The Archer & the Flame (Whispers of the Night Ravens #1)

Chapter 31

Valtarra looked identical to how I’d left it. Even its blooming flowerbeds were the same height as before, evidently the pride and joy of an Earth-Blessed resident with a gift for precision. I strode confidently down the cobbled path, not caring what anyone thought of me.

There was a blemish on the immaculate appearance of the village, one which caused my chest to tighten. Shutters covered the bookshop’s windows, a closed sign hung on the door. Window boxes that had once overflowed with peculiar plants had wilted and wasted away. It appeared abandoned, a mere ghost of the place where I’d first met Dorea and her mother.

Unease unfurled through me, holding me in its icy grip. Was I too late?

I’d brought the three vials of magic-infused palai oil to Reuben, knowing he was the key to securing my passage to Valtarra. He’d refused immediately, informing me someone else would deliver the possible cure to Dorea. It had taken me hours to convince him that the only fae Cassandra would trust with this would be me or him, and he couldn’t leave without impacting every scout. In the end, he’d begrudgingly agreed I could go, but told me to be on my best behaviour.

Silas had waved me off, a flicker of envy crossing his face before he could hide it. Leaving him behind felt like losing a limb, but it was the safest course of action with the High Council searching for him. I was counting down the days until we could send a team to Eirel and free him for good.

Surprisingly, the bookshop's door was unlocked, creaking open with the slightest pressure. A thick layer of dust coated the inside, tickling the back of my throat. I spluttered, no doubt announcing my arrival if there was anyone left to hear it. The shop had been frozen in time, books cluttering the floor like someone was interrupted while shelving them.

“Hello?” I called out in a hoarse voice, climbing over the disturbed stacks as I navigated the room. It hadn’t seen a customer in weeks, that much was apparent. My uncertainty at what I might find intensified.

The ceiling groaned before the sound of footsteps reverberated down the stairs, signalling someone’s approach. I straightened, preparing myself. The door at the back burst open.

“We’re closed. Please leave.”

Cassandra looked like she’d aged a decade since I’d last seen her. Dark circles betrayed her lack of sleep, lines of worry etched into her forehead. She appeared smaller than before, a shadow of the woman I’d met the previous month.

“You…you came back.” The glimmer of hope in her voice nearly broke me. I only hoped the antidote hadn’t come too late to make a difference, if it even worked.

“I have something that may help Dorea. Where is she?” I asked, peering around. The shop was too quiet without her chaotic presence.

“She’s resting upstairs. Did you find what you were looking for?”

I retrieved the vials from my pack, holding them up so they were visible in the dim room. “I hope so.”

She gave me a heartbreaking smile. “Come with me.”

I followed her up a winding staircase, so steep that I needed to use the handrail to help me climb. A storeroom awaited us at the top of the stairs, filled with piles of books as tall as the low ceiling. We wove through them to reach a room on the other side.

Only the barest of essentials furnished the sparse space. A bed, where Dorea lay unmoving, a table next to it, and a wooden chair, its backrest splintering away from the rest of it. Cassandra took a seat, body tense as she returned to her vigil.

The black veins now covered every inch of Dorea, her pale skin tinged with grey as the life leeched from it. Her hair had become brittle and lost most of its colour, her pillow coated in loose hairs that had already fallen out. Dread filled me until her chest moved with a shallow, rattling breath. She had survived, but the end was near. That much was obvious.

“We believe we’ve figured out the cause of her affliction, though I’m not permitted to tell you.” If Cassandra was surprised by my statement, she didn’t show it. I continued. “I’m afraid there are no guarantees, but one of these three vials may contain a cure.”

I removed the stopper from the first vial, taking great care not to spill a drop. Eldon had been clear with his instructions. Dorea must drink the entire vial for the antidote to take effect, regardless of which, if any, held the true cure.

“Can you help Dorea sit upright on the bed and make sure her mouth stays open?” I asked Cassandra. She nodded and carefully arranged Dorea in a comfortable position on her pillows.

I tipped the oil down Dorea’s throat, one bottle at a time, tilting her chin to make sure she swallowed without choking. For a moment, nothing happened, and I worried that we’d failed.

Then, so slowly I had to blink to confirm my eyes weren’t tricking me, the tendrils started to recede. Colour returned to Dorea’s greying skin, her cheeks becoming rosier and her hair regaining some of its shine.

The cure was working.

Cassandra sobbed in relief, collapsing back into the rickety chair next to the bed. The veins had disappeared from Dorea’s face and neck, and were withdrawing from her chest.

