Chapter 18
Aurora
As we continue advancing north, the mild warmth of the canyon terrain quickly gives way to a nip of cold. The arid desert watches over our shoulders as we slope upwards toward snow-capped mountains.
This mountain range is a stark contrast to the jagged obsidian peaks of the palace.
Silver slabs of granite arch toward the purple sky, the snow shimmering beneath the waning sun.
I’m struck by the vast climates within the Northern Shadows, as if it encapsulates its only little world.
And all within a day’s ride. Then again, I’m in an alternate universe made up of things I only thought existed in the far corners of my imagination.
I tug my cloak snuggly around me, nestling into its warmth and softness.
“It’s fucking freezing.” Camryn disrupts the silence behind me. “Are we almost there?”
I grin to myself then peek over my shoulder as she pulls up the hood of her cloak, her dark hair disappearing beneath the midnight fabric.
“You are welcome to saddle up with me.” Caelum flashes her a grin while he pushes back his shoulders.
She scoffs, nudging her horse to move beside me. “Hey, faux lord, are we close to your village of captives?” Camryn sneers to Arc at the front of the pack.
“Yes, princess. The village is just over that hill.” Arc’s icy timbre drifts back to us, leaving a chill in the air.
“Fuck you,” Camryn mumbles under her breath. I stifle a laugh, suddenly realizing just how tired I am. I don’t know what to expect when we arrive at the village, but I’m hoping for at least a warm bed.
The cool air keeps me awake and alert as we crest a hill. Below, nestled into an alcove of evergreens, are flickering lamps, evidence of civilization.
“Oh, thank god,” Camryn sighs as she falls in line behind me. “What are the chances they have warm running water? I’d kill for a bath.”
Caelum trots up beside us. “Best not to say things like that around them. They don’t take threats of murder lightly.”
Camryn’s mouth goes slack as she glares at the winged male. He stares back at her with a solemn look before bursting into laughter. “I’m just fucking with you. Come on, you’ve got to loosen up a bit.”
He nudges his horse ahead while Camryn gives his back the finger.
My gaze fixes on the village nestled between sloping hills of snow.
Butterflies suddenly fill my stomach. I am not only nervous about meeting other travelers, but at the prospect that our efforts could be all for nothing.
And then what? So much is riding on the possibility of them holding powers like myself. If we are wrong. If I’m wrong ...
I swallow my nerves and follow Arc down the hill toward our fate.
Darkness settles around us as we ride into the valley toward the outer edges of the village. Thick evergreens open into a clearing of modest cabins. I estimate a few dozen houses, and as we ride past the first several, I spy curious eyes peeking out from behind frosted windows.
We come to a stop outside a cabin near the center of the village and Caelum dismounts.
“Welcome to Ni'haan,” he says before he leads his horse to a stable around the back.
I realize this must be his home here in the village, and I grow nervous thinking about me and Camryn sharing such a small space with him and Arc.
Arc appears at my side, holding the reins of my horse while offering me a hand. “You and Camryn will stay with a female nearby in her home.”
Damn my mental shields. I’ve been so distracted by meeting the travelers that I dropped my guard. I refocus, my protective barrier sliding into place.
I look down at his pale face, illuminated by the moonlight. “I thought you said women don’t live here? Only men and children.”
His face hardens. “Children grow up.”
Of course. I can’t imagine spending my childhood growing up in a world away from my family, surrounded by magic and strangers.
“That’s fucking sick!” Camryn shrieks. “Are you grooming children here for your twisted fantasies?!”
Arc sighs and lets his hand drop, realizing I have no intention of letting him help me down. He turns to face my disgusted friend. “I have no interest in courting a grown traveler who arrived here as a child.”
How noble of him.
I slide off my horse just as Caelum reappears, taking the reins and leading my and Camryn’s mares to the stable.
Camryn pulls her cloak tighter and crosses her arms over her chest. “Can we go inside, please? You didn’t warn us we’d be riding into an arctic tundra.” Her boot kicks at the snow on the ground, sending up a plume of fresh powder.
