“Wolven body temperatures run higher than normal. I’m just a little chilled,” Kieran commented. “As I’m sure you noticed.”
Casteel smirked. “I doubt she knows what you’re referencing.”
I inhaled deeply through my nose and exhaled slowly. “I know exactly what he’s referencing, thank you very much.”
“How do you know that?” Casteel lifted his brows, and I noticed that his pupils seemed to have returned to their normal size. “If you know what that means, then someone has been very naughty.”
“I know that because—” I sucked in air as he yanked the arrow free. “Oh, my gods.”
“It looks worse than it is.” He tossed the arrow aside and then reached for the one in his left shoulder.
I started to turn away but remembered that what was behind me was far more traumatizing. “I hope you have an extra set of clothes,” I said to Kieran.
“I do. As soon as Delano arrives with the horses, I’ll be all prim and proper again.”
I flinched as Casteel pulled the second arrow out. “I don’t think you’ve ever been prim and proper.”
“That’s true,” Kieran said, and I thought he’d moved closer. “You took out the mouthy one?”
I nodded as Casteel cursed when the arrow he’d been pulling on most likely got stuck on something important. Like an organ.
“With your dagger?” Kieran sounded impressed.
“That and my sparkling personality.”
The wolven snorted. “It was probably the latter that did him in.”
My stomach twisted as Casteel ripped out the third and final arrow. I swallowed. Hard. “I think he broke the bow, though.”
“But he didn’t break you.” Casteel straightened his tunic, the tension bracketing his mouth easing. “And that’s all that matters.”
Once Delano returned with the horses, and Naill reported back that the road ahead appeared clear, we continued on our way.
With a completely clothed Kieran, thank the gods.
We rode on in silence, everyone watchful and alert for signs of the Dead Bones Clan. The sky was darkening to a midnight blue as the road eventually widened, and the temperatures dropped even more. As soon as the crowd of elms thinned out, I figured it was safe to speak. I was practically bursting to do so. “I have so many questions about the Dead Bones Clan.”
“Shocking,” muttered Kieran, who rode to our left.
Casteel laughed softly, and that was the first sound he’d really made since climbing back onto the horse. I wondered—not worried—that he was still hurting from the arrows, but if I asked, I would then be subjected to his overdramatic teasing.
“Can’t promise we’ll be able to answer those questions, but what would you like to know?” he asked, his arm loose around me.
“Why did the Dead Bones Clan attack like that?” I started there. “I get that they survive outside a Rise that way, but it’s obvious we weren’t Craven.”
“The Dead Bones Clan isn’t just anti-Craven. They are anti…everyone,” Naill said from behind us. “Sometimes, they let people pass on the road. Sometimes they don’t. We can only hope that Alastir and his group made it through, but they were armed. As will be those who are behind us.”
Gods, I hadn’t even thought of them. I hoped they made it. I liked Alastir, and I really hoped the people of New Haven didn’t run into any more trouble.
“If they got Alastir and that group, they probably wouldn’t have come after us. I’m betting they’re hungry,” Kieran said, and my lips curled.
“I heard one of them talk about how they wanted to make a cloak out of my fur,” Delano said from where he rode to our right. His brows were furrowed. “My fur should be reserved for something far more luxurious than a cloak. I bit him extra hard for that.”
My lips twitched as Casteel said, “From what I’ve learned about them, when the war broke out, they escaped to these woods. I don’t think anyone knows anymore whether they’ve always had a penchant for flesh—eating and wearing it.”
I didn’t want to think about their penchant for flesh. “They knew what you all were,” I pointed out.
“You’ve got to remember that they’re remnants of a time when Atlantia ruled over the entire kingdom,” Casteel said. “I imagine that each generation learned about us through stories told by their elders. With them outside the control of the Ascended, our histories weren’t rewritten or lost.”
“Okay, but they still tried to kill you.”
“Kill us,” Casteel corrected, and my stomach dipped. “This road has seen a lot of Atlantians and wolven throughout the centuries. I doubt their attack-first-and-ask-questions-later mentality fostered any fondness once they realized that we would not be felled by arrows or clubs.” He shifted as if he sought to get more comfortable. “Plus, wolven fur does make for very nice cloaks.”
Naill laughed as the wolven cursed.
“But they used to live in one of the towns near the Blood Forest. At some point over the past several hundred years, they ended up here,” Casteel continued. “I’ve traveled this road before and never had dealings with them until now.”
That explained why I saw the symbols there and then here. “How have they escaped the Ascended’s notice?”
“Who’s to say they have?” Naill countered.
“Well, they’re still alive,” I reasoned. “So, I would think they have.”
Kieran drew ahead. “Due to the Dead Bones Clan often attacking on sight and with what has to be their dwindling numbers, I think they probably aren’t worth the Ascended’s time.”
Looking behind us, I wondered exactly how many lived in the woods. Hundreds? Thousands? If there were thousands, the Ascended would definitely make it worth their time. Thousands could stage a revolt. Maybe not a successful one, but one that could cause many problems, especially since the clan was in possession of the kind of knowledge the Ascended wouldn’t want known.
“And the Ascended don’t often send people out here,” Delano added. “That may change once they realize you’re missing, but only the gods know the last time anyone sent by them came this far or went beyond.”
Something about his voice caused me to look at him. In the fading light, I could see the hard, unyielding lines of his face. “Why is that?”
“You’ll see,” Casteel answered.
And that was all he said—all anyone said as night descended, and the moon rose, casting silvery light over the hills the forest had given way to.
With my mind occupied with everything that had happened and what I’d learned before the first arrow had shot across the road, I didn’t think it was at all possible that I would find myself dozing. But that was exactly what happened as I felt myself easing into the space between Casteel’s arms. At some point, I ended up leaning back against him, and when I realized that, I jerked upright.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, muscles weary as I forced myself to sit straight. I saw that we were spaced out again, Delano and Naill several feet ahead with Kieran keeping pace beside us.
“For what?”
“You were shot.” I smothered a yawn. “At least three times.”
“I’m already healed. You’re fine.” When I didn’t move, he used his arm around my waist to tug me back.
The gods help me, but I didn’t resist.
“Relax,” he whispered atop of my head. “We should reach Spessa’s End soon.”
I stared up at the twinkling stars, wondering how there could be so many. I didn’t know why I asked what I did. “Does it bother you?”
“What, Princess?”
“Having to be so close to someone who represents the Ascended,” I asked. “After they took so much from you.”
A moment passed. “I would do anything for my brother.”
Yes, I truly realized that he would.
“And you’re part Atlantian,” he tacked on. “That helps.”
I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but then Kieran spoke about the increasing clouds. The subject changed, I drifted and drifted…
We camped in the meadows we came upon, and in the morning, the first thing I realized was that we didn’t need our cloaks once the sun rose. I knew that meant we had to be getting close. The day was a blur of open fields and unending blue skies, and when the sun fell, we didn’t stop. We continued on.
Then the horses slowed. The first thing I saw was an endless pool of the deepest onyx. It was like the sky had kissed the ground.
“Stygian Bay,” I whispered,
“The rumored gateway to the Temples of Eternity, Rhain’s land,” Casteel answered.
“Are they true? The rumors?”
“Would you believe me if I said yes, Princess?” He tugged me back so I leaned into him once more. “You’re warm,” he offered in way of explanation.
“Thought Atlantians didn’t get cold.”
“Don’t point out my inconsistencies.”
Maybe it was because I was tired. Perhaps it was the stillness and the beauty of the Bay. I didn’t know what it was, but I laughed. “It’s not even that cold now.”