Page 70 of He Who Ignites The Flame
I fell to my knees before one of the trees and reached down to brush moss away from the single stone anchored into the dirt at the base of it. It wasn’t anything special, etched with simple words in the old language.
Rhyas and Kish. Beloved Mother and Father.
I reached out, running my fingertips over the rough surface, tears dotting my lashes.
“Sorry it’s been a while,” I muttered. “A lot’s happened since we last spoke.”
The sprites drifted down from the canopy, bouncing around the trunk and maintaining a careful distance from me, as if they couldn’t resist their curiosity any longer. I didn’t spare them a glance as I stared down at the stone.
“I’m doing well,” I said, my voice growing thick. “I’m, um… I’m teaching others how to fight, and…we’re making a difference in the Mortalrealm. I’ve found a family, I have friends.”
The grass rustled as the tiny, long-eared creatures scurried closer to watch me.
“I’m bonded. He’s wonderful to me. You would’ve liked him… Mom. Dad.” Something built up in the back of my throat, my voice shaking. “I miss you so much.”
Heavy yet quiet footsteps reached my ears, and the scent of moss and life filled my lungs. I didn’t need to turn to know who stood at my back, his towering form casting me in shade.
Silvash lowered his head, the strands of moss hanging from his enormous antlers falling over me as he gently brushed his muzzle against my arm.
I turned to him, taking in his beautiful face, his fur as rich and colorful as it had been when we had first met.
“Hello, old friend,” I said, wiping away the tears. He lowered his face, his eyes closing before I leaned against him, wrapping my arms around him in a warm embrace. “Thank you for watching over them.”
I looked back at the stone, wishing they were here with me, wishing they could see what we did.
“We saved many lives today,” I said, and I knew it would bring them as much joy as it did me when I said, “And no one will ever suffer in those pits again.”
26
BARRETT
Idropped a copper piece on the bar top the following night, and Semele eyed it as if it was some sort of creature ready to bite her.
“Not tonight,” she said, and I frowned as she set a glass in front of me. “Lord Damien’s covering the tab to celebrate.”
I looked across the room to where Damien, Zephyr, and Lucia sat. Damien’s eyes met mine, and a smug grin curved his lips before he tilted his head to me. I frowned at the lack of drink in his hand.
“Look at you,” Micah said, nudging me as he took a seat at my side, drawing my attention from Damien to find Thalia following close behind him. “Survived your first trip to the Godsrealm.”
I rolled my eyes before taking a swig of my drink, grimacing as it burned a path down my throat.
“Seriously, though. I’m glad you made it out of there all right,” he said.
“Me too,” I said. “This place is too fucking dull without me around.”
Micah huffed a laugh and, for a moment, I thought I saw the corners of Thalia’s lips tip up into a smile. Something blossomed in my chest as her eyes slid to mine. They were the softest of grays, like churning clouds before a storm. Something nagged in the back of my mind, a familiarity that scratched at the surface, but I shook it off before focusing on the amber liquid in my cup.
“How’re you feeling?” Lucia asked as she took a seat on the other side of me. I couldn’t have been more thankful for the distraction.
My brows rose, but I gestured to the newly healed skin on my forehead. “Good as new. The healers are ridiculously good at what they do.”
She smiled before taking a drink.
My smile faded, and I lowered my voice. “How areyoufeeling?”
She smiled sheepishly. “I’m all right. Sorry you had to see me like that. It’s been a while since I’ve lost it.”
I shook my head. “Don’t apologize.”
