Chapter Twenty
Skylar Cathal
Moonlight skittered across the worn cobblestone path, laced with patches of soil and weeds interwoven between the stones.
Stars twinkled overhead as wisps of clouds wandered within the cold winter winds. The frigid air filled my lungs. The comforting scent of the surrounding forest soothed my inner turmoil.
My footsteps felt heavy as I silently marched through the center of town, my animal on high alert. I didn’t know if it was a combination of the grief I was forced to swallow from the loss of Julia, knowledge of Magnus’s absence, or if it centered around my mate.
But regardless of my own sorrows, I had a trial to complete.
I turned north, away from the main streets, with my friends and cousin at my heels. The worn dirt path veering off to the side was familiar, but there was no denying that this time was different.
Winter was well underway, with a sting of cold lingering in the air that curled around my warm breath. Meanwhile, Solace remained uncharacteristically quiet.
News of Istar and King Taran’s forces approaching meant there was little chance of a diplomatic solution on the horizon.
And I knew Gilen would not back down from this threat.
As a new alpha, he would see this as a way to prove himself, to solidify his claim by fighting to protect and defend our people, just like the alphas of our past. Like Alistar, like my father.
I just hoped he and countless others wouldn’t have to die in the process.
Shifters held an advantage over humans, but there was one problem with that advantage: humans outnumbered us. There were likely ten human soldiers for every shifter, and numbers often won a war.
As the alpha’s manor came into view, I admired the sturdy structure framed by decorative gray and white stone. The weathered ivy vines snaking up from the bottom, with overgrown hedges encircling the complex, gave it a rustic beauty as if nature intertwined around the structure itself.
“You faced off against a mage on the last attack?” Shaw asked Talon.
“Yeah,” Talon answered. “I never really understood what kind of magic they had until I had to fight one.”
I couldn’t help but slow my steps to listen in, noticing Neera and Rhea doing the same.
“They can somehow manipulate the energy and even the elements around them,” Talon said, swirling his wrists and exaggerating by fidgeting his fingers.
“What happened with the mage you fought?” Shaw asked.
“Besides bleeding?” Talon smirked as his brother gave him a look. “All right, fine. Details… I know, I know. You want the details.” Talon sighed. “The one I fought the other night made a shield of raw energy before trapping me on the ground. It felt like a cage.”
I glanced at Rhea. Her eyes narrowed as she listened closely to her mate’s story.
“Luckily,” Talon continued, “my wolf’s magic was amped up from the fight and wouldn’t tolerate that shit. I was able to overpower his barrier and break through. He blasted me with a burst of magic that hit me like a hammer to the chest, but I was able to recover in time to snap his neck in my jaw.”
“You didn’t eat him, did you?” Neera’s face went pale.
“No,” Talon answered quickly. “But… can’t lie and say I didn’t taste him.”
“I’m so glad my animal is a deer,” Neera said, thankfully not vomiting along the path. “I think, after that story, I might become a vegetarian, though.”
“That mage was fortunate I was busy dealing with a hunter,” Rhea growled. “No one puts my mate in a cage and has the honor of a quick death.”
Talon gave Rhea a half-smile and looped an arm around her shoulder. “You’re as deadly as you are terrifying, my love.”
Rhea turned and kissed his crooked nose. “No one but me is allowed to best you, Talon.”
“When I let you,” he countered.
Rhea raised a brow at her mate, bucking up her chin so she could meet his cocky grin. “Do you want to sleep outside for the rest of the week?”
“As long as you’re with me, I’ll happily sleep anywhere.” Talon laughed, pulling Rhea closer, the only one who would ever dare to see her threat as playful mocking.
I sighed. Seeing them together tugged at my center, the longing for Daxton daring to pull me under in a wave of grief.
“Don’t give in, Spitfire.” I swear, I could hear Daxton’s voice inside my head. “Don’t tell me you’re doubting the magic of our bond… You know I’m right about this.”
I huffed a laugh, closing my eyes and picturing Daxton’s amused grin. A true smile that exposed the hidden dimple on his cheek.
“You all right?” Shaw asked with Neera close at his side.
“As good as I can be,” I answered, looking at him.
He nodded, not pressing the matter further, which I silently thanked him for.
“Where was Magnus last seen?” I hated asking, but I needed to know.
“When we buried Mother,” Neera said with a shaking voice. “When we laid the stones on her grave, Father, he—”
We would both need time to grieve the loss of Julia, but right now, we had to be strong. And I needed Magnus.
We all needed him.
“Magnus shifted and disappeared into the forest and headed north,” Talon said. His grip on Rhea tightened. “The loss of his mate—” Talon, for once, had trouble articulating his words. “It’s…”
“You don’t have to explain,” I said quickly. “I get it.”
Talon and Rhea both nodded as we continued marching onward.
“There have been sightings here and there. He hasn’t left the pack lands, but we’ve been unable to reach him. We can’t communicate with him even in our animal forms,” Shaw added.
“I tried,” Neera said, reaching for my hand, which I extended to try to comfort her.
“The reason he’s still here,” I said in a calm, steadying voice, “is because he still has you, Neera. He could never abandon you. I don’t believe he’s gone. He’s just lost. We’ll get him back.”
“Promise?” Neera asked.
“Promise.”
Her soft smile amongst her freckled cheeks held relief as she sighed. “Thank you, Sky.”
“It’s the truth. I wouldn’t lie to you, and you know it.”
“I know,” Neera said as she hugged me, forcing our party to stop on the trail. “I’m just so glad you’re back.”
“For now,” I answered, hugging her tightly and stroking her hair just like I remembered Julia doing countless times in our youth. “I’ll have to leave again.”
My cousin looked up at me, the jade in her eyes shining brightly with admiration and love. “I know you do. And you will win this final trial.”
“You won’t be alone in this, Sky,” Shaw added, his voice collected and centered, just like him. “We know you will return to the Inner Kingdom with the alpha’s dagger and unlock the Heart of Valdor.”
“Besides,” Rhea taunted, “I’ve been waiting years to help you convince—” Rhea’s stopped as a loud call rang out overhead. A glimmer of gold and russet feathers soared through the clouds and away from Solace.
“Gods be damned!” I cursed. “Where’s he going?” I turned to Talon and Shaw for an answer.
“Shit,” Talon cursed. “He must be leaving on patrol.”
“Well, stop him!” I demanded. “Shift and call out to him!”
“He’s too far away, Skylar,” Talon said, his lips pressed into a thin line. “Only his beta can call him at that distance.”
“Then let’s go find his beta.”