Down Falls The Queen: A Splitting Worlds Novella (The Splitting Worlds Series) by Katherine D. Graham

Author:Katherine D. Graham [Graham, Katherine D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780996984560
Publisher: Katherine D. Bowen
Published: 2021-06-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Priests have returned to the temple for their daily duties by the time I arrive to cleanse myself and pray. My ceremony week requires a prayer before each departure and upon each return, to stay within the gods’ favor. With the Harpy’s body now ashes to be carried off in the wind and Mother tending to a still-sleeping Riara, I know that only my blatant refusal to set out unblessed bought me any more time from Aya.

It’s not like we could have left anyway. Natius is nowhere to be seen.

Kneeling this time before the gods’ golden statue, I try to let go of the sorrow, the uncertainty, and the outright fear plaguing me so that I can go render justice in a clear frame of mind. It’s hard to imagine that only a few short hours ago my family was all alive and well. All had been right with the world, my path to becoming the Ascended all but assured.

Now, Father is dead and Riara lies sleeping even after the Harpy’s body was burned. The gods sent Dorathea with a dark message that I can only accept as truth.

If I try to change it, the gods will view it as defiance. I can’t recover from a fall like that, I argue with myself even as I try to clear my mind, but if I do nothing, and allow ruin to befall my people and my own sister, am I even worthy to become the Ascended?

Aya’s impatient whistling of an old childhood tune breaks my concentration, and I push myself to my feet with a frustrated sigh. I toss my money into the box and pray for guidance before hurrying out through the gate to meet Aya. Mirada greets me at the gate and follows me out in silence, along with five of her best soldiers. Kazuho is remaining here to guard Riara and Mother with the rest of our soldiers. Dorathea has informed us that she is staying for the foreseeable future, as well—that the gods will send for her when her task is done.

“Where is Natius?” I ask.

“Probably got sick of waiting,” Aya grumbles, kicking at the dirt with the toe of his boot. “You know he’s more impatient than I am.”

I let the complaint fly by as though unheard.

I’m doing you a favor, I want to remind him.

“Okay then,” I sigh instead, motioning for Aya to lead on, “take us to this Hybrid.”

Aya is practically beaming as he bounces with excitement and then hops into the sky, obviously enamored with the use of wings for the first time in his life. I can’t help but smile at his joy, despite the fact that so many soldiers are with us, too. After living all this time with the Angels while he and Natius alone were wingless Vampires, I can only imagine how invigorating it must be to fly.

I spread my own wings and am about to take off, when Mirada shoves me to the side just in time

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.