Sapphire Falls (The Lost Realm #2)

43. Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Morgan

M organ’s eagan banked to the right and began its descent into Orofine. Its golden-brown wings tipped so far that she worried she could roll out of her saddle. But she held tight, even as her heart thudded against her chest and her stomach churned with worry. She knew Rylo needed help, and she was willing to seek it for him. After all, it was the least she could do for him. She also wanted to see Avery. Knowing Avery was here, Avery was Queen, that was the only thing keeping her from panicking as she flew into the land where she was only known for murdering their former monarch.

As they flew lower, Morgan noticed guards on the expansive treehouse, drawing bows and arrows toward their eagans. The archers didn’t hesitate as they released their arrows into the sky.

“Susan!” Morgan shouted. Morgan let her magic build up into her fingertips as she released her shadows out into the early morning sky. Darkness roiled out of her as Susan let out a wall of water, crashing against the arrows.

The eagan Morgan rode let out a piercing scream as it made its descent to the ground below. Guards were gathered at the same place she landed during the last time she came to Orofine.

Suddenly, Susan’s voice boomed out as if she were using a microphone. So she had been practicing new spells without Morgan.

“We come seeking peace as emissaries of King Rylo. We are here to see Queen Avery on urgent business. Do not attack us and we will have no reason to harm you.”

Morgan gritted her teeth. Her eagan landed with a graceful swoop. She looked up, expecting to be surrounded by guards, but they all hung back as they made way for one man she’d recognize anywhere to make his way through his warriors.

Savine walked with a confidence that made Morgan roll her eyes. He was wearing a thick fur coat and leather pants. His leather boots barely sank into the fresh snow that covered the flat expanse in front of the treehouse palace.

“Morgan and Susan, what a surprise.” His tone was as cold as the frosty wind on her face.

“Did you miss us?” Morgan said in a tone that she thought Rylo would be proud of.

“Have you finally escaped from Rylo? Came seeking my goodwill?”

Morgan arched an eyebrow, ready to give a biting reply, when Susan answered instead.

“King Rylo sent us on urgent matters. We need your help.” Susan said as she slid off her eagan and approached Savine. She gave a small curtsy, which he brushed off with a wave of his hand.

“None of that for you, Susan. Does this concern Selene? If so, he will need to send someone other than two witches to get her back.”

“Is Selene really here?” Morgan asked. She didn’t think it could be possible that Selene would flee her post when Nephel was so vulnerable.

Savine nodded. “Your answer tells me there is some other reason for your impromptu visit. Come, let’s find Avery. I was coming back from the forest when you arrived.”

The guards parted for them, nobody making a move to attack Morgan as they walked up the sprawling wooden steps to a large, high ceiling room with wooden walls. Intricate carvings into the wood seemed to tell a story, and Morgan was captivated by the scene of an elk laying down its life for a fae king. At the front of the room was a large wooden throne, encrusted in jewels.

Morgan couldn’t imagine her sister on that throne, ruling a fae nation. She always saw her sister the same way. A little messy, a little rumpled, and with a big grin on her face.

Even though she had her own trepidations with coming to Orofine, Morgan looked forward to seeing Avery. She wanted to share all the crazy things she’d experienced, and tell her about the growth of her powers and the relic she’d discovered.

Savine took a seat on his throne, leaving Morgan and Susan standing with the gathering fae around the room. A knot began forming in her stomach as she looked at the fae with the fur patterns showing from under their winter clothing. She took a deep, steadying breath, trying to not let their presence rattle her.

Savine addressed someone from the sides. A guard, Morgan guessed. The man retreated into an alcove near the front of the room.

“Do you think he shares his throne with Avery?” Susan whispered. Morgan gave a quick nod.

Shortly after he left the room, the guard returned, a look of concern on his face. He whispered something to Savine, and Morgan watched his whole body tense. He rose and left the room without looking back at Morgan or Susan.

