Oath of Betrayal (The Broken Bonds: Slavic Fantasy #1)

N o sooner had we taken off than we’d landed.

I was still trying to get my bearings when I caught sight of our destination: high in the mountains, the wide, flat plateau took my breath away. Granite walls crowded in on three sides, broken up by the misty cascade of an enchanting waterfall dancing over rocks to fill a small pool before making its way more slowly to a second, calmer pool.

A thin layer of soil held a mossy carpet of mountain grass and wildflowers, and the mist from the mystical cascade turned the rays of the sun into a magical display of colour. The air was bitter and challenging to breathe, but after I concentrated and took several deep, calming breaths, it became easier.

As soon as we dismounted, Vahin took to the air, leaving us stranded. He caught a passing updraft and disappeared into the clouds. I didn’t mind. For a moment, I forgot about the world, drinking in the beauty before me.