Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
VALERIA
W hen I woke up Kai was standing near our newborn triplets. When I sat up, he turned around and smiled, "Good morning, Val."
I looked outside, but it was useless I never knew when it was night or day. I sighed, "I think I never will get the hang of this sky."
Kai walked over to me and sat on the edge of the bed, “It takes time to adjust to another world.”
I sighed and responded, “But, you know it well.”
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back on the wall. Kai took a deep breath and responded, “It took me years to get the hang of Earth.”
My eyes widened and I clicked my tongue and my teeth. I looked at him and he was giggling. I squeezed my eyes closed, “I am sorry it's just my mind is not in the right place to think about what I am saying.”
Kai shook his head and kissed my forehead, “You don’t need to apologize for anything.”
“Why did you wake up so early?”
Kai pointed at the triplets, "I couldn't sleep. There was no one else around to monitor them. I needed to check on the babies. They sleep so peacefully."
I held his hand, "I love to watch them too. It feels like a dream having them here with us. But you don't have to stand and watch them all the time."
Kai leaned in and kissed my lips, "This is the most lovely dream I have ever had. And it is real. You are real, and they are real. I couldn't ask for anything else."
I smiled, "They look just like you. Especially our little girl. She has your eyes."
"And our boys have your spirit," Kai said proudly. "They're strong, just like their mom."
I chuckled softly and put my head on his shoulder, "I still can't believe how fast things have changed. From getting ready for a battle to having babies, it's a lot, but in the best way.”
Kai cleared his throat, “There is something I need to talk to you about.”
I raised my head and looked at him, “What is it now?”
Kai exhaled, "Val, I need to apologize to you for everything. For not telling you the truth and leaving you when you needed me the most."
I sighed in relief, "Kai, I thought there was more to your fighting plan." I fixed my fingers between the gaps of his and closed them. "You were doing what you thought was best for your kingdom. I get that."
"I know," Kai replied, his voice thick with emotion. "But understanding doesn't erase the pain I caused you. I should have been there for you, especially when you were carrying our babies. You had every right to my attention, but I didn't give it to you."
I cupped his face, “Do you know what made me agree to come to Eldaria?”
“Fuck, I never thought about it.”
I couldn’t resist laughing at his reaction, “Well, think about it now.”
“I don’t know.”
I kissed his lips, “Because when Lucien kidnapped me you were the one who made me feel alive.”
Kai’s eyes widened; he opened his mouth and shut it again. I added, “I saw my family and how restless they were when I was away. I realized that it had been years since your family was taken from you, and now, after three decades, you finally have a chance to free your kingdom from the curse. I have no right to stop you.”
Kai had moisture in his eyes but he managed to keep his tears at bay. "Val, I don't know if you're saying this to make me feel good about being selfish, but the truth is, I've had my brother with me for all these years while you were all alone. I can’t justify my mistake, and I sincerely apologize for my hasty actions .”
I sighed., "Kai, I was hurt. I'm not going to deny that. However, I am also aware that you were attempting to keep me and our babies safe."
Kai squeezed my hand, "I believed that protecting you from the threats I encountered was the correct thing to do. But I missed the fact that you needed me in the process."
I placed a hand on his cheek, “The important thing is that we're here together now. Although we cannot go back in time, we can learn from the past and move forward."
"I promise you, Val I will never leave you and our babies alone again," Kai said as he leaned into my touch.
My eyes glisten with unshed tears, “I know you mean it.”
Kai kissed my lips, "I love you, Val. More than anything in this world. And I will spend every day proving that to you."
"I love you too, Kai."
“Where are you going?”
I held out my hand, “Come on, I want to show you something.”
Kai gave me his hand and stood up, “I think we can have sex here in this room, the kids are sleeping.”
I rolled my eyes, “I am not taking you somewhere to have sex.”
After we crossed the corridor Kai pulled back me, “What if the babies wake up?”
“You have no idea how much newborns sleep.”
I kept a finger on his lips and crooked my finger to have him follow me. When we reached the peak of the mountain I released his hand and asked him to stand under a nearby giant rock at the entrance of a cave, “Don’t come out until I say.”
Kai went inside, “You are scaring me.”
I shook my head, “There is nothing to be afraid of. I just want to show you.”
Once Kai had nestled inside I closed my eyes and concentrated harnessing the energy within me. I raised my middle and index fingers to the sky, feeling its strength flood through my veins. As I concentrated, an electric current of light began to flow from my fingertips, crackling and humming with raw energy.
