Chapter 39
Aurora
We leave early the next morning refreshed and eager to reach the mountain palace.
Dark clouds rumble overhead and a crack of lightning flickers across the sky as we ride into the Silverveil Mountains.
We pass through a familiar dark cavern framed with swirling runes, Soren leading the way.
Caelum must have prepared for our arrival by opening the passage.
The mountain air is cool, but hangs heavy with moisture as if icy rain could pour from the heavens at any moment. We follow torch-lit hallways deep within the mountain. I expect to be led into the palace, but I’m surprised when we emerge outside the back of the mountain a time later.
We lead our horses to the stables behind the palace. Silent stable hands shelter our horses as we make our way toward the expansive gardens that bloom as though in perpetual spring.
Soren’s eyes are on constant alert as we walk huddled together. The tall, dark peaks of the mountains rise before us like a gothic fence, trapping us in.
I glance up at the palace built into the rock itself.
It is beautiful and intimidating all at once.
I swallow, wishing I weren’t back here. But I’m here for Camryn once again.
It is then that I notice a balcony about halfway up the face of the mountain.
Two figures stand on it, arms wrapped around each other.
A grin curves onto my face as I take notice of a large pair of red wings cocooning a small figure with dark hair.
Camryn’s hands wrap around the stone railing. “Rory!” she hollers.
I wave like an excited child and race toward the palace. I stop at the edge of the garden, staring up at the pair. As Soren and the others catch up, a figure drops from above.
Soren shifts in front of me, ready for a threat. But the figure unfurls and my friend emerges from Caelum’s arms. Caelum flashes his shining grin and spreads his arms wide. “Welcome to the Shadows!” He nods at me. “I bet you never thought you’d be back, huh?”
“At least not so soon,” I mutter as Camryn crashes into me.
“Not soon enough,” Camryn breathes into my hair. I wrap my arms around her, feeling her warmth press against me. But her layers of clothing can’t hide that she feels thinner, which gnaws on me.
Soren relaxes while Caelum steps to our side, sliding an arm around Camryn’s shoulder. He gazes at me, and I slide down my mental shield to let him hear my thoughts on Camryn’s physical state. His jaw clenches and he gives me a slight nod to let me know he agrees. He’s worried, too.
He slides back up his cheerful mask. “Let’s get out of the cold. We’ve got a lot to talk about.” Camryn ducks out from his arm and leads me inside, Soren following closely behind.
We gather inside the dining room, a fire roaring in the large hearth. We settle around the table as Vespera appears with a tray of steaming tea and hot chocolate. She eyes Maeve curiously, the young girl watching her with a kind grin.
Camryn’s brow wrinkles. “Vespera? Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in days.”
I arch an eyebrow, considering how the silent sprite will respond to Camryn’s question.
Vespera’s yellow eyes flash from my friend to Caelum, who understands her unspoken words.
Caelum turns to Camryn, “Arc allowed her to visit family in Hollowbrook for a few days. She just returned this morning.”
“Oh. That’s nice,” Camryn responds.
I tug on Camryn’s arm. “Can’t you read minds now? Did you catch what she said in her head?”
Her brows pull together. “No, I didn’t.”
I turn toward her. “What about me? Can you read my thoughts?”
She takes a breath and focuses on my gaze. We sit silently for several moments before her lips press into a thin line. “No, I don’t hear you.”
I chew on my bottom lip. “Can you hear anyone’s thoughts right now?”
She turns toward the faces gathered around the table, each in conversation. Caelum stands on the other side of the table, his face locked on hers. Her lip twitches. “I only hear Caelum.”
Just then, footfalls click across the polished floor. A familiar icy voice cuts through the subtle chatter. “Caelum, are you two—”
“Yes,” Caelum interrupts as Arc crosses the room and stops at the head of the table.
Behind him stands a male I’ve never seen before.
His face is beautifully carved and angular, dark blue eyes gazing intently at nothing in particular.
He’s not as tall as Arc, and his hair is a deep amethyst color.
I clear my throat as I catch myself unable to look away from his striking face.
“We’re what?” Camryn asks. “Caelum? What did he ask you?”
Arc turns toward Camryn, casually tugging leather gloves from his long fingers. “Why don’t you read his thoughts?”
Camryn’s brown eyes flash to Caelum. He stands as still as a statue. “Mates?” she mumbles. “What does that mean?”
My heart leaps to my throat. Camryn and Caelum are mates?
Arc sighs, bored by the conversation. “You and my commander are fated. Bonded. Surely you’ve felt the connection.”
Camryn gasps. “Did you know?” Her eyes narrow on the large, winged male across the table.
He blinks slowly and lowers his voice. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want to scare you or put more pressure on you.”
Camryn pushes up from the table, her chair screeching through the silence that has shrouded the room. “I trusted you.” She turns away and stomps toward the hall.
“Cam,” I call after her. I get to my feet, but Soren places his hand on my arm, halting me. When I look at him, he shakes his head.
Caelum breezes by me, traipsing after my friend, who has already disappeared out of sight.
Arc slides into the seat at the head of the table. “It looks like there’s a lot to catch up on.”
Worry further builds in my chest as I think of my friend. But a question flutters to my lips and I turn to Arc. “If mates can read and speak in each other’s minds, why aren’t Soren and I able to?”
He arches a brow. “Are you sure you are mates?”
Soren growls, and I want to slap the smug look off Arc’s face.
I open my mouth to hurl an insult, but the beautiful male beside Arc speaks. “You are both half-blood descendents. Your blood has been separated from our realm for generations. You may have a fated bond, but you aren’t mates in the purest sense of the word.”
I scowl. “That’s a bigoted viewpoint, don’t you think?”
Arc rolls his eyes and leans toward me. “Draven means no offense, but he is right. Your connection to magic has been sifted out through centuries of human blood. And while Camryn is also a half-blood descendent, her lineage may be stronger to more powerful magic. And Caelum is pure-blooded fae.”
“What’s the difference in bonds?” I ask.
A shadow falls across Arc’s face. “Being gifted with a mate is sacred and incredibly rare these days. The bond can’t be rejected.
If either one tries to remain separated from the union, it will deteriorate their condition, stripping them of strength and magic.
It’s their Cauldron-blessed duty to love and protect one another.
Caelum’s match with the Dreamer is quite interesting. ”
I shake my head. My concern for my friend has reached an all-time high. Not only is she grappling with the uncertainty of her dream prophecies that we still need to make sense of, she’s also bound by fate to the one who delivered her to this dark palace.
Soren grips my hand and gives it a squeeze. “I’m going to check on her. She doesn’t look well,” I mumble.
He nods and pulls my hand to his lips, giving the back of it a soft kiss.
He drops my hand and I stride out of the dining room. And while Soren and I’s bond may not be as magically divined as Caelum and Camryn’s, I can’t help but be grateful for the mate I am blessed with.
I couldn’t imagine the grief I’d feel learning my captor was the one I was bound to spend eternity pining for.