Page 19 of Of Withering Dreams
Gavrel materialized behind us, wedging his bulky form between Kaden and me on the bench. He nodded at Rhaegar, the warrior tipping his head in acknowledgment. Kaden scowled at his brother as a bit of glittering, golden liquid escaped over his cup’s rim. Gavrel picked up a pitcher of the Surrelian mead, filling Kaden’s goblet with the sparkling spirits. Another lopsided smirk stretched across Kaden’s face as he took a hearty swig, his irritation wiped clean.
“No one truly knows where any of them went.” Rhaegar’s voice was low. “Rumors have circulated, especially in Pneumali. Many people believe Morpheus is to blame for the Withering. Whether he has a soft spot for mortals or not—maybe he and his siblings were bored and conspired to shake things up. They are celestial, after all. Existing forever would be daunting.” He shrugged, his boulder-like shoulders pulling his overcoat taut. “Maybe they simply didn’t care about their playthings anymore and buggered off to another dimension.”
“Watch the little bugs squirm.” Breena snorted. Kaden’s head bobbed clumsily in agreement.
“Dreams and nightmares galore. Huzzah!” Kaden raised his glass. When no one responded, he picked up Breena’s cup and clinked it with his own.
A scoff of amusement left me. “Looks like we can still get sloshed. I’m going to call it a night. Nice to meet you, Rhaegar.” His lips curved into a smile, one big hand waving from his brow in a quick salute. I stood and helped Kaden up. “Let’s go, you drunken gillytoad.”
“Ribbit.” Kaden bopped me on the nose with one finger, his tongue held in between his teeth. I shook my head with a chuckle, not bothering to correct him on the sound a gillytoad makes.
Gavrel stood and took Kaden from me, wrapping his arm around his brother’s waist. “I’ve got him, Seryn. Let’s head up.”
We bid everyone good night and made our way to Kaden’s room. We maneuvered his hefty body onto his bed. I tucked him in, kissing him on his forehead. As I moved away, Kaden seized my wrist, his fingers gentle yet firm. He tugged me toward him, causing my chest to topple across his.
“Kaden, knock it off,” I giggled, wriggling away from him.
“Ah, Seryn. If you keep wiggling like that, I’ll never let you go,” he crooned, his gravelly voice laced with mirth and promise. A tingling blush crept over my cheeks.
Gavrel coughed. “Goodnight, brother.”
Kaden pouted and mumbled, “Always ruining my fun, Gavie Gav. Very spoilsporting of you.” He chuckled at his own words. Then his body went lax. I slipped off him, righting myself. We left the room, Kaden softly snoring.
We reached my room, and I turned to Gavrel. His steady gaze studied my face intently. Had he always looked at me in this way? As if he was quietly cracking me open. Scooping out my secrets. This place was getting to me.
I let out a puff of air, glancing down. A vivid beam of moonlight split through the ceiling’s prisms, casting delicate hues upon my dress. I smoothed one hand down the skirt and looked at him. “Thanks again, Gav. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for us.”
Although his smile was humble, it was enough to kindle the light within his eyes. He nodded and turned toward his room. “Sleep well, Asteria.”
The Ancient of Stars.
I smiled at the new nickname, moving through my moonlit room. A fresh, pale nightgown waited upon my bed. I slipped into it and nestled into the silken sheets. I tumbled into a deep sleep, dreaming of shattering supernovas and spiteful deities.
The next morning,Gavrel accompanied Kaden, Breena, and me to the mainland, giving us a tour. The open land of the training field and barracks stretched well into the distance. It was comforting to see all the people bustling about, but a little voice kept prodding me in the back of my mind, reminding me so many more were missing.
We had not found our father yet. I suspected he did not make it out of the Stygian Murk. I rubbed my lips together, a crease forming between my eyes.What can I do besides get through the Dormancy?I prayed to the Ancients he was safe and found his way home.
As we made our way to the barracks, Letti waved us over. We met her outside her room, near the middle of an extensive stone building. She briefly showed me her space, expressing contentment with her accommodation. Her cozy, narrow bed sat against one white stone wall, her roommate's bed along the other. The room was clean and comfortably temperate. This put my mind at ease a bit.
“Thanks for the tour, brother.” Kaden set his hand on Gavrel’s shoulder, his voice hoarse. I imagined he was unwell after drowning in mead last night. “Now, tell us more about us wandering around as astra poppies.”
Breena snorted as Gavrel lifted Kaden’s hand from his shoulder. He didn’t look amused.
“There isn’t much to add.” He kept count on his fingers as he spoke, starting with his thumb. “We’re here in our astral bodies. Ember works because it originates from this plane. If you’re injured while soul-wandering, your physical body won’t be affected … but I don’t recommend it. Injuries to your ethereal form still hurt like the void.”
“Just rattling them off, all direct, eh? No warming us up with this one,” Breena snickered, waving her hand toward Gavrel.
“Apologies. After answering the same questions for the last several turns, I find it more efficient to get the easy answers out of the way.” He shrugged.
“I haven’t noticed the Akridais or Elders lurking around since the gathering in the Great Hall. Where do they spend their time?” I asked.
“The Elders make themselves scarce. Akridais are usually sent on various missions.” Gavrel frowned at the mention of the Druik enforcers. Hestia Larkin’s terrified face flashed through my mind. “You won’t see them until near the end of the Dormancy, during the Winnowing festivities.”
“Winnowing festivities?” Letti wondered, her eyes swinging behind Gavrel.
“There are various ceremonies and events to mark the end of the Dormancy. A ball. Competitions. The Elders will round everyone up to provide more information in the future,” he explained, turning at the sound of advancing footsteps.
Xeni approached Gavrel, a small smile lifting the corners of her mouth when her bronze-like eyes found Letti. Color rose in the apples of my sister’s cheeks. Her gaze flicked to everything around us but the comely, young guard.
