Page 122 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Believe what?” Tonin entered the parlor followed by Ora, joining Roderick and Tempesta around the fire.

“We think we located one of the Wells in the Court of Screams.”

Tonin flinched, shutting his eyes tightly. The Court of Screams was known for its brutality. Even among the sylphs who were made for battle, they were considered extreme. “The Trinity would choose a place like that. Even the elves dared not tread on their land, and when the courts split between Wild and Council, they took no side.”

“Have you been there before?” Caiden asked.

“They are wild—wilder than any court. Anyone who dares to tread there would be risking their life. They worship pain,thinking it makes you stronger. The more pain one can endure, the closer to the Trinity they become.” He took a seat next to his wife on the leather sofa. “I’d say it’s barbaric, but that would be an insult to barbarians.”

Caiden swallowed hard and shot a knowing glance at Roderick, who said out loud what Caiden was thinking, “We need Lucius and his Shadow Hunters.”

“I’ll send a raven to the Court of Myst tomorrow, but there’s no telling if he’ll get it. He probably hasn’t even arrived yet. It’s on the other side of the continent, after all.”

“True.” Roderick thumbed the still healing gash on his palm where the binding scar would soon form.

“I will have a chat with the representatives from the Court of Honey and the Court of Ash tomorrow,” Tonin said. “Perhaps they know something.”

“I can do some research at the library,” Ora added.

“Well, then, it seems we have a plan for the interim,” Tonin said, leaning back on the sofa. “Now, there are some horse races tonight I’m obligated to attend if anyone is interested.”

“I should get back to the library.” Ora rose, dusting off her robes. The firelight illuminated the beautiful angles of her face, and Caiden could not look away.

“Please, accompany us,” Caiden said, grabbing her hand and immediately letting it go. “I… uh… I mean, you’ve done so much for me. It only seems right we reward you. Let me take you out for a night. As thanks.” Caiden’s pulse raced, and he could feel everyone’s eyes on him. The air was suddenly much warmer. “If you’re allowed, that is.”

Ora let out a shoulder-shaking laugh.

“We’re not prisoners. We are allowed to have fun now and again.”

Caiden could’ve sworn the scholars who weren’t grandmasters had to be in by a certain hour, but perhaps he was mistaken.

“So that’s a yes?”

“Yes.” Ora’s entire face lit up when she smiled, and Caiden’s chest lightened a little at the thought of being near her the entire night.

“Well, then, we better get going,” Tonin said, rising from his chair and extending a hand to his wife. “I like to get there early and meet the horses beforehand. I’m better at picking a winner then.”

“Sure, you are, my dear,” Tempestia said, kissing her husband on the cheek.

“Shall we?” Caiden said, extending his arm to Ora, who hooked hers through.

The amphitheater in the center of Vantris buzzed with the energy of ten thousand sylphs, all eagerly anticipating the start of the races. In Vantris, horse racing was a regular event, even in the dead of winter.

Being a member of the Sylph Council, Tonin was afforded a luxurious suite at the top of the amphitheater, complete with staff who kept them plied with ale and delicious morsels while they cheered on their favorite horses.

Caiden, Roderick, and Ora took their seats while Tempestia and Tonin went to survey the horses before the race began.

“Nothing like a good night of sporting to get the blood pumping,” Roderick said, taking a pint of ale from one of the servers.

Usually, Caiden loved the races. As children, he and his brother had raced their ponies around the Stormlands estates, pretending to be their favorite riders.

Caiden remembered the first time his father brought him to the amphitheater to see a race. He had been six, and the worldseemed huge then. The statues of champion riders outside of the amphitheater were like gods to Caiden. Each court brought a bevy of riders to the capitol, and it was common for people to hang their favorite riders’ colors outside their houses.

But tonight, Caiden couldn’t relax. Knots tied themselves in his stomach, and he couldn’t tell if that was because of Ora or because he knew he’d eventually have to travel to the infamous Court of Screams. He let out a breath.Just enjoy this moment here with the people you care about. You can worry about everything else tomorrow.

“Who are you betting on tonight, Roderick?”

“Stormlands, always,” Roderick said, taking a swig of ale. “Greysong is a winner, and I know it. She just hasn’t hit her stride yet. The jockey isn’t giving her enough rein around the backend turn.”

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