The Abyss

by Lily Archer

  “Aww, come on.” I try my most winsome smile. “It’ll be a fun adventure.”

  “Haven’t you had enough adventure?” He swats at a horsefly that buzzes near me. “Haven’t you had enough of the hot sun, the dry lands, the arid wind? We could be awash in furs, roasted meat, and pleasure. Instead, we march toward danger.” Shaking his head, he lengthens his stride, each step just as angry as the last. “Me. Taking my mate into danger.” His words continue, but under his breath, and each one of them full of irritation.

  “Glad we’re in agreement.” I pat his back.

  Slaves wearing white kerchiefs stand at each street corner as we pass. Silmaran has stationed these peacekeepers throughout the city, though they haven’t been able to quell all the violence. Some slaves have taken vengeance into their own hands. Though the market street is clear, there’s a smoking crater where the alchemy shop used to be.

  Parnon thumps along behind me, his head down.

  “Are you okay?” I fall back and try to match his pace.

  He doesn’t look up.

  “Parnon?”

  “Fine.” He doesn’t say the word so much as bite it off.

  “I’m sorry.” I touch his arm. I expect him to pull away, but he doesn’t.

  He keeps trudging along the road, his eyes down, his heart broken. “They knew the risk.” His gruff tone is still there, but now its coated with a layer of sadness.

  “It’s not your fault. You know that, right?” I have a lifetime of regrets, of losses that I blame myself for—Clotty among them. Sometimes it’s easier to blame yourself than to accept that this world is hard and unfair. “You couldn’t have saved them if you’d been there. Cenet’s magic is too strong.”

  “I can’t save anyone.” He flexes his fists. “I fight. That’s all.”

  “You saved me.”

  He finally looks at me, his sandy lashes shading his eyes from the bright sun. “I did?”

  “You let Captain Bracanda drown you rather than call for help, rather than reveal that we were hidden in the walls. All you had to do was talk. You could’ve said we were there, and you would’ve been forgotten. But you didn’t. You died for us. All of us.” I step around a black crack in the road. “And you saved Gareth from being shredded during the uprising. You fight, but you’re more than that, too. Eldra and Nemar knew it. So do I.”

  He grunts in response, but he doesn’t drop his gaze again. His eyes are up, looking toward the southern horizon.

  I squeeze his solid arm. “They live on in our hearts, and we will avenge them.”

  The pain still beats inside him, a dull echo of whatever he’s feeling reverberating inside me. They shouldn’t have died. They should be here helping the slaves start their new lives. Cenet and Zatran took their lives without a thought. But plenty of thought will go into hunting them down, making them suffer, and sending them to the Spires. The sooner the better.

  Gareth slows his pace until he walks beside me. Parnon stomps on ahead, his spine a hair straighter.

  “He needed that.” Gareth’s face is softer now. “And I don’t think anyone else could have reached him.”

  “You still mad?” I give him a sideways glance.

  “Maybe a little.” He takes my hand and weds our fingers together. “But then I remind myself that we are going to get Clotty and get out. You’ll be safe. My vow will be fulfilled. And then I’ll be so deep in your hot cunt that—”

  “Gareth!” I smack my palm to his mouth.

  Parnon’s step stutters, then continues.

  Gareth’s eyebrows shoot up, then I can feel his grin behind my palm. I pull my hand back.

  “Since when is my filthy Xalana shy about mating talk?” He grins, and Ancestors, that face is begging to be a saddle.

  I can feel my cheeks flushing. “You’re just so … so …”

  “Crass.” Raywen floats to my elbow. Well, she doesn’t float, but she walks so gracefully that you’d think she was a few inches off the ground.

  “Crass, right.” I nod. Then again, I rather enjoy his filthy mouth. In fact, my lady bits are giving me a happy tingle. “Wait. He’s right. Never mind. Continue the dirty talk. Actually, just go ahead and do more altogether.”

  He laughs, and Raywen looks at us with a mix of confusion and amusement. The pig in her arms does the same.

  “Hi, Phin.” Gareth reaches out to pet Phin’s head, but a warning snort has him drawing his hand back. “Sorry, mate. You just look so darling in this form.”

