Kost only rolled his eyes before once again turning his attention to the maps.
“Oh, Oz,” I said, voice soft.
“I’m fine.” His brittle, forced laugh was far from assuring.
“Keep up with the antics, and we’ll have a ‘training’ session that will not end well for you.” Noc leveled Calem with a glare, and he threw up his hands in mock apology. Still, there was no hiding the mirth in his eyes.
“It’s fine, I promise.” Oz rolled his head from side to side and let out a sigh.
“Honestly, I don’t know why you’re laughing so hard. These days, Leena is the only one who puts up with your antics, and we all know she’d never act on your half-hearted advances. Perhaps you’re losing your touch.” Kost tipped his head upward, just enough so I could catch the glint of mischief in his green eyes.
“It’s true,” I said with a mock sigh. “What’s the problem, Calem? Can’t find it in you anymore? Maybe someone has already stolen your attention?”
Noc’s brows rose as Oz chuckled.
Calem waved me off and reclined in his chair. “Hardly.”
“Sure,” Kost responded, clearly unconvinced. He abandoned the maps and glanced toward the door Isla had indicated was full of cots. “That aside, I think I’ll take my leave for a bit.”
“Since we’ve got time, I’ll shadow walk back to Hireath and check on the recruits,” Oz said. “Need to make sure Emelia, Iov, and Raven are getting on fine.”
“I’ll come with.” Calem pushed out of his chair. “I’m not tired, and there’s nothing to do around here.”
“Good idea,” Noc said. “Check in on the assassins. See if…” He glanced toward Kost, then let his eyes fall. “See if there are any new developments.”
New developments clearly meaning any word of Gaige. A rock formed in my throat, and I forced it down with a hard swallow. Kost managed a tight nod and then hid himself away in the sleeping chambers.
Oz looked after him as if he wanted to follow, but instead shook his head. “I’ll also let them know we’re on our way and where we plan to anchor.”
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a gruff voice announcing the arrival of our trunks. Noc strolled over and let a stout sailor in. He yanked a heavy trunk into the center of the room and then took off without a word, leaving us to sort through its contents. Mainly, enough clothing to get us to Lendria. I pulled out a thick indigo coat and wrapped myself in it. As I sank back into the chair, the weight of the days’ activities—meeting with the royal family, my night with Noc, taming the Vyprale—caught up with me, and my eyes slipped closed. Better to sleep while I could, because the moment we returned to Hireath, we’d have to focus our attention on Yazmin, Varek, and Darrien.