Page 29 of Damned and Broken Gods
“How’s life treating you in the royal domain, Droona?” Araz asked.
“Honest work,” Droona said, but the light in his eyes dimmed a little.
“You still training the recruits, old man?” Yudh said, his tone teasing behind his mask.
“No.” Araz grinned. “Too old and grumpy for the recruits to handle.”
“And now you have a royal demigod to protect,” Droona said, his gaze falling on me. “You’re lucky to have him.”
“Believe me, I know.”
Araz blinked sharply, as if he hadn’t expected me to admit how much I valued him.
“Come.” Yudh pulled open the main gates that led to the bridges. “The moona will be getting anxious.”
The guards ushered us over the threshold, and we stepped fully into a night blazing with starlight and threaded with the silver and golden weave of bridges that connected the various domains. Clouds pooled beneath us, a frothy bed waiting for us to dive in. They shifted, parting slightly to reveal the light of a thousand flickering lanterns on a domain far below.
“What is that domain?” I hadn’t noticed it on arrival weeks ago.
“That’s the realm of the pari,” Araz said. “They are a dying breed now and under the protection of the Asura.”
Protection or prisoners? The thought popped into my head unbidden. Something to investigate and rectify when I was given the power.
The guards closed the gates behind us and slipped past us onto the bridge.
“The carriage awaits.” Yudh waved his arm, and a large white carriage with gold wheels and a golden domed roof materialized on the bridge. Tethered to it were two massive ivory equine creatures with silver manes. Three golden horns jutted up from their heads. They looked like a cross between a unicorn and a lion and had huge paws instead of hooves. They snorted, mist tinged with rainbows, iridescent eyes rolling my way.
I stepped forward, breath tight in my lungs. “Oh…oh my, they’re beautiful.” I reached for the nearest one.
Araz gripped my arm. “Don’t touch!”
The creature fixed its eyes on me. Its regard was steady, unthreatening…inviting?
“Why not?”
“The moona are loyal only to the handler that rears and raises them. They will tolerate no one else’s touch.”
Yudh placed his hand on one of the creatures’ necks, patting gently. “The moona are royal steeds. They say the deva gifted them to the royal Asura bloodline before they departed from this world. It’s an honor to be offered the chance to rear one.” He stroked the moona’s back. “This is Yelsa, and she’s mine.”
“Breena is her sister, and she is mine,” Droona said, running a hand down the other moona’s nose.
Breena snorted softly, filling the space between her and Droona with rainbow mist.
The ache to touch the creatures intensified, and I curled my hands into fists. “They’re both gorgeous. But do we need a carriage to get to the royal domain? I can see it from here.” I pointed across the network of bridges toward the magnificent glittering spire of the Shahee Kshetra. “It’s not that far. We can walk.”
Doona let out a bark of laughter. “Will you explain, Araz?”
“Explain what?” I looked across at Araz. “I mean…it’s just…what? A couple of miles?”
“No, Leela, the royal domain is almost two hundred miles away. The way the bridges weave creates an optical illusion, and not all bridges are real. The only way to reach the royal domain is by air.”
I looked from the carriage to the moona. “I don’t see any wings.”
“The moona don’t need wings,” Yudh said. “They’re woven from moonlight and the essence of distant stars. The air is their home.” He pulled open the carriage door, revealing the plush purple interior. “The air around the royal domain is icy, but there are blankets inside to keep you warm.”
“Really?” Araz arched a brow.
Droona chuckled. “Feel free to use your flame if you wish to burn the upholstery.”