With a deep breath, I opened my eyes, bringing the world around me into sharp focus. I directed my electrically charged fingers toward the far abandoned hill, feeling the energetic force develop and intensify. In one rapid movement, I directed the energy outward and sent a bolt of electric light flying across the air. The impact was forceful and reduced the hill to a mound of sand in an instant.
The rush of power was exciting and I felt a boost of confidence as I focused on another mountain. I twirled my fingers, feeling the electric current dance and whirl around them like a living thing. With quick, decisive movements, I aimed toward the mountain's base and released my energy. The current spiraled upward, encircling the mountain from top to bottom, crackling and shining. Within seconds the entire mountain collapsed forming another mound of sand.
I closed my fingers and felt the remaining energy settle within me. I called out, "Kai, come outside."
Kai clapped for me and walked out of the cave. "That was incredible, Val."
I smiled. "I haven’t shown you the most exciting part yet."
Kai raised his brow. "What is it?"
"Just wait and watch."
"Stand still," I said, closing my eyes once more. I gathered my thoughts and concentrated on the protective energy I desired to summon. Light slowly sprang from my fingers, crackling and pulsing with strength.
I opened my eyes channeled the light and created a shimmering shield around Kai. The energy merged and formed a protective barrier that surrounded him. The barrier gleamed and, flickered like a living being that only I could see.
When the shield was fully formed, I pointed at it and focused my power, increasing its strength. The shield responded with a surge of energy. Kai was taken aback by the abrupt surge and reflexively covered himself with his arms before ducking.
“What the fuck was that?”
I laughed, “Sorry but I had no other option when it came to showing you my shielding power.”
“Where is the shield?”
“You are standing under my shield.”
Kai was amazed, “And no one can see the shield?”
I nodded.
“What if I want to get out of the shield?”
I sighed, “Take one step forward.”
Kai did as I instructed and got out of the shield. When he didn’t feel anything he asked, “Am I out of it or not?”
I snapped my fingers and the shield vanished, “You were already out.”
While heading back to our chamber I asked. “How long will it take for the kitsune to complete their spell for our kids?”
“I need to go down and check their progress.”
“And how long will it take for us to reach the canine forest?”
Kai pressed his lips together to do some math. “We have missed this month’s tenth, so now we have a whole month and ten days to reach the forest.”
“Do you think that is enough time to reach it?”
Kai nodded, “I will make sure we reach it in time.”
We headed back to our chamber and Kai pulled me to him and cupped my face, “I haven’t kissed you enough since I have been back.”
Kai claimed my mouth and my heart started pounding in a fluttering rhythm. My arms wrapped around his neck. The kiss went from being gentle and lovely to intense and rough and sent a wave of heat throughout my entire being.
"Fuck, I missed these juicy lips."
I held him by the shirt and pulled him back to me to continue kissing him. Our breath started to get heavy when one of our babies woke up. Kai broke our kiss bent his head over my cleavage and sighed, “Val, I have to go to the baby.”
With shaky breaths, I nodded and he rushed to him. Kai picked up our son who was still crying. I walked over to him and took the baby. I started rocking and humming him and he went back to sleep within a few minutes. When I placed him back in his crib, Kai licked my earlobe. “I have to go down…”
My eyes widened and he sensed that I understood, “Down the mountains to check if the spell is complete yet or not.”
When Kai walked out Anna knocked at the door. I smiled and nodded, “Come on in.”
Anna asked, “How are you feeling after becoming a mom?”
I smiled, “I can’t describe it in words because it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”
“Which world? Earth or Eldaria?”
I opened my mouth but had nothing to say so I shut it again. Anna burst into laughter and then I joined her because now I understood what she meant. Kai and Eli came back in an hour and asked us to get ready as the kitsunes were ready to do the spell. I said my goodbyes to all fate the keepers. They let us use the amulet again.
I asked in my mind, “Should I keep it forever or should I come to give it back?”
“You’ll know what to do with it.”
I nodded and we all came down the hill including the triplets. My eyes landed on a group of people standing in a circle. I leaned in and whispered to Kai, “Who are they?”
“They are kitsunes, the mystical fox spirits.”
When we finally reached the bottom of the hill, one of the kitsune stepped forward, “Trust in our magic and your offspring will be safe.”
