Chapter 30 #2
“They can. But hearing them...” She studied me with new intensity, as if trying to see beneath my skin. “That's an extraordinarily rare gift. I've never known a mage capable of such a thing.”
The bottom dropped out of my stomach, and the ground seemed to shift beneath my feet. “Really?”
She nodded, slow and certain. “Yes. To be honest, it's a rare skill for anyone. I’m from a dragon blood line and I’ve never heard them, so I suppose you're even more special than you knew.” She sounded intrigued, but I was having trouble breathing as I processed what she'd revealed.
First, I'd portalled, a skill known to high-level mages and beings, now I could hear dragons singing. A rare skill.
I didn't know what to make of it.
“Don't look so frightened.” She reached out and tapped my shoulder gently. “You probably didn't know you had such a talent because mages don't usually have anything to do with dragons.”
“Oh, that makes sense.” I considered the possibility. “I'd love to see the dragons.”
“If you could hear them singing, it means you're meant to see them.” Her smile brightened, reaching her eyes. “Perhaps next time, they'll sing longer and show you the way to find them.”
“Wow, is that how it works?”
“So I've been told. My father and brothers loved regaling me with tales of dragon songs. They have a melody for different memories they share with those who can hear them.” She gave me a fond smile. “You'll have to let me know what happens when you see them.”
“Sure, if I get the chance.” My gaze drifted to the caves once more. Wolfe didn't want me anywhere near them. I was more than aware that dragons were dangerous creatures, but that didn't mean I didn't want to at least catch a glimpse of them. Especially since I could hear them singing.
“Elariya,” Arielle's voice suddenly echoed around us, pulling me from my thoughts.
Gods. It was time to do the spell. I looked back at Zyrra and gave her an appreciative smile. “I'd better get going. Will I see you at dinner later?”
Zyrra's smile faded. “No. Maybe some other time. Wolfe and I aren't speaking at the moment.”
“Oh.” I was surprised, though at the same time, I could imagine Wolfe offending her. They seemed like complete opposites. “I'm sorry to hear that.”
“You're very sweet. Wolfe and I are often at odds with each other. I've just been coming here to tend to the flower garden. Our mother grew these.” She pointed to a cluster of custard-yellow roses across from us that beamed with such radiance they looked like they'd been infused with pure sunlight.
“They're beautiful.”
“Tending to them makes me feel close to my mother. I'm sure you must be aware that she's no longer with us.”
I nodded with sympathy. “I'm sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. Could you do me a favor?”
“Of course.”
“I'd really appreciate it if you didn't tell Wolfe or the others that you saw me. They don’t like it when we argue. Arielle and Alaric especially try to patch things between us, and I’m not ready to speak to Wolfe yet. I need time for things to settle down first.”
Gods, now I really wanted to know what had happened between them. It sounded like they must have had one hell of a falling out. “Sure. I can definitely do that.”
“Elariya!” Arielle called me again, sounding much closer.
I would have called back to her, but I didn't want to reveal Zyrra's presence.
“Go, before she starts panicking.” Zyrra chuckled softly.
“It was nice meeting you.”
“You, too.”
I gave her one last smile then turned to walk back up the path. I looked behind me to wave farewell, but she wasn't there anymore.
I stopped and looked around. She'd literally disappeared into thin air. Maybe she'd phased or portaled.
“There you are.” Arielle appeared, slightly breathless.
I turned around to greet her. “Sorry. I just went out for a walk.”
“That's okay. Are you ready for the spell?” Arielle bit the inside of her lip.
“Ready as I'll ever be.”
“Try to stay calm and think positive.”
“I'm trying.” I gave her a nervous smile.
“Come. Everything is set up and ready to go.”
I guessed that meant Wolfe was here.
What would seeing him be like after all these days apart? I supposed I'd find out sooner rather than later.
I inhaled a shaky breath and followed Arielle back inside. Everything that was supposed to happen next lay with this spell.
All my life, I'd been obsessed with spell casting. Now I was so nervous my insides trembled like they were going to fall apart.
We went underground to the Hollow Room, a hall the Nightblades used for high-level spells. Arielle had told me it was created using the same spatial magic as the Hollow Realm to make it undetectable.
Runes lined the walls of the entrance right through the hallway and into the large, spacious room that reminded me of the grand abbey in Stormfell. Ancient symbols pulsed with their own inner light, making the air hum with barely contained power.
Then I saw him.
Wolfe stood at the head of the hall looking as devastatingly handsome as ever in his full-black attire, his hair tied back in that way that emphasized the sharp angles of his face.
My heart faltered at the sight of him, tripping over itself as it tried to resume its usual rhythm. Gods, I was a complete mess and he hadn't even spoken to me yet.
The worst part was, when he looked at me, his gaze was empty, his eyes soulless and vacant with the sort of void stare you'd give someone you'd never met.
While I'd been eager to see him, desperate for even the smallest acknowledgment, he looked straight through me as if I didn't exist.
Like I was a stranger.
Like those special moments between us had never happened at all.