Page 49 of Of Blooming Embers
Gavrel lifted his chin, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as he offered her a polite smile.
Marek cursed under his breath and stabbed a finger onto the map. “We should pay a visit to the deserts. Touch base with Keethan and his team. As for the mountains to the north, I haven’t had word from Oren since his last missive. He mentioned some sort of flying animals attacking his camp. Took out a dozen or so. They were going to investigate and report back.” His brow furrowed, rubbing his middle fingers against his thumb. “Last harbinger starling he sent nearly took my finger off,” he muttered.
Yaya rolled her eyes and placed both hands on the edge of the table. “All right, so we send scouts to the Peaks and meet with Keethan. And now that we have the next piece of the prophecy, the first step is to find a way to Surrelia. To destroy that amber under Morpheus’ palace.”
“Without the Dormancy Pods. And without offing ourselves,” Breena muttered.
“Bloody void,” I grumbled, sipping my bitter tea. “May the wings of the ravens carry us.”
A toad leapedover my oar, croaking loudly and bringing me back to the present. I pressed my lips together. “So, you think I’m ready?”
“Ready?”
“For whatever awaits us when we find Kaden. When we … when we go against the Elders.” My tone hardened at the end.
“You’vealwaysbeen ready. When it comes to protecting those you love, there’s no question,” he retorted.
“You know what I mean, Gav.” I turned back and tossed him an eye roll.
His mouth curved, and his muscles bunched and flexed as he worked. Heat zinged from the small of my back and burst behind my ribs, spreading over my limbs. My thighs pressed together, and my fingers slackened as I studied him. I jerked in surprise as the rod slipped in my grip.
Bollocks.
Why was this man so damned attractive? It was almost ridiculous.I spun forward, tightening my hold and digging into the silt once more.
An amused sound reverberated in his throat. He knew the effect he had on me. He just wasn’t choosing to be as gentlemanly as he once was about it.
Damn him.
He leaned forward, slowly brushing his fingers over my back as he moved my braid over my shoulder. “As I said, you’ve always been ready. You just have to choose to believe it.”
“Canyou believe it?”Breena twirled later that night in her hut. She wore a silky, pewter-colored dress that hugged her curves as if liquid metal poured over them.
“You look lovely. What’s the occasion?” I quirked one brow as she handed me a dark bundle, kaleidoscopic threads twinkling throughout.
“The Moonbud Revelry, woman. Open the present.”
“The Moonbud Rev—” My words tapered off into a gasp as I unwrapped her gift. It was the dress I’d admired that first day in the main square. “Oh, my Ancients. Thank you, Bree. How did you?—?”
She grinned. “I can’t have you looking like rubbish at Helos’ biggest party. Besides, I have plenty of coin from theerrandsI run for the Korax.”
I inclined my head, studying the delicate threads as they shimmered in the moonlight. “Errands?”
Dismissively, she waved her hand at me. “A little stabby here. A little slice there.” My eyebrows lifted as I looked at her, and her mouth somehow stretched even wider. “Anyway, the Budding Moon and Selene are sacred to this region. They act like absolute heathens during the celebrations. Drink. Dance. Feck.” She winked. “Not necessarily in that order. It’s absolutely delicious.”
A laugh thrummed in my chest. “Sounds scandalous. When is it?”
Gavrel and Rhaegar joined us. “When is what?” Gavrel asked.
I glanced at him. “The Moonbud Revelry.”
Gavrel leaned against the wall, and Rhaegar grinned while placing his boots by the door. “Ah, yes. Merrymaking is had by all. The citizens celebrate the Budding Moon and make offerings to the Moon Ancient. It goes until the sun rises.”
“It sounds lovely. The way people hold on to their traditions here is truly inspiring,” I remarked, my fingers brushing over my new dress.
Rhaegar nodded, tapping his fingers against his burly chest. “In the Bogs, where the tides hold dominion over the landscape, the moon’s phases mirror the constant flux of life for the citizens. Here, the people hold Selene in the highest regard. The Budding Moon, in particular, signifies renewal and a link to the celestial dream realm. It’s widely believed that Selene will aid Morpheus in the restoring of dreams.”
“Well said, Rhaeg,” Breena added. “And here I thought you loved the revelry because you wanted to indulge in mireberry wine and charm your way through all the willing females?”