Arc stares at her and something flickers in his icy eyes.
I can’t help but think how he fits right into this winter wonderland with his pale hair and frigid demeanor.
But then again, the village looks like something out of a winter storybook, and I cross my fingers that the residents are just as charming.
He turns away from us, speaking as he walks. “You can warm yourself inside Caelum’s cabin while we meet with your host.” He stops on the front steps, his gaze fixed on Camryn, who shivers beside me.
He pushes open the door and Camryn rushes past him, bumping his shoulder. I quickly follow her, eager to dispel the tension that is building between them.
The inside of Caelum’s cabin is what I’d expect of a single fae male.
The main living area serves as the kitchen with a large hearth.
A square, sturdy wooden table sits near the fireplace and a thick cushioned chair occupies the corner nearby.
A narrow hallway is situated opposite the front door, and I suspect it leads to his bedroom.
I don’t dare go wandering down there. It might give him all sorts of ideas.
Camryn settles into a kitchen chair closest to the fireplace, which is roaring to life, filling the modest space with light and warmth. I sit next to her, pulling my chair closer to the hearth. Arc remains standing near the door, looming over the room like an arctic demon out of his element.
Caelum bursts through the door, shaking snowflakes from his onyx and flame hair. “Woo! Nothing like a little brisk ride to get the blood flowing, am I right?!” Camryn rolls her eyes as the large male stretches his wings, barely missing Arc’s cheek.
The winged male moves toward the table, rubbing his hands together, and a familiar glow of light dances around his skin.
His eyes catch my curious gaze. “You’re not the only one with fire fingers, remember?
” My skin heats with the embarrassment of being caught staring.
He chuckles and nods to the fire. “You know, you don’t need that to warm yourself, right?
These will suffice.” He wiggles his fingers at me. “Well, yours. But mine if you’d like.”
There is that arrogant charm.
I fold my arms across my chest, tucking my hands into my armpits, eliciting another chuckle from the seraph.
We sit quietly around the table, Camryn’s focus never leaving the dancing flames in the hearth. My heart quickens as the nervous energy of the room settles upon me. Apparently, I’m not the only one betting everything on this interaction.
Movement in the doorway catches my attention, and I turn to see a woman stride into the house. My mouth gapes at the sight of her. Beautiful, yes. But also so obviously human. The first I’ve seen since falling through the veil, other than Camryn.
Her hair is inky black, smooth and straight, falling just below her shoulders. Her golden skin shimmers in the candlelight, and her eyes are a honeyed brown. Based on the thin lines around her eyes, I guess she is maybe a decade older than I am.
She’s shorter than me, wearing leather leggings and a thick sweater that fits her petite frame. Her eyes brighten as they fall on me and Camryn, and a warm smile appears on her face.
Her eyes flicker from Arc to Caelum. I don’t miss the way he stands and stiffens beside me as she strides toward us.
“Hello,” the woman says, extending her hand to me. “I’m Mei. It’s so nice to meet you.” She has a soft accent that makes me think she’s originally from East Asia and English isn’t her native language.
The kindness in her voice brings unexpected tears to my eyes, and I grip her hand, surprised by the softness of her skin. She’s real. I clear my throat, breaking the lingering silence. “Hi, I’m Aurora. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”
Mei smiles brightly at me, gently squeezing my hand before turning her attention to Camryn, still seated beside me.
Camryn leans back in her chair, crossing her arms defiantly. “How do we know this isn’t some trick? Some ruse Arc has orchestrated to brainwash us? She could be a witch glamoured to look human.” She eyes Mei up and down. “I’m not shaking your hand, lady.”
My mouth gapes and heat creeps up my neck as I stare down at my friend.
Caelum’s jaw clenches at Camryn’s rudeness. Arc stiffens by the door. “What purpose would that serve me, Camryn? Why would I drag you all the way out here when I could easily invade your mind back home?” Arc says through gritted teeth.
