Chapter 41
Elariya
“Where Lanterns Burn and Wishes Fly”
Igazed at the Fae prince, every part of my body enchanted by him.
His wicked smile never failed to unravel me in ways I could never imagine.
Every coherent thought scattered from my mind. Every nerve ending came alive under his gaze. Every warning I'd given myself dissolved into nothing, fading in the wind like ashes.
All I could focus on was Wolfe Nightblade standing tall and dangerous before me. With the moons silhouetting him from behind, he looked like he embodied everything wild and untamed about this world.
And he'd just offered to take me to the Luminar festival. Something that had nothing to do with the spell, the ring, or our destinies. This was just about us.
“We'll take our leave, then,” Arielle said, cutting into the silent haze that had settled between us.
I forced myself to look away from Wolfe to acknowledge her.
She smiled back at me and fell in step with Garrick as he proceeded up the stairs.
I didn't miss the stunned looks that passed between them.
A silent conversation full of raised eyebrows and barely suppressed excitement before they disappeared inside the house.
My attention returned to Wolfe when he signaled for the elk to take their leave, too. They'd been patiently waiting for his command.
With his permission, they trotted away. I was slightly alarmed they were going because the Silvermere Hills were at least an hour away.
How would we get there?
Was he going to fly me?
I could think of nothing better than being pressed against him as he held me in the sky, but with all the fireworks going off, that could potentially be dangerous. Then again, I couldn't imagine a little thing like danger bothering Wolfe.
Wolfe's gaze shifted back to me. “Don't worry. I'm not going to take you up in the sky. I wouldn't take that risk with the fireworks.”
“Would you do it if you were by yourself?” I was simply curious.
“Yes.”
I was right.
He searched my face and grinned. “Why? Do you think I'm reckless?”
“Yes.” I borrowed his answer and spoke in the same clipped tone he'd given it.
“I will not be reckless with you.” He regarded me with a sidelong stare, then straightened. “Did you enjoy yourself at Hyxian?”
“It was phenomenal. I had such a great time.” It was hard to answer without showing the deep emotion I'd experienced from today. “My classes start next week, and the archmage will be teaching me.”
Wolfe looked impressed. “Sounds like things worked out even better than I thought.”
“They did.” I smiled back at him, lacing my fingers to contain my nerves. “Arielle also gave me the tour of the Capital.”
“It's very different, isn't it?”
“It is. Nothing in the mortal Capital compares to it.”
“I'm pleased you had a good time.” He dipped his head curtly, then regarded me with inquisitive eyes. “Ready to go?”
“I am, but how are we getting there, Wolfe? If we're not flying or using the elk, what are we doing?”
With a gentle smile, he raised a finger and tapped the air before us. The air rippled then sliced open, revealing a pocket of greyness.
Wonder struck me as I beheld it, and a shiver coursed through my body.
“We're going to phase through the Void.” A dark smile spread across his lips.
My breath faltered, and I looked from him to the expanding hole. “Is that wise? I haven't phased before.”
I gazed at the opening, at the swirling grey that looked like mist. The thought of slipping into something that was filled with nothingness twisted my gut. I'd spent more than my fair share of time in those sorts of places to know I would never go in willingly.
“You'll be fine. You need to learn how to do it anyway, so think of tonight as your first lesson.”
“Is it... safe?” I knew there was a difference between portaling and phasing, but as they were so similar, I wondered if they felt the same. I didn't think I could stomach that feeling of falling into nothingness.
“Ziyka.” Wolfe's voice dropped to a low hush.
“Yes.”
“You know I'd never put you in danger.” Those words were enough to compel me to go anywhere with him. Because it was true. He wouldn't put me in danger.
“I know.”
“Then take my hand.” He extended his hand toward me, his long fingers beckoning for me to move closer.
I took his hand and the moment his fingers curled around mine, the world fell away. I barely had time to prepare myself before the air collapsed in on itself, and we were suddenly surrounded by the greyness of the Void.
It stretched endlessly around us, muting everything. Sound, sight, even thought seemed to move slower. The space felt alive yet empty, and whispers of something that felt like wind touched my skin despite there being no air around us.
I turned to look at Wolfe but made the mistake of glancing down. My stomach lurched. There was nothing beneath our feet. The mass of gray yawned into an abyss, and I was certain I was going to plummet into it.
