Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
And it tasted of ruin and wrath.
It promised death and destruction. And I would unleash it, from the west to the east, laying waste to all in between.
CHAPTER 60
KIERAN
Snow fell from thick, gray clouds, dusting the greenish-brown scales of the draken perched atop the wall encircling Wayfair. I strode across the courtyard, the brown and dried-out grass that had been a lush green just a week ago, crunching under my boots.
Aurelia’s long, slender neck drew back as she lifted her head. A call rang out.
Ignoring the chill biting through my long-sleeved tunic and thicker surcoat, I stopped. Guards rushed across the frozen ground, sending flurries swirling in every direction. The heavy, iron and stone gate groaned as it was pushed open. A lone cloaked figure astride a white mount rode in, the falling snow clinging to the horse’s mane. The gate was quickly closed to ensure that no one else was allowed near the castle.
We’d learned how badly that could play out.
The horse’s hooves cut through the snow as the rider made their way to where I stood. Misty, white clouds billowed from the horse’s nostrils as the rider stopped. They swung off the saddle, landed on the frost-coated ground without a sound, and crossed the space between us, lifting gloved hands and lowering the hood of their cloak.
“Kieran.”
I unfolded my arms and inhaled, taking what felt like the first real breath since…everything had gone to shit. “Father.”
He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t stop to ask about the differences in me that he must sense. Knowing him, he probably already knew, even though I hadn’t said a word to him about it in the letter I’d sent. He pulled me to him, folding a hand that always seemed larger than life around the back of my head. “It’s going to be okay.”
A shudder hit me, and for the first time since I was a pup, I almost believed the power of my father’s words alone could make everything okay.
But I knew he didn’t have that kind of power. Not when he’d said the same words when the wasting disease had begun to shorten every breath Elashya took. Not when he’d said them when I learned Cas had gone after the Blood Crown.
But I clung to my father as if I were still that pup who believed in the power only their father could wield.
A raven’s call ended that real quick, though.
My father stiffened at the low, throaty croak that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, piercing the air with its long and hollow call.
He pulled back, his blue gaze briefly drifting behind me. From where we stood, I knew he could only see Wayfair’s spires and turrets. Letting out a heavy sigh, his gaze met mine. “Where is he?”
That felt like a loaded question. “I’ll show you.”
My father fell into step beside me as we started up the hill. He was silent. Following his gaze, I saw that he was eyeing the burned-out shells of the once-sprawling manors.
“They were empty,” I said. “Mostly.”
His gaze slid back to mine.
“The ones that weren’t? Well, it was no loss,” I said, looking forward. “How is Mother? And Renara?”
“Both are doing well.”
I sent him a quick glance.
“Your mother is worried,” he added, squinting. “She has no way of knowing about everything that has transpired, but…”
But she would sense the loss and the unnatural shift in the realm. All wolven would, no matter where they were.
He cleared his throat. “Valyn?”
My hand fisted as cold wind gusted down the hill, tugging at my father’s cloak. “Burial rites were held for…for what remained.” I forced my hand to relax. “As well as for the others.”
Others.
Like Hisa. Lizeth. Like…
His jaw flexed and then loosened. “Delano?”
Fuck.
My chest ached as I looked away and gave a curt nod.
He was silent for a moment. “Neither Eloana nor Delano’s family are aware?”
“We have not sent word.” What was left of Wayfair’s inner Rise came into view as we neared the crest. “Figured that was news best shared in person.”
“Agreed.” He rubbed at the stubble on his chin. “Can’t wait too long, though.”
“I know.” Gods, did I ever. Nearly three weeks had passed. Damn. That made me think of something. “Have you seen Na’Lier?”
He frowned. “Dominik?”
“Yeah, we were told he was coming to the capital but not why. He should’ve made it by now.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.”
Under normal circumstances, I would think that, too. It would take a lot to kill the eldest Elemental. But it wasn’t improbable.
“Is Netta…?” My father trailed off as Wayfair rose from the horizon, looming above the broken Rise. “Gods…”
“Yeah,” I muttered.
His gaze traveled over the destruction. A good portion of the wall lay in piles of rubble, shattered into pieces no bigger than my fist. What stood was all jagged and broken edges, one strong wind away from collapse. All that remained of the section that had held back the elms and faced the Cliffs of Sorrow was ash that had either blown away or was lost to the snow.