Page 186 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“We’ve been traveling for days, we’re battered and bruised, and I’m regrowing bones, let me sleep, woman.”

He was right, but we needed to catch up to Tharan if we had any hope of succeeding.

“You can sleep once we’ve harnessed the power of the Well and defeated Gideon and Erissa.”

Caiden pulled the pillow over his head.

“Fine, I guess you’re right, but I’m not happy about it.”

We quickly bathed and donned new clothing. The queen was nice enough to provide us with leather armor. Complete with a hive embossed on the breastplate.

Caiden came in while I tightened my bootstraps. He leaned against the doorway in a way I hadn’t seen since we were young. The golden light of morning highlighted his square jaw and blue eyes. My gut tightened with a lust I thought I’d erased along with his memories, but I pushed it away. Although I would be lying if I said Tharan’s proposal didn’t run through my mind.Get it together, Aelia. You can think about sex later.

“Ready?” he asked with the coy smile I’d fallen for all those years ago.

“As I’ll ever be.”

He extended his hand and pulled me from where I sat.

Together we walked to the portal room flanked by Shadow Hunters. Tall, dark, and silent—just like Lucius. Only these were pure sylph. Though they looked thin, they were nothing but lean muscle underneath their cloaks.

The heels of our boots clicked on the polished wood floors of the Hive. An ominous feeling hung in the air. I swallowed my thickening throat, hoping we weren’t too late to catch Tharan, Roderick, and the others.

The honey-colored portal opened, and I held my breath before stepping through to a wood paneled library where a sylph woman with white hair and umber skin waited, leaning against a solid, oak desk.

“Aelia?” she said, arching a brow. I noted her leather armor, complete with spiked shoulders.

“Yes,” I said.

“Lydia.” She held out her hand in a sign of peace and friendship as Caiden and the Shadow Hunters shot through the portal. “I’m the mayor of Honeyville.”

I shook her hand and Caiden did the same.

“Roderick and Tharan were here earlier. I was going to have a hunter show them the safest route into the Court of Screams, but when my hunter showed up at the inn, he said they had already gone.”

Rocks sank in my stomach.

“We were so close and yet so far apart,” I said.

“Can your hunter take us into the Court of Screams?” Caiden asked.

“She can. Best to wait until sundown though. They hunt during the day and my clout will only carry you so far. You are welcome to explore our town or rest at the inn until sundown.”

Knots twisted in my chest. I wanted to leave now. Every second counted when lives were on the line.

“I understand you have your customs, but our friends are out there. We need to go now. Evil is coming and daylight will not stop them from getting what they want. We need to beat them to it.”

The mayor tapped her fingers on the desk indecisively.

“I suppose you’re right. I will send for the hunter.”

I let out a breath.

“Thank you.”

The mayor rang a bell, and an attendant entered. She whispered something into his ear, he nodded and left.

“I’ve arranged for some provisions for you to be wrapped up as well. The hunter will meet you outside. Good luck on your journey. For all our sakes.”

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