Panic overtook me, and I threw myself into Wolfe's arms, clinging to him as fear coursed through me. Tremors of fright wracked my body, but his warm hand at the small of my back anchored me.
I chanced looking at him again. “I don't like this,” I stuttered.
“Just hold on to me. Tightly.” His command carried a smooth, sensual edge that curled around my insides.
Desire awakened in his eyes like a beast ready to pounce. The look he gave me—for clinging to his body so close I could be an extension of him—made my head spin. I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to concentrate again.
Then suddenly, we were moving. But not walking. More like drifting through the gray.
A gentle pulling sensation made my heart lurch, unsure whether to race or still. I tightened my grip on Wolfe's chest, the only solid thing here.
His other arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me. “Easy,” he murmured near my ear, his voice velvet and low.
I pressed closer, resting my head on his chest, against the warmth of his jacket and the steady beat of his heart. I realized this was the first time I'd been aware of it. His heartbeat echoed in my mind, and mine answered it, too fast, too aware.
The Void began to thin, light bleeding into the darkness. And then, with a ripple like breath, we weren't there anymore.
Cool air kissed my skin. The scent of fire lilies, sweetness, and smoke drifted on the breeze. And when I lifted my head, fireworks danced above us in the sky, under the vibrant eclipse of the Phantom Moon.
We were here. Standing atop the Silvermere Hills for the festival.
My gaze found Wolfe's, and I gave him a little smile. “We got here so fast.”
“That's why we use phasing here.”
“I'm not so sure I'll get used to it.” I chuckled.
“You will. Just give it time.”
He stepped back first, releasing me. I found my balance and looked around at the magnificence surrounding us.
The hillside unfolded like a fantasy sculpted from dreams. From where we stood, we could see everything spread below us.
Music drifted on the breeze, haunting and lovely, while lanterns floated across the sky in silent procession. Hundreds of them, maybe thousands. Each one glowing with a different hue. Some shimmered with deep violet fire, others with gold or green or a soft blue.
I watched one lift from a Fae child's small hands and drift upward, the parchment trailing from its base curling like a ribbon in the breeze. The child laughed, a melodious sound that added to the reverie.
Farther down the hill, robed priests walked in pairs, each carrying a long bronze torch. People stepped into their paths and whispered things into the flame, then drew back with their hands pressed to their hearts.
There were food vendors tucked into glowing alcoves carved from stone. Couples danced in rings of firelight while children ran barefoot, chasing floating lights that scattered into petals when caught.
I turned slowly, taking it all in, and stopped when my gaze landed on the slopes behind us.
Silver glowing blossoms, the same color as the Phantom Moon, bloomed along the hillside.
The flowers opened and closed slowly in a reverent dance, then released sparkling dust that shimmered against the dark.
“They only bloom for a few hours,” Wolfe leaned in and explained.
“Really? But they're so beautiful.”
“They are. We call them soul flowers. They bloom from the residual energy from the moon, so they're only around during the Luminar. By tomorrow, they will have disappeared.” Something in his voice told me the sight of the flowers held some deeper meaning for him.
I wanted to ask but thought better of it. Maybe he'd tell me eventually.
“Let's look around.” He stepped forward, and I followed, trying to contain my excitement for being here with him.
Wolfe led me down the slope, his steps unhurried but purposeful, as though he already knew which parts of the festival would captivate me most.
Just ahead, fire jugglers performed in a wide ring of onlookers, tossing flames back and forth with impossible precision.
Each blaze streaked with amethyst, emerald, and gold, flickering like stars before spinning through the air to be caught again.
One performer blew a stream of violet fire into the sky, and the crowd gasped as it bloomed into the shape of a phoenix, wings outstretched and lustrous.
Beyond them, market stalls shimmered under brightly colored canopies with vendors selling things I'd never seen before.
There were moon-spun scarves that were supposed to change color with emotion, tiny glass bottles that captured a single laugh or whispered blessing, jewelry shaped from petrified stardust.
In a nearby alcove, a group of Fae sculptors shaped molten light into art that floated midair. Luminous wolves, cascading rivers, birds and butterflies shimmered alive before dissolving into silver sparks, then re-formed again as something new.