Chapter Sixty-Two
Skylar Cathal
Flying above the clouds brought tranquil ease to my mind, my animal rolling within me at the open sky above us, with the looming threat out of reach below.
The entanglement of the sun’s rays painted magnificent pinks and dashes of yellow and orange across the horizon. Nature orchestrated a masterpiece that artists could never accurately articulate with their canvases and brushes.
“You enjoy flying, don’t you?” Daxton asked.
“It appears so.”
“I can feel your power surging through your center, your magic interloping with mine. Do you have any assumptions about what your animal will be?”
“A stubborn one, most likely.” I laughed.
“I’m looking forward to meeting your animal form, Spitfire.”
I squeezed his hand. “Me too.”
“Whichever creature you shift into, I know it’ll be a magnificent sight to behold.”
I felt my animal surge in my center, her power drifting around me in a comforting embrace, linking our spirits until we blended into one.
I had never felt this deep a connection with her before, and I assumed it was because we were ready to shift—ready, yet unable until the mark of the trials was no longer inked on my skin.
“Shaw,” Daxton called out. “Take this.” Daxton tossed the end of a long rope through the open sky to Shaw. “Don’t let go.”
Shaw nodded in understanding, and in a silver flash, Daxton teleported us through the Inner Kingdom.
The pegasi bolted as their hooves touched down on soft grass, their wings beating as they adjusted to the change of scenery.
I glanced around the clearing and realized this was exactly where we needed to be.
The rolling hills, with large rocky boulders along the tops, were identical to my vision.
Then, when I looked behind me, I recognized the deep, tranquil blue waters of Sterlyn Lake.
Thick pine and birch trees stood their ground where the barrier of the wilt halted, with hills and smaller mountains at our backs and a war camp stretching out before us.
I glanced ahead at the wilted landscape to the west and then, farther off in the distance, the looming volcano, Thira.
This is it. We’ve made it.
“Daxton! Skylar!” Castor’s voice thundered across the distance separating us as we dismounted.
“Cas.” My mate’s warm smile at seeing his brother lifted my spirits.
Castor ran to Daxton as they openly embraced one another. “That was one hell of a plan, Dax. But next time, let’s not willingly sacrifice ourselves to the enemy, all right?”
“Fair point.” Daxton chuckled as he released his brother.
Castor then turned his attention to me and quickly scooped me into his arms. “I’m so fucking grateful my brother was right about you,” Castor said.
“Me too,” I agreed with a soft smile, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Sky! Dax!” Gunnar was next to join us and promptly hauled me into his chest, spinning me around on the grass before gently setting me back down on my feet. “Glad you made it, little shifter. I have to admit I’ve missed you.”
Gunnar turned to Daxton with a bright, beaming smile, bowing his head. “My high prince. Your army is ready.”
Daxton placed a hand on his general’s shoulder before embracing his friend. “Has Finn arrived yet?” Daxton asked, pulling back as his eyes scanned the camp.
“No, he hasn’t,” Gunnar answered, “but we expect him to arrive soon. Zola has already informed us what happened in Crimson City, and she is patrolling the camp as we speak, gracing us all with her sparkling mood today… which is more pleasant than usual.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Shaw and noted his interest when Zola’s whereabouts were mentioned.
“Make sure there’s room for Finn when he arrives and that our warriors are ready. We’re leaving for Thira immediately.”
“Thira?” Gunnar asked, looking over his shoulder toward the towering volcano in the distant territory of the wilt.
“The Heart of Valdor is inside a volcano?” Castor asked, arching his brow as he glanced sideways toward me.
I nodded. “It is.”
My eyes locked onto the towering figure that held the key to our freedom. To Valdor’s freedom.
“Let’s get moving then,” Shaw said, joining the group.
“Brought along a friend, I see,” Gunnar said as he tilted his head toward Shaw, looking him over. “Brawny one, aren’t you?”
Shaw scowled, seeming unimpressed, and remained silent through Gunnar’s speculations.
“Shaw is my beta,” I said, “and he’s coming with us to Thira.”
“As am I,” Castor added.
“Brother, I—”
“Don’t,” Castor said, raising his palm toward Daxton. “You need me with you.”
With the brothers beginning to argue, their attention elsewhere for the moment, I reached out to Shaw’s mind. “Find Zola before we leave.”
“We don’t have time for—”
“Yes, we do,” I said in a firm tone. “Now go. We’ll see you at the border of the wilt near the western side of the clearing. Promise I won’t leave without you.”
“You’d better not,” Shaw growled as he slipped away from the group to find Zola.
I didn’t know if they would solve anything in these brief moments, but I knew he needed to see her. The least I could do was give him this moment.
“Dax,” I said, turning to my mate. “Don’t fight Castor on this. Let him come with us.”
Daxton furrowed his brow at my request, grey eyes swirling, searching for an answer.
“I knew she was clever,” Castor snickered.
Daxton ignored him, his ever-watchful gaze never leaving mine. “You’re sure about this, Spitfire?”
“Yes,” I said, “trust me on this one.”
Castor sighed. “And here I thought you were finally granting me a compliment, or at the very least appreciating my unique skillsets and what they can bring to this final dalliance of the trials.”
“Don’t push it, Castor.” I sighed as I shook my head. “I believe we’ll need him, Dax. I know you don’t want to put anyone else in harm’s way, but—”
“I know.” Daxton’s shoulders heaved as he sighed heavily. “I see your point.”
“You see hers and not mine?” Castor clicked his tongue and rubbed his fingers across his brow. “Honestly, we are on the brink of war. Safe is a rapidly fleeting state of being.”
“True,” Daxton agreed. “Is everything else in order for you to leave with us, Cas?”
“It is,” Castor replied, his voice holding a twinge of annoyance.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes,” Castor said firmly, reaching back to stroke the pommels of his twin blades strapped across his back. “I don’t carry these around just for show, you know.”
“Gunnar,” Daxton commanded, “ready the warriors, break down the main camp, and make sure to station the healers’ quarters near the base of the rolling hills. I have a feeling we’ll soon be at war.”
“Yes, High Prince,” Gunnar said with a shallow bow. “Anything else?”
“Honor the three peaks on your chest,” Daxton said with a half-grin, placing his hand on his general’s shoulder. “Accomplish this, and freedom will finally be within our grasp.”
Gunnar stood tall, his features hardening, preparing for battle. “I’ll see it done.”
“I know you will,” Daxton said, giving Gunnar a firm nod before turning back to me. “I can’t risk teleporting us from camp, but once we are a safe distance inside the wilt, then I believe I can jump all of us to the base of the volcano.”
“All right, well,” I said with a gleam in my eye, “let’s not keep the Heart of Valdor waiting.”