Page 57 of The Curse Between Us

They rode further west, moving smoothly over the thin cover of snow that barely clung to the ground. It wasn’t right. “And this snow is normally deeper,” Edric remarked, his voice heavy with the realization of just how far the changes reached.

Eileen was quiet for a moment, her gaze scanning the landscape around them, before she spoke again. “It’s like the crop failures,” she said quietly. “Or the sinkholes.”

Edric nodded, his jaw clenching as his thoughts turned inward. The comparison was unsettling. Eskarven, like Rafria, was suffering—but the wounds were different, the symptoms peculiar to each land. “I do not like this,” he murmured. The uncertainty was gnawing at him, tightening around his chest. “We ride hard for the castle.”

Eileen nodded fiercely, urging her horse into a faster pace. Without another word, they spurred their horses into a gallop, racing across the open area between the mountains and the castle. Edric’s thoughts, already on edge, only deepened as he felt the chill of the wind against his face. His mind wandered briefly to his unanswered letter, wondering if Zephyr had received it in time—or worse, if something had happened to him.

No. He wouldn’t allow himself to consider that.

As the gleaming walls of the castle finally came into view, Eileen let out a sigh of visible relief. Edric wasn’t the only onewhose thoughts had taken a dark turn. “It appears intact,” she called out over the sound of their thundering hooves.

“Thankfully,” Edric replied under his breath, more grateful than he cared to admit. The sight of the castle’s imposing structure, though familiar, felt like an anchor in a sea of uncertainty.

They clattered across the bridge over the frozen river, the rhythmic sound of their horses’ hooves echoing across the silent expanse. Workers in the courtyard looked up, lifting their hands in greeting as they passed, and though Edric had dressed down to avoid drawing attention, a few of them likely recognized him. He waved absently to them, but his mind was focused entirely on the gates ahead. He was close now. He would see Zephyr.

As soon as they were within the castle’s walls, Edric dismounted swiftly, tossing the reins to a young stablehand without hesitation. His gaze scanned the courtyard, and though a number of Eskarvens were gathered to greet them, there was only one person he sought. His eyes locked on Zephyr, and in two swift strides, he closed the distance between them.

Without another thought, Edric swept Zephyr into his arms. The thick layers of fur and wool between them prevented any accidental contact, but for a moment, the simple act of holding his husband—the warmth, the solid strength of him—was all that mattered. Edric took in the familiar scent of Zephyr’s skin, the steady rhythm of his breathing. Zephyr’s face was lined with weariness, the fine lines around his eyes more pronounced than Edric remembered, but when Zephyr smiled, it was small and private, a smile meant only for Edric.

“Hello, Edric,” Zephyr said, his voice a quiet balm. “I am very glad to see you.”

Edric’s heart surged, but with it came a weight he couldn’t ignore. “And I you,” he murmured, his voice shaky ashe held Zephyr close, not wanting to let go. “Zephyr, I was so worried—”

Zephyr winced, stepping back slightly. “Come inside,” he said, his voice edged with something darker now. He gestured to Eileen, who followed them wordlessly as Zephyr led them into the castle.

Inside, the warmth of the hearth greeted them, the fire blazing merrily in the small chamber. Eileen immediately held her hands out to the flames, a sigh of relief escaping her. Edric, however, was too preoccupied to pay attention to the heat. He took a seat at the round table where Zephyr sat beside him, Pierce and Clara filling the other places.

Zephyr laced his fingers together, his gaze shadowed as he turned to Edric. “In your letter, you spoke of strange happenings in Rafria,” he began, his voice heavy with an emotion Edric couldn’t quite place. “We have been experiencing them as well. The snow is less heavy than usual, and earlier this week, a great crack appeared in the floor of the catacombs beneath the temple.”

Edric inhaled sharply, his eyes flicking to Clara, whose expression betrayed no emotion. But there was something in her eyes—something like rage, or maybe regret. He frowned, turning back to Zephyr as he processed the news. “To strike at the very heart of the land,” he said slowly, his voice dark with understanding. “No one was harmed, I hope?”

“No.” Zephyr shook his head. “Fortunately not. But that is not all.” He looked at Pierce, who had abandoned his usual mischievous expression in favor of something more serious. “The springs in the mountains have turned thick and grey with ash. Our water stores are dangerously low.”

A chill, colder than the Eskarven air, swept through Edric at the words. Water was the lifeblood of any kingdom, especially one so reliant on its land. It was something thathad to be preserved, guarded, fought for. And now, it was being poisoned. Edric looked at Eileen, who met his eyes with a stricken expression, the weight of their shared responsibility clear in her gaze. Without a moment’s hesitation, she nodded once, firmly, and threw him a crisp salute.

“Ride back to Rafria tomorrow,” he instructed her, his voice low and commanding. “Arrange a convoy with as many barrels of fresh water as can be spared. I entrust this task to you, Eileen.”

“Yes, my lord.” She bowed briefly before snapping her heels together, ready to carry out the order.

Turning back to the Eskarvens, Edric saw matching looks of shock on their faces. “You will simply—send us your water?” Pierce asked, confusion clouding his features.

“Edric, your generosity is unrivaled, but what if your people should have need of it?” Zephyr interjected, his voice a little softer now but still laced with concern.

Edric leaned forward, his eyes locked on Zephyr’s. Deliberately, he pressed his own leg against Zephyr’s under the table, the simple touch grounding him amidst the swirling storm of thoughts and fears. “We do not lack fresh water in Rafria. These events have shown that both our lands are suffering at the hands of the same enemy,” he said, his voice steady despite the unease he felt rising within him. “You are my husband, and while we have not officially joined our kingdoms together, I feel a duty to your people just as I do to my own. I will not let you or any of them risk death over a matter we have the potential to solve.”

Zephyr opened his mouth, then closed it again with a sharp click. He studied Edric for a long moment before finally nodding. “Very well. What can we do other than accept your gift with grace and gratitude?” He turned to Pierce. “See to it that Eileen is given the most comfortable accommodations for thenight, and arrange for two of our own people to accompany her back to Rafria tomorrow.”

Edric nodded, the weight of his decision not lost on him. But as he spoke, Zephyr’s expression grew more serious. “Anything we can offer in return is yours. You only need tell us.”

Edric shook his head, his voice quiet. “As of yet, we are managing. Some of the crops have suffered, but we produce enough to absorb the blow.”

Clara abruptly stood from her seat, pacing the room with restless energy. “Your food, our water. Abyss strikes at us from both angles,” she said, her voice tight with frustration. “And according to King Zephyr, the earth itself has been damaged in your home as well?”

“Yes,” Edric replied, his thoughts returning to the pits that had opened along the road. “Though not in the temple.” He grimaced, thinking of Hadley’s likely reaction were something similar to happen in Rafria. “Along the road, several large pits have opened, slowing the flow of goods and people.”

“Another testing of its limits,” Zephyr murmured, his face pale, his hands locked tightly together. He drew in a deep breath, then turned to Edric, his eyes filled with something darker, something deeper. “Might my husband and I have a moment alone?”

“Of course,” Pierce replied, his tone lightening a little as he stood. He sent Edric a knowing wink as he held his arms out to Clara and Eileen. “I do not believe we had anything further to contribute.”

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