Chapter Fifty-Seven
Skylar Cathal
As Daxton and I walked down the hallway from the healers’ quarters, I couldn’t help leaning into him as he draped an arm around my waist.
Once we safely landed inside Crimson City walls, Daxton refused to release me from his hold and promptly carried me into the healers’ quarters.
Thankfully, the healers agreed that I was suitable and simply needed rest and sustenance to recover.
They gave us a delicious broth-like remedy to help replenish our stamina and magic.
I immediately started asking questions about what was in it. They kindly obliged my ramblings, not giving all their secrets away, but they did tell me they utilized the red healing waters in their recipe that gave Crimson City its name.
Staying true to her mysterious nature, Zola miraculously awoke once we landed, seemingly unharmed.
Thank the Gods above.
Zola promptly jumped off the back of the pegasus, marched to her room, and slammed the door shut behind her. Not even Idris was permitted entrance to speak with her, which surprised all of us.
Shaw remained close by my side. He gladly accepted the red-broth remedy from the healers but remained distant and oddly quiet.
“Sky, mind if I venture into the city and have some space from everyone?” Shaw asked. “I-I need to clear my head.”
“Yes, of course. Anything you need.”
“Thanks.”
“You sure you want to be alone?” I asked.
“Yes, unless you need me for anything else?”
“No, go ahead, Shaw, we’ll see you soon.” I granted him leave, knowing I was safe with Daxton.
The encounter with the fallen had shaken him, and instead of prying, I decided to give him space.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight,” Daxton said with a piercing gaze.
My mate wasn’t entirely convinced I was out of the woods just yet and watched over me like a newborn babe, but I didn’t mind. For once, I relished in his attentiveness. I needed Daxton to be near me. I craved his presence, to touch him, see him, and at the very least, simply hear his voice.
Gods, there would never be enough time with him.
After a few more hours rest and a hearty meal, the night was well upon us.
Dax and I walked toward the center of Idris and Adohan’s home.
I could still hear the echoes of Adohan’s rage while we were in the healers’ quarters.
He was furious at Idris for charging mindlessly into battle.
But then, in the end, his roars of madness turned to ones of passion, and we all knew the argument was settled for now.
Turning down the familiar corridor, the gathering area came into view with the Ekon family in the center.
Fae lights illuminated the space with the gleaming moon and twinkling stars overhead.
A fire peacefully roared in the center of a raised iron pit, warming the area despite the cooler night air, painting our surroundings with crimson and gold hues.
Idris and Adohan were seated on one side of the cushioned seats with Ember cradled safely in her mother’s arms. Astro stood behind them, affectionately gazing at his sister with love only a sibling could give.
“Where’s Shaw?” I asked, glancing around the space. “Is he not back yet?”
“I’m here,” Shaw announced, stepping into view along the opposite wall.
I gave him a curt nod as Zola silently appeared in the shadows behind me and Daxton. I jumped, swallowing my gasp of surprise as I turned, realizing she held the magical scroll linked to the Heart of Valdor clutched in her hands.
“Pardon my delay,” Zola announced as her eyes flickered over my shoulder to pause on Shaw.
I watched Zola carefully, noticing how her throat bobbed with unease and her breath stilled in her chest when her line of sight met my beta’s.
Shaw uncomfortably cleared his throat and pushed off the wall to cross the distance to reach my side. His gaze narrowed on the scroll, and if I didn’t know him better, I would assume that was the intent of his stare.
“So, this is the scroll that Daxton sacrificed himself to retrieve?” Shaw asked, his eyes trailing up to meet Zola’s. “It’ll reveal the location of the Heart?”
“It should,” I answered, watching Zola and Shaw’s interactions with keen interest.
“Yes,” Zola said, shaking her head as she unrolled the parchment. “You have the dagger, I assume?”
“I appreciate the confidence, Zola,” I answered, moving from Daxton’s embrace to retrieve the alpha’s dagger attached to my side. “Here it is.”
Carefully, I raised the dagger to the unfolded scroll.
Like the other two keys, I could feel the same powerful hum emanating from the weapon’s hilt in my hand.
I took a deep breath and gently dragged the blade’s tip over the final star.
Immediately, writing appeared across the page, and I readied myself to read it aloud.
“‘The champion shall know the way. Follow your heart. You must be ready—must be willing.’”
As I finished reading the final words aloud, a vision overtook me.
Flashes of wilt swallowed my sight. A winding path through the dense collections of dead and dying foliage appeared through the lifting fog.
A large body of water expanded behind me with a small clearing of rolling hills and scattered boulders.
Then I was rushed forward along the path and thrust toward the base of a towering mountain—no, a volcano.
Lava was spewing along the edges as an entrance along the base appeared.
In a flash, I was pushed forward once again, and then, there it was.
A stone the size of my palm lay guarded by a shimmering veil of magic. Red and vibrant like the molten rock surrounding the cavern, the Heart of Valdor waited for me to unlock its power.
Be willing.
The final words from the scroll echoed inside my mind as I hurtled back into my body.
Daxton’s arms cradled me, his face pinched in concern, brows creased. “Skylar?” he asked with unease.
“I’m all right. It was a vision,” I said, shaking my head and pushing to stand.
“What did you see?” Daxton asked as he swallowed heavily.
“I saw the Heart of Valdor. Where it’s hidden and how to find it.”
“Where is it, Sky?” Shaw asked.
“It’s inside the wilt.”
“Of course it is,” Idris scoffed as she stood to bounce her baby back to sleep. “Why wouldn’t it be someplace safe and easy to find?”
“The active volcano,” I said, looking toward Daxton.
“Thira,” Dax answered, “at the heart of the wilt itself.”
I nodded. “Yes, there’s a tunnel at the volcano’s base that leads to the Heart. It’s also protected by a veil of magic.” I looked at the dagger clutched in my hand. “And the final key, the blade that can magically cut through anything, will grant me access to the stone.”
“So, we’re traveling inside the territory of the wilt then,” Shaw stated. “Good. I’d like to have another run at—”
“I believe there’s a safe way through,” I said. “In my vision, the mist parted, and a pathway appeared. But I don’t know where the pathway begins. I don’t believe the creatures of the wilt will be able to attack us if we stay on the path.”
“What else do you remember about the clearing?” Adohan asked.
“Any details will help,” Idris added.
“I remember grassy rolling hills with large boulders and a body of water behind me.”
“I believe I know where this path begins,” Zola said. “I’ve spent more time than any other living soul venturing across that desolate piece of our land, and luckily, Gunnar and Castor are already there waiting for us.”
“Of course,” Daxton said in agreement. “It seems our luck has changed, Spitfire. And fate is finally smiling on us.”
“Let’s hope.”