Worlds Apart

Chapter 23

H O M E

Sep. 14 2020 14:34 FGT

Jaykio Ancestral House, Kyno, Province of Forseglet

"You need to save them, Riona," the man whispered. "Or I won't be his last victim." He kneeled in front of her, ghostly hand passing through her tiny one and plunging it in ice. "Please."

His hazel eyes were earnest, but something was wrong.

Where were his glasses?

Riona gasped and a gold-carved ceiling materialised before her eyes. She traced the greens and blues and purples that depicted rivers coalescing into a face, peaceful and looking down at her with a gentle, wise gaze. The left corner would have trees, the right, mountains. She knew that. She knew this ceiling. But how did she get home?

The sheer blue curtains parted and a curly head popped in.

"You're awake!" She pulled her head out and called behind her, "Hey, sleepyhead, she's awake!" She turned back, beaming down and Riona wanted to smush her freckled face, she was so delighted to see her. It had been forever.

"Naia," is what she wanted to say, but all that came out was a croak, which alone was enough to rip through her throat.

"Hey, hey. Take it easy." The curtains were pulled aside and Celnis perched beside her on the bed. He looked exhausted, dark circles marking his eyes and skin pale, but he grinned at her nonetheless. "You were pretty banged up when they brought you here."

Riona couldn't remember how. She had been with Neàl and he had finally talked to her. Told her why they did all they did. And then those women came, both of them looking dead. She knew it had happened, it must have, there was no reason for him to not come otherwise. But she had pushed through because she had to protect Neàl and then...

And then they took them both and she was...cut up.

Riona turned her head, slowly, not wanting to see what she knew she would find. And there it was. Slit sheets of kadin and metal and Nagi knew what else where her flesh and bone should have been. Celnis followed her gaze to her not-arm in silence.

"They said once you get used to it, you won't be able to tell the difference," Naia offered weakly. Her dark eyes were wet.

Celnis patted her forehead. "It was the only option, Ri. I don't even know how you made it this far." His voice broke.

"Neàl," Riona muttered.

Celnis' eyes hardened. "Did they do this?" he growled with a ferocity Riona never expected from him.

Naia seemed equally surprised. "Woah, buddy. Calm down. What happened to the whole 'Marked can do no wrong' guy?"

"He screwed up."

Riona furrowed her brows but Celnis didn't elaborate. Naia frowned at him.

"No," she said finally. Her voice felt like sandpaper to her. "They...saved me."

"Wait, seriously?" Naia walked around the bed and sat on the other side, folding her legs. "What even happened there?"

"Naia," Celnis chided. "She needs rest."

She scowled at him, but Riona could see the telltale spark in her eyes that it was playful. Mostly.

"Fine," Naia relented. "At least tell us why you went. Your mom said the guy you went with said that you talked to this girl and then just ran off. Don't tell me she was that pretty." She wagged her eyebrows.