Page 152 of Soul Forge

“Sypher thinks that too. Did either of you ever see them?”

“No. When Sypher was finally able to leave Nova, we flew over the summit. We could sense the magic within them, butwe made sure not to get close enough to touch them.” His head dipped. “I’m lucky Clover and Yani were in Eden when Nova fell. Otherwise, they might have ended up among the lost.”

“No matter what is in those mountains, my job is to protect you,” Reiner growled, finding her voice at last. “How am I supposed to do that if you insist on being stupid? Her life isnotworth yours, Elda.”

“I don’t want to leave you all behind,” Elda admitted, looking into the flames to avoid Reiner’s intense stare. “I’m terrified, but Sypher is right. If the mountains are dangerous enough to swallow hundreds of armed vampires, then Lillian likely doesn’t stand a chance, even with her portals. And if she does make it past the mountains alive, she’ll be facing the Corrupted exhausted and alone.”

“That’s her fault for rushing off just to spite us,” Reiner muttered. “Why should you pay the price for her idiocy?”

“Because Valerus doesn’t deserve to suffer.” Elda wrapped her arms around herself. “If we lose her, whether it be to the Corrupted or to the mountains, they gain the advantage.”

“She’s bull-headed, and it’s going to get her and the rest of us killed,” the ex-captain gritted, tossing a pebble into the fire.

“But… they have a point,” Julian admitted unhappily. “I hate it. I am in no way supportive of this utter lunacy, but I can see what Sypher is worried about.” He sighed and laid a hand on Elda’s shoulder. “I’ll regroup with the others and tell them what’s happening. We’ll get to Rift as quickly as we can. Both of you should eat and get what rest you can.”

“You’re letting them go? Just like that?” Reiner asked.

“What choice do I have?” Julian’s question was quiet, his shoulders slumped in resignation. “We can’t keep up.”

Elda swallowed. “I’m sorry that we have to leave you.”

“Just make sure you both come back alive, okay?” He shot her a painful, crooked smile. She swallowed and wrapped her arms around him.

“You’ve quickly become a trusted friend to me, Julian,” she mumbled into his shoulder.

“Same to you, pipsqueak,” he chuckled, ruffling her hair.

“If I get hung by Hrothgar because you died, I’ll find you in the After and kill you again, Princess,” the ex-captain promised gruffly, helping to secure Sypher’s pack around Elda’s midsection. Her dark eyes were clouded, the corners of her mouth turned down.

Elda tried to smile. “I’ll try not to get killed then.” Reiner tugged the straps, then tucked an extra parcel of boar meat into the pack for her, glancing over at the Soul Forge stretching his wings. Julian stamped out the fire beside him, a deep scowl creasing his brow.

“Be careful,” Reiner pleaded. The tone was enough to make the elf pause. “I don’t want to see you get hurt. I just… I’ve watched over you your whole life. I…” She looked like she wanted to say more, but then she sighed and squared her shoulders. “Don’t do anything stupid. You need to live so you can make me captain again.”

This time, Elda’s smile was real, and she folded the valkyrie into a hug. The contact put a lump in her throat, but she pushed past it. “Take care of yourselves.”

“I’m not about to rush into a potentially life-threatening situation. Both of you worry about yourselves. Keep each other safe,” Reiner instructed.

Elda was acutely aware that she might never see either of them again when Julian dragged her into an embrace that lifted her off her feet.

“Be safe, pipsqueak,” he mumbled into her ear, then stepped back. “And you too, Sypher. Don’t be stupid.”

Sypher nodded, waving at his friend before lifting Elda onto his back and taking off. A lump formed in her throat when she looked back to see Nox lift her head, letting out a single, forlorn cry.

Sypher flew at such speed that conversation was impossible, all of his strength directed to his wings as he carried them across Valerus at an eye-watering pace. The vast plains of Saeryn faded, shifting to the familiar, verdant forests that decorated the kingdom of Eden.

Elda pressed her face into Sypher’s shoulder to shield her eyes from the wind, reaching out to Irileth while they flew.

It’s good to hear from you, little friend,the Spirit whispered in her mind.I was beginning to think you might never speak to me again.

I’m still processing everything the Spirits are responsible for. I haven’t forgiven any of you for what Sypher went through,Elda admitted silently.But we’re about to head into a situation that could be dangerous for both of us. I’m going to need your help.

I am always here to help you,Irileth promised. We were meant to be joined. I will offer you whatever magic I can, as long as you can trust me.

Elda fell silent, mulling over all the possibilities that could be waiting for them when they finally caught up to Lillian. Just how much faster than Sypher did Lillian’s portals make her? What if she’d improved without his knowledge, and she was already in Rift? Would the fae be able to use her power to avoid the dangersof the mountains, or would she be exhausted and forced to climb them? And if she crossed them, what then?

So many variables were present that it made Elda’s head hurt. She tried forcing herself to focus on the landscape zipping by below them, watching the forests grow thick enough to coat the rolling hills as they made their way across Eden’s eastern edge.

The scenery failed to take her mind off the fact that they were flying straight into danger, and her thoughts started to churn again. The voice of doubt chuckled in the back of her mind, whispering of her impending death. She tried and failed to stamp it out. All she could do was listen to its endless taunting.

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