Her eyes blinked open weakly. “Mother,” she said, her voice hoarse from misuse.

“Thank the gods. I’ve been so worried.” Cassandra turned to me, her eyes shining with tears.

“How are you feeling?” I asked Dorea, making sure the improvements weren’t superficial.

“The pain. It’s gone.” She smiled, the movement weak, but victory roared in my chest.

Cassandra sobbed, reaching for my hand. I grasped it gladly. “I don’t know how we’ll ever repay you,” she said.

“There’s no need. Your information led to a major breakthrough. You’ve done a lot of good.”

The Night Ravens had dispatched a team to investigate Threstia based on mine and Silas’ reports. Although all traces of the research camp had disappeared, they’d brought back soil samples from areas where the ground had been disturbed. Whatever they’d found had thrown the Old Keep into a frenzy, and Reuben had spent more and more time tied up with the founder.

Despite the relief of finding a working antidote, their suffering was far from over. Cassandra and Dorea looked like a strong gust of wind would knock them over.

I handed Dorea my canteen of water, which she accepted gratefully with shaky hands. But that wasn’t enough.

“I’ll be back soon. Make sure you get some rest.” I gave a meaningful look to Dorea’s mother. “Both of you.”

They needed to prioritise their recovery and they couldn’t do that if they weren’t sure where their next meal was coming from. I decided to set them up with a hot meal and enough supplies to get back on their feet before I returned for my next orders.

My quest began in the kitchen, emptying my newly procured sack of raglaw onto the counter where I plucked and trimmed the meat before coating it in salt and packing it away. I kept one aside, chopping it into small pieces.

When I finished, I spent what remained in my coin purse to stock their pantry from Valtarra’s market, including vegetables to complement the raglaw. The merchants initially balked at my attempts to barter on cost, but relented when I explained who it was for.

Cooking was not my forte. But that mattered little, so long as the result was edible and contained enough sustenance to nurse Cassandra and Dorea back to health. In the end, I gave up navigating the bookshop’s tiny kitchen, instead bringing a heavy pot to the outskirts of Valtarra and building a campfire. Lighting it posed no challenge, not when I could ask for help from the villagers, who were more than happy to lend a hand.

I carried a steaming tray of raglaw soup up to the bedroom where Dorea rested. Cassandra was hunched over the bed, asleep on her arms, whilst Dorea slept soundly. I cleared my throat, both of them stirring.

“I’ve left some food in the pantry. It should keep you going for a while. But this should help in the meantime.”

Cassandra smiled weakly at me as I placed the tray beside the bed. “Thank you. For everything.”

She retrieved a dusty book from a shelf behind her. “This is for you. A small token of our appreciation.”

“I told you before, you don’t owe me anything,” I insisted.

“I know. But I want you to have this. It’s a tome covering Idrixian history passed down through my family. I believe you’ll find it insightful.”

“Thank you.” The gesture didn’t go unappreciated, but I rarely had enough free time to read. Still, I was sure it would make a worthy addition to Eldon’s ever-growing library. “I must leave now, but will you be able to hang in there?”

“Of course. We have everything we need.” Her gaze was on Dorea as she ate a dainty mouthful of the soup.

“Oh, I nearly forgot. There’s something else. Reuben asked me to give this to you.” I retrieved a sealed scroll from my pocket, passing it to Cassandra. She examined it with interest.

“He enjoys his letters.” She smiled wistfully. “Do stop by, if you’re ever in the area. There will always be a hot cup of tea waiting for you here.”

Warmth surrounded me at the thought. Friendship had felt out of reach for so long, an honour reserved for those free of my burdens, but now I was fortunate to have several friends dear to my heart.

I would treasure them.

A few days later, I arrived at the Old Keep, unable to wipe the smile from my face. Silas wasn’t in the dormitory like I’d expected, or the weapons store or dining hall. I ducked my head into other places, flushing at the inquisitive looks sent in my direction. Adjusting to the attention that now followed me would require some time. I’d always taken my anonymity for granted, wielding it as a quiet weapon. The spotlight exposed me, giving me nowhere to hide.

A commotion in the inner courtyard drew my curiosity. The Old Keep offered little in the way of diversions, everyone too busy working on their assignments for much else. Mealtimes provided an opportunity to bond, but even then, talk rarely strayed beyond our duties.

