Page 18 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

“Liar.” He lets out a strained chuckle as we make our way down the hall, turning the opposite way of the door. “Where are we going? The exit is that way.” I try to turn him but the strength he has even like this is more than I have.

“There’s a secret passage.” My brows furrow. How in the afterworld does he know that?

“I’m not even going to ask right now but I expect to be told how and why exactly you know this.”

He says nothing but we stop in front of the bare wall and I look at him incredulously as he places his palm against the bricks and it moves. “What the fuck?” It reveals a tunnel, dark and wet. I can smell the rats and moist walls and hold back a gag.

“What, fuck, what about your rune? Your wedded rune, he’ll find us.” He voices, scratchy vocal chords rubbing together. Then, he eyes my bandage and stares back into my face.

“Let’s go.” I state, not answering him but I think he knows based on the look he gives. “Do you even know where you’re going?” I ask him, following him as he starts.

* * *

As the moon rose high in the darkened sky, we press on toward our destination, our weary feet carrying us closer to the end. The gates loom ahead, bathed in silver light that filters through the ornate iron bars. Despite our exhaustion, we can still hear the distant sound of bells tolling and occasional echoes of noises coming from the tunnel. As we drew nearer to the gate, I caught glimpses of the city beyond, its buildings towering against the night sky. The scent of hay and horse manure waft toward us, signaling that we were deep within the city walls. In the distance, I can make out the hazy outlines of guards and their steeds hurrying about their duties. Our hearts race with anticipation as we approach the gates, knowing that our journey was finally reaching its end.

I look at Hadeon, noting the milky color in his eyes. “Hello? Hadeon.” I try to get his attention but he’s not looking at me.

Whatever. Ever since I’ve known him, he’s done this. It happens randomly and he’s zoned as if he is not here except in body. I’ve learned to embrace it. The only time I asked about it, he says it’s a way to communicate to hisfamily, I assumed it was because they were dead or some weird enchantment I hadn’t heard of but it wasn’t brought up after.

I give him some space and peek around the gate, searching for a fragile spot. The gate was rusted over and looks weak. I go to push it open, but his voice stops me. “Wait.” I turn to him, still with the off look before he blinks and it’s gone. “Okay, I know where to go.”

He helps me push the gate open, with ease, and suddenly I feel wetness coating my bandage that rests against his. “You’re bleeding,” I tell him. He tries to brush it off but I grab it, showing him I know it hurts. “Stop moving real quick.” I take the bottom portion of my tunic and rip it across to get the most out without revealing all my skin. I wrap the makeshift bandage around his forearm before tying it off tightly. “The last thing I need is for you to lose more blood and pass out. I don’t know if I’ll make it to our destination without you or with you if I need to carry you.” I speak the truth. Hadeon stares into my eyes with an incredulous look.

“You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Your entire life is proof of that. And I haven’t been training you for nothing.” Then his eyes flash. “And where, pray tell, are you planning our destination to be?” I pull my bottom lip into my mouth, lightly chewing on it with nerves. He’s waiting for an answer but I don’t think he suspects where I want to go.

“I do not know about you, but I plan to make it to Khyrel. I wish to seek out the king. I believe he and I now have a common enemy. But, if you do not wish to join me, I understand.”

Something else flashes through his face, and I want to believe it is relief but I’m not sure. Why would he be relieved? I thought he’d talk me out of it. I squint my eyes at him as he turns away.

“Let us go.”

* * *

After a long and treacherous journey, we finally emerge from the bustlingcity and enter the lush forests that act as a buffer between the grand capital of Zorya and its smaller surrounding towns. As we move deeper into the trees, our chances of being noticed decrease, but I can’t shake off the feeling that the guards are still on high alert. However, one positive sign was the absence of any alarm bells ringing in the distance. The air around us was cool and crisp, carrying with it the scent of pine and damp earth. The only sounds are the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds, a welcome change from the constant noise of the city.

My hands stop shaking from adrenaline and I’ve calmed my heart a bit.

“We need to stop, take a breath.” Hadeon finally spoke, seemingly having a harder time breathing. “Are you hurt anywhere?” He asks, trying to look me over.

“I don’t feel any pain. The adrenaline’s worn off by now so I would feel something if there was anything wrong.” I assure, looking at him. “Aside from my arm but it’s fine.” I look down at it, noting the blood that seeped through the bandage.

The silence was deafening. Even the creatures remain asleep when the sun went down. The wind howls as it usually did this time of year but in the short moments of true silence, I heard it. A stream. “Stay here, I’m going to fill up on water.” I shake the empty drinking skins but before I can leave him, he grabs my bicep.

“Not alone.” I roll my eyes again tonight before motioning him with me. The stream wasn’t far from us and I know it was safe. I fill up the skins and seal them before ripping a piece of my sleeve to wet it, walking over to Hadeon.

“Let me clean up your face, please.” He looks like he wants to refuse, but doesn’t. He surprises me by allowing me to swipe across his face gently. There were cuts and bruises littering him but I did my best to clean him up before we start our venture again. His fae abilities are already healing him.

I can tell he wants to ask me something but the cloudy look in his eyes return. Maybe it’s from the injuries. He could’ve hit his head at some point. I wait, wanting him to speak first but still nothing. After what seems to be an hour, his eyes are still cloudy as we continue our trek.

Finally, I watch as he tunes in, looking at me.

“What are you doing?” I ask him. He looks confused.

“Nothing,” I want to push more on the subject. Was he talking to his family? Did they know of his plans to leave the country?

I speak, “We are far enough away now to rest. You get some sleep, I’ll take the first watch.” I can tell he wants to argue but I held my hand up before he can speak, “I am not nearly as tired or as injured as you. Get some sleep.” I demand. We try to get comfortable in the sand bed by the creek, avoiding sharp rocks and twigs.

I sit there, counting our rations and my weapons. I didn’t notice before but Hadeon had grabbed the sword from the guard as we were leaving so at least he also had a weapon.

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