Page 15 of Tower of Tempest
I swallowed. Taking this step was the only direction I could go. The only way to find Gran. This was silly. I’d keep my hood up, stay hidden, unnoticed, and I’d stay safe. Gran had taught me enough to know how to survive out here. She’d shown me maps, how to read them, lectured me on how the territories of the sky court were structured. How people lived and survived. I could do this.
My foot lifted and moved forward over the tree line, and then my next foot followed as sun shone down onto my face, the cover of trees now behind me.
My breath hitched in my throat as I took a few more tentative steps out onto the road. Gran had described this view so many times, but not even in my wildest imagination could I have dreamed this up.
The sky court sat sprawled out across three mountain peaks, each one connected by long bridges that gleamed golden under the sun. The peaks dropped off into sharp cliffs while the main towns dotted the jagged rocks and deep green highlands. Puffy clouds surrounded the mountaintops, making it look like Valoris sat atop them. Sky elementals flew through the air in the distance, their wings all different colors: white, black, brown. Elementals who looked like me.
Bitterness coated my throat. Except they could fly.
Gran had told me each peak represented a different territory. Our peak was Winged. The next was Feathered. And the final peak, the one with the royal castle, was Winded. Gran had told me Winged was the smallest of the three, and it was also the farthest from Winded. With her distrust of the royals, it made sense why she chose this place for us.
I ventured out farther onto the stone-paved road as a few sky elementals soared over me. Some of them glanced down, giving me curious looks. My face flushed, and I wished I had a different cloak, one that would cover my wings. I wouldn’t be able to hide like I’d thought, not when I had wings but wasn’t flying like everyone else. That would be first on my to-do list. I’d taken all Gran’s gold, so I’d have enough to get myself a new cloak.
Cold wind gusted past me, feeling good against my sweat-soaked face, though I noticed everyone who flew wore thick pants and fur-lined jackets, some even wearing protective goggles and gloves.
My linen dress wouldn’t keep me warm like it had in my tower. I’d need clothes better suited for this journey. I glanced up and down the road, biting the inside of my cheek, thinking through my options.
The prince and his comrades had mentioned going to the shadow court. My gaze settled on the farthest isle in the distance. The only way down and to the docks was through Winded. I would have to travel to the royal territory. The thought soured my stomach. It would take weeks to journey on foot. Maybe my best course of action right now would be to visit the village on Winged. The one Gran often traveled to for trade and supplies. They’d surely have what I needed, and a small village would be safest while I prepared for my journey. I’d pay for passage on a ship to the shadow court. From there, I’d find my gran.
Having a plan gave me the confidence to move forward. I needed rest, but I couldn’t afford to sit here and wait for the prince to find me. I beganwalking, glancing down over the edge of the road, the view dizzying. Water raged against the cliffs far below, ramming into them with a vengeance, seawater spraying and showering back down. I’d never been afraid of heights, but it was astounding how high up we were. Gran had told me Valoris was the least visited of all the courts because of how difficult it was to travel here. Still, the sky court made accommodations like building roads and bridges to encourage trade with other courts—and to help sky elementals like me, who couldn’t fly.
Actually, I wasn’t sure there was anyone like me. Some sky elementals sustained injuries or contracted illnesses that impaired them, but I wasn’t sure there was anyone out there who didn’t know how to use their magic.
Maybe now was the time to learn.
I shaded my eyes against the sun. One thing at a time. First, I needed to make it to the nearest village. Far in the distance, the road forked. One way led toward the golden bridge and on to the next territory. The other led off in a different direction, winding around the forest and toward the only village on our little isle.
I sighed, steeling myself for this journey. I could do this.
The sun glared bright in the sky, and I could feel its blistering rays on my face, despite my hood. The forest had always been dark, but out here, despite the chill, the sun beamed, bright and searing. I’d only taken a few steps when the clop of horses made me go still, and it took me a moment to register the sound—a moment too long. I moved to scramble off the road and hide behind the moss-covered rocks, but before I could, something yanked me back by my hood, and I landed with a crack against the stone.
Pain seared through the back of my head.
“Well, what do we have here?” a voice said.
I blinked, vision hazy as a face leered over me. A man smiled down at me, his gaze sinister, a dangerous smile on his lips. He stroked his stubbled jaw, his face thin, his eyes cold and hard.
I scrambled to my feet, and that’s when I realized I was surrounded.
Chapter Eight
POPPY
Three men circled me, a covered cart behind them, likely full of goods they were trading throughout Valoris. They didn’t have wings, but I couldn’t place what court they were from if not the sky court. I quickly shoved Gran’s necklace underneath the collar of my dress, hoping they wouldn’t take notice of it.
Fire crackled from one of the men’s hands. Well that confirmed where they were from: Gilraeth, the fire court. The fire looped in circles like a cyclone, one that would entrap me and burn me alive if I didn’t figure something out.
One of the men smiled, two of his front teeth missing. “What’s a pretty little thing like you doing out here all by yourself?”
Another man leered at me, his eyes close together over a long, narrow nose.
I had no weapons, no magic, nothing to defend myself against these men. I cursed myself for once again forgetting my knife. I’d dropped it when the prince yanked me out the window and forgotten to pick it up. I had been in a hurry. Either way, I would have to use something else to save myself.
Gran often read with me, and when we’d come across differentscenarios in books, she’d stop and ask me what I would do in that situation: being attacked from behind, being cornered in an alley, being held down, and so much more. She’d always wanted me to be prepared for any danger that might come our way. Her voice echoed in my mind.
“It’s not all about brute strength, girl. It’s about using your mind, outsmarting those around you. That’s a different kind of strength, one that can wield more power.”
I glanced down at my blue linen dress and muddy, worn boots, then bit my lip. I certainly didn’t look like anyone with power, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t scare off these men.