  Another angry snort has Raywen soothing him by scratching under his chin.

  “You aren’t coming with us, are you?” I don’t want to offend, but Raywen would stand out even worse than my winter realm warrior. Her sparkle can’t be dimmed.

  “No. I’m bound to the sea fae, Calyto, and I need to try and sort out how to return your friend to his fae form.” She frowns down at Phin. “I’ve tried every way I know how, but the magic won’t come. I can only do little things like—” She squinches her eyes a bit, and Phin lets out a huff as a tuft of dark hair appears on his head. “Like this. Not helpful.”

  “But so cute.” I pet the hair until Phin gives me a rude squeal, and I stop. “Fine.”

  “Anyway, I just wanted to see you off.”

  “Someone say something about getting off?” A unicorn prances into view just ahead of us.

  We stop, and Gareth swears under his breath. “This is the transportation?” He turns back to Chastain who’s been walking slowly and talking to Silmaran the entire way.

  “Is it not to your liking?” Chastain’s tone is clipped. I suppose I can’t blame him. He’s leaving his chosen mate behind at a time when she needs him most. I haven’t had a chance to sit and talk with her, to share her pain and grief over what happened to her when she was Zatran’s prisoner. But things like that can’t be rushed. I well know how hard it can be to process it, much less talk about it, even to a friend. Even with Taylor, I couldn’t bring myself to divulge the most painful parts of my past, and maybe I never will. Sometimes, silence is a salve all its own.

  “You all right?” Silmaran pulls me to face her. “You just seemed like … I don’t know, like an Ancestor called your name.”

  I rub my upper arms, chill bumps dotting my skin despite the heat. “I’m good. Just ready to get to Clotty. And you?”

  She drops her eyes, then meets mine again. “It’s what I’ve wanted. Freedom.”

  “But the cost?” I take her hand in mine. “Can you bear it?”

  She squeezes my fingers. “I have to.”

  I nod, and a silent understanding passes between us.

  Pulling me into an embrace, she quietly says, “Please look after Chastain for me. I can withstand a lot, but I don’t think I could bear it if he didn’t return to me.”

  I return her hug. “He’s coming back, and hopefully, with an army.”

  “From your lips to the Ancestors’ ears.” She leans back, her amber eyes swimming. “We will prevail. For those we lost and for those we can save.”

  “Whoa, I thought there was going to be some girl-girl action, but you two look so serious now. Ugh.” A unicorn circles us, his horn giving off a pearlescent glow. “At least show me your tits or—Yow!”

  Gareth smacks the unicorn’s ass hard, and he darts away to his paddock just inside the southern gate. “Nasty creatures.”

  “Beautiful, though.” I watch as a mare—her mane streaked with golden strands, and her bright blue eyes a luminous wonder—bends down and starts licking one of the males. I turn back to Gareth. “But yeah, really gross.”

  “Stop that.” Parnon grabs several sets of tack and separates the mare from her lewd lolly. Some of the other freed slaves help him saddle the unicorns. Most of them are young and agile, trained soldiers for Zatran and Cranthum—they’ll come in handy, especially because now they’re fighting for themselves.

  Gareth puts his hands on my shoulders. “You will ride with me. You will not leave my sight. You will follow my order
s, because you know I am giving them to keep you safe. Do you understand?”

  “I’m not a child.” I put my hands on my hips. “I’ve fended for myself for quite a long time without your help, Gareth Elliden, and I can keep doing it.” Why do I love sassing him? I don’t know, but I can’t seem to stop. I smile up into his face.

  “Changeling, I will put you over my knee right here and now unless you tell me you understand my terms.” His growl is likely meant to be intimidating, but his threat has my nipples hardening and my panties going damp.

  “You’d do that to your mate?” I pout, secretly thrilled at the prospect.

  He leans down so that I have no escape from his direct gaze. “I intend to do much, much worse to my mate. But for now, all you have to do is tell me you understand. And then I will save your ass reddening for later, and in private.”

  “But I’ll still get one?” I ask brightly.

  His eyes flicker gold, and he licks his lips. “You want me to spank you?”

  I run my finger down his chest and over the ripples of his abs. “Xalana needs discipline, my lord.”

