Elurra jolted awake. Her body was covered in cold sweat. Someone was holding her and stroking her hair as if she was a child again.
“It’s a dream. Wake up. You are safe now.”
It was pitch black in the room. She shivered, remembering dark creatures and blood-filled seas. Tear trails remained on her cheeks, turning cold in the icy air. The embers of the fire glowed in the fireplace, barely giving off heat. For a confused moment, she almost thought she was back in Amora in Terrin’s arms. She had woken up that way a few times. He held her and rocked her back to sleep when she had nightmares.
Terrin is dead, she realized, remembering her horrible dream. She sat up, letting out a sob of dismay.
“Elurra? Are you well? I got worried when you would not wake up.” It was Kai’s voice. He sounded too much like Terrin.
Ghostly images of a crimson-coated deck and lifeless lilac eyes haunted her. Fresh tears streamed down her face. Kai wrapped her in a tight hug. She buried her face in his shoulder and dug her fingertips into his back.
“What did you dream about?”
“Terrin is gone,” she choked out.
Kai rubbed her back. Elurra tried to calm down; she didn’t want to wake Aleah.
“It was just a nightmare. You are safe now.”
She sniffled and tried to push the dark thoughts away as Kai gently withdrew. One of the moons came out from behind the clouds, and its reflection illuminated Kai’s deep green eyes. Something strange glimmered there. She typically didn’t struggle to read people other than Terrin, but she was not familiar with what she saw in Kai. She could clearly see compassion, but there was something else.
What is he feeling? Loyalty? Loneliness? Hesitation? No.
She couldn’t quite place it. He leaned closer and studied her intently, too close for her comfort.
Responsibility? She knew she was right, but her realization was meaningless. What duty does he have, and to whom?
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“I promise he is not dead yet. Slave traders need the workers to make a profit. He should be fine for at least a month or so. As soon as I return to my father, I will make sure a ship is sent to rescue him,” Kai said reassuringly, his gaze flicking away from hers.
“Promise?”
She watched for any hint of deception. He nodded, only a glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes.
“Thank you,” she breathed, giving him a small smile of relief. He tried to return the gesture but couldn’t quite get his mouth to cooperate.
“Elurra,” he trailed off as guilt and regret flashed across his face.
Before she could wonder why, he leaned forward. She took in a sharp breath, thinking he was going to kiss her, but he froze a centimeter from her lips. Elurra tensed as she wondered what on Incari he was doing. After another second, he pulled away. Kai’s eyes flashed once again, but this time shame was rolling off him in waves.
“I am so sorry,” he whispered.
He stood up and bolted out of the room. Elurra was extremely confused.
What just happened? She looked at the door, debating whether to follow him. What was he apologizing for? Not kissing me?
She took a moment to try to sort out her mixed thoughts and emotions, then decided against going after Kai. He obviously was dealing with his own problems, and she wasn’t in a position to help him. She crawled back under the covers and tried to convince herself she was going to see Terrin again, but she couldn’t quite do it. She had to hum an old Lur Alavian lullaby to herself in order to lull herself into a restless sleep.
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The Southern Army was moving swiftly. It’d only taken a few days to gather the troops, but the march was endless. The border was still far away. With so many men weighed down with weapons and provisions, it was taking longer than it would for a single traveler. The king estimated the border was nine days away. Less if the weather stayed favorable, but he knew the temperatures would plummet once they reached the Kerali Mountains. Soon they would need coats, as the nights in the bitter frost would easily dishearten weary soldiers. Even the cold wasn’t enough to extinguish the burning hatred in the king’s heart, though. He would have his revenge, even if he had to walk across a field of ice to reach it.
The only thing worse than the ice was the shaking ground. Occasionally, the earth below their feet started to tremble. Twice it shook so hard his men had to stop and sit down, or else be knocked over. The rumblings gave the horses such a fright it was hard to get them back under control after the everything stilled. Most earthquakes stayed in Tipet or the North. They did not normally happen in Amora, but queer things were starting to occur across the land. Reagn was reporting massive waves wrecking their seaports, and there was news in Tipet that earth trembles had doubled over the last year and Mount Erok was active once again. All of Incari was at odds, and the prince of Amora was dead. It was like the very ground under them was mourning his loss.