How long had we been walking for?
Its light illuminated the clearing he had brought me to, and moss-covered rocks spread out underneath us. Below the cliff, the darkness seemed to stretch on endlessly. The depths of the ravine were hidden, leaving only the distant murmur of the wind as it whispered through the trees far below.
Stars glittered like diamonds against the velvety blackness, and I found myself speechless as I took it all in. Xavier smiled softly at my reaction, and a cool breeze swept through the clearing. He lowered us onto a large boulder, releasing me from his embrace but keeping me close by his side. His arm remained wrapped around me while my legs draped over his. The touch of his hand on my knee felt intimate, and my skin prickled in response.
“My brother isn’t the best at words.” Xavier's voice was barely above a whisper. “He was only three when our parents died, and he didn’t quite understand.” Looking down at me, his white strand fell over his eyes. Xavier continued, looking back up at the night sky, “He felt abandoned, so he learned to push everyone away, even me.” His words hung heavy in the air. “He still pushes people away,” Xavier whispered. “Don't give up on him just yet, Zara. My brother is a good man, even if he acts like a jerk sometimes.”
“I just want to understand,” I whispered back.
“You will,” Xavier soothed, pulling me closer to him.
We sat watching the moon rise on the cliff, neither of us moving as the cool breeze washed over us.
“Do you believe in fate, Zara?” Xavier asked, his tone soft and quiet.
“Like destiny?” My brows scrunched in thought.
“Kind of.” Xavier chuckled softly, and I waited for him to continue. He seemed to sense I was waiting and sighed. “I'm not sure what god your people worship, but in our realm, weworship the Gods of Fate. They are believed to have created us, this realm, and all others. He paused. “That our lives are already written, predetermined before we are even born. Everything planned out, already known.”
I couldn’t stop the snort that escaped, and he glanced down at me, one eyebrow raised. “Sorry,” I muttered, shrugging. “It’s just… I don’t like the idea that everything is set in stone. I prefer to believe that we have a say in how things turn out.
“I want to believe that,” he said, looking back out over the cliff, his eyes clouded in thought.
I paused thoughtfully, trying to form my next thought. “I think our life is like a labyrinth.”
“A maze?” He gave a short, amused chuckle, his lips twitching.
I smiled. “Exactly. Every choice we make—left or right—is ours. We decide.”
“Would it matter if, in the end, it all leads to the same place?” he asked, his voice quieter now, thoughtful.
“Maybe,” I said slowly, letting the idea settle between us. “But maybe not. Maybe every choice changes the destination. Fate might lie out the possibilities for us, but who says we have to stick to its path?” I paused, glancing at him. “Maybe you’re meant to walk into the hedge and create your own way out.”
Xavier smiled broadly down at me, chuckling. “I think I found my new religion,” he joked, nudging me. “Maze.”
I snorted, “Well, I think we can find a better name for it than that.”
“Nope. Maze.”
We both chuckled, letting our laughter die, and we sat in silence together under the moonlight. Staying in that moment just a little longer.
Chapter 26
Xavier
The dirt path beneath us transformed into cobblestone, signaling our approach to Moonhollow, and I glanced back at my brother. He rode behind us, maintaining a deliberate distance, much like he had done the day before. We would pass through one more village after this one before we got to the border of Niverrian, and from there, it would be another few days until we reached Gunnar.
With a sigh, I turned my attention to Zara. She was talking with Dedra, and a smile tugged at my lips. Dedra took a while to warm up to people, and it was nice to see her opening up and getting to know Zara.
I slowed my horse until I was next to my brother. “Want to talk about it?” I asked, not bothering to look at him.
“No,” he grumbled, keeping his gaze forward. His short blonde hair was growing out, and it looked like he needed a shave. The stubble on his cheek cast a shadow on his face, making him appear more miserable than usual.
“She is just looking for a friend,” I said, but he remained silent. I glanced at my brother again, shaking my head. “If this is how you would have treated your mate, then you’re an even worse male than I thought.” The words shot from my mouth, sharp and cutting before I could stop myself. I barely registered the way my brother’s gaze snapped to me, burning with fury, because I had already spurred my horse forward, closing the distance between me and Zara.
“We’ll be coming up on Moonhollow shortly,” I said, glancing at her. The dark circles and puffiness under her eyes made my jaw tighten.
“Dedra told me,” she murmured, more to herself than to me. Her voice was distant, like she was already miles away, even after last night.
