"We'll be okay..." Feray says as she pulls her hand back.
Diaval sits up with a Cheshire cat grin on his lips. "We've managed to purge the last of the magic that was restraining Feray's wolf."
"Our blood worked?" Easton questions, moving to look between Diaval and Feray.
"What do you mean, your blood worked?" Glancing between the two mythics, I'm beyond puzzled.
"Whatever was done to me as a baby for my safety has finally been removed. I feel a deeper connection to my wolf and the earth as a whole. Like I'm finally where I need to be. If thatmakes sense." Feray shrugs and climbs up onto my lap, curling up with a yawn. Running my fingers through her hair, she drifts off to sleep quickly. Khal is falling asleep as well, even though he's fighting to stay awake at least until we get to Vasserdell.
"She vomited a mass of black viscous material before we came here. She may be tired for a while. When we reach the inn, I'll order room service. I don't want to expose her to anyone if I can help it." Diaval glances at Feray in the rearview.
The SUV rumblesalong the winding dirt road, flanked on either side by the towering sentinels of an old-growth forest. Ancient trees, their gnarled branches reaching toward the heavens, cast intricate patterns of light and shadow on the uneven path beneath our wheels. The air is thick with the scent of moss and damp earth.
As we venture deeper into the heart of this ancient forest, the remnants of a bygone era become increasingly evident. The forest floor, once a carpet of verdant foliage, now bears witness to the bones of fallen dragons and other mythical creatures. The scattered remains tell a haunting tale, an echo of the dark past that shadows Vasserdell.
My eyes trace the skeletal fragments, each bone a silent testament to ancient struggles and the formidable creatures that once roamed these enchanted woods. I'm thanking the gods above that Feray is sleeping through this leg of the trip. I would be afraid to see her reaction to this vast graveyard. Diaval's grip on the steering wheel tightens audibly, the leather creaking inprotest. The tension in the air is palpable, and if the dragon shifter at the helm is on edge, the gravity of the situation weighs heavily on the rest of us.
"It seems like we're walking into the gates of hell, Diaval." I watch an occasional bone or skull catch my attention.
"Vasserdell doesn't take kindly to invaders. Which is exactly why we'll be safe there for the night or the next few days. Whatever Feray wants." Diaval refocuses on the road ahead. I'm not sure if his words are meant to provide comfort or add to my concern. I steal a glance at Easton, his head on a constant swivel as he scans the forest, eyes probing the shadows for any sign of movement. The steady hum of the engine is punctuated by the occasional snap of a twig beneath the SUV's tires.
Emerging from the dense thicket, the landscape transforms. The imposing mountains that guard Vasserdell to the north loom into view, their jagged peaks reaching toward the sky. The sight is awe-inspiring, a stark contrast to the serene beauty of the forest. Bones, as numerous as leaves on a forest floor, scatter the mountainside—a silent testimony to years of war and the successful defense of the hidden city.
The SUV navigates the forest pass, and the air grows heavier as we approach the entrance to Vasserdell. The terrain shifts beneath us, becoming steeper and more rugged. Remnants of fortifications, now weathered and worn, stand as silent sentinels, guardians of a city veiled in secrecy.
Shadows seem to writhe in the corners of my vision, and the tales of mythical creatures, once dismissed as mere folklore, take on a tangible presence. Diaval's gaze remains fixed on the path ahead, his expression unreadable. The SUV moves steadily,navigating the twists and turns with practiced ease that belies the treacherous nature of the terrain.
As we near the entrance, a formidable gate comes into view. It's a massive structure adorned with intricate carvings that depict the city's rich history. The gate swings open slowly, a reluctant admission to those deemed worthy of entry.
Beyond the threshold lies Vasserdell, a city veiled in magic and shrouded in the echoes of a past that intertwines with the present. The journey through the forest, the bones scattered on the roadside, and the imposing gate—all serve as a prelude to the mysteries that await within.
Chapter 20
Feray
In the ethereallandscape of my dream, I am liberated from the constraints of humanity, my spirit running wild as my wolf across a pristine field of snow. Each paw print leaves an ephemeral mark on the frozen canvas, a testament to the freedom inherent in my lupine form. My breath forms clouds in the frigid air, signaling a temperature that should sear through my skin, yet I remain impervious to the biting cold.
Apparently, I am built for this weather.
The world is a monochrome symphony of whites and blues, the tundra stretching endlessly under the vast expanse of an azure sky.We're home,my wolf's voice resonates in my mind, a gentle whisper carried on the crisp breeze. We must come from a region blanketed in snow most of the year. The words hold a profound resonance, awakening a sense of belonging that transcends the physical world.
As we traverse the snow-covered expanse, my wolf imparts knowledge—a sacred understanding of the Luna gifts that course through my veins. I'm stronger than I ever thought I could be. In the dream, my wolf becomes my guide, unveiling the mysteriesof these innate abilities. Luna gifts, bestowed upon me by the mystical connection with the moon and my bloodline, unfold like a celestial tapestry. Most are gentle, designed to heal and soothe wounds of both body and spirit.
But there are others. Gifts that shift the balance toward defense and attack.
The dream becomes a canvas upon which my wolf paints vivid images—a shimmering barrier of protective energy, a cascade of ethereal light that can mend the deepest wounds, and a controlled surge of force that can repel any threat. I am not just a creature of the night. I am a guardian, a force to be reckoned with. For the first time in my waking or dreaming life, I realize I am not defenseless. I possess the means to shield those I hold dear, to stand as a bastion against the shadows that seek to encroach upon our existence.
"Feray!"
The distant call breaks through the dream, a faint echo reaching me from a different reality. It's Easton's voice, his tone filled with urgency and concern. The dreamworld wavers, the snowy field and the comforting presence of my wolf dissipating like mist in the morning sun. Reluctantly, I relinquish the lupine freedom and emerge from the dreamscape.
My eyes flutter open to a room suffused with soft light. The transition from dream to reality is seamless. I find myself lying on a plush bed, the comforting weight of blankets cocooning me. Surrounding the bed are the four men who have become the pillars of my life, their eyes reflecting a mix of relief and affection. Easton's voice, no longer a distant echo but a tangible presence, calls my name once more. The dream lingers in therecesses of my mind, a warmth and sense of empowerment seared into my consciousness.
I meet the gaze of the men who love me, each of them a testament to the bonds forged through shared struggles. Their concern, etched in the lines of their faces, is met with a reassuring smile. In that moment, I carry with me not just the memories of the dream but a newfound conviction—a belief in myself and the strength that lies within the harmony of Luna gifts and the love that surrounds me.
"I had a dream..." Furrowing my brows, I make eye contact with each of them. It's Diaval who sits on the bed closest to me and takes my hand openly, showing affection.
"What was your dream about? We felt a profound peace move through us. And happiness." He strokes the back of my hand as Khal comes and sits on the opposite side. Easton and Torben move to stand where they can see me easily.
