A half-sob, half-sigh came out of my mate as she sagged against me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder as I glared at the Spirit of the Woods.
“So, you will do nothing? How completely and utterlyunsurprising.” Venom dripped from my tone, and I barely contained the violence simmering in my veins. This was all a game to her. “How dare you come here and get Aileana’s hopes up just to turn around and say you can’t interfere? You should never have heeded the summons.”
Turning, I pulled Aileana with me. “Come on, love. Myhhena is just playing games with us. She doesn’t know anything.”
“Stop!” the Spirit of the Woods commanded.
I hated that my spine straightened and my feet ceased moving at the authoritative sound of her voice. A growl rose within me. “What?” I asked through clenched teeth, glaring at Myhhena.
“I said I am notsupposedto interfere, dragon.” Myhhena’s voice echoed through this stone city. “Not that I won’t.”
Her leafy arms spread at her sides, and then Myhhena did the one thing I never thought I would see her do. She bent nearly in half, prostrating herself in front of us as she bowed.
Aileana inhaled a sharp breath beside me, and shock came through the bond.
Myhhena continued, “I have wronged you both. Allow me to make reparations for my actions.” She paused. “Please.”
I stared at the Spirit of the Woods. It seemed to pain her, saying that word. Did she mean it? She seemed contrite, but I couldn’t forget what she had done.
Refusing to remove my eyes from the Spirit of the Woods for even a moment, I tugged on the bond.Do you really trust her? I asked.
Aileana leaned against me.Not entirely, she admitted.But if she can help, then it’s worth it.
My gaze swept over Myhhena analytically. She remained bowed before us, an unseen wind rustling the leaves and twigs that made up her body.
Fine, I said after a moment.I don’t trust her, but I trust you. If you think she can help, I’ll let her live. For now.
Thank you, Aileana whispered. She straightened, becoming the image of the fierce warrior I knew her to be.
Out loud, my mate addressed Myhhena once more. “What do you need?”
The Spirit of the Woods dipped her head. “Wake the others and we shall begin.”
* * *
A cool breezeblew from somewhere deep within the mountain, stirring wisps of my mate’s hair as she sat cross-legged next to me. To my left, Kysha and Maiela sat side-by-side, leaning against each other. The Fortune Elf’s eyes were puffy and bags hung darkened the skin beneath them. Kysha didn’t look much better, and I could tell the pair had barely slept. Aileana’s daggers lay on the cobblestones beside her, and my sword rested across my lap.
Earlier, the Spirit of the Woods had led us to this place. At one point, it must have been the bustling city’s square. Now, it was just another space void of life. Barren market stalls stood between empty storefronts. Dust blew on the cracked stone street, and the only source of light came from glowing bunches of mushrooms that grew every few feet. The air here was cold, but I did not feel the chill as I glared at the Spirit of the Woods.
We had been sitting here for at least half an hour, and Myhhena was still murmuring under her breath.
“What is your plan?” I asked, barely masking the growl rising in my throat.
“Patience, son of Aranuil,” she snapped, rather rudely someone that was one wrong word away from sparking my wrath and being torn to pieces and scattered on the wind. “This will take time.”
A rumble rose through my chest that had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the angry dragon sharing my skin. I tightened my control around the beast.
We can’t kill her,I reminded it.She might be able to help.
Or she’s just stringing us along.
I had to admit; the dragon had a point.
An air of despair and hopelessness surrounded us. The city was silent again, but today, the lack of sound seemed fitting. There was no room for smiles or laughter. Not when our friends were gone, and most likely, dead. I did not have any hope in Myhhena. I would sooner trust a vampire than put any stock in her.
After another ten minutes passed, she finally opened her hands.
Golden threads of magic slid from her palms as she spoke in a tongue so ancient that it was nothing but a collection of melodic syllables strung together. Myhhena’s voice rose in pitch, the gilded ribbons swirling in the air. Wind blew through this dark space of death. Leaves rustled. Goosebumps peppered my skin and my heart thundered.