Page 98 of Of Blood and Banes
After I’ve released two other nearby ripples, we return to the group and continue through the ruins of Ashfall in silence. A silence just as calming as it is unsettling. The energy in my body is exhausted, and I hook myself into the saddle just in case. Every sway of Daeja’s body beneath me has me sliding a little too far to the left and right, and I fight to keep my head up. When we finally break through the mist, a collective sigh whispers amongst us—or is it from the mist itself?
The sun dips beyond the horizon, leaving behind orange and red streaks in the sky. Sethan announces we’ll stay at the town of Silkwood a bit farther north, and we only need to keep pushing for another few hours. Somewhere between sunset and night, I slump forward onto Daeja, and despite the two saddle horns digging into my chest, I fall into a heavy sleep. Every once in a while I shift to relieve the pressure in my chest from the saddle.
We arrive at Silkwood. A thick, jungle-like forest stretches out north beyond the town. The humidity is significantly higher here, and I swipe sweat off my brow as the other dragon riders dismount. Once Sethan has spoken to the outside guards of thecity and ushered us into its barricaded perimeter, we are led to the city’s main hall. We spend the next hour acquainting ourselves with the citizens who’ve been waiting for our arrival.
I’m so drained, though. I sit at the table tucked back in the farthest corner of the grand room. Daeja sits behind me, watching the crowds like a hawk. My forehead rests against my crossed arms lying on the table, my brain drifting to somewhere between wakefulness and sleep.
Someone taps a finger on the table.
Blinking away the grogginess, I lift my head to find Marge. She walks around the table and slides in next to me. “You look dreadful.”
All I can muster is a snort, and I fall back into the comforts of my own arms. I flinch when I feel her hand rest on my back.
She rubs in small, gentle circles until I relax. “You did very well today. Very well every day. You always continue to surprise me.”
I lift my head to glance at her. “Careful, Marge. You might start to sound like you’re proud.”
She snorts and pats my back before her eyes flick down to my chest. I self-consciously pull my arms a little closer to hide the necklace containing the dragon’s breath I already used. I plan on telling her at some point. But that point isn’t right now. Especially with an audience. That, and I don’t feel like I have enough of a reason yet to share why I saved Darian.
Instead, I work to divert her attention to something else. “First time I pulled too much, you mentioned I slipped into The White.”
She tosses a wary gaze around us, ensuring no one else is in earshot. Or at least, no one she doesn’t trust. But all the Arterians and Vitalans mingle with the citizens of Silkwood out toward the center of the room. I catch a glimmer of red hair above the rest of the crowd.
I continue, whispering, “When I returned those dragons to the earth, was that where they went?”
“Yes. All creatures go to The White. Unless their souls are tainted beyond saving.”
“Why did you ask if my brother had said something to me when I went into The White last? What would have happened if I touched him?”
She blinks, as if weighing her answers carefully. “If you touched him…you could have essentially brought him back to life.”
The shock alone steals my breath, followed by the next one stolen from the idea of being able to see my brother’s face again.
“And you can’t do that, Katerina. You’re walking a very thin, very dangerous line. Not many can dip into The White like you have without already being dead. And certainly not without taking what their heart desires most. If I ever had any doubt you were the chosen one, it’s long gone now.”
Silence falls into the space between us.
“How do you see the spirits you want to see in The White?” I ask slowly, thinking of how close I’d come to seeing my brother’s face again. How I could possibly see my mother again and my father for the first time. Gods, is it so wrong of me to long for my family? How I would give nearly anything to see them again?
Her eyes are trained on our surroundings before she responds, “You can’t quite control it. It’s a fifty-fifty chance because it has to be desired from both sides. A spirit won’t show itself to you if it doesn’t want to be seen.”
I sag at the thought. Had my brother not wanted to see me? Was it all just some fluke? “Why…why wouldn’t they want to be seen?”
“Magic like this is old, ancient, and dark. Many of the spirits are well aware of the temptation to revive someone familiar.Especially when it’s someone you love. So rather than showing themselves, they avoid contact entirely.”
“So…” my voice dies off.Aiden didn’t want to be seen, and that’s why he didn’t turn toward me? Because he was afraid I might make a wrong decision?“Then how come I could see my brother? His back was to me, and he called out for me?—”
“Have you ever heard of the saying ‘the eyes are the windows to the soul?’ Perhaps he was trying to communicate with you without tempting you to bring him back. No one should even toy with this forbidden magic…but you?” She turns her attention back at me. “You’re not no one. I believe you can harness it, without losing control.”
I smile slightly at her vote of confidence, even if it terrifies me.
CHAPTER 33
DEAD SERIOUS
“Exceptionality requires you to trust all of your senses,” Darian states matter-of-factly. He snatches my nightgown off the dresser, and now I’m seriously regretting my agreement to release his shackles if he’d train me.
“Excuse me,” I hiss, still in my daily blouse, corset, and pants. I move to take back my nightgown from him.
