Sapphire Falls (The Lost Realm #2)

41. Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Rylo

A thick lock of dark hair stuck to Rylo’s neck. Peeling it off of him, Rylo looked down at Morgan’s sleeping body tucked in close to his own. His arms held her close enough that he could feel her soft breath on his face. Her skin still hadn’t lost its coolness, despite being wrapped in his heat. He closed his eyes, wishing to slide back into his dreamless sleep with this woman wrapped tight in his arms.

Rylo was glad he didn’t give in to the temptation to have sex with her. Yes, he wanted to bed her. The restraint he’d used the Night of Feasts was gone. Especially now that he was sure she wanted him without the aid of Bayberry wine. But that would have to wait. He wasn’t about to take her on a dingy fur atop a dirt floor with one of his oldest allies. No, he had the patience to wait. Wait until they were back at the Towers. Wrapped in sheets of silk, her cool body pressed against his heat. The moon to his sun.

But before that could happen, he needed to explain to her what he saw in those caverns. The horrors that those witches were capable of inflicting on his folk needed to be stopped in their tracks, and that was why he knew Morgan wasn’t going to be happy with what he was going to suggest. It didn’t matter. Yes, he wanted her for his lover, but he also needed her to hold up her bargain to do all she could for Nephel first.

Morgan stirred in his arms. He let his grip on her loosen, and she sat up, giving him a sleepy smile.

“Good morning,” she said, brushing a curl from his forehead.

“How did you sleep?” Rylo asked.

“For being under a dead animal on the dirt, surprisingly good.”

Rylo let out a dry laugh. “We are in agreement there. If all goes well, we should be back in the Towers tonight.”

“And what happens next?” Morgan twirled her hair between her fingers.

“Next? I’m afraid after what we saw and did, war. It’s been Goldoth’s plan for years and I don’t think there will be a way to stop them now that we’ve stolen their relic. But before that, I need you to understand what we will be facing. It’s not as I expected.”

Rylo told Morgan everything he’d seen after she left dinner with the Goldoth royalty. He shared about seeing the strange humanoid twins, and how when they reentered the room, the twins displayed their magic. He shared how the Goldoths had been breeding humans to work their tunnels since the Cleaving, and how they no longer even resembled Morgan, Avery, or Susan.

Morgan listened without interruption, seeming to absorb all that he told her.

Her face was twisted in disgust, but he didn’t know if it was for the actions of the Goldoth fae or their witches.

Finally, he shared how he escaped the caverns just as the sister, Tyranny, seemed ready to strike a dead fae on him.

The silence between them stretched on for far too long. What was going on in that mind of hers?

“I saw the mines and the human slaves. I thought they were some kind of fae. That’s where I—that’s where Elio is.”

The way Morgan said those words, Rylo knew she was keeping something from him. The truth of how Elio died. His stomach twisted in anticipation. How had Morgan escaped when Elio was so much stronger, so much more experienced in battle?

“Tell me what happened to him.”

She chewed on her bottom lip, breathing in deep.

“I didn’t mean—“

A squalling cry came from the other room, cutting her words short. I didn’t mean what? Rylo wanted to shout at her. But he kept it in as Serieff and Aniel walked into the room, carrying the crying baby.

“I hope you slept well, Rylo.” Serieff’s voice was deep and scratchy, so typical of the Hylax. “I’ve considered what we discussed yesterday, and I am willing to bring your request to our folk. If what you say is true, the threat does not seem to be coming from this woman in our room and the one to the north. It’s to the south we must turn our attention.”

Rylo gave a quick nod in agreement, but his mind was still desperate to know what happened to his dearest friend. He reached out for that strange connection that Morgan had made between them. The scars of the connection hadn’t faded since she first entered his mind. Following the path, mind to mind, he stretched and pushed through the cool calm recesses of her mind. It was so much easier when they were closer like this.

He watched Morgan shudder with recognition, looking at him with eyes the color of fresh ferns.

You didn’t mean what, Morgan?

Morgan turned her head, not making eye contact as shadows began circling between them. Shadows entered the connection between their minds, fading everything to a deep black.

