To find the journal I prayed held all the answers to our questions.
The time had come to go to the Southern Forest.
Chapter 14
Kade
Our party moved quickly and quietly through the lush hills of Brookmere as we traveled to the Southern Forest.
Ian led the pack with Lana and me in the middle, while Jax took up the rear. We planned to use Raya and Ian’s connection to send back any information if necessary.
Keeping Lana safe throughout this journey and doing as little as possible to attract attention was my only goal.
Lana remained hopeful all her questions would be answered when we found her mother’s journal.Ifwefound the journal.
Ian called back, “About an hour longer, then we’ll stop. There’s a grove that should provide us ample protection for the night.”
I gave Ian a curt nod in response. The less noise the better.
So far, the dark ones had kept their distance since I’d arrived in Brookmere. But there was still a pull, a tug to return to Mysthaven and comply with the orders given to me by Thames.
Logically, I knew if I remained in my right mind, I would never give Lana over to him, but what if the darkness took over? Would I be able to resist his calling? Would I ever be able to rid this disease from my body? Lana’s light worked now, butI couldn’t help but wonder what we would do if the darkness overpowered her magic.
Perhaps this journal would have an idea of how to rid the darkness and evil from not only the land but from Fae as well. She had her theories that the blade had removed the darkness from the dark ones she’d used it on. However, without any solid proof, we weren’t sure. At this point, I should just let her use that dagger on me a few times to test it. I wouldn't mind being at the end of her blade again. Fates, she was beautiful when her eyes lit with fire.
I snaked my shadows sideways to curl around Lana. Since I’d opened myself up to them, especially after the memorable birthday activity in my mother’s garden, I could feel her through them as if it were my hands caressing her skin. The comfort for me to be able to touch her, to know she was beside me, engulfed me with security and reassured our mate bond more than I could say. I wondered if it would always be this way, if I’d always need her touch.
We want to be with her magic,my shadows whined.Let it out.
Powerful shadow magicwhined.
I rolled my eyes.I almost wish I didn’t hear you for how much you’ve begged to be with her magic.
You beg to touch her. We want what’s ours too.
Patience. She needs to learn how to reach it herself.
They sighed—at least I think sigh is the right word—and settled for covering more of her body. She looked down before raising an eyebrow in my direction.
I shrugged. “I have no control,” I mouthed.
The sun’s golden glow disappeared beyond the horizon as we approached the grove. A small opening surrounded by beautiful birch trees and a trickling stream lay a few yards away. I had to give it to Ian; I couldn’t have picked a better campsite.
With the help of William and the other cooks now at the Knotted Willow, we’d packed a hearty stew for dinner tonight. The vegetables simmered over our fire in a perfect mix of rich broth and brown gravy as Ian and Jax shifted to hunt for small game to add.
Lana stood in front of the pot warming our stew, lost in her thoughts. I wrapped an arm around her from behind. “It feels like a lifetime since I’ve been alone with you,” I whispered into her ear.
She turned and slipped her arms around my waist, staring up into my eyes. “When all is said and done, we’re going to lock ourselves in a room for a week.”
I laughed, loving the sound that had been so rare before her. I kissed the top of her head. “Anything you want, Little Rebel.”
The pot crackled, simmering too hot, and Lana pulled away. She sat next to the fire, stirring the cooking stew as she gazed beyond the trees. “Do you think we can do it?”
“Do what? Defeat Thames?” I sat next to her and grabbed her hand. “It’s going to be hard, but I know we can. We have no choice. For the good of our world, we must succeed.”
She leaned her head on my shoulder, shuddering slightly. “I hope so. It all just feels likeso much.”
Jax trotted toward the fire, still in his panther form with a hare in his mouth, while Ian flew down with another in his beak. The shifters returned to their Fae form as they settled onto nearby rocks to skin their catches.