Nearly an hour went by as Morgan and Susan loitered around the throne room. Finally, the guard returned, walking directly toward Morgan and Susan.

Savine followed behind him, as well as a large group of people Morgan didn’t recognize. Savine’s face had hardened and grew flush with anger, and Morgan suspected possibly a bit of fear. He motioned for Morgan and Susan to come forward. That gnawing, itching feeling that something was very wrong began to grow under Morgan’s skin.

“Avery is missing.” Peeking out from his neckline, Morgan could see the geographic lines of his essence whirl under his skin. “I’ve felt something strange down the bond in the last few moments. I suspect she’s been taken.”

What the hell? Morgan knew Savine couldn’t lie to her, but it seemed too weird that immediately after her arrival, Avery disappeared.

“Who could have taken her?” Susan asked.

Savine’s face was like stone, but his dusty blue eyes looked like they were about to spill with rage. “Tell me what the fuck you did with her! Was this Rylo’s doing?”

Morgan felt the sting of brambles coiling around her before she realized what was happening. Despite the layers of her winter coat, the thorns dug into the fabric of her clothing as she gasped. Thorns tightened around her throat, drawing drops of crimson blood. Tight enough to hurt, but not to choke. A warning and a threat.

Savine thought she would do this to Avery?

Savine

“It wasn’t me!” Morgan shouted in a shrill voice so high it made Savine wince.

“You spin lies from your tongue. Rylo took Avery in exchange for Selene. Tell me where in the Abyss he took her to!”

“I swear it wasn’t me or Rylo! We didn’t even come here for Selene!” Morgan gasped. The thorns twined around Morgan’s exposed neck. Savine wanted so badly to let those thorns sink into her sensitive flesh, to cut out the truth from her lying tongue.

“It wasn’t us, Savine!” Susan shouted, her own brambles coiling around her throat.

“Give us food! I can prove it!” Morgan choked out, blood dripping down her white skin and dripping onto her fur coat.

Savine eyed her with suspicion. He didn’t trust Rylo or Morgan. Even though Morgan was Avery’s sister, she’d chosen an allegiance with Rylo over her own sister. What kind of sister would do that? Despite all they’d faced in life, Savine and Kyla had always been fiercely loyal to each other. They’d never choose to abandon the other. Having faced this very scenario, Savine knew it was because of Kyla that he made it out of the Tower of Teeth, and Rylo’s years of torture.

And yet, this was Avery’s sister. Avery wouldn’t want Savine to harm her. She’d send him straight to the Abyss for even damaging her sister’s throat, despite her own lack of loyalty.

He had no choice. He needed to give her a chance to share what she knew.

“Very well.”

Savine waved over a guard, who rushed to bring a goblet of wine.

He allowed his coiling essence to loosen, letting the brambles fall to the ground.

Once she was free, Savine gave Morgan the glass. Morgan didn’t hesitate to drink the wine in quick gulps.

“Did you or any Nepheli have any involvement with the disappearance of Avery Hollis?” Savine asked.

Morgan didn’t fight her answer. She never looked uncomfortable as if she struggled against the tug to answer his question truthfully. She didn’t even hesitate in her reply.

“I have no knowledge of her disappearance. This has nothing to do with King Rylo or any Nepheli.”

Savine cursed. He had even less idea where Avery could be. He racked his brain for where she could have gone without her close companions. It wasn’t like her to say nothing about a hike through the woods or a soak in their private hot springs. No, there was something very wrong.

If it wasn’t Rylo, then Morgan’s presence here really was for other purposes.

Savine felt his essence still.

But if it wasn’t Rylo, then it had to be the Hunters.

Garnel approached Savine’s side. He’d been sent to search the surrounding forest, while others looked in town.

Savine pressed his hands into his face. He’d failed Avery again. Let her be taken by someone who wanted to harm her. He’d thought she’d been safe with that crown on her head, but yesterday and now this proved that he was wrong.

“The Hunters took her.”

“Darby is missing too,” Garnel said.