The two of them moved away from the door, and I ran my hand down the ice. It was rough to the touch, and so cold that it was like needles stabbing into my fingertips. I had never seen weather like this before. Even in Eleyta, the Northern Kingdom, where the vampires reigned, and it snowed for ten months out of the year, the weather rarely turned this bad. Everything about it felt off.
“Come,” Olwine said, urgency filling his voice. “We must hurry.”
One by one, we slid our packs down the ice. They slipped precariously on the thick, slippery surface before settling against the trunks of nearby trees. Our snowshoes soon followed, forming a haphazard pile.
A hiss came from behind me as Olwine poured snow over the fire. “I’ll be leaving as well. Now that you’ve arrived, I no longer need to remain here.”
“Where will you go?” Kysha asked.
“I am going to meet up with my partner,” he said.
“Thank you for all you’ve done,” I said. I might have been a dragon shifter, but I still had manners. The halfling’s hospitality had gone beyond the realm of necessary, and I was appreciative.
“Of course,” he said. “One cannot deny the hands of fate.”
“I’m ready,” Aileana said, withdrawing her daggers with azing. She slammed them into the slippery surface; the metal reverberating as they lodged themselves into the hard surface. Grabbing one, she tested it before grunting, swinging herself up.
She is strong, the dragon within me remarked.
Yes, she is. Pride ran through me at the sight of my mate taking charge. She was incredible, and I was so proud of her.
Reaching back into the cottage, Aileana beckoned for the Death Elf to step forward. Ryllae looked nervously at Aileana’s outstretched hand.
“I’ve got you,” my mate said.
“Alright.” Ryllae took Aileana’s hand, holding on tightly as Aileana pulled her up, the dagger serving as leverage.
Kysha, Olwine, and Maiela quickly followed Ryllae out of the cottage. Each one slid on the ice as they exited the small abode, slipping and sliding their way over to the pile of snowshoes.
Soon, Daegal and I were the only ones left. The Fortune Elf took one look at Aileana’s outstretched hand before smirking. He moved back, bending his knees before bounding up and grabbing onto the dagger. He lifted himself up in one fluid motion, the sword at his hip not impeding his movements at all.
I was the last one to leave. Unlike the others, my size allowed me to pull myself up onto the ice with ease. Maneuvering carefully, I pulled the door closed behind me.
Aileana kneeled near the daggers; her eyes dark as she watched me appreciatively. “That was… attractive,” she said after a moment.
I smirked, stealing a kiss as her desire scented the air. It was oddly satisfying to know that I wasn’t the only one suffering from this lack of alone time. “I’m glad you’re not bored with me yet, Sunshine.”
Aileana yanked her daggers out of the frozen surface, sheathing them once more before sliding down the ice towards the others.Elyxander, I don’t think I’ll ever be bored with you. You keep me on my toes.
Following my bonded mate, I laughed.Good.
Once we all had our snowshoes on—something that took far longer than it should have—we began our trek into the forest. Thank all the gods, once we moved into the woods, the ice gave way to snow.
When the cottage was out of sight, Olwine cleared his throat.
“This is where I say goodbye.” He turned in a slow circle, smiling at each of us. “May Kydona and Thelrena bless your journey.”
The halfling took a step back, dropping his cloak on the ground. A flash of white erupted from his body, temporarily blinding even me. When it cleared, a massive white wolf with silver-lined blue eyes stood before us.
The wolf that was Olwine barked once before turning and running through the forest, disappearing into the snow-covered pines.
“Well, that’s one way to make an exit,” Daegal said after a moment.
Aileana turned in a slow circle, taking in the woods. Tinged in black, the forest was dark and gloomy despite the shining sun. Brambles and briars extended over the snow, and vines the color of the night stretched between the trees.
“The broken balance is worse than before,” she whispered. Her gaze flicked to mine. “I need to help. Before we go. I can’t… the earth is in pain.”
“Whatever you need to do,” I said.