I cannot think of such things. I compartmentalise the fear for later,choosing to hold onto the rage surfacing anew with every step towards the cords pulling our bodies back together.
The tethers push me towards an inconspicuous, arched doorway set in a sandstone rock face—a door I have seen maybe once in my rhythm here. A doorway that never fully caught my attention until now. It holds a familiar double circle symbol on its arch. Similar to the ones within Haven and Terra. I trace the outline with a finger. This doorway is already open, leading into a flickering darkness.
Not giving my brain time to overanalyse what it all means, a tug comes from the cavity in my chest, pulling me forward.Dove. I must find her.
I hold a hand to my naked chest, suddenly realising my body is still very much fully naked. Uncaring of my nudity, I take the staircase leading downwards, sconces flickering softly, lighting the way. With the validation of the tug at the bond, I swiftly move down the rest of the stairs, noises starting to trickle up to me as I go deeper and deeper downwards, finally coming upon a long, narrow hallway with snakes carved into the walls.
I cannot contemplate what this hidden place means, anger and anguish my only comforts as I continue following the shallow tug. The nudges I know will lead me to her.
Chanting grows louder and louder. Finally, I find myself face to face with the open mouth of one of the slithering serpents carved in the stone hallway. The mouth seems to be a doorway, opening wide enough for a small person to pass through. Crouching down, I take a deep breath, pushing through the mouth. The tunnels remind me of Haven’s secret walkways under the city.Goddess, that feels like a lifetime ago. It almost feels impossible to remember a rhythm without Dove as my bonded. It’s as if she has always been with me, even before. Her essence is imprinted on my soul.
Coming out the other side of the doorway, I hit a soft barrier, billowing white curtains blocking my way. Manoeuvring past them, I step through the material, unprepared for what I find on the other side.
A vast, open cavern stretches out before me, not as big as the opening within the mountains of Terra but big enough for me to have to crane my neck around to take it all in, unsure where to start.Where are you, love?
Hundreds of illuminated Silver Sands people stand before me, a hush descending over them. Whispers in slithered tongues find my ears. But they are not facing me. They are looking in the same direction I am, half circling something I cannot quite make out.
My heart urges me forward. I reach for her in my mind.“Dove?”I question the link inside us, hoping it will find her. Advancing towards the silvers, I lick my dry lips, noticing a salty smell in the air. I stand behind the rows of scaled people peering into something beyond, waiting for an answer that never comes, tilting my neck to see further. What greets me chills me to my core.
Pushing through the silvers and their swishing tales, I no longer care for decorum or diplomacy. “What is going on here?” I boom, making my way to the edge of a giant pit. A giant pit filled with slithering green vipers and…
The unmoving form of my bonded.
Dove.
I fall to my knees and watch helplessly. The slithering emerald creatures form a ring around her body, not touching but gliding in perfect unison around her on the dirt as if her very presence is somehow repellent to them. Her pale, naked body is on full display. The nakedbody I spent many movements worshipping before we fell asleep.Who has put her in this hole,and why are the silvers not helping?A festering keening comes through the bond at seeing her so still. I can just make out the rise and fall of her chest—the only thing keeping the people of the Sands alive.
Looking around, ire etched into my features, I see that clothing seems to be optional. Hardly any of the silvers are wearing their traditional coverings, their nonchalant demeanour only further adding to my anger.Will they not do anything? She is meant to be their Seraph! Whatever that means.All eyes are inquisitively gazing into the pit.Is this some game to them?
I crouch down by the edge of the hole, assessing the situation, looking for a way in which won’t aggravate the slithering vipers below.If I do something to spook them and they hurt her,I’ll never forgive myself.The serpents have not reached her body—the only positive thing about this whole situation. Seeing her vulnerable and exposed sets a flame to wrap around my heart.I will tear them limb from fucking limb. I will slice their bodies from sternum to groin and watch as they bleed out. I will—
A hand falls to my shoulder. Rising to my full height, I look down at Moyrie.She will be first.“Get my bonded out of that pit, or I will slaughter every last one of you.” Rage pours through my words. The wide-eyed stare that greets me does not help the wrath I feel moving through my limbs. Grabbing Moyrie’s upper arms, I grasp tight, making sure she feels every ounce of my anger. “Take my mate out of that hole, or your blood will spill.” I shift my arm to her throat, her eyelids lower as she mumbles slithered words.
Before I can clamp my hand down on her windpipe, a dagger is placed at my throat. I look sideways, feeling the trickle of blood as another silver holds the slight but deadly object.
“Rivern,” a soft voice coughs from down in the hole. My heart yanks from my chest. I almost fall into the hole to be with her until I notice the silver on my other side caging me in with another dagger.Fuck.
“Dove, it’s okay, I’m here. I’m going to come and get you,” I say as steadfastly as I can, even though the rage within me threatens to boil over. This feeling is so new to me, I don’t know what to do with myself.
Hissing comes from the silvers behind us, the sound of heavy footfalls stampeding towards us. The hiss grows louder. Finally, I see him, the reason for the commotion—a familiar, furry tuft of black hair sticks up above the heads of the silvers. A deafening roar echoes around the room, making the Silvers part in unison, showcasing a menacing wolf shifter standing to his full height on two muscled legs. His form is truly astounding, standing well above the heights of the Silvers and me with sharp, black claws and a wide snout with a set of incisors large enough to tear through flesh.
Thank the Goddess I have an ally on my side. At least I won’t have to get her out of this alone. I have a feeling I’m severely unmatched when it comes to the silvers and their fighting abilities.
twelve
Dove
Mymouthisdrylike it’s filled with cotton. I try to swallow, but no saliva pools to loosen my vocal cords. “Rrr—” I try my best to rasp out again roughly, but I can barely get past theRof his name. My whole body lies slack. I twitch my hands by my side. And that’s not the oddest thing—my vision seems to be tunnelling down a large hole. I blink a few times, trying to right my gaze, but each time I do, it stays the same. Walls close around me, a panic setting in.
What is going on?None of this feels right. Last night, I fell asleep next to Rivern. Then I was dreaming about Fury. During my dream, I was ripped away from him. Even Argus feels weary in my chest, unableto gain the strength to fight.What am I fighting?Rivern said we were safe. The silvers didn’t seem like they wanted to hurt us. They offered us food and shelter. Moyrie even seemed interested in helping us in our plight.
My heart beats rapidly. I try my grounding technique, which was taught to me many turns ago. I can barely feel my limbs, just an odd fluttering of my fingers and toes. The sounds around me are a murmured humming until they turn sinister, fraying my already cracking nerves.
A hiss—not just one, but a continuous crescendo—finds me in my tunnel.Stay calm, Dove. Don’t freak out.The mantra plays in my head, a heavy weight falling on my chest. The worst part is,I know this can’t be a dream. If I were dreaming,Fury would be here, making himself known. Through that fact alone,I know this is my reality.
“Dove?”It’s a question, like his voice has been trying to find me.
“Fury?”I try my best to send the words to him through the foggy strings of our bond.
