However, today, the beauty of my attire feels meaningless, a hollow adornment that does nothing to ease my turmoil. Desperation claws at me, a relentless force I can’t shake, no matter how hard I try.
I close my eyes and focus, trying again to summon the magic that once flowed so effortlessly through me. I picture the rush of water, its power and grace; the strength of the vines, twisting and unfurling with life; the delicate beauty of the roses that bloom in the castle’s gardens, their petals soft and vibrant. But all I can manage is a flicker, a faint spark of energy that sputters and dies before it can fully ignite. My magic is now reduced to a mere trickle, trapped, suppressed by some unseen force that I can’t identify. The entire situation is maddening.
My shoulders slump, and I glance back toward the kitchen. “Maybe I need to eat.”
But the thought of food does little to stir my appetite. I’m too preoccupied with thoughts of escape, of regaining my magic and breaking Maxon free from the Shadoweaver.Felix meows loudly, brushing up against me. I drop my hand and glide it over his back, eliciting a gentle purr from him as he leans into my touch.
Drawing a deep breath, I close my eyes and focus once more on the flicker of magic within me. This time, I channel all my frustration, anger, and desperation into it, willing it to grow, to ignite into the powerful force it once was.
As I concentrate, I feel a slight shift, a spark of hope. It’s faint, but it’s there. I latch onto it, nurturing it, coaxing it to grow. The tingling sensation intensifies, spreading through my body, and I feel a surge of energy. It’s not much, but it’s a start. And it’s enough to remind me that I am not powerless.
Out of nowhere, a chilling howl slices through the wind, sharp and eerie, freezing me in place. Was that . . . My heart skips a beat as I strain to listen, the sound echoing in my mind.
Quickly, I scramble to my feet, cursing under my breath.
“Damn it,” I mutter, nearly tripping over the flowing fabric of my dress as I stumble toward the window. My fingers clutch the edge of the windowsill as I lean close to the cold glass.
I heard it. I know I did.
My eyes scan the clearing and the tall pines that encircle the cabin like silent sentinels. My shoulders slump in disappointment. I must be imagining things. It couldn’t possibly be? Another chorus of howls shatters the silence, louder and closer this time. I inhale sharply, my pulse quickening as the realization hits me like a lightning bolt.
Itisthem!
Panic and exhilaration surge through me in equal measure as I sprint toward the front door. I grab the handle and wrench the door open with a force that sends it crashing against the wall, the sound of splintering wood ringing in the cold air. I don’t care. The only thing that matters is getting outside, finding them.
Stepping out onto the porch, I’m immediately greeted by a dazzling white landscape, the snow stretching endlessly in every direction, covering everything in a thick, pristine blanket. I take a few hesitant steps forward, spinning around slowly, my breath coming out in visible puffs of steam. A gust of icy wind whipsacross my cheeks, sending a shiver down my spine but I barely notice it. My eyes are locked on the towering trees in the distance, scanning for any sign of movement.
Then, amidst the sea of white, a flash of vibrant blue catches my eye. My breath hitches. I watch, mesmerized, as a frostflare bursts from the snow-covered ground, its powerful legs propelling it effortlessly over a fallen tree. Its fur, a brilliant blue that glistens like sapphires, stands out starkly against the snowy backdrop, each strand shimmering as if touched by magic. The creature’s eyes glow like radiant white orbs, and the peculiar markings on its forehead emit a soft, ethereal light, adding to its otherworldly appearance.
My mouth falls open in awe, but before I can fully process the sight, two enormous white wolves leap over the same fallen tree, their movements graceful and powerful, their fur blending seamlessly with the snow. Eyes, sharp and intelligent, lock onto me, and in that moment, I know.
“Nymeria! Anika!” My voice cracks with the tidal wave of emotions that fill me.A mix of joy, relief, and overwhelming love burst from me. I start running to meet them; the snow crunching under my feet. My heart soars as they bound toward me, their forms growing larger, more defined with each passing second.
Both wolves tip their heads back, howling in unison as they come sprinting down the hill. This time I’m unable to stop my tears, a sob breaking free.
The frostflare dashes toward me with incredible speed, its paws barely touching the ground, and not a single impression left in the snow. Bracing for impact, I watch as it explodes into a cloud of blue, shimmering dust just inches away.What the hell?
I don’t have time to process what just happened, because I’m knocked off my feet. The moment I hit the ground, a cold rush of snow engulfs my back.
Anika and Nymeria playfully nudge me, their soft fur brushing gently against my skin as they nestle into my embrace. Their presence is a balm to my wounded heart, a reminder that I’m not as alone as I’ve been feeling.
“I can’t believe you’re both here. How did you find me?” My voice trembles with disbelief and gratitude. I reach out to stroke their fur, feeling the familiar texture beneath my fingers, and it grounds me in this surreal moment.
They both move away slightly, creating just enough space for me to sit up properly. The chill of the snow seeps into me, but I barely notice, too focused on the two magnificent creatures before me.
‘The fox brought us here,’Anika’s voice echoes in my mind, calm and sure, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Wait, but if you’re here.” My thoughts race as I trail off, connecting the dots. They’re supposed to be with Maxon. “What happened?”
Anika and Nymeria exchange a look, their eyes full of sorrow that sends a fresh wave of fear through me.
‘The demon took our king before we could reach him,’Anika’s voice comes again.
‘We are sorry,’Nymeria adds, her tone laced with sadness.
The significance of their words crashes down on me, and I pull them close, wrapping my arms tightly around each of their necks. The softness of their fur against my face is a small comfort, but it does little to ease the ache in my chest. Tears flow freely down my cheeks, hot and unrelenting, mingling with the cold air. My sobsfill the silence, a raw, guttural sound born from the deep sorrow of knowing that Maxon is now alone in the enemy’s den.
“It’s not your fault.” I say, barely audible. Though my heart is breaking, I try to soothe them. “Thank you for finding me.”
