Page 120 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
With a shudder, Graeson opened his eyes.
The sky was expansive and endless. A part of him yearned to see how far it would go. How long would it take him to reach the end? Until he reached the stars? Once he reached them, could his fire burn a pathway to the world of the gods?
He wondered if there were others like him. Although Barinthian hadn’t mentioned others, Graeson was not so egotistical as to believe that he was unique enough to be the only demi-god alive. Were the others in hiding? Or was the beast that lived within them waiting for the moment to come out?
As Graeson stood there, thoughts of his mother came flooding in, and he finally released the emotions he had been harboring.
Chapter 48
MYRA
"Areyou sure we’re in the right spot?" Myra asked when they reached a dead end of a dark alley after having parted ways with Bax. The buildings were so close together on this side of the capital that the opposing brick walls were only a few yards apart.
"Yes," Laurince said as he began rifling through the trash and pushing various items to the side.
The plan was simple. Since several squadrons of soldiers were assisting with raids throughout the kingdom, castle security was lighter than usual. Bax mentioned that a guard had raised concerns about their thin numbers, but Sebastian had brushed it off. Apparently, the sitting ruler believed he was untouchable within the castle. Now was the best time to act. Bax went to the castle ahead of them to inform some trusted guards about their plan to reclaim the throne, while Myra, Laurince, and Rian came here.
Surveying the dim alley, Myra questioned their supposedly simple plan.
The storm had yet to let up. Their cloaks were soaked, Myra’s shoes were drenched, and her socks were soon to follow.
"Can you at least tell us what we’re looking for?" Rian asked, grimacing as he stepped in a massive puddle and soaked the toes of his boots.
"It’s—" Laurince ran his palm along a brick wall. "It’s here somewhere. Just—A-ha!" He sprinted to a bin and shoved it away. Bending down, he ran his fingers around the sewer drain, scraping at the edges to find purchase. The metal was slick from the storm, though, and he struggled to pull it up. "Give me a hand?"
With a groan, Rian hurried over, and the two lifted the grate up and heaved it aside.
"Please don’t tell me we’re going down into the sewer," Myra said, her voice raising an octave as she leaned forward. Inside the sewer, nothing but darkness greeted her. She sniffed, expecting a rancid smell, but the storm must have hidden the sewer’s scent. How far was the drop? Would the current sweep them away?
Laurince gave her an apologetic smile. "That’s the plan."
For whatever reason, Myra had not been privy to this part of the plan, though. She sent a quick prayer to the gods.
"Your Majesty, will you do us the honor?" Laurince asked, ushering Rian forward.
"Oh, so now I get to lead," Rian retorted, stepping forward. He sat down on the wet ground, and his feet dangled over the ledge.
"For a second at least," Laurince said.
"Bax better come through or else this will be for nothing," Rian grumbled.
"He will," Laurince said. "He should already be inside the castle and gathering the others."
Rian arched his brows, a hint of disbelief wafting off him. "See you both down there," he said before pushing off andjumping. A second later, there was a loud smack as Rian hit the ground.
"It’s dark as shit down here," Rian called up, his voice echoing in the tunnel.
Myra’s stomach turned as Laurince offered his hand. Taking it, Myra hesitantly stepped closer and peered into the sewer.
"Scared of the dark, Haze?"
It was meant to be a jest, but as Myra stared into the shadows filling the sewer, her body trembled. The darkness instantly transported her to the cell in Ardentol. Screams of prisoners and victims echoed in her ears, as though they had followed her all the way here. The grief, pain, and agony of the past mingled with that of the streets of Frenzia. The emotions overwhelmed her, flooding her senses.
Calloused hands cupped her cheeks. "Hey," Laurince beckoned, suddenly in front of her. "He holds no power over you, remember?"
Myra gulped. Her gaze bounced across Laurince’s face, trying to ground herself in the present.
"You don’t have to go. Staying back doesn’t make you weak. It doesn’t mean he won. You can?—"