  He runs a hand to my ass and grips it. “My naughty beloved.”

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” A large unicorn struts up, the saddle on his back almost comically small compared to him. “Show us some skin.”

  Gareth pushes me behind him and grabs the unicorn’s bridle. “What’s your name?”

  “Your language can’t even pronounce the beauty of my name.” The beast scoffs.

  “Then I shall call you Horse.” Gareth holds his hand out for me. “And you will carry us to the Abyss.”

  “Or what?” He tosses his beautiful head, his mane glowing in the sun.

  “Or I will turn you into a gelding.”

  His nostrils flare. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “I would.” Gareth holds up his palm. “I would use this hand and rip your balls off as if they were two ripe jubaran fruits, then toss them aside for the buzzards.”

  The unicorn shakes his head and stamps his front hooves. “Mental image not necessary. By the Great Horn, you’re a maniac.”

  “Keep that in mind as we ride to the Abyss.” With a quick motion, Gareth lifts me onto Horse’s back. “Get situated, I’ll grab the supplies.” He turns, his wide back flexing beneath his white tunic.

  “He wouldn’t do that to you.” I pat the unicorn’s mane. “He’s just sort of—”

  “A brute?”

  “I was going to say stern.”

  He nickers.

  “Good Horse.” I settle back into the saddle.

  “Iridiel,” he mumbles. “That’s my name. I mean, it’s short for a more glorious name that only unicorns can pronounce, but you get the idea.”

  “I’m Beth, and my grumbly fae is Gareth. Lovely to meet you.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Just try not to dig your heels into my sides, and lay off my mane. When it gets tangled, it can be a real bitch to deal with.”

  I pull my hand back. “All right.”

  He turns his head so one big cerulean eye is looking at me. “And your mating scent is going to have me mounting that mare over there. Can you close your legs? Ride side-saddle?”

  “Her scent isn’t for you.” Gareth tosses a set of bags across Iridiel’s back and fastens them tight. “It’s for me. Keep your snout to yourself.”

  Iridiel huffs. “Fine, but she can’t keep that heat to herself. I’m getting a warm spot on my back even through the saddle. Straight from her sweet spot. Feels so good.” He nickers.

  Gareth tenses.

  I wince. “Gareth, he’s just trying to bait you. Don’t—”

  “I’ve never punched a unicorn, but I’m more than willing to start.” He circles around to Iridiel’s front.

  “Guys, don’t. We need to be a team for this trek. Come on.” I pat Iridiel’s side. “We can all get along.”

  “I can get along better if you grab ahold of my horn and—”

  Thunk. The beast shudders beneath me and lets out a hard neigh when Gareth’s fist makes contact with his snout.

  “Gareth!” I pat Iridiel and give Gareth a murderous glare. “I’m so sorry. He didn’t mean that.”

  Chastain and Silmaran are laughing. Parnon’s rolling his eyes. And I’m trying to comfort the unicorn while Gareth simmers.

  “I know he didn’t mean it. Barely felt it. Like the whisper of a dragonfly wing. An impotent one.” Iridiel stamps his hooves again. “But I’m afraid I’m going to have to kick the shit out of your mate and then ram my horn up his ass.”

  “No!” I swing my leg over and slide down his side, then rush to get between him and Gareth.

  “Gareth, apologize.” I pet Iridiel’s nose. “I’m so sorry. Does it hurt bad?”

  Iridiel dips his head. “It’d feel better if you touched my horn.”

  Gareth growls. “I’m going to knock you out this time.”

  “Stop, both of you!” I’ve had it. “That is the end of it. Gareth, you will not hit Iridiel. Iridiel, you will take us to the Abyss. You two will not fight! Now, Gareth, apologize for hitting him.”

  “I don’t think—”

  “I said apologize!” I howl.

  “Fine. My apologies,” he grumbles out.

  Iridiel snorts but doesn’t make an attempt to kick Gareth or impale him on his horn. I have to take the little victories.

  “Thank you.” I give Iridiel’s muzzle one more pat before taking Gareth’s hand and leading him to the unicorn’s side. “Okay. Let’s get going.”