I deserve to know. Rylo practically shouted it down the connection, but his hold on her mind had already dissolved.

A hand reached out to him. He flinched, looking at Aniel grasping him. “Are you alright, My King?”

“Yes, just a bit over set I believe. Right, Morgan?”

Morgan looked at him, her shadows still circling around both of them. “You’d know best if you’re not feeling like yourself.”

A bang on the door interrupted the tension and the door was forced open. He immediately recognized the captain of his guards. Behind him were several guards and eagans meant for carrying supplies and large amounts of folk.

If he were here, something would have gone terribly wrong in Nephel. It was impossible that Maglar could have rallied his forces this quickly. But… Was Rylo already too late? Had he left Selene and his folk unprotected while his enemy skirted the Wastewater without his notice while he slept on the dirt floor with this human?

“Did the others from our envoy arrive at the Towers yesterday?”

“Yes, the eagan and fae are resting today. That is not the matter I needed to address with you. It’s Selene.”

Rylo felt his essence stir, but he kept his outward demeanor calm. He couldn’t lose Elio and Selene on the same day. He relied too heavily on both of them, for more than just the running of his nation.

“She fled north. She left a message with the human witch, Susan. She said her soulmate was in grave danger.” The man looked uncomfortable delivering the news. To abandon one’s post would lead to a sentence in the Tower of Teeth, or worse. For him to be delivering the news that the Sage of Nephel had done just that, well, the consequences would be grim.

“ Her mate? ” Rylo spat out the word with such loathing that he could feel Morgan scoot back from him. “It’s that Latian shifter girl. It has to be. I suspected as much, but she wouldn’t reveal anything.”

He had to get back to his folk immediately. Selene had left them unprotected in the most dangerous time possible.

“Come, Morgan.” Rylo reached out and grabbed her wrist, harder than he anticipated.

She looked at him with trepidation, but didn’t say anything.

As they made their way to the door, Rylo turned back to the Hylaxes who opened their home for him. “You will be rewarded for your hospitality, as always Serieff. I’ll send an envoy to hear what your council decides.”

The man bowed to Rylo and as they walked out the door, the baby began another loud, shrill cry.

A fresh eagan was waiting for them outside. Rylo climbed into the saddle as Morgan followed after, taking a seat behind him. Moments later, they were airborne, climbing above the marshy lands of the Wastewater.

Morgan

Morgan’s heart was thumping so loud that she thought it might jump out of her chest. Rylo hadn’t said a word to her since she shut him out of her mind, closing the connection that he’d figured out how to infiltrate. Even throughout the whole flight to the Towers, Rylo refused to say a word to her. When she asked him if he was worried, he just ignored her question.

Finally, she tried to let the silence settle over her, embracing the wind in her face and the soft feathers that brushed against her bare legs. The breeze had a bite to it, especially as they continued farther north. So much so that she was wishing she had a warm jacket. But, she refused to complain. If Rylo wanted silence, she’d give him silence.

He had a right to be mad, but she had a right to keep her secrets. She knew that if Rylo heard how Elio died, he’d be devastated. She couldn’t do that to him. Sometimes the truth was better not known.

As they landed at the top of the Tower of the Moon, Rylo motioned her to follow him. Chaos ensued as soon as they were off the eagan. Fae she didn’t know were running up to Rylo, filling him in on what was going on, and asking what they should do. For his part, Rylo kept that neutral calm about him as everyone around them was in a panic.

“Find Susan and meet me in the library,” Rylo ordered Morgan, his golden eyes swimming with something she didn’t understand. They were the first words he’d spoken to her since they left the small cabin in the Wastewater.

Morgan nodded, but didn’t say anything in reply. Turning, she walked out of the room. Finding Susan didn’t take long. She must have already been alerted that they were back, because Morgan turned a corner toward Susan’s room and there she was. When she saw Morgan, she began running, wrapping Morgan in a tight hug that made her feel twitchy.

“You’re back, and you’re okay! I was so concerned when I heard the rumors of your escape. Did you get the other relic?”

Morgan’s throat felt so dry, it hurt to speak. “Yeah, I got it. Rylo’s got it now.”