Kai and I exchanged glances and nodded in unison. We gently placed our triplets on a soft blanket in the center of the kitsunes' circle. The babies cooed and gurgled, completely oblivious to the strong enchantment that was about to befall them.
The kitsunes began to chant in an ancient, melodious language. As the chant grew louder, a shimmering aura encircled the triplets becoming brighter with each passing moment.
The main kitsune raised his right hand, marking the spell's climax. The kitsunes' calls spiked to a crescendo, and a blinding light erupted from their circle, surrounding the triplets in a cocoon of radiant energy. The light was blinding so Kai and I had to shield our eyes.
When the light faded, the triplets vanished. Only Kai and I could see the delicate shimmer in the air. The kitsunes stopped chanting, and the magical atmosphere faded.
"It is done," the kitsune said softly. "Your children are currently hiding in a transitional space, a realm between worlds. They are protected from all eyes but yours. Nobody can sense or see them like you."
It was a huge relief.
"Thank you," Kai said his voice full of enthusiasm. "We owe you more than we can ever repay."
There was a bow from the kitsune. "There's no need to pay us back. Take care of your kids and follow your destiny."
"Kai, we'll keep them safe. No matter what."
Kai nodded, pulling me into a tight embrace. "Together, we can face anything."
"Are we ready," Kai asked his small gathered army.
His soldiers responded with shared murmurs of approval.
Everyone settled inside a feline skyblade and began the journey to the canine forest.
After nearly a month of travel, a few days from our destination, a group of kitsune approached Kai, "We must speak with you."
The kitsune paused as if he was considering his words carefully. "Zamorra," he eventually replied, his voice low and solemn, "She is better than we expected. She knew about our plans well before we embarked on this mission."
Kai furrowed his brow in anxiety. "How is that possible? We've been diligent, moving quickly and silently."
The kitsune nodded, "Yes, but Zamorra is cunning. She enchanted the borders of the canine forest. Shapeshifters, like us, can't get through."
Kai was caught off guard, "What should we do now?"
The kitsune replied, "We were not prepared for this."
"Surely, there must be a way for us to proceed," I exclaimed, throwing my hands up.
The kitsune exhaled, "It is a strong enchantment that is deeply rooted in the forest. It would take a lot of magic to get around it, possibly more than our combined powers can handle."
I recalled Lucien using the Earth's warlock on Kai, Eli, and Anna. It didn't work. Kai's expression tightened, "I can't let you take such a risk. The perils in the canine forest are too extraordinary, especially with Zamorra's enchantments hindering our path. We have no idea what awaits us there."
I held his hand, "Trust me, I can do this."
"Valeria, I understand your determination. But this curse is strong, and trying to break it alone…"
"I won't be alone," I said. "The kitsunes can accompany me. We can use our power to figure out a way through."
“Wait a second everybody.”
“You, you have shield power within your fingers,” and then he pointed at a group of kitsunes, “and you have magic.”
Kai moved his finger from me to the kitsunes, “Why don't you all combine your power and make a super giant powerful shield that hides our army?.”
Eli entered the room. “Kai, I need to talk to you.”
“What happened?”
Eli sighed, “We can’t enter the forest as it has been bewitched.”
“How do you know?”
“All of us could smell the magic as the forest came closer except for Anna.”
“What does she think about it?”
Eli shook his head, “Anna is going crazy or maybe she is in denial because she can’t smell anything.”
“How can both world's magic not work on her?”
The kitsune explained, "Because Anna was a human being and was changed on Earth by an Eldarian royal bite. Perhaps she possesses the combined powers of both worlds and is immune to the magic of both realms.”
Kai looked at Eli, “Call Anna.”
Eli clenched his jaw, “You guys already knew about it?”
Kai nodded. “And you didn’t even bother to share this with me,” Eli asked in anger.
Kai stood up and walked over to him, “You and Anna have already done enough for this mission. You guys left your kids back on Earth. Now it’s my turn to take the lead, brother.”
Eli remained silent everyone was aware of how much they missed their children and how sensitive the subject was to them. We told them everything when Anna came in. By this time, Anna, the kitsunes, and I were all standing in a circle. While I was concentrating on my powers, Anna intended to enhance my powers, and the kitsunes were supposed to utilize their magic to make my shield large enough to protect our small army. Over several days, we continued to follow the same routine, and after seven days, we were eventually able to accomplish what we had set out to do.
We combined our powers and our army came under the shield. We entered the forest one step closer to our goal and arrived at the canine forest’s gate.