Page 2 of The Arcane God

“As real as anything else,” Greya responded confidently.

“So there are people on the other side of the Chasm Mountains? Mortals?” Ena asked, nuzzling into Greya’s warmth once more.

“Yes, I think so.”

“Well, where are they? Why didn’t they come back?” Ena asked, a little annoyed that the story was so unresolved.

“I don’t know. Maybe they don’t need help anymore,” Greya replied, unperturbed. “Now go to sleep, Ena.”

“Okay,” Ena mumbled as sleep began to claim her.

She slept deeply and safely the rest of the night, warm in her sister’s bed, as she dreamed of the deepest snow imaginable, and people with skin even paler than her own.

Chapter One

Ena

Ena’s horse plodded through the snow, its hooves crunching through several inches with each step. The rhythm of the horse’s movements caused her quickly growing uterus to press against her bladder, making the urge to pee nearly constant, but she’d grown used to the feeling over the past couple weeks of travel.

She kept her eyes in front of her to distract herself, watching Ty’s broad back as their horses moved single file through the dark, narrow pass between two mountains.

It was quiet here—barren. At this elevation, there was almost no plant life, and even fewer animals, and she felt the lack of signs acutely. Her Knowing felt almost starved—as if something was missing from the world. It was unsettling, and that she hadn’t gotten used to.

A gust of wind barreled through the pass and, shivering, she pulled her cloak tighter around herself to protect from the cold.

“You feeling alright?” Ty asked, twisting in his saddle to look back at her, as if sensing her chill. His green eyes locked on hers and she felt instantly calmer—cared for—and her chill dissipated.

“I’m fine, just a bit tired,” she replied with a small, reassuring smile. He’d been incredibly attentive these last few weeks since they’d left Auster—making sure she rested and ate regularly. But truth be told, no matter how much she rested, she was still exhausted, not to mention either starving or nauseous—sometimes all three.

It had not been easy traveling in such rough conditions during the early weeks of her pregnancy, but she’d had no choice. None of them did. As she reminded herself daily, it was either this or risk being found by Cole or one of his daemons, and she couldn’t just wait around for the threat that was coming for her and her unborn child—whatever ominous event the death of the Canus Elk had portended.

At least this, as torturous as it was, made her feel like she was doing something. Mel had seen them with the worshippers of Omnis and with Kaya, Ty’s mother. Ena Knew that meant something—that it was important. So here they were, traveling deeper into the Chasm Mountains than anyone she knew had ever gone, hoping to Gaia they’d find what they were looking for. The unknown of it all scared her, but she was getting used to facing the unknown, and at least she wasn’t alone.

“Do you want to stop for the night soon?” Ty asked, his deep voice soothing to her spirits. “I think we’re almost through this narrow part. Looks like it widens up ahead.”

“Sure,” Ena said, smiling at her protector, her lover, her…husband. The thought of their sudden handfasting still brought her a bubble of excitement whenever it crossed her mind. She was still getting used to the novelty of it.

The sun was setting, casting Ty and the sky above in a gorgeous array of oranges and pinks that reflected off the snowy canvas around them. She wouldn’t lie—calling it a day sounded extremely appealing. She was ready to lay down in their tent and eat something, but hopefully the dried hardtack crackers they’d brought for dinner would sit better in her stomach this time. “That okay with you, Turner?” she called behind her.

“Fine by me,” he replied in his normal cheerful manner. “Just don’t expect me to make a fire. I haven’t seen a single thing to burn in miles.”

Ena sighed. A fire sounded glorious right about now, but Turner was right. Until they could scrounge up a scrubby sage brush or got back down to a lower elevation with more trees, fires were not in the cards.

They continued on for another half mile until, as Ty predicted, the pass opened up, funneling into a broad plain surrounded by towering, jagged peaks backlit by the setting sun. Ena would have been in awe of the view if she wasn’t so exhausted. Instead, she focused on leading her horse towards the protected spot tucked behind an outcropping of snow-covered boulders that Ty was headed for.

Just as the sun set, they stopped. Ty came around to help her dismount before rummaging in his pack for their food stores. His hand emerged a few seconds later with a large round biscuit which he handed to her without asking. He already knew what she wanted.

She smiled up at him as she took it, his face becoming hard to see in the dark.

“Are you sure you’re alright, viper?” he asked, reaching out to stroke down her arm. “You seem quieter than normal.”

“Yeah, I think so. Just normal pregnancy stuff. I won’t pretend I feel great, but nothing to be concerned about, I don’t think.” She didn’t exactly know how to explain the feeling of disquiet she’d had all day. They’d been camping in these mountains for weeks already, but something had shifted as they’d ascended higher. Something felt off.

“Okay,” he said, grasping her cold hand in his warm one. “Don’t be afraid to tell me or Turner if you—”

“Uh, guys…” Turner said. The man had been clearing the ground of snow to set up their tent, but the sounds of him doing so had stopped.

Ena and Ty both turned their heads towards his voice, sensing his fear.