Page 42 of The War of Wings
Five. Days. Easy. Two. Nothing.
“She says they’ll be fine,” I assured Summercut.
“Okay then. Two days across the Widow’s Sea. You’ll arrive just south of Bienmari Point,” he said, referencing the spot he’d pointed out on the map yesterday. “You’ll stay there for the night so you can all be well-rested for your meeting with Nesan’s royals. Then it’s a two hour flight from there to Araqina. Once you meet with the King and Queen of Nesan, you’ll move on to Eddena, then Tadrana, and the rest of the list. Each of you has a copy in your saddle bag.”
“Thanks, Commander,” I said.
He lowered his head. “We’ll be ready when you return.”
With that, I climbed onto my seat atop Adorex, Cal onto Obitus, and Miles onto Gehenna, and we took off to build an army.
???
“Hello?” Cal called, but the only response was the echo of his voice bouncing off the abandoned homes. It hadn’t been a surprise to find Redwater deserted, but it was a punch to the gut all the same. Clothes hung on lines. A broom rested against a fence. A teacup sat abandoned on a porch step. A mass of lives simply stopped in their tracks. I was almost sure the darkened spots on the dirt beside my feet were dried blood. It would be eerily silent if not for the waves crashing against the shore just beyond the next street.
Redwater was bigger than Blindbarrow. Seeing Blindbarrow empty and abandoned had been jarring. But it was a small village. Seeing Redwater, with its wide streets and taller buildings, was heartrending.
We’d come upon a sizable house that seemed pristine. I tried not to think of those who’d lived there before Kauvras came with leechthorn. Maybe they hadn’t been here. Maybe they lived somewhere else, and this was a summer home. Maybe they were still alive and well, drinking tea and playing cards somewhere across the Widow’s Sea.
A massive splash sounded, and I turned just in time to see Obitus’ wings flapping furiously as he rose from the water, something huge and writhing between his jaws. Red liquid spurted from the sides of the driva’s mouth as he bit down, chewing on whatever it was he had.
I squinted, trying to discern what he had in his mouth. “What is that?”
“A shark,” Cal whispered, his eyes wide. “He just dove in and caught a fucking shark.”
“Holy shit,” I murmured. “Is that normal? I don’t even know what they eat.”
“Probably something you should’ve figured out before we left,” Miles answered, and there was no mistaking the cold ire in his tone.
My mouth fell open, and though I probably should’ve been taken aback at his tone, it was concern that shot through me. Miles hadn’t spoken to me like that. At least, not since I’d come into my power. I searched for a response, but I couldn’t seem to find one.
Luckily, I didn’t have to, because Cal did. “What the fuck did you just say to her?” he asked, immediately stepping chest to chest with Miles. Miles met Cal’s stare, neither of them showing any signs of backing down.
“Stop,” I ordered, and both men took a stiff step back. I forced my shoulders to relax, trying to appear as if Miles’ tone hadn’t rattled me. “We’re all tired. It’s been a long day.” Because the last thing we needed on this journey was any more conflict.
With a final huffing breath, Miles turned away, reached for his bag, and retreated inside the house.
Miles. Angry, Adorex’s thoughts echoed through my mind, a bit quieter from where she swooped and soared over the ocean.
Yeah, Miles was angry. Cold, sharp dread pooled in my stomach. “It was a long day,” I repeated to Cal. “He’s just a little irritated. He’s probably sore from the journey, too. I know I am. And the wind up there was harsh,” I rambled. But I knew I wasn’t justifying it. I was just trying to make myself feel better. “He’s just tired, right?”
Cal leaned in to kiss my forehead, his eyes still locked on the door that had slammed behind Miles. “Let me get our bags inside. Then I’ll go talk to him.”
Chapter 16
Cal
I found Miles by the water, his hands hanging at his sides. We were far enough away from the house that I knew Petra wouldn’t be able to hear our conversation. The drivas were still flying over the waves, the tips of their wings skimming the water as they caught their dinner.
“Ever thought you’d ride on the back of a driva?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light. He must not have heard me coming because he jolted, his head whipping in my direction.
It looked like it took conscious effort to keep his face neutral. He was working through something, the muscles of his jaw flexing as he stared out over the water. “I’m sorry about what I said back there,” he murmured, reaching down and picking up a smooth stone then throwing it into the cascading waves.
I shook my head. “I’m not the one who needs an apology.”
His head fell back, a deep sigh leaving his mouth. “Do you think she’ll forgive me?”
“If she can forgive me for almost driving a blade through her back and forgive you for hand-delivering her to Kauvras, I think she’ll forgive you for a few harsh words.” I leaned down, picking up my own stone before tossing it into the sea.