My eyes took a moment to adapt to the sunlight as I left the dimly lit hallway and went outside. A flaming bird flew past me, not unlike a raglaw in size. I jumped back on instinct. Silas soaked up the attention of his audience like a performer on a stage, showing off by sending more birds soaring around a crowd of delighted children who giggled and chased after them.

“Don’t feed his ego,” I said as they marvelled at the display. “If his head grows any bigger, he’ll struggle to stay upright.”

“And there was me thinking you were rather fond of my appearance. I must have been mistaken.” His eyes twinkled in challenge and the barest hint of unrestrained longing. “Show’s over for today.”

A chorus of protests met his words, the group surrounding him and demanding his attention.

“Will you come back tomorrow?” one child asked. “I want to see a dragon!”

The children squealed in excitement.

“Fine, I will, but only if you listen to your parents. Especially you, Kairos. I’ve heard all about how much trouble you’ve caused.”

“But if we behave, you’ll come back?”

“Yes, I promise.” A sly smirk crept across his face, causing my skin to prickle with awareness. He dismissed the children with a wave. “Now run along. I have important business to attend to.”

As the crowd cleared, I made my way towards him. “You’ve assembled quite the fan club.”

“Can you blame them? Look at me.” He twirled, gesturing at himself. He wore the standard issue clothing all Night Ravens recruits were provided with, yet the garments looked like they’d been made for him. “Besides, you’re the founding member.”

“I am?”

“You were singing my praises the other day. Do you need a reminder?”

I let my gaze settle on his mouth. “I believe I will, at least once I’ve recovered from the mission.”

Silas’ arm snaked around my waist, pulling me against him. He murmured in my ear, in a low, seductive tone, “who says I haven’t considered that in my plans for you? I intend to take great care of you.”

I shivered in anticipation, earning a dark chuckle. His hand found mine, leading me back inside the keep, and down to the bathing pools. He stayed true to his word, heating the water until it was blissfully hot. Delicately, he removed my clothes, neatly folding them, before doing the same for himself. Stepping into the pool, he helped me down the steps until we were both submerged in its warm embrace.

I expected him to stir my need with teasing touches and burning kisses. But he surprised me, reaching for a jug and using it to dampen my hair. His deft fingers lathered it into my scalp, sighs of contentment falling from my lips.

“That feels divine,” I said, leaning into his touch.

“I thought you refused to feed my ego?” He massaged the soap into my skin, working out a knot that had formed in my shoulders during the mission.

“I’m making an exception.” I closed my eyes, savouring the warmth of the water as it lapped against my body. “What have you been up to in my absence?”

“Nothing much. They’re not sure what to do with me. I tried joining the novice scouts in training, but you already taught me the basics. My boredom led to me distracting the class, so they scrapped that idea. I’m hunting a lot, as you saw, and keeping the children entertained, but that’s it.”

I turned to face him, running my hand down his cheek. “We’ll fix it, I promise.”

“I know.” He laughed, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Who knew I’d miss sleeping outside on the ground?”

I kissed his forehead. “Maybe you don’t have to miss it.”

We finished bathing and dressed quickly. I pressed a finger to my lips, beckoning Silas to the shadows. He rose to the challenge, sneaking around the keep by my side like a seasoned scout. We reached a supply cupboard without detection, but instead of occupying it, we merely swiped some bedrolls and a few blankets.

Sal crossed her arms as we exited the gatehouse, fixing us with a stern look from her position guarding the castle. I plastered on my best pleading smile, hoping she’d understand how much Silas needed a break.

She sighed, but a grin broke through the facade. “Fine, it’s none of my business, anyway. Just don’t do anything stupid.”

We fell into our old routine, setting up our camp in a secluded part of the forest. It wasn’t long before two raglaw were roasting on the fire as we huddled together, sharing the blankets beneath the stars.

“I never asked. Why did you decide to brave the Yewdew Forest the day we met?” I said.

Silas smiled sadly. “My brother told me that the forest always provides. In hindsight, that was probably more rooted in his Earth Blessing than survival skills, but when I succeeded in my escape and needed somewhere to go, it stuck with me. What better place to lie low than a forest no one wants to visit? But when I got here, I quickly realised I was out of my depth. Luckily for me, a beautiful, fierce woman, with a talent for hunting raglaw crossed my path.”

“And then promptly told you where to go,” I finished, removing the birds from the campfire and serving them. We’d eaten them before they’d had a chance to fully cool down.

“I should’ve known I was a goner then.”

“All it took was a few bottles of moon wine and some well-timed kisses.”

