The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow, #1)(92)

But in the end, he’d chosen me.

“At least he wasn’t secretly a knife-wielding assassin.” Kiva’s tone was flippant, but she didn’t look at me, and I could hear the truth behind it.

“Auma had to keep her cover.”

Kiva shrugged. “I always knew I didn’t really have any idea who she was. Saints, I liked the mystery. I just…” She trailed off, and we sat in silence for a minute before she asked quietly, “Do you think she made it out?”

“Yes.” If I’d learned anything about Auma, it was not to underestimate her.

Kiva nodded. She thought so too, but the hard press of her lips betrayed her worry.

The door opened, and Luan entered, ushering me out so Kiva could rest. I hugged Kiva gently, then stepped out into the hallway and traced my way back to the top deck with Res on my heel, thinking about everything we needed to accomplish.

Illucia was after us, Kiva was recovering from a serious wound, I had a hatchling to raise, and Caliza didn’t know any of it. Not to mention in a few weeks, I’d have to convince the world’s leaders to go to war.

I expected to be overwhelmed by everything, to want to crawl under the covers of a warm bed and hide from the world. I didn’t.

Instead, as I stepped out into the morning sun with Res at my side, I felt a familiar lightness, like a forgotten friend. It was the feeling I used to get when I’d fly, as if I’d become the air itself.

Light. In control.

Free.

That heavy feeling might never fully leave me, but I could live with it. I’d survived, and I would continue to survive.

I stepped up to the ship’s edge, one hand on Res’s head as I faced the rising sun, my skin glowing in the light.

I had a lot to do, but I was ready.





The World of the Storm Crow


Wings of Aris

The Thereal Wing

Saint: Edair Thereal Crow: wind crow

Egg: creamy white

Head of House: Lady Dovelin Thereal Industry: entertainment, such as theater, music, and artwork. Wind crows protected crops from storms, helped facilitate flight paths throughout Aris for other crows, provided favorable winds for sailors, and helped with city maintenance, such as sweeping up feathers.

The Kerova Wing

Saint: Harla Kerova Crow: shadow crow

Shell Color: matte black Head of House: Lady Kumia Kerova Industry: highly involved in the military, with a focus on espionage. Shadow crows helped conceal spies from both sight and sound, and also made up a large percentage of the military crows.

The Turren Wing

Saint: Royceir Turren Crow: battle crow

Shell Color: dark metallic gray Head of House: Lady Ryna Turren (previous head, Lord Zeir Turren, banished for treason) Industry: weapons production, most famously black gold weapons, made from the feathers of a battle crow. Aside from producing feathers for black gold, battle crows also made up the bulk of the military crows, helping with patrols, and also with transportation of heavy materials with their increased strength.

The Rynthene Wing

Saint: Selka Rynthene Crow: water crow

Shell Color: deep ocean blue Head of House: Lord Relel Rynthene Industry: highly involved in the navy, as well as trade and transport of goods, with a focus on production of ship and fishing supplies. Crows helped purify water, water crops, and manipulate the ocean for easy sailing and fishing.

The Brynth Wing

Saint: Shaldra Brynth Crow: earth crow

Shell Color: forest green Head of House: Lord Culveir Brynth Industry: architecture and city infrastructure, as well as the heart of Rhodairen knowledge pursuit. Known for crafting stone and woodworks. Crows helped with construction of new buildings and manipulation of farmland and tended to city landscaping.

The Garien Wing

Saint: Azrel Garien Crow: storm crow

Shell Color: shiny black with specks of color Head of House: Lady Idrel Garien Industry: produced the majority of crow provisions, from riding leathers to saddles. Storm crows helped with weather control, particularly for agriculture, and also marked time for important events through thunder.

The Cyro Wing

Saint: Ciaran Cyro Crow: fire crow

Shell Color: bright red Head of House: Lord Ressen Cyro Industry: food production and distribution, from restaurants to shops. Fire crows maintained the central forge, used by Turren smiths and Brynth crafters alike.

The Caravel Wing

Saint: Adeliza Caravel Crow: sun crow

Shell Color: pale gold Head of House: Lady Rasara Caravel Industry: healers, production of herbs, tonics, and poultices. Sun crows worked with healers, healing the sick and injured.

Kingdoms

Rhodaire

Capital: Aris

Ruled by:

Queen Caliza Cerralté

King Kuren Rebane

Crown Princess Anthia Cerralté

Queen Alandra Cerralté—deceased (killed on Ronoch) King Caros Cerralté—deceased (killed during the Last Crow War) Environment

Located in the Southwest

Hot, humid weather with frequent storms and high rainfall Dense foliage in tropical landscape

Religion

Rhodairens pray to the Saints, eight legendary crow riders said to have established Aris with the help of the Sellas, but religion isn’t highly ingrained in society Economy

Once centered around the crows

Large exporter of raw materials, grains, fruit, and other foods Known for their black gold, a steel-like material made from battle crow feathers Leaders in architectural and agricultural studies Culture