Page 114 of Of Blooming Embers
Hispalace.
“Well done.” His voice—thevoice that directed me time and again—boomed through the pit. “Rise, Elders.”
And they did, eyes wide.
“It’s … it’s you,” I snarled. “Morpheus.”
Kaden’s mouth dropped open. “Holy fucking Ancient.”
My pulse hammered as I stood, and I planted my heels into the obsidian as they itched to leap into the basin.
One of Morpheus’ brows lifted as he glanced at Kaden and then at me. “True. Now to the business of retrieving our khordas from the Nether Void.”
“Bloody Nether Void.” Kaden gripped my wrist as if I would jump. He wasn’t wrong. My very marrow was screaming at me to dive in after Gavrel.
My words slid between gritted teeth as all-consuming pain and resentment shivered over my spine. I didn’t care if he was an Ancient,and even though I desired nothing more than to do what he asked, the contrary words spewed from me like acid. “You can’t do it yourself?”
A halo of twinkling gold and mist flickered around him, pooling at his feet. He floated to the perimeter as if riding on a cloud and then stepped onto the stone. A glint flashed over his irises. “There’s nothing more I’d like better than to pay my brother a visit.” He rubbed his knuckles against the steep angle of his jaw. “But alas, the treaty forbids it. My brother and I are rulers of our domains, but exiles of each other’s.”
Kaden’s eyebrow quirked. “Treaty?”
My fingertips swatted at the dampness clinging to my cheeks. Yaya’s teachings flit through my mind. “During the Nightbloom Sundering, he and Phobetor almost destroyed Kosmos. The Fates were so furious that they threatened to summon the Primevals.”
Marah shifted, wringing her hands. “Who were here long before flesh and ember, and will exist long after.”
Endurst rubbed his forehead. “The Pri-Primevals stir beneath our f-feet. We walk on their graves and call it the world.”
Morpheus closed his eyes and took a deep inhale. “So eloquent—the mortal scriptures.”
My tongue pressed against my bottom teeth. “If the Primevals awaken, everything and everyone, except the Fates, will be destroyed. The very fabric of life would unravel so that the process of creation could begin anew.”
Swallowing, Kaden ran his fingers through his hair. “Ah, sounds like a good time.” His reply didn’t carry his usual lighthearted sarcasm.
Morpheus’ eyes narrowed for a moment. “It’s quite the opposite,” he said humorlessly.
My mouth pinched, anger roiling deep in my belly. “Regardless, Phobetor got the upper hand, it would seem,” I muttered. “He doesn’t fear the upheaval of order and balance. You’ve been trapped for over a century, people’s dreams have vanished, and Midst Fall is dying.”
His jaw lifted. “He knew well enough that he could neither rid Kosmos of me nor directly break the treaty. But he’s always been impulsive. Shortsighted.” He frowned, his gilded aura brightening. “Perhaps he believed that if my dreams were trapped here with me, his nightmares could freely take root.” He shook his head, staring at the coiling, metallic magma.
Scoffing, my hands flexed. “But the Withering took root instead. The fool cursed us all with his greed and jealousy. Without humanity, he’ll fade into the aether. You need worshippers to exist.”
“You aren’t wrong,” he conceded. “I doubt he regrets the consequences of his actions. Knowing him, he’ll take his pride to the aether. And I have nothing but regret … I shouldn’t have been as trusting. I should’ve heeded the Fates’ predictions.” He held his hand out to the pile of amber. “My brother used the Elders for his bidding. Tricked Melina into the deal that would imprison me, gave her eternal life and power, and provided him with an endless stream of nightmares to feed off.”
His head dipped, and his fists clenched at his sides, matching my own stance. “You see, Ancients can merely whisper in a mortal’s ear, but it is up to the mortal to choose their path. I can see that your khorda bond is strong enough to withstand the Void.” His eyes softened. “Despite your fated’s rune blocking your thread’s full potential. It’s why I need you, once again.”
I yanked my wrist out of Kaden’s grip. “Good, then let me get on with it,” I said, nearing the edge of the molten pool once more.
My best friend’s pleading tone made me pause. “Ser, you can’t be serious.”
I glared at him.
“I mean, you can’t think I’m not going with you. I can’t lose you both.”
My shoulders slumped. “You’re needed elsewhere. The others need to know what happened, and Elder Craven and Ash are still out there. You need to be here for what’s next.” I waved my hand at the two Elders behind us. “Perhaps you can heal Endurst and Marah.”
Their brows lifted as they looked at one another. Marah’s hand fluttered to her chest. A deep line dug between Kaden’s brows, so similar to Gavrel’s. I brushed my thumb over the line. “I can do this, but I need to know you’re here.Please,” I whispered.
His eyes darted between mine, and his chest heaved. “Go get the commander.” He pulled me into a tight hug, and then, as if he was fighting his movements, he stepped beside the Elders.
