Chapter 31

“Are you sure about this? It’s a huge gamble.” Anika’s voice was laced with concern, mirrored in her beautiful eyes and the nervous way her hands twisted together.

Night had fallen, and Navine and I had finally risen. I could tell he was still hurting, but he was too stubborn to admit it, moving around as if nothing had happened. But I didn’t miss the occasional flash of pain in his eyes.

The issue at hand, however, was the one we’d been debating before we got up: how to handle Dominick. Navine wasn’t thrilled about me getting anywhere near that Dragon, but he’d grudgingly conceded that there was no other way to catch Dominick in the act.

If we wanted to expose him and put an end to all this, I would have to do it mostly on my own.

Anika wasn’t any happier about it. She’d made that clear as we stood in the hallway discussing it.

“I get your worries, Mom, and I know it’s a huge risk, but it’s our only option. Dominick will always try to shift the blame, so it’s up to me to reveal his true nature to everyone, including our leader,” I told her.

“Is this because of those soul memories and recent events? You do realize there’s no concrete link between Lord Dominick and the Leviathan’s appearance. If it had sensed his alpha power, it would have surfaced immediately, not waited hours,” Anika argued.

“I understand that,” I admitted. “But this is about more than the Leviathan. This cycle needs to stop, and I won’t let him keep threatening me indirectly. If I want peace for me and Navine, I need to handle this.”

Anika sighed heavily. “There’s no talking you out of this, is there?”

“Nope. It’s something I have to do, for me, for Navine, and for our future.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to tell her about my dream encounter with Sven. I just felt like I wasn’t supposed to, and I couldn’t go against Fate. This was something Navine and I had to prove.

“Well, it’s hard to argue with that, and you’ve never been one to back down from bullies,” Anika conceded. She smiled at me. “That can be a good thing. I’m sure it’s tough sometimes, living among all these Dragons.”

“It can be a bit intimidating, but they’ve all been really nice to me. Lorelei even wants to keep building our friendship,” I shared.

“You mentioned you visited her home recently. Her daughter sounds wonderful,” Anika said as we started walking together.

“She is. She’s as beautiful as her mom, and Vlad is a really kind and noble Dragon from what I’ve seen,” I replied.

“Are you sure you don’t want kids of your own someday? I think you and Navine would make great parents, and I bet he’d appreciate having an heir or two.”

Deciding to be honest with her, since it was just the two of us, I said, “Well, it’s not that I don’t want to, but I don’t think it’s possible. Navine has made sure of that.”

Anika looked surprised. “He’s made it so he can’t have a child? Why?”

“He says he doesn’t see the need. Lord Lyric, his brother’s son, is currently ruling the Eastern Lands, so Navine feels that’s enough to continue the family line,” I explained.

“I guess that makes sense, but it shouldn’t stop him or you from having a family together. That seems a bit selfish.”

She had a point, and I’d felt that too, even if I hadn’t said it to Navine. But I also didn’t see a reason to push the issue. What was done was done, and had been long before we met.

“It does,” I agreed. “But I can’t change it, and maybe we can figure something out in the future if it bothers us too much.”

“Maybe,” Anika agreed, letting the topic drop as we continued our walk. “Either way, it’s been great seeing you so happy here, and I’m sure things will work out one way or another so you can stay happy.”

“I think so too. After all, no cycle lasts forever,” I said.

Anika and I paused as we neared the sitting room. The sound of Navine’s voice caught our attention. I hadn’t known we were expecting guests, so my curiosity was instantly piqued.

“Do you think any of this could be related to our problems?” Navine was asking as Anika and I peeked through the slightly ajar door.

“Maybe,” Emelio replied. “With that one out of the picture, it might help you wrap up this whole mess.”

He was standing with Navine at the far end of the room, facing him. His voice was as steady as ever, but I detected a hint of urgency.

“I hope so,” Navine said, “but I wouldn’t put it past Dominick to think this will distract from him even more. He’s already implicated his concubines in the Jube fruit incident.”

“I’m not surprised,” Emelio responded. “There might be some truth to it, but it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t have noticed something was off. He prides himself on his special wines made from those rare fruits. He would’ve noticed even the smallest discrepancy in his inventory.”

Navine nodded solemnly. “I agree. What concerns me more is that he wants Raelina to visit him. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s up to something.”

“Probably,” Emelio said, “but what other choice do we have? If he’s inviting Raelina, she might be able to find something against him.”

