Page 65 of When the Wicked Sing
“Wilted hearts spring anew when the stars sing their song over the sea. Listen,” the ethereal voice whispered beside her, though she knew nothing was there. The words were perplexing.What did it mean?
“Who are you?” she asked breathlessly.
“High tides wash away scarlet tears staining the forgotten. The crimson sea roars, glittering and gasping as it retreats. Luminaries sing bright like the sun under the cunning moon, guiding the way. Follow carefully.”
Mariana shook her head in confusion. “Follow it where?”
“Salvation,”the voice whispered hot against her ear. Then everything dropped out from under her.
Chapter 35
DaxcalledMari’snameagain for the fifth time, and she gasped awake.
“Finally.” He chuckled. “You were stuck so far in your dream, I thought I might have to drag you out.”
Mari shook her head and cleared her throat. “Are we almost there?” she asked, glancing around. Dawn had finally graced the sky.
“Yeah, we’re here.”
Mari groaned, gripping her hips.
“Sore?”
She nodded, then let out a soft gasp as Aurelia’s glinting gates came into view.
The gates were magnificent. The copper and gold motif depicted a large sun shining from high above the mountains, shrouded in swirling clouds. A single person holding a sword pointed straight toward the heavens, with a billowing cape in the center. Just below, three figures knelt before the fae with the sword.
General Magnus. Pronouncing his victory over the fae realm when he established the kingdom of Aurelia. The other three kneeling figures must’ve been the other Generals.
Dax didn’t pay much attention to it, whereas Mari peered at it in amazement. Instead, he met the curious eyes of all the fae guards opening the gates for them.
Cyrus held his head high as he entered first, then glanced back at Dax with a smug grin. “Keep up, Dax. I’d hate for you to get lost without me to guide you.”
Dax was tempted to throw one of his daggers at the male’s cocky face. Gods, he wanted to kill him. But knew what would happen if he did. Gripping the reins tighter, he guided the horse through the cobblestone streets.
People dressed in colorful clothing and adorned with jewelry haggled with the merchants or chatted away as they sipped morning spirits at eateries with enticing, delicious smells.
They passed the city center, where a prominent statue, three or four stories tall and carved from a single piece of marble, stood. It depicted a male with long hair shouting up at the sky. The robes along his form seemed to ripple in an imaginary wind.
“Who is that?” Mari asked him.
Dax shrugged. “It’s not clear. Some believe it to be a symbol of contempt for the gods who left. Others believe the gods cursed this male to stare up at them forever.”
No one knew who made it, but it felt God-given, especially after it had withstood the Infernal Wars. Thus, General Magnus declared the capital city of Aurelia to be built around it.
“Why are they praying to it if they have no idea who it is?”
“Everyone needs someone to pray to,” he murmured, watching the few Aurelians placing their hands on the statue’s base as they whispered their greatest fears, wishes, and dreams. They believed someone was listening.
“Even you?”
The question startled him. When he glanced down at Mari, who had turned slightly to glance sidelong at him over her shoulder, he saw the underlying curiosity swirling in her ocean eyes.
Dax shook his head. The gods wouldn’t listen. They never had, and they never would.
Mari didn’t say anything, but her eyes told him she had questions. He was thankful when she turned back to stare ahead.
“Wow,” he heard Mari breathe, and a corner of his mouth lifted. He followed her gaze to the mansions lining this side of the city. Some of the large buildings had sculpted marble columns carved with depictions of the Gods and Generals of war. Stunning motifs glowed with lights along the walls of several establishments as the wealthy flaunted their prosperity.