Camryn turns to glare at him, but remains silent.
Mei drops her hand. “It’s okay. I understand your hesitancy and distrust. I take no offense.”
I want to apologize for my friend’s behavior, but I bite my tongue. This experience has been difficult for her, perhaps affecting her more than I think. My once lively and extroverted friend has turned cold and withdrawn, not trusting anyone. Perhaps even me.
“Well, I’m happy to have both of you here, and I know the others are eager to meet you as well.
But you’ve had a long journey and I’m sure you are hungry and tired.
If it is alright with Caelum and Lord Arc, you two can follow me back to my cabin and get settled in for the night.
” Mei’s eyes slide to Arc before locking back onto Caelum.
There’s a different kind of nervous energy radiating between the two of them, and I’m not the only one who notices.
Arc moves slowly from the doorway, his brow furrowed. His long finger rests against his lips before he speaks. “Mei, forgive me, as it has been many years since I have visited Ni'haan, but I can’t seem to remember you. When did you arrive in Silverveil?”
Caelum stays utterly still with his eyes fixed on the woman.
Mei clasps her hands in front of her, a shy smile crossing her lips. "Oh, that’s okay, Lord Arc. You’re very busy, so I take no offense that you don’t remember me.” She looks at Caelum. “It’s hard to keep track of the days, but I arrived when I was a girl. Isn’t that right, Caelum?”
Arc’s icy eyes shift from Mei to his winged sentry and guardian of the travelers.
Caelum blinks, his jovial nature replacing his hardened gaze.
“Yes. That’s right,.” He turns his attention to Arc.
“I don’t believe you’ve been here in the past thirty years, perhaps longer.
She would have been a teenager then.” His gaze shifts back to Mei and his warm eyes glisten.
“She’s shown excellent leadership among the travelers.
She’s well respected in the village. A comfort for the others. ”
Mei gives Arc a faint smile.
Arc’s eyes have narrowed into slits so sharp I fear looking at him for too long.
“Of course. The years have passed by in a flash, haven’t they?
My apologies. It sounds like we are lucky to have you here.
” The grin he gives her sends chills up my spine.
“Yes, I hope that a good night’s rest away from our company will do the ladies some good.
” His gaze flickers to Camryn, his nostrils flaring at the sneer she gives him before he returns his attention to Mei.
“And I look forward to speaking with you more tomorrow. You can tell me all about your time here.”
Mei clears her throat, nodding her head. “Of course. I look forward to it.” She turns to me and Camryn. “Shall we?”
I gesture to Camryn to rise from her seat. She sighs and joins me in following Mei toward the door.
“Good night,” Mei says over her shoulder to Caelum and Arc as she leads us into the chill of the night.
The frozen ground blanketed with snow crunches beneath our feet, and I struggle to keep up with Mei’s quick pace.
We pass a handful of cabins before we reach hers.
Inside, her home is much like Caelum’s—modest and filled with only the bare necessities.
But hers has a comforting touch. Hand woven blankets and tapestries, and herbs hanging from the ceiling in various stages of dehydration give the cottage a quaint, homey feeling.
A fire is already burning low in the hearth, and Mei stokes it to life. Camryn and I stand awkwardly by the door. “You have a lovely home,” I say, unable to let the silence linger for any longer.
Mei smiles politely. “That’s very kind of you. But we both know this isn’t my home.”
Camryn nudges me with her elbow, and I give her a wide-eyed glare. “Of course,” I say. “I just—” Mei holds up her palm, politely silencing me.
“Again, no offense taken. I’ve just been waiting for you for a long time. I’d rather just get directly to the point, especially with Arc poking around.”
My brow furrows, and Camryn speaks up beside me. “Wait? How long did you know we were coming? Aurora arrived in the Northern Shadows a few days ago. And Arc only told us we were coming here yesterday.”
Mei places her palms on the table beside the hearth, her gaze locking with ours. “I’ve been waiting a hundred years for you.”