Chapter 20
Soren
The air chills as Ash and I race through the woods of Whispering Glen. The sun set a few hours ago and the sight of my cabin and the prospect of a warm fire spurs me faster. I lead Ash to the small stable around the back, giving him fresh hay and water before trudging inside.
The musty air lingers with memories of the time spent here with Aurora months before. I smile at the mental replay of our passionate embrace in the kitchen before striding to the small armory.
I don’t know what Lord Arc is capable of, or of any other creature in the Northern Shadows, but I will pack my entire armory if it means bringing Aurora home safely.
I have never entered the northern territory, and the few sentinels I know who did never returned.
But I will be damned if I let that wretched male keep Aurora from me for a moment longer.
I settle on a bow and arrows, which are light as a feather and render my target temporarily powerless. For my sword, I choose a blade forged by the dwarves deep within the Raven’s Ridge mountains. Besides these, I always carry the daggers that once belonged to my father.
Satisfied with my choice of weapons, I settle into the kitchen to eat. I desperately wish Aurora was here with me. I hope they are feeding her well and she is eating enough.
I wish for a hearty stew to warm my bones, and the enchantment of the house provides me with a steaming bowl brimming with fresh root vegetables and chunks of roasted meat. While I wouldn’t have minded the distraction of venturing into town for food, I am grateful for the magic tonight.
The house is quiet as I eat. Too quiet, which I used to welcome. But Aurora’s melodic voice and gleeful laughter echoes in my mind, causing a deep ache in my chest. I glance at the clock. It’s late, and Aurora is likely already asleep. But I need to see her. To hear her voice.
I slip the communication glass from my pocket and flip it open. It pulses in my hand, and I watch it anxiously. With each passing second, my heart beats faster. Please, My Flame. Please answer.
I am about to snap it shut when the pulsing stops and the glass reveals darkness.
“Hello?” Aurora’s sleepy voice puts my mind at ease and makes me weak in the same breath.
“Hi, my love.” I search the image, trying to focus on her face in the darkness.
“Soren,” she sighs. “Hi. I’m so sorry I didn’t call earlier. It’s been an evening.” The looking glass moves closer to her face, and her creamy skin glows softly in the moonlight. She smiles, making my heart leap.
“It’s okay, don’t worry about that. I just needed to see your face. To hear your voice.”
Her brow furrows. “Are you at Windflower? What time is it?”
“Yes, I made it to Whispering Glen. It’s well past midnight I’m sorry for waking you.” I scan the glass, trying to determine her location. “Where are you? Did you make it to the village?”
Aurora lowers her voice and quickly glances around. “We’re at a traveler’s home in a village called Ni’haan. Her name is Mei and there is so much to tell you, but I’m worried our conversation isn’t safe.”
I sit up straighter in my chair, my mind considering the name of the village. Ni’haan. It doesn’t sound familiar. “Are you in danger?”
Her golden waves ripple as she shakes her head.
“No. No, I’m not in danger. It’s just, these travelers are ...
special, and I don’t want to reveal anything about them right now that could jeopardize the plan.
We will meet the rest of the village in the morning, and I’m hoping it’s the perfect opportunity to convince Arc to join the rebellion and let us return to Riverholm. ”
There is shuffling behind Aurora, and I stand in response, ready to battle a threat through the glass.
“Rory? Who are you talking to?” A raspy voice asks.
Aurora looks over her shoulder. “It’s Soren. I’m sorry for waking you.”
“Oh. Hey, Soren,” Camryn says from beside Aurora. “You better get your sentinel ass here before all hell breaks loose.”
“Camryn!” Aurora snaps.
“I’m just saying, I don’t have a good feeling about these travelers and what’s going to happen when Arc finds out about Mei and how the travelers have been holding out on him with their powers all these years.”
I can’t stop the growl that escapes my throat. I pace back and forth in front of the hearth, running my hand through my hair and trying not to crush the communication glass in my other.
“Soren, it’s going to be fine. Look at me.”
I follow her command and am rewarded with her piercing blue eyes and softened expression. How I wish I could caress her skin. Kiss her lips.
“You trust me, right?” She lifts her eyebrows.
I sigh, dragging my hand down my face. “Yes, of course.”
“If I felt I was in danger, I would tell you. I can feel something changing, and I don’t think it’s bad. I will know more in the morning. Just stay where you are and I will see you soon.”
“And if I don’t?”
Her gaze hardens. “If you don't, what?”
“What if I don’t stay in Whispering Glen? What if I can no longer deny the urge to come to you?”
Her mouth presses into a flattered smile, and her eyelashes flash before she gazes at me with fiery eyes.
“Well, sir, I can’t deny a sentinel his protective duty. But I want you to stay safe, and I don’t know what will happen if you cross into Arc’s territory. I would very much like you to keep all of your working parts.” She bites her lip, and I harden at the suggestiveness in her voice.
“Oh, god,” Camryn groans in the background. “If this is going to turn into a sexy call, take it outside, please.”
Aurora snickers, and I can’t help but smile. I am seeing a different side of her. It warms my heart to see her happy with her friend.
While I haven’t known Aurora for long, and know very little of her life before arriving in Silverveil, I’ve always felt that there was a part of her that was closed off.
And it’s been understandable. She fell into a world very different from the one she knew.
While I’ve seen her grow and open up, watching her with her friend is giving me a clearer picture of the woman I love. Somehow, she burns even brighter.
I focus on her glimmering eyes. “I can make no promises to remain here, but I will do my best to stay safe.”
Aurora sighs. “That’s all I can ask for.”
“Now get some sleep. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she replies before our connection goes dark.
My shoulders relax, but the conversation only leaves me wanting more.
More of her. More of knowing what is going on in the village.
I am ready to hop on Ash and drive him hard through the night, not stopping until I reach Aurora.
But sleep seems like a good idea. I will settle for seeing her in my dreams. At least for tonight.