But I don’t laugh.
The Velmara aren’t just blocking the way.
They are guarding it.
I step forward.
The cold burns my skin, my pulse hammering against my ribs. Testing them. Testing myself.
Zhari. Zhari. Zhari.
The ancient Vaythari chant beats against the inside of my skull. I don’t know why I think of it now. But I let it settle there, let it guide my next step.
Seren inhales sharply behind me. I hear the whisper of her hands clasping over her mouth.
I ignore the fear pressing in from all sides. Instead, I let my magic pulse outward—not an attack, not a command, but an offering. A promise.
“I mean no harm,” I murmur, voice barely more than a whisper. A prayer. “I wish to help your people.”
The Velmara do not move.
Not at first.
But their silver eyes remain locked on to mine, watching, waiting, deciding.
A sharp exhale leaves my lips as I take one more step.
And then—one of them lowers itself.
Slowly, deliberately, it settles onto its haunches, then shifts onto its belly, paws stretching out in the snow. A posture of submission.
My breath catches.
“They are submitting to you.” Kael’s voice is steady, unreadable. But I hear what he isn’t saying.
They are submitting to you because they know what you are.Whoyou are.
The second Velmara follows, bowing before me, their massive forms unmoving.
The way forward is open.
“I’ll go with you.” Seren’s voice is hesitant but determined. She swallows, shoulders squaring. “There might be runes or symbols—it needs to be me.”
“I’ll go.” Therion and Ronyn speak at the same time. I turn, glancing between them. Before I can decide, Kael speaks, “I don’t think it’s our choice.”
His voice is quiet but firm, eyes never leaving mine. “It can’t be Ronyn. They’ll never let him pass. Seren, it makes the most sense if you go. Will you try?”
Seren hesitates. But she nods, stepping forward, her breath unsteady.
The Velmara rise instantly.
Their hackles lift. Their lips curl over dagger-sharp teeth.
Seren stops short.
I don’t need to tell her to step back. She already knows.
Kael’s gaze shifts. “Ther?”
