Page 36 of Eluvonia
He studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally he mutters, “Ifyoudidn’t spread the information, that means there is a mole in the castle. I’ll look into it when we get back,” before turning back to the path ahead.
The silence stretches between us, broken only by the crash of waves. I trail behind him, my feet dragging through the sand. Then, up ahead, I spot another shape—this one partially submerged in the surf.
Kaida stiffens, his body snapping to attention. Without a word, he breaks into a sprint, his injuries momentarily forgotten. I spot a flash of golden hair, “Declan!” I cry, stumbling to catch up.
Kaida reaches him first, flipping Declan over and hauling him out of the water. His hands move with urgency, pattingDeclan’s cheek. “Dec! Dec, wake up.”
Hovering anxiously, I wring my hands as Kaida leans in close, his ear near Declan’s mouth. “He’s breathing,” Kaida says, his voice a mix of relief and dread. But the look in his eyes darkens as he examines the jagged wound slashing across Declan’s chest.
“It’s deep,” Kaida mutters, his voice low, as though speaking more to himself than to me. His sharp eyes linger on the wound, and his brow furrows. “If it’s not treated soon, he could bleed out.”
Without thinking, I tear the bottom of my shirt off, pressing the cloth against the wound to slow the bleeding. My hands tremble as I tie it tight around his chest, my breath coming in shallow gasps.
Kaida looks at me for a brief moment, his eyes widening slightly, as if surprised by my sudden action.
My stomach clenches, a cold, twisting knot of fear gripping me. “Don’t Dragons have strong healing abilities? Why is he not healing?” I ask, my voice wavering.
Kaida’s jaw tightens, and he side eyes me before he exhales sharply. “Dragons heal fast, yes—but water is our weakness,” he admits, the words weighted with reluctant frustration. “We’re blessed by the fire Ymiral.”
“Fire Ymiral?” I echo, tilting my head, my confusion plain.
Kaida turns to me, his sharp features betraying a flicker of disbelief. “Do you seriously not know of the Ymirals?” His tone carries a hint of incredulity, though he tries to mask it.
Heat creeps up my neck as I shake my head. “No. What are they?”
Kaida’s gaze lingers on me, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if debating whether to acknowledge me or not. His lipstwitch—probably in irritation—before he silently turns away.
With a sigh, he crouches, hooking his arms under Declan’s limp form. In one smooth motion, he hefts him off the sand, shifting Declan’s weight effortlessly onto his back. A soft grunt escapes him as he adjusts his grip, his shoulders flexing with the effort. Then, without so much as a backward glance, he strides forward, leaving only footprints in the sand behind him.
“Kaida,” I call after him, my voice tinged with irritation. He doesn’t even flinch.
Fucking stubborn ass Dragons.
“Hey!” I shout, louder this time, but he just keeps walking. I scowl and break into a jog to catch up, sand slipping beneath my toes. My breath comes out in short bursts as I finally match his pace, his broad back looming just ahead of me.
We walk in charged silence, the soft crash of waves the only sound between us. I can feel the tension radiating from him, his entire posture screamingleave me alone. But I have nowhere to go, not until I figure out what the hell is going on.
Kaida sighs eventually as he repositions Declan on his back again, his hands flexing slightly as they grip his tattered pants. His voice is low and begrudging, as though each word costs him something. “Ymirals are mystical beings—one created for each element. Earth, water, wind, fire, light, ice, and shadow.”
His tone is distant, almost mechanical, like he’s reciting something he learned long ago. I sneak a glance at him, hoping for a flicker of warmth or… anything, really, but his face is as unreadable as ever.
“They bless every race in Eluvonia at birth,” he continues, his eyes fixed on the horizon. “Granting unique abilities.” Hepauses, his tone sharpening, as if daring me to interrupt. I don’t.
“Dragons,” he says, his voice low with faint pride, “are blessed by the fire Ymiral. It gives us incredible strength, the ability to breathe fire, and rapid healing. It’s what makes us the strongest.” He casts a quick glance at me, the corner of his mouth twitching—a half smirk, half sneer. “Not that we need it to deal with you Fae.”
I bristle at his words but bite back the sharp retort I want to throw at him. My eyes narrow as he turns his attention forward again, and I wait a beat before speaking. “What about your shadows? Are they from the fire Ymiral too?”
He tilts his head slightly in my direction, that infuriatingly smug smile still firmly in place. “No. Occasionally, exceptional beings like me are blessed by two elementals. It’s rare, of course, but not entirely surprising in my case. My ability to command shadows comes from the shadow Ymiral.”
“Why?” I press, curiosity getting the better of me.
He lets out a long, exaggerated sigh, like I’ve asked him to solve the mysteries of the universe. “Why don’t you track down a Ymiral and ask them yourself?”
I huff, crossing my arms. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re persistent,” he shoots back, strolling ahead as if he’s already won.
He lets the silence stretch for a few paces before adding, “But, to answer your earlier question, Eluvonia likes balance. Each race has a weakness to another, ensuring no one dominates.”
