Page 9 of Sky of Thorns

“Absolutely not,” I reply on principle alone. Taking a sip will be viewed as an act of consorting with the enemy.

There’s a heavy crunch of twigs breaking as he shifts his weight to stand. He takes a few steps towards me before crouching down at my side. I glance up and study the sharp angles of his face. The brown of his eyes take on a golden hew. For a moment, I think I can see golden flames licking around the irises, but I blink and they’re gone.

Anatomy lessons with my father come to mind. All healers have to study the physical structure of all known shifters on the continent to ensure the correct procedures are used according to each patient. Growing up, fire draken had always been the ones I was most curious about. One of their most prominent characteristics when bound to their human form were their distinctive irises. Hints of golden sparks that shoot from the pupil over molten gray to bronze smoke, often mistaken at first glance for multihued chocolate brown. Just like Nero had. But had fire-drakes not been missing for hundreds of years? I ponder on this supposition, the wheels in my head start turning frantically and a million questions come flooding in my mind. If he truly is a fire-drake, is he keeping his identity a secret? How can he be loyal to the prince when he so blatantly loathes shifters? How could he stand by all this time as Aramis treated me with such disregard? How would Aramis react if he knew that his right hand man is also one of the creatures he so vehemently hates? But I keep all these thoughts to myself. This is very valuable information I might be able to use if I need to.

I eventually hold out my hand towards the proffered flask. Maybe he wasn’t my enemy after all. I concede a glare to Nero.Fine, bring it over here.Nero flashes a wide grin, knowing he’s won a small battle. Flask in hand, I take a deep sniff. Whatever it is, it smells inviting… screw it. What’s the point of principle when in survival? Before having second thoughts, I down a mouthful, swallowing quickly. I shove the canteen back into his chest and gasp for air as the liquid burns down my throat all the way to the pit of my stomach.

“Whoa there. Take it easy. Sips, lass.” Nero grins as he gives my back a firm thump while simultaneously taking another swig.

“What...is...that stuff?!” I gasp out on a cough, grabbing the water flask beside me. I take more gulps as tears well in the corner of my eyes before falling down my cheek. Gone is the chill that has seeped into my skin. The aches in my muscles and bones seem to fade into dull heat.

“In Shadowvale, we call it Dark Starlight,” he says.

“And whatexactlyis Dark Starlight?“ I cough once more, raising my hand to my mouth. Nero offers the flask back in my direction.

I shake my head. I don’t think I can handle another drop of the liquid. Even though my body is pleasantly relaxed, I need to keep my wits up for Aramis’ return, or more shadow beasts. Either way, it would not do me any good to be intoxicated.

“I’m going to gather more wood. Dae not bother trying to escape.” He roughly grabs the rope bindings around my wrists and ties it high around the trunk of the nearest tree. Just enough length for me to sit by the fire, but not enough to reach his horse or escape. “It won’t be me ye’ll have to worry about if ye try to leave through these woods in the dark by yerself.”

I huff, dismissing his comment as I turn my back to him. My mind flashes to the ambush as I lay down on the ground.

Who are those people, and why did they attack?

Lemon crawls out from my pocket and curls up in my arms, finishing the last of the dried meat strips before licking the tips of my fingers. Staring at the fire, exhaustion drags my eyelids down and draws me into a fitful, light sleep.

Aramis

IbrieflywatchasNero and the girl disappear down the forest pass before I return to the fight.

“Gather up!” I yell at my guards, yanking on Percy’s reins. Slashing out, I catch one of the attackers with my blade, the metal singing through the air as I parry and counterattack. Sweat beads along my brow, plastering my hair to my scalp as I focus on trying to find the archer. The guard to my left grunts as an arrow pierces his shoulder. I follow the line of trajectory until I see a small glint of metal high up in the trees.

“Got you,” I whisper as the corners of my lips curl up. Gathering my powers, I yell, “everyone down!” before blasting a wave of air outward all around me. Two satisfying thuds precede groaning as the two archers fall from their perch. Hopping down from Percy’s back, I hold my sword before me as I make my way into the undergrowth.

“Prince Aramis, wait!” Edmund’s voice rings out as he quickly catches up to me. He had only been on my guard for a few months before this mission and was as green as a sapling. The closer he stays to my side, the better I can keep an eye on him.

Meeting his eager green eyes, I nod in agreement. I press a finger to my lips, gesturing to my companion to follow me. The thick mist that hangs low around us muffles our footsteps, but the rustling of leaves underfoot echoes in the silence. As we pass the first few trees, dark, shadowy smoke curls around our feet, obscuring our view. I brace myself against a trunk, the rough bark scratching against my palm. My eyes dart around, taking in the depression in the earth where they fell. The archers’ bodies should be here, but there are no footprints or other signs of their escape.

Who are these beings? Why did they attack us?

I scan the forest ahead and above me when I hear a guttural scream. Turning swiftly, I spot Edmund trembling with a knife to his neck, another to his groin where the attacker has sliced clear through his skin. Blood runs from the wound, soaking his breeches. My chest constricts as I assess the situation. My eyes slide from the pallor of Edmund’s young face to the figure holding him and to the others barely visible behind them. Dressed in shades of black, brown, and green, they blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest. Even their faces coordinate with a similar color palette. The hood that once covered their head has fallen behind, revealing dark black hair plaited down their scalp and delicately pointed ears. One could almost call them beautiful, if it wasn’t for the ferocious scowl plastered on their face.

“Who are you?” I call out, advancing towards them. The smell of warm urine rents the air and I watch Edmund’s eyes roll into his head as he faints. My fists clench at the possibility of losing one of my men.

“Where did you send the Unicorn?” They reply in unison, tightening their grip on my guard, seemingly unbothered by his dead weight.

“What do you want with her?” I demand. The sound of my pounding pulse fills my ears, but I refuse to back down.

“Not one more step, Prince Aramis.” Their voice comes out as one, soft as silk and ancient. Their lips pull up into a feline smile, sharp canines barely visible in the dim forest.

“Let the boy go.” As I take a step towards them, they raise their knife and wave it menacingly beneath his chin. “He’s done nothing to you.”

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” they purr, eyes flashing. Was this just a game to them?

“She is gone. Let my guard go and be on your way,” I growl under my breath, contemplating how many steps it will take me to reach this creature. I never should have let him come on this mission. He’s too young, too untrained. If he gets hurt–or worse…

“What doyouwant with her?“ They ask, a note of curiosity lacing their voice as they cock their head to the side, examining me.

My eyes narrow as I meet their gaze, my thumb absently caressing the smooth leather wrapped around my sword’s handle.

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