“But you still have the necklace?” Susan asked, pointing to the brilliant yellow stones around her neck.

She gave a half-hearted nod. “We’re supposed to meet him in the library.”

When they entered the library, Rylo was already waiting for them. He’d somehow had time to change and comb his blonde hair into neat waves. He was wearing a black linen shirt and black leather pants, the combination making the gold of his skin and wings more brilliant.

With a cup of tea in hand, he almost looked back to his typical casual ease. Almost, but for the imperceptible tension in his neck and shoulders. Morgan swore only she would be able to catch that tightness in his countenance.

“Sit. Pour yourselves a cup of tea if you’d like. Would you like anything to eat?”

Morgan shook her head. Although she’d hardly eaten since the stew in Serieff’s cottage, she had too many nerves dancing through her stomach to try and keep food down.

Susan poured herself a cup of tea, but Morgan couldn’t even do that. She couldn’t stop looking at Rylo, hoping he’d acknowledge her in some way.

“Can you pour me a cup?” Morgan asked. She wanted him to know that she trusted him, that even if she wasn’t able to admit what happened to Elio, he was still important to her.

“Best not. Pour your own if you’re in need of a drink,” Rylo said, turning from her gaze and out toward the open air view of the canyon and tunnels below.

Rylo waited for Morgan to pour her own cup, and when she didn’t bother, he began telling Susan about the two witches and the secret cavern under the Goldoth borders. Morgan listened again, a chill running down her spine as he shared about the girl who reanimated a corpse after slaughtering him in front of Rylo.

“Reports from my spies have already reached The Towers that Goldoth is amassing a vast army. One that will decimate my folk. We don’t have the warriors to face this force. I need the two of you to go to Orofine today and do all you can to ensure an alliance with Latiah. Selene is already there. Explain what has happened and she will work with you to convince King Savine that his support is imperative to securing his own borders.”

Morgan’s stomach did a flip. Returning to that place with the folk who resembled her attacker had been the last thing she wanted to do. But she’d do it. If it proved her loyalty to Rylo, if it helped protect this place and Avery.

“Why aren’t you going?” Morgan asked.

“I’m needed here.” His amber eyes seemed to glow as he spoke. “Prepare to leave immediately. I’ve already arranged an eagan for your journey.”

Rylo walked toward the balcony and jumped into the air, leaving Morgan and Susan alone in the library.

Susan raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to talk about it, or should I just stay quiet?”

Morgan shook her head, trying to keep the sadness from her expression. She’d have to tell Susan what happened to Elio too. The two people she’d learned to care about most in Aeritis were the ones she’d hurt the most by killing Elio.

Once they were safely in the cave for the night, Morgan was finally able to tell Susan about Elio. It broke her to share the news, but Susan needed to know. Just like Rylo deserved to know.

“I’m sure you noticed Elio didn’t return,” she said, sitting down beside Susan near the warmth of the fire she just built.

Susan’s chin shook. “I was told he didn’t make it out of Onyx Caverns.”

Morgan took a deep breath and started sharing what happened to them during their search for the relic. It was hard to even say what happened, but she had to get the words out for her friend. “I was with him when he died. We were in a cave filled with human slaves and fae. I told him about the spell that enhanced his essence, and explained I didn’t know what would happen. But he trusted me.” Her voice began shaking as the tears slid down her face. Susan’s eyes were filled with hurt as she held Morgan’s hand. “He trusted me and the spell killed him. It depleted his essence before my eyes. I’m so, so sorry, Susan.”

Susan was shaking with sobs as she clutched Morgan’s hand. “He wanted me to tell you that you are his bright star.”

Susan let out a stifled cry as she turned and walked toward the eagan perched outside the cave. Morgan let her be, knowing that she probably hated her for what she’d done to Elio.

Finally, Susan came back to the fire, sitting down next to Morgan. “I’m just relieved he wasn’t alone when he died. You didn’t know that spell would be so deadly.”

“I don’t know how to tell Rylo,” Morgan admitted.

Susan looked at her, grief in her eyes. “You have to tell him the truth, Morgan. He deserves to hear it from you.”