Page 117 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

I reached forward, placing my arm around his shoulders and pulling him close. We walked side by side through the market, heading for the frozen cream stall.

“He has one of those all-important godly meetings for the next two moons. When he’s back, tryouts begin.”

“Great.” Xavier all but beamed.

“And lucky you,” I said as we got in line behind the children. “He’s making me do it with you.”

“Really?” His growing excitement was nearly palpable, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re happy about that,” I said, bumping my shoulder against his.

“Only a little. You’re my only friend since the accident.”

He grew quiet again, and I cursed every damned ghost that haunted him.

“Well,” I slapped his back hard enough to bring him back to me. “You better love me for this because I hate following orders, and Samkiel has an ego the size of the sun, but I think I can get out of most of it if I get Imogen to join, too. That will distract him.”

“That’s your plan.”

“Gods above, yes. It’s always good to have a master one, buddy. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you.”

He tipped his head back and laughed as the line moved forward.

I was happy to get him a family, a new one, even if a part of me was doing it out of guilt.

Tears pricked my eyes, and I took another swig, gripping the railing. The city below did not sing or rejoice. They moved as if one wrong step could be their death. Once the sun set, only guards patrolled the streets below. Nismera was a tyrant, always had been, and now she owned the cosmos. Peace, love, and joy did not exist under her rule, and now I feared there was no hope.

“What am I supposed to do without you?” I whispered to the wind.

FORTY-FIVE

VINCENT

The portal whirled before opening to the snow-capped mountains of Flagerun. A chill wind sent snow flurries spinning into the air, casting the area in shades of white and gray. Armored hooves stomped around me as my legion rode in two lines on either side of me, spears at their sides.

The huroehe we rode were thick six-legged beasts. They were strong, adaptable, and deadly. Nismera had equipped them with their own armor, designed to protect them in battle. The addition of spikes along the breastplate, leg guards, and head meant they were able to slash and kill even if their rider could not. My favorite thing about them was they feared nothing and didn’t spook. They were much more likely to run into trouble than away from it, which was invaluable in a time when Nismera had us venturing into other realms.

I pressed a spot on my left gauntlet, and a light flashed beneath my finger as the portal behind us closed. Quill had outdone himself with the gauntlet, and he had accomplished it in very little time. It made me wonder what else he was capable of. How had he achieved such quick results? The stench of blood and death permeated his lab. Was he brilliant? Did he use blood magic? Or was it a combination of both? I made a mental note to dig a bit deeper into his past.

“It’s quiet.” Abbie trotted up next to me, her beast stopping when she pulled on the reins. “Too quiet.”

I glanced toward her through the slit of my helmet, and even past her own armor, I could see the apprehension.

“It’s Flagerun,” I answered. “Nothing but mountains and skyrippers.”

A few of the soldiers nervously glanced up as if searching for the damned feathered beasts. I knew the risk in coming and so did Nismera. Skyrippers had adapted to the harsh climate, eating every bit of their prey, including bone, to survive. They were driven by hunger and mean as fuck. We would be relatively safe once we made it inside the prison, at least from them. I wanted to get in, do what we came to do, and leave.

The skyrippers were why Nismera had sent damn near a hundred soldiers with me, but I wasn’t going to tell my legion that. If the beasts were starved, a hundred might not be enough. Nismera said she wished for me to return but was not too concerned about the others. I would have rejoiced in her care at one time, but now I knew it was hollow. It wasn’t like when Camilla spoke to me or looked at me. I didn’t feel that warmth in my chest. After years of having friends and family, I knew what true love and care felt like now.

I shook my head, trying to clear it of the witch who was probably pacing her floor until her magic burned it, waiting for me to return. Despite every horrible thing I’d done, she still cared about me. I didn’t deserve it, but I would accept her care and friendship.

“Move out!” I shouted, pointing toward the rising cliff above. Snow crunched under hooves as we began the climb.

“IT’S TOO QUIET,” ABBIE SAID AGAIN AS WE TROTTED UP THE mountainside. The soldiers had been quiet, keeping their eyes on the sky.

“You keep saying that,” I answered.

“We would usually hear a skyripper by now, especially with us getting closer.”

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