Page 204 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

I scoffed. “A bond? Since when?”

Samkiel shrugged. “He visited her cell repeatedly on Rashearim. Camilla had alluded to a relationship between the two of them.”

Veruka shrugged, a small smile curving her lips. “There is something between them. Everyone knows it, and they are both dumb to think Nismera doesn’t as well.”

That made my skin prickle, and I looked at Samkiel.

“If she is alive, I want her back.”

Samkiel’s eyes narrowed a fraction, and his jaw clenched.

“She is more than just an ally. She hid me from you for months. Imagine what Nismera can make her do. We need her, and you know it. She also brought my sister back to me when she didn’t have to. I will not let her suffer.”

The flicker of jealousy left his gaze, and he smiled ruefully. “Spoken like a true queen fighting to protect her people.”

Veruka cleared her throat. “Well, there won’t be any titles if we don’t get there soon. Luckily, I know a shortcut to Pauule.”

EIGHTY-TWO

SAMKIEL

Clouds swirled behind us as we cut through the billowing misty masses. We descended, and my thighs tightened against the metal saddle, the air growing warmer the lower we went.

“I hate this,” Dianna said through our connection. “Why do I have to be a giant flying worm?”

The wind ate my chuckle. “Technically, you’re not a worm. Ryphors are ancient beasts and much more intelligent than a worm.”

“It’s a fucking worm, Sami, and I hate you.”

I merely patted her soothingly as she grumbled. I supposed the creature’s overall shape did look like a giant worm. The thick metallic gray plate that covered its head in a semicircular crown ran the length of its body, tapering toward the tail. The smooth underbelly had round vents that somehow lifted it into the air. Its mouth was nothing short of a nightmare. The serrated teeth and split jaws were bad enough, but it was the smaller tentacle tongue with the mouth at the end that was truly unnerving. Ryphors were unpredictable, violent, and aggressive, yet somehow, Nismera had managed to tame at least one and breed it.

“Mm-hmm. I feel they are more closely related to those hoklok that lurk in the reefs, not worms. You know, they are slimy, vicious, stupid, and attack anything that moves.”

“I still hate you.”

I threw my head back and laughed. Veruka’s eyes widened as her ryphor curved through the sky next to us. I hadn’t told her of the power I had crafted into our rings because, no matter what Orym said, I did not trust her fully. Dianna was right. Veruka smelled of my brother, and I wasn’t convinced it was just for the sake of the mission.

We broke through the low-hanging clouds, and rows and rows of hexagonal tents came into focus below us. My eyes caught on one tent in the middle of the camp that sat a little higher than the rest. Soldiers crawled over the camp, voices reaching us even up here.

Veruka whistled, and we turned and sailed toward the southern end of the camp. We sailed over the ryphors locked on their posts, and they raised their heads as we passed. I prayed Veruka’s witch was strong enough to mask our scents. I knew we were in the clear when none of them screamed or chased after us.

Veruka pulled back on her reins, hovering near an elongated tent, and Dianna followed suit. Dust curled around our feet as Veruka and I hopped off. She nodded toward the tent behind me before heading to the one just on the other side. Dianna followed me in, her long serpentine body coiling to fit. She changed back to her lithe form as soon as the flap fell, a shudder of relief going through her.

“I counted at least a hundred as we passed over,” she said, peeking out. “Not counting the ones inside the stable.”

Dianna stepped back, and Veruka walked in, one of those small wisps darting around her head. Her tail whipped behind her, and she stopped short, not wanting to crowd Dianna. “Orym is atop the nearest hill. No one has come or gone besides us in the last hour, so Illian is here.”

I nodded. Illian was the commander here, his legion the one that frequented the area. The information Veruka provided said that he was a carviann, a species with four arms, skin the color of the ocean, with spikes protruding from his elbows.

It was astounding to me that those who hated the gods so desperately seemed eager to join Nismera’s legions and work for her. Even the most vicious and rebellious bent to her will, and I didn’t understand why. Why work for a goddess who destroyed your way of life?

“All right,” I said. Dianna came to my side, careful not to touch me. I hated it. “We need to find his tent first, then gather the documents.”

“Okay, well, we passed over that large one. My bet is that’s his,” Dianna said.

Veruka and I both shook our heads.

“Wouldn’t be,” Veruka said. “It would be waving a flag to anyone attempting to raid this place. If anything, it’s a trap in case someone comes snooping.”

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