Chapter 67: Sky fire Empire
There’ll be guards, of course. And beasts. But you’ll be under my protection."
"Do they know you left?"
"My father will forgive me," she said. "Eventually."
We stepped into the sphere, and the world blinked.
The forest shimmered like glass under the strange twin moons, casting an almost silver glow over the winding trail. Lira pulled her hood over her head and walked with the ease of someone who knew exactly where they were going. Me? I was just trying not to trip on tree roots.
"You could’ve at least warned me that teleporting would feel like being shoved through a straw," I muttered, rubbing my temples as I stumbled after her.
Lira laughed—a light, melodic sound that made it hard to stay annoyed. "Would you have come if I had?"
"Fair point."
We’d left the academy grounds through a concealed portal hidden behind the northern cliffs. Apparently, students weren’t supposed to access it, which made me feel both guilty and a little thrilled. My magic was still a mystery, and the academy was slowly suffocating me. This, at least, was movement. Even if I had no idea where it would lead.
"Where are we, anyway?" I asked after the silence stretched too long.
Lira turned back with a grin. "This forest is called Dwyn’s Edge. It forms the outer border of my kingdom. We’ll hike through it for a day, maybe two. Then we’ll hit the floating isles. From there, it’s a direct path to my father’s gates."