Chapter 64
Elariya
“Velastra”
Arielle looked at the little bag on my bed and gave me a gentle smile.
"Is that all you're taking? I've never packed that light in my life.
" She chuckled, though her voice carried more ache than humor.
"It's three days, and you're going to Stormfell after.
I'd be leaving with a trunk the size of a carriage. "
I let out a soft laugh. "I packed the important things, like my journal and some basic clothes. Next time, I'll take more. I just... wanted to leave everything else as it is. For when I return."
Arielle nodded, her gaze lingering on me with quiet understanding. "I look forward to when you come back."
"Me too." Her solemn expression mirrored the weight pressing against my chest. This was a goodbye neither of us wanted.
Everyone had already been briefed on the Seer's revelations.
Wolfe had met with them after he left me here to pack.
He'd probably told them the truths she hadn't shared with me, and that was fine.
I had enough to think about. If there was anything I truly needed to know, I trusted he would tell me in time.
The plan so far was, when the new moon rose and the curse reset, Wolfe would summon Arielle and Bastian to travel the Ghost Roads with us to Stormfell. There, we'd move in silence and secrecy. And I would be asleep the entire time.
My heartbeat quickened. I traced the worn leather strap of my bag, trying not to think of all the ways it could all go wrong. "I'm worried, Arielle. Worried about all of it. I've never had so much resting on me before. If I can't find a way to harness my powers... we'll be stuck like this forever."
She shook her head and set a hand on my shoulder. "Don't think like that. If there's one thing I know about you, it's that you always try your best. That weight of responsibility will only push you harder. And you will do it. You'll master your powers easy peasy."
"You really think so?"
"I know so. And I can't wait to help you. I've never worked with anyone who had time powers before, but the principles of unlocking abilities are the same across the board. Plus, we'll be at Hyxian a lot more."
I smiled faintly. "I look forward to that."
"You should. It's going to be exciting. Just imagine what you'll be able to do with such a gift. And you'll be ecstatic when you get your dragon."
"I have to admit, having my own dragon does sound incredible." I hadn't wrapped my head around it yet. I was excited, but there was so much to think about before I reached that stage.
Arielle gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, then released me. "Just enjoy the next few days with Wolfe, and don't worry about anything else. When you get back, we'll catch up. Maybe by then, we'll know more than we do now."
"I hope so."
"Think of it this way... you did so much more this month than you ever imagined. And you're not going back empty-handed." Mischief sparked in her eyes, and I knew she was referring to Wolfe.
"No, I'm not." A gentle smile tugged at my lips, warm with memory. "I feel like I lived a lifetime in just these weeks."
"Because you did." She laughed heartily. "Now, are you sure you don't want to take a few more things?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Alright. I'll send your bag over to the house."
"Thanks."
Arielle wriggled her fingers, and the bag vanished in a single breath. Wolfe was taking me to the Southern Isles. I was excited to see another corner of the magical realm. Even more excited to fly Hedion there.
"Is there anything else you need to do?"
"One more thing." I drew in a breath and pulled the two letters from my pocket. I handed them to her. "One is for myself. The other is for my family... explaining everything."
"Good idea."
"Hopefully, it helps. I'm going to need a lot of convincing. My family will, too. I just hope they won't make things too difficult."
Not they. My mother. She would be the problem, not the others. But I'd worry about her when the time came. The letters explained enough, and I still had my journal. It would slide neatly into the collection waiting in Stormfell, like the missing piece of a puzzle.
"We'll take care of it," Arielle said firmly.
"Please promise me you'll make sure I read that letter and my journal the instant I wake."
Her eyes softened, shimmering as she nodded. "I promise."
"I want to start... getting reacquainted with Wolfe as soon as possible."
"I promise you, my friend." Her vow rang with quiet conviction. "I'll make sure you have everything you need."
I pulled her into a hug, grateful for her more than ever. "Thank you, Arielle."
"You are so welcome."
We pulled apart, and she placed a hand to her heart. "Let's not say goodbye. How about I wish you well instead?"
"That works." I smiled back at her.
"Then, Na már iyah."
"Ye vár iyah."
