Chapter 13
Rhyel gazed up at the sparkling, jagged rocks of the cavern as he floated in the oddly warm milky water. Yaena drew symbols over his face and the empty space on his chest while Obadiah chanted a fae ritual and made him drink the shimmering liquid mixed with the water of Taraknor's soul.
They guided him into the pool and snuffed out the light from the sconces before leaving him in the darkened silence of the cavern.
Sighing as he dragged his fingers through the water. He felt nothing during the ritual, and he felt nothing now.
How long had it been since they left him here? How long was he supposed to float here in the dark?
Close your eyes, brother and stop waiting for something to happen.
His wolf grumbled in annoyance.
"I don't think anything's going to happen."
Close your eyes and listen.
"Fine," Rhyel murmured, closing his eyes as he listened to the gentle rippling of the water and his heart's steady beat.
His wolf began to hum Obadiah's chant and the various creatures he could shift into, joined the tune in a melodious chord and the rhythm hummed through his veins, sparking a rainbow of colors in his mind.
The feel of the water and the sweet smokey scent of the herbs burning in the cavern drifted away as the streaks of color grew brighter and the chant grew louder until he was engulfed in a sea of white light.
"Alpha Rhyel, Lord of the Darcanos." A voice boomed and echoed around him as a black figure appeared on the empty white plain. Iridescent wings sprouted from the figure's back as it moved in a slow, confident gait toward him. "You have finally come."
"Who are you?" Rhyel said as the figure appeared before him with the body of a man but the face of a white moth with large black eyes and long fuzzy antennae.
"Do you not recognize me?" The moth man gasped, holding a hand over his black opaque chest. "I've known you since you were just a small speck in your mother's womb."
"Leko?" Rhyel whispered. "Why do you look like that?"
Leko chuckled. "This is my true form in the beyond," he said, pressing a hand to Rhyel's chest. "My, how you've grown. Your mother and father are eager to see you, and there's no time to waste."
Rhyel cried out as a sharp bolt of energy struck his heart and the symbols Yaena painted on his skin burned from Leko's touch.
"What..." Rhyel gasped. "What did you do to me?"
"Started your quest. You have much to learn and much to see, young Alpha," Leko said, stepping away from him as a red door appeared in the ether. "But you will find your way, if you so choose."
Rhyel slid a shaking hand over his heart. "What if I don't choose this?"
Leko spread his arms wide. "Then this is where you will remain. Your body will be trapped in a trance in the remnants of Taraknor's soul. It is your choice."
Rhyel smirked. "Not much of a choice, is it?"
Leko laughed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yet, it is still a choice, nonetheless." He shrugged and nodded to the door. "Go on, don't keep your mother waiting."
Rhyel's heart thumped as he reached for the golden handle. It had been so long since he'd seen his parents. What would they think of him? Would they be proud of what he'd become?
"They'll be proud," Leko said, patting his shoulder. "You have nothing to fear. I promised your mother I'd guide you safely to them."
Rhyel took a deep breath. "Thank you," he said, twisting the handle of the door and another wave of blinding white light engulfed him.
"Rhyel," a soft, sweet voice whispered. "Oh, my sweet boy."
"Mother?" Rhyel murmured, opening his eyes to his mother's smiling face just as he remembered her. Her long raven hair brushed back from her light brown face and braided down her back, while her golden brown eyes shone with joy.
"Hello, my dear," she said, brushing a lock of his hair from his face. "Leko guided you as he promised."
"He did," he said, as his mother helped him sit up on the cushioned burgundy settee. "Where...where are we?"
"In your mother's dreamscape. She created it for you. For this day," his father said, standing beside the settee with his blue eyes shining with pride. "It's good to see you, son."
Tears pricked the corners of Rhyel's eyes as he reached up, hugging them both. "I've missed you."
"We've missed you too, my darling," his mother said, stroking his hair. "But we have much to discuss."
"Yes," his father said, pulling away from him and wrapping a thick cloak around Rhyel's bare shoulders. "You've followed in my footsteps. The very ones I'd hoped you wouldn't."
"Don't say that, Vito," his mother huffed, reaching for a silver tray of tea on the wooden coffee table. "I told you this would happen and no curse you placed on your bloodline would stop it."
His father sighed, dragging a hand through his graying black hair as he stood beside the cackling fireplace.
Shooting stars blazed and burned across a midnight sky outside the windows of the room, highlighting the deep lines of worry on his face.
"I thought I could save you from this. From the Tsidian moth's power over us, but I was wrong. "
Rhyel frowned. "What are you talking about? What power do the moths have over Darcanos? I thought they were a blessing."
"They are a blessing," his mother said, shaking her head as she handed him a warm cup of steaming tea.
