A Vengeful Realm: The Breaker of Chains - Book 2 by Tim Facciola

Author:Tim Facciola [Facciola, Tim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: First Torch Books LLC
Published: 2024-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 34

Unwelcome Visitor

Threyna V

Valtarcia

Threyna sat cross-legged on the deck of the barge, hugging her knees. The black rot snaking through her veins hadn’t abated since conjuring the web to ensnare the Jackals. Her eyes fell to Zephyrus, lying on his back, hands clutched to his chest as it rose and fell in the tide of dreams.

If only sleep could cure my afflictions.

The magic Zephyrus wielded differed from what she’d witnessed from Erowen or any of the other Warlocks. He didn’t just possess one element, but several. He wasn’t limited to only elemental magic; he had healing, force, and manipulation magic as well.

Perhaps one will be effective on Tyrus.

Beyond his abilities, his selflessness struck her most. Tasked with saving the mortal realm from the Gods, he never lost sight of others in his path. He’d healed her to prevent Paxoran from consuming her, mended her ankle with an army of Jackals in pursuit, and freed the woodcutters—not to serve in his escape, but to liberate them.

The more impressed she became with him, the more her guilty conscience battered her. Since the Skeleton King’s return, she’d justified her deeds and misgivings as part of a greater good that no one else could understand.

But Zephyrus did.

And in the face of such odds, Zephyrus didn’t poison the people trying to help him, robbing them of their memories. He didn’t forge a letter to lead them away from his trail. Nor was he responsible for condemning others to slavery. He found a way when there was no way.

I did what was best for me. Easiest for me.

Zephyrus fidgeted in his sleep, again, muttering Vykinallia’s name.

Threyna wrinkled her nose. What’s so special about her?

The pang of jealousy added shame to her guilt. Threyna tossed her hands up and let them slap against her knees. She pushed herself to her feet under the darkening sky and nudged Zephyrus with her foot.

“Wake up, Zephyrus,” Threyna said, eyeing the riverbed for signs of Jackals.

Zephyrus groaned, stirring from sleep. He rubbed his eyes with his fists before sitting up and taking in their surroundings. “What is that smell?”

Threyna sniffed the air. The water was far from clear, so Threyna had dismissed the smell as the river. She shrugged. “We need to get off the river; don’t wanna meet Lenox again.”

“He’ll be scouring the countryside for us,” Zephyrus said. “All of Valtarcia will be teeming with Jackals.”

Threyna grunted. “There’s a village up ahead to the east. The river is too wide to ford, and we have yet to pass any bridges for them to cross. We can hide out, I can consume, and we can figure out next steps to avoid more encounters with the Jackals.”

Zephyrus stood, dusting himself off. “Should be safe for the night. I can heal you.”

“We don’t have time for you to take another half-day coma,” Threyna snapped. As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Zephyrus stammered, but offered no response, which only made Threyna feel worse.

“Come on,” Threyna said in a more affable tone.

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