A gentle knock sounded at the door. It creaked open, and Sirril poked his small head inside. He stepped fully into the room, and the grief etched across his face struck my heart.
I thought of our days on the ship. How he'd been the first person I'd trusted, how he'd carefully watched over me, and how his presence had given me strength I hadn't even known I needed. Arielle once called him the heart of the group. I'd agreed with her then. Now, I knew it. I'd lived it.
"Sirril." My voice quivered as I fought to hold myself together.
He moved toward me and clasped both my hands in his. "My Lady... it will be hard to say goodbye, though I know you'll be back soon. You just..."
"Won't remember any of it," I whispered.
His eyes glistened and he nodded fervently. "Let's hope it isn't for long. I'll have your cinnamon rolls and all your favorites waiting when you return."
A laugh broke through my tears. "That sounds wonderful."
"My Lady." He released my hands, starting to bow, but I caught him in an embrace, startling him.
"I'm going to miss you deeply, Sirril."
"And I you, my Lady. And I you."
We drew apart, and I brushed a wayward tear from my cheek.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked gently, glancing toward the door. "Lord Nightblade and the dragons await."
"I'm ready."
I looked back at Arielle as she slipped her arm through mine, her smile warm and steady. "Let's go."
I looked around the room one last time, drinking in every detail. Though I'd spent the past two weeks in Wolfe's chambers, this space had remained my sanctuary. I only prayed that when I returned, I would find my way back to myself just as the Seer had promised.
We left and headed outside, where Wolfe waited with the dragons and the Bloodsworn. Their eyes all turned toward me, and I looked back at each of them in turn, thinking about what they had come to mean to me.
Bastian, ever the guardian.
Alaric, the quiet comforter.
Garrick, the steadfast protector.
Together, they had become my shield, my circle, my family in the magical realm.
And Wolfe... he was everything that bound me to them all.
Arielle slipped from my side and went to stand with Bastian. He caught her hand, his smile soft, anchoring her in the way only he could.
"Thank you," I spoke up, my gaze sweeping over all of them. "Thank you for everything you've done for me."
Alaric inclined his head, his voice low and reverent. "La níyneria, a mun dair."
By soul and blood, we are bound. The meaning rose in my mind. My chest tightened, and I pressed a hand to my heart before bowing. "La níyneria," I answered with deep reverence.
They bowed in return.
I turned toward Wolfe, and he stretched out his hand, beckoning me to go to him. I did, sliding my hand into his.
With a gentle smile, he guided me to Hedion. The dragon lowered his massive head in greeting.
"Ready to fly, Ziyka?" Wolfe whispered against my ear.
"You know I was born for this." I laughed.
"So, help me, if you fall off the damn dragon—"
"I won't fall, my love." I used the endearment on purpose. It was the first time I'd ever called him that, and the way his body went still against mine told me exactly how deeply the words struck.
His grin cut sharp, but his eyes burned with something softer as he nodded. "Okay. Hold on tight. The magic will keep you in place, but you still have to hold on."
"I'll hold on with everything inside me," I promised, and he knew I didn't just mean the ride. It was everything. It was us.
"I'll hold you to that, mage." Wolfe grinned back at me, then signaled to Hedion.
The dragon rumbled, a sound that vibrated through the air like distant thunder, then he swept one vast wing down.
The dark membrane stretched taut, forming a slope that curved like an outstretched hand.
He angled it toward me with slow, deliberate grace, lowering himself in deference, as if offering me more than just a way onto his back.
I stepped onto the leathery surface, my breath catching as it flexed beneath my boot. Wolfe's hand never left mine. He guided me higher until Hedion lifted his wing and bore me upward.
At the top, a simple leather loop had been secured along the ridge of the saddle—Wolfe's precaution, of course.
I slid my foot through it, fastening myself in place, and felt the strange thrill of being claimed twice over: once by the dragon who carried me, and then by the male who would never let me fall.
Only after making sure I was secured did Wolfe leave my side to mount Pyrion.
I glanced back at Arielle. She waved, and I lifted my hand in return before lowering my gaze to Hedion's massive head.
The first time I'd ridden him had been wild and life-changing. I'd ached to fly again and taste the freedom that came with it. Having Wolfe at my side now was an added bonus.