Silas grinned. “What can I say? I’m a romantic at heart.”

I nestled closer to him, the warmth of his skin caressing me. “Thank you for teaching me to trust again. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“I doubt that, but I’ll happily take the credit.” He played with a strand of my hair, twisting it around his fingers. “So, it was my kisses that won your heart?”

“Amongst other things. But I’ll need a reminder to be sure of it.”

I melted into Silas, enjoying the sensation of him, demanding and confident, as he captured my lower lip between his teeth. I tugged at his shirt, wanting to feel his warm skin. He obliged, raising his arms to allow me to undress him. My hands greedily roved over him, the muscles of his chest flexing at my soft caresses. He was amusingly responsive, responding with enthusiasm to my touch.

Silas slipped his hand inside my trousers, finding the thin layer of my underwear already damp with need. His lips latched onto the sensitive skin of my collarbone as he teased me through the fabric, sending sparks of pleasure through me.

“More,” I moaned, desperate for there to be nothing between us.

“Anything for you.”

Silas undressed me slowly, leaving me bared for him. I was glad for our secluded spot, far enough from the Old Keep for there to be little chance of us being discovered. He made to resume his teasing, but I held up a hand to stop him.

“Not until you lose the clothes.”

His eyes burned with an intensity that stole my breath. Then he straightened, a slow smile spreading on his face. “Very well.”

Excruciatingly slowly, every second stoking my anticipation, Silas undid the fastenings of his trousers. They fell to the floor, revealing his hard length, where he stepped out of them and closed the distance between us.

I reached for him, covering his lips with mine. He pushed me down on my bedroll, nudging my legs open with his knee. His fingers, warmed with the heat of his Blessing, trailed up my thighs to where they joined, dragging through the wetness he found there.

The touch was slow, tormenting my unrelenting need for him. I was burning up, driven by the urgency of my desire. He smiled, as if reading my mind.

I pushed him away, covering his body with my own when he fell backwards. My tongue swirled seductive patterns down his chest, drawing satisfaction from the way he tensed in response, his chest heaving. Eyes dazed with pleasure watched me intensely as I reached his groin, pressing a soft kiss to the tip of his cock.

Silas shuddered, his eyes flickering closed. He was a work of art, as handsome within as he was on the outside. I couldn’t help but enjoy his every reaction, the way his jaw clenched at the feel of my breath on him, his hand fisting the blankets as my tongue lightly traced his length, the whimper that escaped when I finally wrapped my mouth around him. I craved more of the subtle salty taste of him. His low moans as I took him deeper set me aflame, and I needed him to completely unravel at my hands.

A firm grip on my shoulder made me pause.

“It’s too good. I need a moment,” he said, taking the opportunity to catch his breath.

“Struggling to keep up with me?” I teased.

His eyes flashed. “Is that a challenge?”

“Do you want it to be?” I crawled to him with a boldness I didn’t know I possessed, settling on top of him with his cock pressing insistently against my entrance.

His voice was dark and dangerous, my blood surging in response. “The last one to find their release is the victor.”

My mouth widened in surprise at his wicked proposal, curving into an amused smile. “You’re on.”

I sank down on him without warning, biting back a moan. The challenge would be more difficult than I’d anticipated, but I wasn’t one to back down. Silas grasped my waist, guiding the movement of my hips, grinding me against him with wild, frantic need.

Every stroke brought me closer to my ruin. I sucked in a breath, staving off the pleasure. Silas watched with rapt attention, his eyes glazed over in sinful rapture.

I ground against him with reckless abandon. He let out a strangled noise, his grip tightening on my hips.

“Willow,” he pleaded, thrusting to match my rhythm. It all suddenly became too much, and I lost control.

I trembled, coming undone with a cry. Silas groaned, joining me in oblivion, controlling our movements as we melded together in perfect harmony, riding out our pleasure.

“Who won?” I asked later, snuggling up against him under the blankets.

Silas shot me a wolfish grin. “It was too close to call. Guess we’ll need a rematch.”

“Same time tomorrow?”

“Naturally.” His smile faded. “It’s good to have you back. Watching you leave cleaved my heart in two, but it’s worth every second to welcome you home again.”

I held onto him tightly, never wanting to let go. “You are my home. And next time, you won’t have a chance to miss me.”

He sat up with a jolt. “What do you mean?”

My joy was bright enough to light the whole forest. “Reuben summoned me just before I came to find you. I’m going to Eirel and you’re coming with me.”