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The Vast Collective Series Books #9-13
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TWO

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{Ishkur | Cinder II | Five Days After The Wedding}

“I’m not alone, Xelan, and neither are you. Hang tight for me. It’s almost over.”

In their dream, Rayne let Xelan see Elden for reassurance, but the Icarean deity wasn’t who was keeping her from being alone.

Nox stood guard for five days while Rayne convened with Xelan. After the wedding reception, the pair had opted to spend the night in the Palatial Grounds: a massive park of flora from all across Iona Pax. Water and fire features greeted every turn and delighted all those welcome to experience this majesty.

One such feature had captivated Rayne, and with little effort, she encouraged Nox to follow her on the path inside a ring of waterfalls. She’d expected a fountain inside. Instead they found a round alcove lined with blooming wisteria. Lounge chairs and chess tables were scattered within.

Like every night since Elden had resurrected her, Rayne had hoped to find Xelan dreaming. Finally, he let her in. Five days later, Rayne awakened on a lounger.

With no way of knowing this encounter had taken place, Nox had let Rayne sleep undisturbed. Now he stood with his back to her, defending the secret entrance.

Unbidden, Rayne thought of her confession to Xelan, “I can’t love Nox because you won’t let me.” She hadn’t lied, but it wasn’t the complete truth. Rayne harbored feelings for Nox, but she wouldn’t have guessed they were close to love until Xelan had asked her how she felt about Nox. Until she’d gone six months without Nox’s presence. Until she opened her eyes and found him protecting her right now.

“Did you meet with Xelan?” the former Icarean King asked without turning around.

How did Nox know Rayne was awake?

Disheveled, she slipped her black boots over her cranberry leather-net leggings and readjusted her black tunic to drape off her shoulders. Still half-lost in her thoughts, Rayne peered down at her coat. It matched her leggings—The native color of Cinder’s vegetation. Rayne awakened to find it covering her, but she didn’t recall using it as a blanket.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

To answer Nox’s questions, she said, “Yes.”

As if he knew Rayne was composing herself, Nox continued to face the entrance. There was a trace of regard in his voice as he asked, “Did you find him well?”

Rayne followed the lit trail across the violet-veined marble slab. When she stepped around Nox’s front to meet his eyes, Rayne forced herself not to frown.

Nox’s black shirt wrapped diagonally across his shoulders and chest, like the two halves weren’t connected. When the two of them had first reunited at the wedding reception, the supplies belt he’d worn crossed on his chest and fastened his shirt. Now with it off, the soft material gaped, revealing the gray expanse of his chest. It reminded Rayne of Xelan’s revelation about why his older brother had stopped wearing shirts altogether.

Umbra—rat bastard and the first King of Cinder—used to snatch Nox by his robes when in a foul mood. One day, Nox had endured enough and strangled his father with the robes. Their mother intervened. Xelan revealed it all in his Verse.

{“I grow tired of his hands on me.”

“Then stop wearing your robes,” Savis offered this as if it made utter sense. Not as if she were excusing Umbra’s part in the conflict. “Your father will have no purchase on you.”

The next thing Nox said only made sense in the hindsight of him discovering her rebellion, her willingness to have me murdered, and Nox usurping Umbra’s throne. “Sensible, as always, Lady Savis. Yes. Let me disgrace this family with my lack of decorum to better reflect the savagery contained within these walls.” He let Umbra go and never wore a shirt again.}

Rayne stared up at this Icarus, who’d compromised for her sake, and she tried to measure what it meant to her. She held out her hand, palm up. “You can see how Xelan is for yourself. He told me his Verse, and while I won’t share our personal conversations with you, the rest he’ll publicize. Letting you see it early won’t be a breach of privacy.”

An emotion—anxiety maybe?—tightened Nox’s eyes before he took what Rayne offered. The entire transaction took place in seconds, while she watched his reactions closely. When he resurfaced, Nox stared over Rayne’s head at the water spilling around them. She peered down at where he still held her hand.

Maybe it was a mistake letting Nox see the arguments between Korac and Xelan. Maybe Rayne’s guardian wouldn’t want those candid moments shared with his older brother. But dammit. The whole reason these Verses existed in the first place was because these three grown Icari never communicated like rational adults—

“The Ten Million Icari who’d sacrificed themselves for Earth’s Sphere deserve tribute. Tameka was wise to suggest them for the next Iona.” After learning about all of Xelan’s history, that granular detail was Nox’s takeaway from the Verse.

It left Rayne uneasy and a little hurt.

Especially so when Nox let go of her hand to reach for his bag. He said, “It’s time to move from this place, unless you have further need of it?”

Rayne couldn’t control her frown. Hell, she wanted to pout as she looked away. This wasn’t the reaction she’d expected—

“I’m grateful to you.” Nox’s baritone was unexpectedly soft. It made her meet his eyes once more as he continued. “We can discuss his Verse once we reach a less exposed location.”

Rayne wet her lips to say, “Xelan confirmed his hideouts for me toward the end. There’s only one place safe enough for us, but it may not be safe to reach.”

Nox quirked a brow at her, and Rayne tried not to appreciate the humor in his eyes. But it certainly cheered her up.

“Thailea.”