“It seems like you and Jekia have talked about this too,” Navine observed.

“Lord Jekia is very interested in resolving this issue, especially now that it involves Raelina. He sees her as one of his own. If circumstances were different, he and Lady Lana would’ve raised her. But with the lycans causing chaos, it was safer for Raelina to be with other Fae,” Emelio explained.

“I’m sure you let Anika take her because Forge was under my protection. I made sure the lycans stayed away during those years,” Navine said.

“That was a bonus,” Emelio admitted, a small smile playing on his lips. It disappeared as he grew serious. “But all that aside, we don’t have many options left. We need to break this cycle Raelina’s soul is trapped in, no matter the risk.”

“I’m ready to do whatever it takes,” I said, stepping into the room.

Neither Emelio nor Navine seemed surprised by my sudden appearance. They must’ve sensed Anika and me eavesdropping.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Emelio said. “And we’ll do everything we can to keep you safe. I’m sure you understand that we need to resolve this issue, just like we did with Lord Jekia’s family problems. It’s the only way to keep peace in the Northern Lands.”

“Could this really cause such big problems now?” Anika asked, standing beside me.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Navine admitted. “And I’m partly to blame. Because of my position, any problems I have could affect those under me, and even Jekia.”

“Then we’ll just have to deal with it, won’t we?” I said, walking over to him. “How about this? We’ll reach out to Dominick tomorrow and offer that I visit to talk to his concubines about what happened. And while I’m there, I’ll see what I can find out about him.”

“I don’t like the idea of you being alone with him,” Navine said. “And I don’t need to remind you what could’ve happened with Rosaline.”

“Sadly, you’re right,” Emelio said. “She chose to keep it to herself.”

“She did,” I agreed, a familiar fear creeping up inside me. I pushed it down. “But what’s done is done. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I won’t back down from him. Maybe if he sees that, he’ll finally back off—if he values his position, that is.”

Navine seemed unsure. “I’m not convinced he does, and he’s not one to back down easily. If he used it right, it could be a good trait.”

“It could be,” Anika agreed. “It’s a pity, really. There aren’t many Dragons left, and you’d think they’d want to work together instead of being so petty.”

“We’d all like to see that,” Emelio chimed in. “The Higher Ones have made it clear they don’t want to lose any of them. They see the Dragons as key protectors in the Northern Lands, just like other superior beings in the neighboring territories.”

Navine sighed. “There’s no other option, is there?”

“Don’t worry, Lord Navine,” Emelio reassured him. “As I’ve said, there will be plenty of safety measures in place. Raelina won’t be too adversely affected, and once it’s settled, you two can move on with your lives.”

I could tell Navine wasn’t entirely comfortable with this, but he didn’t argue further. Anika wasn’t thrilled either, but she understood the need for resolution. She decided to stay the night, perhaps planning to discuss it more in the morning.

My main concern, of course, was my husband. Alone in our room, Navine didn’t hide his unease.

“I don’t want you there alone. Not after what’s happened before,” he said, arms crossed.

I matched his stubbornness. “And what good will it do to keep me away from Dominick? He’ll just keep trying to tear us apart.”

“He can try all he wants. I won’t let him hurt you again, even if I have to get rid of him myself!” Navine declared.

“Do you really think killing Dominick will solve anything? You heard Emelio. They want the remaining Dragons to cooperate and avoid losing any, if possible.”

“And what good is sparing someone like him, who only cares about himself? He’s shown that time and again.”

“Are you sure? Have you seen him mistreat or ignore others?” I challenged.

“I’ve watched him pick and choose his responsibilities for decades. Why would I change my opinion now?” Navine shot back.

I looked down, exhaling a shaky breath. This was quickly becoming a pointless argument. I needed to help Navine understand the importance of this, despite the potential danger.

“This isn’t helping either of us, and I don’t want to fight about it. Dominick isn’t worth getting upset over,” I said softly.

Navine’s anger cooled. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take my frustration out on you.”

“I’m not mad at you. I totally get where you’re coming from,” I said, closing the distance between us. I hugged him, resting my head on his chest. “I promise I’ll be extra careful. I won’t die on you again.”

“Please don’t. I couldn’t bear it,” Navine whispered, hugging me back.

I could hear the desperation in his voice. He meant every word. If I died, he’d probably choose to die too. All the more reason to resolve things with Dominick. I wanted the happy life I’d imagined with Navine. I wanted us to have forever, if possible.