  Chastain is astride his unicorn, Parnon sits in a wagon pulled by two mules, and the rest of the company are on unicorns or in the back of the wagon along with the supplies. Gareth puts me on Iridiel’s back again, then climbs up behind me. Iridiel curses but seems to bear our weight with ease.

  “My heart will be here with you. Please take care of it while I’m gone.” Chastain gives Silmaran a smile.

  “Come back for it as soon as you can. Otherwise, I might accidentally sell it at the market or lose it in a fountain.”

  Chastain grins and leans down to catch her hand and press a kiss to it. “As you command.”

  Her lip trembles, but she doesn’t cry, then raises her voice for all to hear. “Be safe, all of you, and take our hope with you to those who need it most.”

  Gareth wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me tight to his chest as he handles the reins. “Here we go, my beloved. To the Abyss where mortals and immortals fear to tread. Are you ready?”

  I put my hand over his as Iridiel saunters toward the winding road outside Cranthum. “As long as I’m with you, I think I can handle it.”

  He kisses my shoulder. “My fearless changeling. The Ancestors bless me far beyond what I deserve.”

  Heart. Melts. To. Goo.

  “Can you fingerbang her or something to keep me interested? The lovey dovey stuff is boring and this journey is going to be long and—”

  A solid kick from Gareth shuts Iridiel’s mouth as we leave the city behind, forge a new way ahead, and embrace the unknown.

  11

  Gareth

  The road is long and hot, and by the time the sun begins to set, Beth is weary in my arms. She sways with Iridiel’s motion, her head lolling against my chest.

  Chastain rides beside me, the dunes on either side of us giving way to peculiar vines that seem to slither over the sand. The horizon is darker, a distant set of craggy peaks promising trouble as the sand ends and a new world begins. Soon after that, the world will disappear altogether, sunken into the blackest pit on the face of Arin.

  “You’ve travelled through the Abyss?” I keep my voice as low as I can. Not that it matters, a snore escapes Beth’s mouth as we canter along the road.

  Chastain shakes his head. “No. Never. But Parnon and several of the fighters have. They know the way.”

  “Isn’t there more than one way?” I’ve heard about the Abyss through tales and warnings, but I don’t have a true idea of
what it is or what dangers lurk there.

  “There are more ways than I can count, but all except one lead to disaster. The right way is guarded by slavers and far worse things.”

  “Worse than slavers?” Beth stretches. “Nothing worse than that.”

  “Slavers won’t eat you. Some of the things in that hole will.” Iridiel shivers. “There’s a huge roiling ball of evil that lives at the bottom. It’s a shape shifter that can take any form it chooses. When it’s hungry, it will fly up from the depths in the form of a beautiful Pegasus, or whatever form you find most pleasing, but the moment you approach it, the monster turns into a gaping maw full of teeth and gobbles you up whole.”

  “You’re kidding.” Beth turns around, her eyes wide. “He’s kidding, right?”

  “We call that one Subcinctus. Sub, for short.” A freed slave, Baralja, still bearing the black bands of his master rides on our other side. “I saw it devour three slaves in one gulp.” He scrubs a hand down his dark beard. “I still have nightmares.”

  “Sheesh.” Beth winces. “But that’s the worst of it, right? If we can get past that, then—”

  “The worst, they say, is the fall.” Chastain guides his unicorn around a creeping vine that inches along the road. “Of course, no one has come back from it, but apparently the fall is so long as to be endless, and the entire time, you’re contemplating your death in pitch blackness as you plummet.”

  Baralja holds up a finger. “And don’t forget the spiders.”

  “Spiders?” Beth clutches her upper arms and rubs them vigorously.

  “That’s enough.” I click my tongue so that Iridiel moves faster. “I think we get the idea.” Do I want Beth to turn back? Yes. Do I want her utterly terrified? No. And though Chastain and Baralja are well-meaning, it’s probably best that we discuss the horrors of the Abyss when Beth isn’t listening.

  “I can handle it.” She straightens her spine. “I can’t read you through the bond, but I can tell you’re trying to keep me from hearing the rest.”

  “Sharp one, she is.” Iridiel huffs.

  “Shut your yap, beast.” I give him a light kick.