Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 145704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
We all whip around as one, as if anticipating an attack.
There, carved into the stone above the gate, are two crescent moons, intersected. The symbol no one can explain beyond seer visions, the mark Gesine has been emblazoning on mortals’ hands.
“Ulysede,” Romeria whispers, as if some great secret has dawned on her. A knowing look passes between her and the caster. “This is Ulysede. This is what Ianca was talking about. A place.”
“Ianca knew about this city and you did not think to tell us?” I snap, my accusation aimed at the caster.
But she shakes her head, appearing as baffled as I feel. “I do not know what she knew or saw in her last days, but she said the word Ulysede.” Gesine reaches toward Romeria’s shredded hand. “Let me heal that for you.”
While they dismount so Gesine can tend to Romeria’s wounds, the legionaries close in on Elisaf and me.
“How many thousands of years has this city been hiding behind that wall, and we have been none the wiser?” Jarek studies the countless windows around us.
Hiding.
Or waiting for us.
Not us, I accept, my gaze falling on Romeria as she stares, mesmerized by how prophecy seems to be unfolding.
Prophecy. The caster was right all along.
“I dislike this place,” Zorya mutters. “It feels off. What do we know of the nymphs, anyway?”
Nothing good. They cause chaos and barter in lives, and yet now they seem to have offered a lifeline to us when we needed it most?
“What are your orders for the Legion, Your Highness?” Abarrane asks. She so rarely asks for my opinion before giving her own, it throws me off. She is as rattled by this place as I am.
I look up to clear blue skies. We should be standing within the mountain. Another oddity. Regardless, leaving this place for the caves makes little sense until we know more. “Secure one of these buildings and settle the mortals before nightfall. Bring the weapons and whatever supplies are necessary.”
“And what of the city? When do we secure that?” Jarek’s knuckles are white around the pommels of his blades.
Secure it.
Explore it.
Will we ever understand it?
“Now. At least a portion of it. Jarek, you will come with us to see where this road leads.” A city like this must have a castle.
Abarrane shakes her head. “Is it wise to venture out with so little protection?”
“We are not without protection. Far from it,” Jarek answers before I can, his focus on Romeria.
“He is right,” I agree. “And if this Ulysede is to be our end, then so be it.”
“Very well. With me, warrior.” Abarrane and Zorya dismount and sprint to the nearest building, drawing a second blade each while Jarek investigates the levers at the gate.
Elisaf edges closer to me.
“Do not tell me you are afraid of a little exploration?” I tease to hide my trepidation. But Elisaf knows me too well for that to work.
“No, that is not it.” He studies me closely. “Do you not feel it?”
“Feel what?”
Hope flashes in his brown eyes. “The absence of hunger.”
44
Romeria
I halt Eros next to Zander. “Is this place real?”
“If it is not, we are all sharing the same hallucination.” He’s equally mesmerized by the cobblestone bridge that stretches over a river, the water’s surface like blue glass. On the other end, two mammoth stone statues of winged, humanlike forms face each other, creating an archway. But beyond is the real shock, the road leading to a castle of white walls and royal blue spires, with stone-bridge walkways high in the sky, connecting the many towers.
“It will grow dark soon. Should we turn back?” Jarek’s suspicious gaze is on the violet sky and the merging shadows.
Instead of answering, Zander looks toward me, waiting.
He’s letting me decide.
“Not yet.” I can’t say how long the five of us have been exploring this hidden and vacant city, but the thought of turning back for the safety of numbers has never entered my mind. As unsettling as Ulysede leaves me, I don’t feel the same foreboding that Jarek seems to. He’s right, though. It’ll be dark soon.
“Some light?” I gesture toward the lanterns that line the bridge and present a small flame on my fingertip.
With a smirk, Zander draws from the spark with a slight tug.
The city ignites with light, thousands of lanterns twinkling in every direction.
“Impressive.”
But he shakes his head. “That was not me.”
My scalp prickles. If not Zander … who else here could do that?
“Whatever connection to the nymphs that has maintained this city all these millennia must be responding to your power,” Gesine offers, though her forehead wrinkles with uncertainty.
“So?” I nod toward the castle. “Shouldn’t we check it out?”
We lead the pack over the bridge, an energy buzzing in Zander. I sensed it as soon as we passed through the gate—he’s on edge and yet excited. Hopeful.