"Your ancestor Accalia made a pact with Taraknor to always protect his kin which is why a partner of a Tsidian moth's chosen is bound in loyalty to them, but your father has always confused the bond between a moth and the bond we have as true mates, but they aren't the same. "
"No, but it can certainly feel that way," his father smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Tell me who the moth has chosen for you to give your undying loyalty to?"
Rhyel took a drink of tea and the warmth of it soothed his aching skin where Leko touched him. "Her name is Sana Lightbourne."
The annoyance on his father's face softened as his gaze flicked to Rhyel's mother. "Dante got her out," he whispered. "He...he saved her."
"Yes, but not quite," his mother said, sliding her hand to Rhyel's cheek.
"My darling, it is very important that you use all of your many gifts and abilities to protect and care for Sana.
You must be willing to remove any yearning, any want you have for a true mate, and do anything to keep her safe. "
"Why?" Rhyel frowned. "Who or what is she that you would ask something like that of me?"
"Sana Lightbourne is the daughter of a phoenix."
Rhyel's eyes grew wide. "That can't be possible," he whispered. "A phoenix hasn't been seen in centuries. How could she be the child of one? Does that mean her sisters can—"
"No." His father shook his head. "The ability to shift into a phoenix is carried by the first-born. Kai, Aneera and Lyra do not have this gift."
"Neither does Sana. She wasn't born with any abilities."
His mother frowned. "Are you certain of this?"
Rhyel nodded. "She told me herself. She wasn't born with any gifts or abilities."
"I see," she murmured and shook her head. "That doesn't matter. Whether Sana has abilities or not, she still carries the phoenix gene," his mother said, grasping his hand. "Do you understand what we're telling you?"
"Yes, Sana will be hunted for the gift her mythical blood could bring. Who knows she carries the gene? Does her father know? Why wouldn't he be the one to protect her? Why did he allow her to come to me and try to kill her in the process?"
"That ridiculous man," Rhyel's father said through gritted teeth. "I never liked Sirius Lightbourne. He was too power hungry for my taste and he always treated Sana as if she was worthless."
"You knew?"
"Yes, we knew. Cyrillia died in a terrible accident, trying to protect any gifts Sana might awaken and something went wrong.
Sirius blamed Sana for her death and it didn't help that she didn't show any signs of having abilities, so he made her a servant in her own home," his mother said, shaking her head.
"He's the only one besides your Uncle Dante who knows that she carries the gene. "
"And he clearly doesn't see the immense value in her or he would've never let her become your betrothed." His father sighed. "Luckily for Sana, Dante managed to talk him into sending her to you."
"But Zena made the deal with Sirius' son for Sana to marry me."
"Mm, that sounds about right," his mother said, nodding. "My brother is good at manipulating those around him. He and Sirius have been good friends since they were young. I'm sure he put the idea in Sirius and Kai's heads."
Rhyel looked at his mother and father. "I still don't understand why any of this requires my undying loyalty to Sana?"
His mother's eyes filled with sadness. "Because I've seen what happens if you don't," she said, squeezing his hand. "And now you will too."
"Wait, Aloysia. Don't do this," his father said, crossing the room and kneeling before them, grasping their hands in his. "Please, don't show him."
"I have to, my love," she said, sliding her hand to his cheek. "This is part of his quest."
"But can't we just tell him? He doesn't need to live it."
"He does." She looked at Rhyel with tears brimming in her golden brown eyes. "You need to see the truth of your actions if you choose not to give your loyalty to Sana," she said, holding up a glowing hand to his forehead. "I'm so sorry."
"Wait. Will I see you again once you show me?"
His mother shook her head. "No, this is where our part in your quest ends."
Rhyel nodded as tears pricked the corners of his eyes. "If that's the case, then I'm...I'm glad I got to see you again."
"Oh my son," his father said, wrapping his arms around his shoulders. "I'm glad I got to see the man you've become. I'm so proud of you," he whispered. "I love you."
"I love you too," he said, hugging his father tight before he reached for his mother and hugged her. "I love you."
"I love you too," his mother said, kissing his forehead. "We'll always be watching you," she whispered, pressing her glowing hand against his chest. "And we'll love you no matter what you choose."
His mother's whispered words and the warmth of the room faded from his mind as darkness swallowed him.
Brother, let us not get lost in this future. I want to go home.
His wolf whispered a warning as a gentle, calming warmth enveloped Rhyel.
Don't worry. We will go home, but I must see this future our parents speak of and why we must give our life to protect Sana.
The darkness faded, and Rhyel gasped, shooting up from his bed. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he slid a shaking hand over his heart.
"What's the matter, my love?"
Rhyel looked back at the woman lying next to him with a halo of golden hair and striking green eyes against pale skin. She sat up and wrapped her arms around him and a smile tugged at his lips at her familiar call to his heart.
"Nothing. Just a bad dream," he said, pulling her close. "I still can't believe I found you." He nuzzled his face into her hair, breathing in her lavender scent. "My true mate."