Mother lifted her head, fresh tears glistening in her eyes. She nodded and held my face again. “You must follow the Nyzith strands. They will lead you to your destiny.”
Gods, I’d written that in my journal. A dream about my mother saying those same words to me after we were attacked by the Ruskiel at sea.
Hearing her say them now confirmed it was no dream.
I nodded, and she smiled before releasing me.
“Is there a spell to take you to Galaythia?’ Grandmother asked.
I drew in a breath. “I just need to speak the mage greeting, and they’ll come.”
“Go ahead,” Mother whispered, swallowing hard.
The ancient words burned in my throat, demanding to be released. I straightened my spine, channeling them in my mind. The air around us seemed to thicken with anticipation, as if the very atmosphere knew something momentous was about to unfold.
“Na már iyah,” I said, my chest rising with a staccatoed breath.
As soon as I spoke, the air rippled like water disturbed by a stone, shimmering with an otherworldly heat that made my skin prickle. Reality seemed to tear at its seams, and through the gossamer veil stepped Arielle—her platinum hair cascading like liquid moonlight. Beside her emerged a towering Fae warrior, his dark hair shaved close at the sides while a thick braid fell over one leather-clad shoulder. Battle-worn bracers encased his forearms, and twin daggers gleamed at his hips. But it was his otherworldly beauty that took my breath away.
His face was a masterpiece of sharp cheekbones that could cut glass, skin that seemed to glow with inner luminescence, and eyes that held depths no human gaze could match.
His features were too perfect, too symmetrical, carrying that uncanny quality that whispered of immortal bloodlines and ancient power.
He almost looked human, even though the delicate points of his ears marked him as a creature born of magic.
From the protective way he glanced at Arielle, I guessed him to be Bastian, her love and Wolfe’s second-in-command.
The two looked me over with relief. I took that to mean they were happy I’d decided to join them.
Grandmother, Mother, and Emabelle gazed at them stunned.
Emabelle especially looked thrown by Bastian’s presence. Yes, he was handsome, but she’d never seen a Fae before.
Arielle broke the silence by stepping forward and taking my hands into hers. “Thank you for deciding to help us.”
“It’s okay. I… have to be back in seven days.” I glanced back at my family, showing them I’d keep my promise. “It’s important. My family’s lives depend on it.”
Arielle nodded. “Then I will have you back in seven days.” She acknowledged my family with a small smile. “We will take the greatest care of her.”
“Arielle, we need to go,” Bastian urged, glancing at the air around him that was still shimmering. “The rift is weakening, and I can only cloak us for a few minutes.”
“What route are you taking, girl?” Grandmother asked Arielle.
Arielle bowed, showing my grandmother the respect she’d gained as high mage. “My Lady, we will take the ghost roads. I’ve been using the threads from the ethereal realm to conceal our powers.”
“But if you take Elariya there, you’ll be detected by the sentinels for using magic,” Mother cut in. “Those with human blood aren’t meant to walk the ghost roads, let alone access them from the mortal realm.”
“I’m going to place Elariya in a deep soul sleep,” Arielle explained. “That way, her soul will be hidden from detection and safe.”
“I’ll be asleep the whole time?” I asked.
Arielle looked back at me. “Yes, but you’ll be perfectly safe.”
I nodded. “Then I’m ready.”
I turned toward my family. Mother stepped forward first and pulled me in for a deep hug. She held me so tightly I feared she wouldn’t let me go.
“Come back to me safely, my girl,” she whispered in my ear.
