Page 32 of Undying Lands
“We will not have a child of evil in this realm!” a man shouted from the doorway. “Burn the house!”
Maliena panicked, looking to Aurora.
“Go,” Aurora pleaded. “And let him know his father will always hear his call.”
Daimon turned around, unable to watch what happened next. The memory dissolved, the cloud behind it returning to a gray haze. Icy pain stabbed at his chest.
“You see what happens when men are told things they do not understand?” Nyx turned back to Daimon. “Her loyalty to me was unmatched. You could learn a thing or two about that.”
He hoped Nyx couldn’t tell the way his chest was heaving, or the way sweat had collected against his temple. “You could have saved her.”
Nyx shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the way Aurora’s life had ended. But Daimon always saw past the facade. He could see the flash of pain in Nyx’s eyes, could see the way his mouth briefly pinched tighter.
“Matters of the gods are not your concern,” he said simply. “But as my heir, your rightful place is a creator of pain, a wielder of darkness and demons. Whenever you’re finished with this little detour, you will have much to do. The path is being laid for you, Daimon. And when fate chooses, you will wear the crown of darkness.”
“No one knows what fate has planned,” Daimon said half-heartedly. But even as he said it, he could feel the nauseating unease swirling in his stomach.
Nyx chuckled as he began to disappear into the clouds. “You can only play soldier for the wrongside for so long.”
Daimon’s rage and guilt consumed him. He had begged in prayer to Nyx to change the tides of this war, to tear down the rebel forces. Had offered everything he could think of in exchange for his help. But Nyx didn’t like deals—nor did he care to involve himself in matters of fae and humans. And even if he cared, Nyx was too weak to take on Vidaris. Vidaris grew stronger with each day, the war fueling her power as despair filled every living being in the realm.
He could put faith in his father to overcome Vidaris one day in their competition for the Vale. But it would mean swearing allegiance to the one being responsible for all this pain and suffering—not to mention Nyx was a dark god too. Daimon didn’t like to think about choosing between the lesser of two evils. If it could save the empire, he would trade himself a thousand times over. But he couldn’t risk being a puppet for the powers of darkness without a guarantee.
But the facts remained the same. He was an abomination. He would be forced into the role one day or another. And anyone bound to him would be chained to the shadows with him.
Every visit Nyx paid him reminded him of the day the god first revealed himself, when Daimon first found out the burden of his birthright. The day his life changed.
The same day he gave up his dream of ever returning to Evelina.
Seventeen
Daimon
Twenty Years Earlier
After his wyvern chose him,Daimon had come to camp in a valley alongside the Zenovia Mountains. He was placed in the only omega fleet in the entire camp, a training purgatory for anyone under the age of sixteen. Even so, the council head of the Aegis was among the Riders training here, something that amazed Daimon each and every day. He was learning how to be a Rider from the best of the best, training day in and day out.
Instead of sleeping, he lay awake in his cabin most nights, thinking of Evelina. After Evelina lost her father and Daimon left, he vowed to himself to become the best Rider. He might have started with tasks like fixing roofs and cleaning leathers, but he would be the best at doing it until he was strong enough to join a real fleet and see actual combat. Strong enough to protect Evelina from ever feeling that kind of pain again.
So, he trained harder than any other fae, only stopping long enough to get a few hours of sleep and shovel food into his mouth. Some of the Riders were being formed into units composed of eight to fifteen Riders. He made it his mission tobe among the best, to hopefully even be in the lead fleet with Commander Keir.
But at night, when his body was still and his thoughts were running rampant, he ached to go back home to her. Tonight, Daimon felt a pull so deep in his chest that he couldn’t ignore it.
It had been a few months since he had last seen her, and he just wanted to make sure she was okay. The omega fleet wasn’t allowed to travel out of camp without permission from their cohort lead—and definitely not without some kind of chaperone—but Daimon had already gotten away with short trips through the forests at night.
If anyone found out, he’d be in deep trouble. But it was worth the risk for Evelina—even if for just one night.
He crept out of the cabin and jogged around back to where Zephyr was asleep. As swift as he could, he got her up into the skies before anyone could see him leave.
The flight at this time of night was peaceful—quiet. Cloud coverage was thick, leaving Daimon and Zephyr flying in near-total darkness. He didn’t mind it, not when there was hardly a quiet moment in the camp.
Zephyr slowed, her ears pinned back against her head. Daimon scoured the forest beneath them, looking for the source of the disturbance. Everything was dark and still, the moon covered by thick clouds. His hair stood on his arms, and his neck prickled with the sensation of being watched.
Blood pounded in Daimon’s ears, his chest tightening. Something was off. He focused his breathing and tugged on his Essence, calling on his shadows and letting them wind around his wrists and arms.
“Sorry for the dramatics,” a deep voice said from behind. “I prefer to meet in the skies.”
Daimon looked over his shoulder, his eyes finding nothing but empty clouds. His heart thrashed in his chest. He didn’t know if this person was friend or foe, but he would be prepared if it was the latter. It could be another Rider; therewere more than seven fleets now, and some were still being chosen.
