Page 56 of Stars in Mist

Mountains Of Sorrow Without End

RIV

The first time Kainan had jabbed Riv in his centre duringkapotraining, the silver-haired Rider almost purged his innards.

The pain had been so instant, so raw, and incandescent, it’d spread through his muscles in ripples of torment.

It’d taken months of Riv priming his centre with daily workouts. Taking punches and exercise balls to his core and getting pounded by his drill partners was how he’d conditioned his body to absorb a bare-knuckle body shot.

Now, on Devansi, Riv gasped for breath, feeling the same gut-punch torment as he glared at the silhouette before him.

He had no time to prepare, anticipate, or brace for the jolt through his entire existence.

The ghosts of his painful past rolled themselves into a gigantic fist that impacted his solar plexus.

His heart nigh on ruptured as shock waves rolled over him.

Somehow, he fought for control and forced himself to breathe, exhaling hard to help him take the unexpected hit of raw emotion.

A firm hand reached out and helped him to his feet.

He bucked as he stared into the profile of the man above him, willing his mind to comprehend.

He tracked his eyes over the face where a familiar stone sat on the younger man’s temple, between silver-lined, solid brows.

Lower still, to the proud aquiline nose, the lips that resembled his own. Then came the jutting chin and the long silver hair that fell to his back, interspersed with five long silver feathers.

Scrabbling for confirmation, Riv reached out to Mirage, who was hovering high above onboard Glimmer.You seeing this shit?’

The AI was quick to respond.I am. That man is an uncanny version of yourself, Riv. Albeit taller, which almost makes him a giant. He also has a higher percentage of muscle mass than you do. Well developed, meaning he puts it to work. I’d tread with care around him.

Riv’s mind was swirling.What the fokk? Can you get a bead on his exact physiology?

Scanning now. I’ve accessed your noids, and they’re sending me data from the cells deposited on your skin from his hand.

While the AI went to work, Riv tried to recover face, pulling his arm away from the stranger’s. ‘Apologies, the trek to this place was demanding.’

His voice was hoarse with feeling, which he hoped translated as exhaustion.

He sent out another urgent node comm.Can you confirm he is mine?

Scan complete. He is without doubt your kin, carrying fifty per cent of your DNA.

Riv reeled.Fokk! The other fifty?

After a short pause, Mirage continued.I can confirm it is K’Élisa’s.

Riv’s internal world was almost ripped apart.What kind of DNA is it?

Give me time, Riv, and I’ll get back to you.

By now, Élisa had descended the hill towards the pair and stepped beside the silver-haired man, placing her hand on his arm.

‘Ribau, this is Killen. My son.’

Even though Mirage had confirmed the fact, hearing it from his former lover was harrowing, and Riv stumbled back.

Killen surged forward and caught him before he buckled.

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