The rolling hills, with large rocky boulders along the tops, were identical to my vision. Then, when I looked behind me, I recognized the deep, tranquil blue waters of Sterlyn Lake. Thick pine and birch trees stood their ground where the barrier of the wilt halted, with hills and smaller mountains at our backs and a war camp stretching out before us. I glanced ahead at the wilted landscape to the west and then, farther off in the distance, the looming volcano, Thira.
This is it. We’ve made it.
“Daxton! Skylar!” Castor’s voice thundered across the distance separating us as we dismounted.
“Cas.” My mate’s warm smile at seeing his brother lifted my spirits.
Castor ran to Daxton as they openly embraced one another. “That was one hell of a plan, Dax. But nexttime, let’s not willingly sacrifice ourselves to the enemy, all right?”
“Fair point.” Daxton chuckled as he released his brother.
Castor then turned his attention to me and quickly scooped me into his arms.“I’m so fucking grateful my brother was right about you,” Castor said.
“Me too,” I agreed with a soft smile, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Sky! Dax!” Gunnar was next to join us and promptly hauled me into his chest, spinning me around on the grass before gently setting me back down on my feet. “Glad you made it, little shifter. I have to admit I’ve missed you.”
Gunnar turned to Daxton with a bright, beaming smile, bowing his head. “My high prince. Your army is ready.”
Daxton placed a hand on his general’s shoulder before embracing his friend. “Has Finn arrived yet?” Daxton asked, pulling back as his eyes scanned the camp.
“No, he hasn’t,” Gunnar answered, “but we expect him to arrive soon. Zola has already informed us what happened in Crimson City, and she is patrolling the camp as we speak, gracing us all with her sparkling mood today… which is more pleasant than usual.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Shaw and noted his interest when Zola’s whereabouts were mentioned.
“Make sure there’s room for Finn when he arrives and that our warriors are ready. We’re leaving for Thira immediately.”
“Thira?” Gunnar asked, looking over his shoulder toward the towering volcano in the distant territory of the wilt.
“The Heart of Valdor is inside a volcano?” Castor asked, arching his brow as he glanced sideways toward me.
I nodded. “It is.”
My eyes locked onto the towering figure that held the key to our freedom. To Valdor’s freedom.
“Let’s get moving then,” Shaw said, joining the group.
“Brought along a friend, I see,” Gunnar said as he tilted his head toward Shaw, looking him over. “Brawny one, aren’t you?”
Shaw scowled, seeming unimpressed, and remained silent through Gunnar’s speculations.
“Shaw is my beta,” I said, “and he’s coming with us to Thira.”
“As am I,” Castor added.
“Brother, I—”
“Don’t,” Castor said, raising his palm toward Daxton. “You need me with you.”
With the brothers beginning to argue, their attention elsewhere for the moment, I reached out to Shaw’s mind.“Find Zola before we leave.”
“We don’t have time for—”
“Yes, we do,”I said in a firm tone.“Nowgo. We’ll see you at the border of the wilt near the western side of the clearing. Promise I won’t leave without you.”
“You’d better not,”Shaw growled as he slipped away from the group to find Zola.
I didn’t know if they would solve anything in these brief moments, but I knew he needed to see her. The least I could do was give him this moment.
