Page 66 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“Your dagger,” Reggie said a few feet from me, “lower it.”

I listened, the dagger clattering to the street as I held my hands up. The flames died on my palm, and the massive beak closed.

“You smell of the King of Rashearim.” Her voice held a unique musical lilt.

My heart fluttered as her words slowly sunk in.

“Sami.” I shook my head. “Wait, how can I understand you?”

Eyes the color of the warmest gold narrowed into slits and glared at me. “You have the blood of Ro’Vikiin in you. All beasts speak Beast.”

“Ro’Vikiin? Kaden?”

Her massive head tilted, the twin feathers atop it rising as if they were ears. “I do not know that name.”

I shook my head. “Okay, moving on. You know Samkiel? Do you know where he is?”

Her beak pressed close to my chin. I didn’t step back, but I did turn my head away. She took one big sniff, and I had to control myself not to flinch away from it. “Intertwined, yet I see no Mark of Dhihsin.” Her massive head drew closer, her sharp beak hovering over my breast as it inhaled. “Peculiar.”

I didn’t care what it said. She knew where he was. That was all I needed.

“Where is he?”

She yanked her head back, the golden feathers of her chest fluffing. “You do not command me, beast.”

“Beast?” I scoffed. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? Now tell me, where is the King of Rashearim?”

The giant birdbrain ignored me, choosing to flare her feathers instead. “I know the blood that runs through your veins. All from the realms recognize it. Ig’Morruthen.” She said it like it was a curse. “My eye does not work on you, so I ask, what does the King of Rashearim mean to you?”

“Everything.” I didn’t hesitate or pause. I didn’t have days to think about it, nor would I deny it as I had so many times before. No more would I run from what I felt and have the world suffer for it. I’d lost him because I couldn’t tell him, because I was too afraid to tell him, and I was about to lose him once more. “He is everything to me.”

If a giant bird beast could smile, I felt this one would have. Her eyes darted to Reggie, and he nodded. I wondered how much fate knew about this creature.

“Just a rare occurrence to witness twice.” She cocked her head again. “The King of Rashearim’s heart seems to beat for you as yours does for him. I hear it even now.”

I started to demand what she meant and where my Samkiel was when she lifted one massive wing. I ducked to avoid being hit. Regal and majestic were the only words that came to mind as I took in the beautiful breadth of her wings. I stood in wonder until I saw the silver chain and pendant wrapped in a piece of worn paper.

My hands shook as I reached forward, carefully untangling the necklace from the soft and surprisingly warm feathers. I swallowed against the dread that ate at my gut, my chest feeling as if the world itself sat upon it. My mind, heart, and being were screaming, remembering the last letter I had received. If this was a goodbye letter, I would burn the rivers to steam here and now. Unraveling the note, I clenched the necklace I had given him between my fingers.

My Akrai,

I am not familiar with how fast toruks can fly. It’s been too long, but I hope this finds you quickly. I am okay. I am alive. Please smother the anger and rage I know you may feel at the betrayal. We have more important things to worry about now, I fear. Jade City has been selling poisons for Nismera and insuring shipments for a while, it seems. I also believe they used more than enough on me, which is why my healing has been less than ideal. They are moving us to Flagerun. It is a stronghold similar to the prisons of your world. Roccurem knows the world. Have him show you, but please arrive as quietly as you can. I need to figure out exactly what is being held there. I’ll explain more when I see you. I assume you will make some quip about me being a hero, but if I can’t help those who need it, then saving these realms seems pointless to me. Please, just be careful and try not to set too many things on fire until you return to me.

I—

It looked as if he had scratched out whatever else he was going to say before simply signing it.

Be careful. Yours always, Sami

A strangled noise left my lips, and I raised the note to my chest. The weight I had carried the last ten days dissolved. I clutched at the silver chain, the pendant dancing at the end of it. I clasped his necklace around my neck, turning toward Reggie before saying, “I know where he is, and I need you to tell me how to get there.”

“Of course,” Reggie said.

I turned back to my new bird friend. “I need your help.”

She gave me a haughty sneer as she rose. “I do not answer to you.”

“I don’t need you to, but these people are also important to him. I need you to take them somewhere safe until I return with Samkiel.”

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