Fate and Destiny (The Fated Series, #2)

Chapter 87 - Branka- The Sun City

Gods and their Saints my head hurts, but not nearly as much as my stomach that rushes too quick to life as I wake. It swishes and gurgles, pushing upward with a kick that has my throat beginning to ache.

I try pushing away from the body that holds me to their chest, but my limbs are weak and don't give more than a poke. I faintly hear someone's voice, but I can't make out their words. My stomach only angers more, and I shove harder, this time moving my legs to make it more difficult for them to hold onto me, and they do try. One elbow to the gut has me twisting and falling, hitting the ground with a thud.

My throat gives in and everything comes rushing out, stinging my nose with its scent. Whoever was holding me pulls my hair from my face and lays a hand on my back. Their touch feels like the sun, but it's comforting, soothing my shaking and cold body.

I marvel at just how much my stomach lets out before slowly and aggressively settling back down. The moment it does the world comes rushing back into focus.

There's grass beneath my hands, dirt clenched in them. The sun's out, and a small breeze caresses the skin that feels all too achy and tingly to allow me to find equilibrium. I glance in my peripheral, spotting the familiar moonlit hair and shamrock eyes. Pepito constantly having to take care of my ailing body is beginning to become embarrassing. I swear I'm not always like this, only just recently have I been more bruised and battered within such a short period of time. Or, a short amount of time, in a sense.

I put my hand on his knee and try to raise myself to my feet, but my head tilts, and my body quivers, resulting in me doing nothing more than falling back against him. I'm going to have to kick his ass again just to rid this image from his mind. He ends up sitting down fully himself, his arms hanging loosely around me. If I could, I'd shove them away, but I'm too tired to do so and let my head rest against his shoulder instead.

"What happened?" I ask, my voice the sound of sandpaper thanks to the vomit. My throat stings with the words too, making my gag reflex want to kick in but I kick it back into settlement.

"You got us through the barrier."

Saints I could cry. "Thank the Gods, because I will not be doing that again."

"You won't have to." Despite our dislike for each other, I don't stop him when he rests his chin on top of my head. I think it's the fatigue getting to my head, but I find the action all too calming and comforting. That and our trek from his cabin to doing what we thought wouldn't be possible was well worth it.

We did it, and I think we're both taking time to process that. I don't know what I would've done if I failed and locked myself in another prison like an idiot again.

Slowing my breathing, I look around and take in our surroundings. Last I recall, we were headed to the village a few miles from the barrier. I don't see the village now, only a hill and the peaks of mountains faded against the clear blue sky. "Where are we?"

"Eight miles from the barrier. I stopped in the village for two hours to see what news there was of the kingdom."

"And?"

"Nothing good."

"Peachy." I knew the good moment was too good to be true for long.

"The capital is just over that hill. We'll reach it by midday."

I look back at the hill, wishing that my power was working so I could just mist us over there, but I'm a bit burned out. I hate my life. "How long was I asleep for?"

"Five hours." It felt shorter than that. "We can get to the capital in another two at a good pace."

I nod, not wanting to but forcing myself to stand. I manage to get to my feet with my eyes closed to focus. The second I open my eyes I'm tilting sideways again. Pepito's there, steadying me once more. He goes to pick me up again, but I stop him before he can.