Page 13 of Of Withering Dreams
Gavrel’s jaw set in a stony square. “It means, brother, we have to follow procedure. More will be revealed in due time.”
“This is ridic—” My retort was cut short by Letti’s soft but firm voice.
“It’s all right. I’ll go. Please, lead the way,” she said to the guard before wrapping her arms around me in a steady hug and then standing straight, aligning her back. Ever the peacemaker. “I’ll find you later, Ser. I’ll see if Father is there.”
“Thank you, Letti. Xeni will watch out for you, won’t you?” Gavrel glowered at the young guard. It wasn’t a question. “At sunset, everyone must meet in the Great Hall,” he added. Standing tall next to Letti, the young warrior nodded firmly, her chin-length, wavy black hair and tawny brown skin gleaming in the sunlight.
I hugged Letti again before she turned and walked over the bridge. A stray rainbow-colored beam weaved within her golden hair. My worried gaze lingered on it until I could no longer see them.
I had to trust Gavrel. He was the only one who seemed to know what was going on. I wondered how often he had done this for us during the Dormancy.
Had he helped us escape from the Stygian Murk every time?
I didn’t want to imagine being trapped in that nightmarish landscape endlessly. My insides squeezed into knots, forcing acid up my throat.
Inhaling through my nose, I let the pure air soothe me and slow my thoughts. I knew deep within my bones he would never put any of us in harm’s way. He’d always watched out for Letti and me. He took care of Kaden after their parents had died.
I’d pick a different battle later if I had to. This wasn’t it. I set my shoulders back and put one foot in front of the other. We passed through the beckoning entryway—unwitting flies settling in the gaping maw of a beautiful snapwyvern plant.
8
EMBEDDED STONES
Agrand set of obsidian staircases hugging the center of the foyer greeted us. They curved along the moonstone walls on either side. A landing connected them at the top, an undulating balcony overlooking the vestibule below.
On either side of me, a long hallway stretched, its black stone floors leaking into the shadows. All of the shiny doors were adorned with intricate etchings like someone had dragged the tip of their finger through a still silver pond, the ripples freezing in place.
Movement caught my eye, swinging my attention toward the landing above. I could have sworn wispy smoke slithered away from view. I blinked twice. Perhaps I was still seeing things.
I shook out my hands, releasing a shaky breath. Kaden stepped closer to me, putting his arm around my back and rubbing a soothing pattern along my shoulder. I rested my head against his warm, solid chest.
A breathtaking chandelier made of hundreds of pristine, star-shaped crystals dangled over the foyer, sprinkling sweeps of refracted rainbows over every stony surface they could reach. The vaulted quartz ceiling hovered above us, giving us views of the roof’s gemmy spires.
“Ahead is the Great Hall, where we’ll meet later.” Gavrel turned to the left. “Follow me, please. Your rooms are this way.”
“Have Seryn and I stayed here before, Gav?” Kaden asked.
“You’ve always stayed in the barracks.” Gavrel dipped his head, pushing forward.
“So, you remember everything when the Dormancy is over?” Breena questioned, her voice an octave higher and her eyebrows flying to the ceiling.
Upon reaching the end of the long hallway, Gavrel stopped, opening the door to a sprawling bedroom. “This is you, Ms. Caddell.”
“Why, thank you, handsome. You can call me Breena,” she purred, giving him a jaunty wink. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
“Yes, I remember everything,” he admitted hesitantly, his voice low.
“Very interesting.” She twirled around, sauntering into her room. “Catch you later.” She closed the door with a sharp click. Kaden and I stood side by side, gawking at Gavrel.
He shrugged one shoulder and pushed a hand through his thick hair. “Everyone has three days, in Stygian Murk time, to find the arch. Once they get close enough, guards on-duty from my unit help them through. If a person doesn’t make it, they’re trapped in limbo. Whether they successfully return to the mortal plane after the Dormancy is another issue.” His brow furrowed as his teeth clenched together.
Was that what happened to Mama?I thought, my insides churning.
“That’s … amazing, brother. You being some elite Order leader, I mean. Being trapped in the nightmare place, not so much.” Kaden wrapped Gavrel in a hug, thumping him on the back a few times. Gavrel’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but then his body seemed to melt, and he embraced his brother. They stepped apart, Kaden’s hands on his brother’s shoulders. “So, I’m guessing a benefit of you being the big boss of your fancy unit is …”
Gavrel nodded once. “Remembering everything. Yes. To be honest, I think it’s so the Elders don’t have to reeducate us every turn.”
“Wow. Just wow, Gav,” I murmured. That responsibility seemed overwhelming. Deep within the shadowy pockets of my mind, I buried the image of my mother shriveling in the Murk, my molars gnawing the inside of my cheek. “How long have you been doing this?”
