Page 18 of A World of Ruins

‘A dragon’s power involves one of three,’ she says. ‘Shadow, mind or fire – save for your love. A phoenix can incinerate anything in its wake yet create everlasting youth with the touch of its feather upon someone’s skin. Then, of course, there are the merfolk who admire Crello for the tides, and their magical power to manipulate water.’ As she comes to a stop, she turns to me. ‘And finally, Elves. Nature . . . darkness – much like Solaris and Crello, wouldn’t you think?’

‘I’m not sure I am following.’

She chuckles as if she thought that would be the case and resumes walking us out of the cave. ‘Every species has a role in this world, and they accept what it is, even humans, but the point I want to make is that you seem not to want to accept your purpose. Or to believe that you do not deserve to be Solaris.’

I slow down my steps, looking downcast. I don’t wait for her to stop as I say almost timidly for once, ‘Solaris created lifealongside Crello, but what they gave, they could also destroy.’ My head tilts up, and I find Hira’s powerful gaze on me. ‘What if I end up destroying what I wish to salvage?’ Am I afraid? Yes, now more than ever, even if Istillstruggle to admit it at times.

Hira blows out a breath of understanding. ‘What is life without a little destruction?’

When I don’t answer, she raises her brows and turns her back to me.

‘You are wrong, you know,’ I say out loud. Her head twists to the side, and I’m staring at her sharp profile as I add, ‘Everyone might have a role in this world, but not all accept it. Why else do you think there are Dark Elves, Venators . . . Aurum? Sometimes, I believe not all of us are destined to be part of a world like this.’

She hums, mulling it over. ‘Which is why we intend to defeat Aurum.’

Even then, there will always be something.

And as much as I want to voice that, I decide otherwise.

‘So, how do you propose we do that?’ I ask. ‘We do not have the Northern Blade, and while Darius is bound to him, we are nothing but entertainment for Aurum.’

She spins around and gives me a forlorn smile. ‘From what I know of Aurum, he has only ever craved power. Being a Rivernorth was never enough for him, but you and Darius share something he does not have.’

I frown, failing to see her point.

‘You were both placed here to serve a purpose.’ She gestures her hand out. ‘So, perhaps it was an act from Solaris herself for you to survive the injuries Aurum inflicted on you back in Olcar, and it also may be that the reason our world is slowly dying is because we need you and Darius to protect it.’

Hira’s words plant themselves inside my mind. A seed, feeding me information until it grows. She believes everythinghas a plan that will work itself out, andmaybeshe knows that if I went to Emberwell now, if I tried to save Darius, I would be altering her perfect destiny.

A destiny in which I don’t get to make my own choices.

‘I know . . .’ She sighs. ‘I know that you wish to rescue Darius right now. But if there is any chance we can find a way to get him back without harming him, then shouldn’t we at least try and wait it out?’

I stare at her impassively. She is telling me to stand down when that is all I have done so far. How much longer must I wait? How much longer must I stay here?

Hira’s serene smile does little to change what I feel and want right now as she touches my shoulder. ‘I am sure that Darius, a royal Rivernorth descendant, would agree if he was in your position.’

That is where she is wrong.

I shift away from her touch because no matter what everyone might think Darius would do,Iknow that he would have gone to me the minute something felt wrong. Darius isn’t just a Rivernorth. He is also a Halen and the most wanted thief in Emberwell. He would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

The shifting wind suddenly picks up, dragging what looks like a flower through the air. I let it get closer before capturing it in my hands. As I open them, I see the five white petals. Delicate, beautiful, and not a plant that should be found on these mountains. Bringing the flower to my nose to smell the fresh fragrance of jasmine, I close my eyes and inhale, letting my mind wander into memory.

‘Here,’Darius once said in Emberwell, as he plucked a jasmine flower from a woman’s basket.

‘What’s this for?’

‘You always smell of jasmine.’

I picture his smile and the careless shrug he gave me, and it suddenly feels like someone is ripping my chest apart. I clutch the flower tightly to me, thinking it can spur something magical to fix this loss, but I know it cannot. Not from where I am standing.

My gaze, fierce and in control, flies wide open onto Hira, staring at me with a curious frown. ‘You’re right,’ I say, not planning to let go of the flower. ‘I shouldn’t risk myself against Aurum.’ I smile at her, but even then, it is tense. ‘Like you have said before, he might want me to fall into whatever sadistic plan he has in mind.’

‘It is for the best, Nara.’ Hira gives me a gentle squeeze on the arm. ‘I am glad you understand now.’

I nod and watch her walk past me. Turning to Tibith, I see him tilt his head up at me, his usual big eyes narrowing with acute suspicion. I squat and hand him the jasmine flower. My smile is no longer strained as I look at his ears, flapping excitedly.

If Aurum wants me to walk into one of his traps, then let it be decreed that I will do everything in my power to escape it.

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