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I couldn't stop looking at Corellis. I noted her erect posture, inquisitive blue and silver eyes, and her courtly grace. She was an Ayella-in-waiting, probably with several lords waiting on her hand back in Azizi. Assuming I brought her back alive. I sneered. The thought of a sea lord taking her hand to bond with her as soulu set me ablaze with an unhinged sort of anger.
"Cap," Engèli called, snapping me out of it.
I turned to find him watching me, amused. Luckily, he kept his mouth shut. He pointed through the trees. "There they are. The Peaks. The caves are there."
I nodded, glad to have my focus back on our mission.
"We can get there in a few hôrs if we fly without breaks."
"Without breaks?" Corellis blurted out.
My eyes fell on her pretty, curly ivory hair brushing past her shoulders.
"Ayella Corellis, it isn't too late for you to return to?—"
"No." She lifted her chin. "I'm coming with you."
Her eyes pierced into me. With a flick of her gaze, she found Engèli watching and grinning. Her cheeks flushed. It was hard not to lean down and do something stupid.
I jerked away, unable to talk past the stiffness in my throat. Without another word, we pressed into the thick of the trees.
Hôrs began going by. The blackened leaves fell to the forest floor like rain.
"This bloody, insufferable heat," Kianga muttered, summoning water into her palms and spraying herself, before going back to clearing trees from her path.
I had to agree. It was hot. I unbuttoned my tunic and rolled up my sleeves. I took another swig of water, then began cutting down more branches. It felt as if the Poisoned Wood was fighting our journey. The closer we pressed to the peaks, the tougher it became to navigate the dense forest.
"Really, you sky angels live in misery," Kianga grumbled.
Engèli and I glanced at her. The sea angel was wheezing. Her shoulders shook, her arms pulsing with strain. Sweat pooled down the thin, skin-clad armor she wore, as her matted hair clung to the nape of her neck. She checked on Corellis often, making sure the Ayella was alright. Kianga bent over, panting, the effort visible in her taut limbs.
I wanted to slow for them, but I couldn't. We needed to get in and out of the caves before the sôlsunes were gone. Staying inside the wood during the dusk could prove fatal. We didn't have time to rest. I flickered a concerned look to Engèli. His eyes were glued to Kianga, his lips bowed in a deep frown.
"I know this is... a challenge," I started, trying my best at empathy. I failed to keep the irritation out of my voice, though. If they had bloody listened, they would still be on the shore right now with the crew, while Engèli and I could press on to the caves. "But we're almost there." That was a blatant lie, but it would have to do. They had to keep flying. "It's too late to head back and?—"
"We don't need your sympathy, pirate," Kianga snapped. "We're tired, not dying. Once we catch our breath, we'll be on our rotting way."
Engèli snorted, nostrils flaring at her attitude. A low rumble left his throat that made Kianga snap her head at him. Her eyes enlarged, but her jaw only hardened.
"Tread lightly, pretty one." His eyes glittered as his voice grew to a dangerous quiet. "You're addressing my captain and the High Prince of Avari. I will kill you where you fly if I must."
I grew still in the tension.
Kianga's eyes burned with rage. Engèli grew unnaturally still, eyes glued to the sea angel.
"Guys, what was that?" Corellis squeaked. "I think... I think," she stuttered, eyes only widening the longer she stared at the distance. Then she began squealing. "FLY!"
Corellis snapped her wings and raced off into the trees. What in the rot? I was about to think her mad when I heard it.
Heavy stomps pounding into marshy ground.
I shared a glance with Engèli.
"The Konda King," we said at the same time.
Then a roaring hiss crackled through the air, chilling my spine down to my toes. Without another word, I snapped my wings and shot into the trees like lightning, Engèli in tow. Kianga had already taken off the moment the cry filled the air.
"Etheriens," a crawling, cold voice hissed.