These thoughts haunted me as we went to bed. I stayed close to Navine, trying to sleep, not wanting to let him go. I couldn’t explain why I was suddenly afraid he’d disappear. Maybe the recent turmoil was making me paranoid.

Eventually, I fell asleep, only to be plunged into another strange dream. I was walking through a sunlit forest, drawn by the sound of singing. It was a gentle, familiar melody I hadn’t heard in ages.

~Mother…~

It was the lullaby my mother used to sing to me, in an ancient Fae language passed down through the Sun Fae for centuries, unknown outside our sect.

Why was I hearing it now? Was this a sweet dream triggered by the unlocking of my soul’s memories?

I finally found myself in an open field, the sun’s rays pouring down from a cloudless blue sky onto the vibrant green grass. A figure sat in the center of the field, her long golden hair shimmering in the sunlight, her white dress practically radiating light. As I halted about five feet from her, she looked up, a familiar, gentle smile playing on her full lips.

“Raelina…”

My heart clenched, my gaze locked on her. It had been so long since I’d seen my mother, and it felt as if she was right there, waiting for me. All I wanted was to rush into her arms, to feel her comforting embrace and her love just one more time.

Without even realizing it, my feet started moving, closing the gap between us. Mom spread her arms wide, silently inviting me closer, her sweet smile never leaving her face.

But as I neared her, memories from the past flooded my mind. Mom hugging me, encouraging me, holding my hand as we walked home that fateful evening.

“I love you, Raelina. Please, no matter what you hear, don’t come out.”

I halted, remembering her terrified expression that night, my eyes still fixed on her figure sitting there.

This couldn’t be her. Despite the surroundings and my wishful thinking, it didn’t feel like her.

“No,” I whispered. “You’re dead.”

The world seemed to plunge into darkness as I spoke those words. I took a step back, looking around as fear surged through me. The next thing I knew, I was blinking my eyes open in the real world, but I wasn’t in my bedroom. I was back in the forest.

I wasn’t alone. Three towering figures surrounded me, their glowing yellow eyes piercing the darkness.

~Golems!~ I realized. The one in front of me reached out, grabbing me before I could react. Its grip was firm, but not painful.

Once it had me, it turned and started moving through the trees.

“No!” I shouted, struggling against it. “Let me go! Navine!”

The Golem kept moving, but the other two stopped and turned. A flash of white shot toward them, followed by the loud clash of a sword against their stone-like bodies.

Navine was thrown back a few feet as the Golem holding me glanced back.

“Release her or I’ll cut you down!” he commanded.

The Golem seemed unfazed, simply turning to continue on as the remaining one squared off against Navine. It swung a massive hand at him, but Navine easily dodged it, swiftly slicing through its body.

He immediately targeted the Golem holding me, but a sudden flash blocked his path. The sound of clashing swords echoed in the night.

“I can’t let you get any closer, Navine,” Dominick announced as he flew in front of him, parrying his sword with his own.

“What the hell are you doing, Dominick?! Hand Raelina over to me now!” Navine demanded.

“Why would I do that?” Dominick retorted, sounding smug. “You’ve chosen to keep her all to yourself, so I think I’ll take her now. After all, she’s quite important to me too.”

“Bastard!” Navine snarled.

He shoved Dominick aside, but was immediately blocked by more towering figures. The air was filled with a foul stench as five Mountain Trolls lumbered toward him.

Navine was forced to retreat a few feet, left with no choice but to prepare to fight them.

“Navine!” I shouted, still trying to break free.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about him,” Dominick said as he flew beside me, his wings stirring the putrid air around me. “Those Trolls will keep him busy while I take you home.”

“I won’t go with you, so let me go!” I demanded.

“And what if I refuse? You’re just a simple Faerie. You don’t even have wings to fly on your own.”

Suddenly, the Golem’s grip loosened, and I fell from its hand. I screamed, free-falling before I was abruptly caught.

But it wasn’t Navine who caught me.

“As I said, you’re helpless on your own, and I can remind you of that,” Dominick pointed out.

But I refused to surrender to him, pushing against him.

“Let me go! I’m not going with you! Navine!” I shouted.

“Dominick, easy now,” he murmured. His voice was a soothing whisper.

His hand reached up, brushing against my cheek, and suddenly my thoughts were shrouded in a thick, impenetrable fog.

Yet, as my consciousness slipped away, the Prism Dragon’s voice echoed in the void.

“From now on, you’re mine,” it declared.