Page 286 of Vasmora

With a smile, she nodded and followed after Lothare.

“Right then, shall I cleave us back to Eidolon?” Rykaia asked, clasping her hands together.

“We left Corwin and Adira.” I turned my attention back to Zevander. “We should probably check on them.”

“I’m going to have a look at Costelwick. See what kind of damage Cadavros inflicted there.” A somber tone lingered in Kazhimyr’s voice.

“I’ll accompany him,” Torryn said. “Meet up with you back at Eidolon.”

“Very well, I guess I’ll be cleaving myself home.” As Rykaia stepped away, I grabbed her arm, bringing her to a halt.

“Will you be okay?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

Her brows knitted together as she seemed to chew on the question. “No. Not for a long time.” She rested her hand over mine. “But don’t worry about me. My brother needs you right now.” Without another word, she strode off toward the stone wall only a few steps away and drew a circle that flickered and wavered as the portal opened. On the other side of it stood Eidolon’s foyer.

As much as I longed to follow after her, I needed to know that Adira and Corwin were okay.

Zevander whistled, presumably for Obsidyen, and strode ahead a few steps. He paused, turning around when I didn’t immediately follow after him. “What is it?” he asked.

“Nothing will be the same after this, will it?”

He lowered his gaze and shook his head.

I strode up to him, pushing up to kiss him. “Can I ride with you, or would you prefer to be alone with your thoughts?”

“I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.”

As I pulled away, his hand gripped the small of my back, holding me against him. “Tell me you’ll stay with me. Here. In Aethyria.”

I surged up onto my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my forehead to his. “Where else would I possibly go?”

* * *

Zevander galloped across the open stretch, toward where we’d left Corwin and Adira. A small fire flickered ahead, and I could make out the shadowy form of Achlys roosting beside it.

Raivox landed a couple of meters away, sending embers up into the sky as he shook the ground on landing. My legs wobbled with exhaustion as I climbed down from the horse.

“And so, having saved the world, they return,” Adira said, as Zevander and I strode up to the fire.

“And … were you able to find …” Corwin’s voice trailed off when I gave a curt nod. Lips pressed together, he nodded in understanding.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, looking Adira over.

She gave a quick glance toward Corwin. “He set my bone. Don’t think I’ll be flying home quite yet, but I can move about now that the ache in my leg has subsided a bit.”

“You’re welcome at Eidolon,” Zevander said. “If we leave quickly, we can make it in two hours.”

“What about Achlys?” In the dim light of the fire, I could only just make out the healing gash at her throat. “Can she fly?”

Adira craned her head toward the Corvugon and back. “She flew off a bit ago to scavenge some food. She should be fine.”

“Good.” Zevander jerked his head toward her. “You and Corwin can ride Obsidyen. I’ll ride with Maevyth on Raivox.”

“Obsidyen? Your horse?” Brows pulled tight, Corwin looked to where Obsidyen pawed at the ground with his front hoof. “Are you certain? He looks like he eats meat.”

Zevander raised a brow. “He does.”

“Oh. Human?” Corwin let out a clipped chuckle.