Immense relief flooded through me at that. I had assumed that was the case, because we were following the map and using the compass, but this confirmation was an approval I didn’t know I needed.
I told this to Kethryllian, and he smiled. At least as much as a deer made of bark could smile.I shall remain until you no longer require me. It has been many years since anyone has summoned the bridge and opened the Gate.I must admit, I am eager to see it built once again.
His words piqued my interest, but before I could say anything else, Kysha gasped. She flung her arms out at her sides, dropping the scrap of parchment as she unfurled her hands. Violet light burst from her chest, bathing the entire forest in magic. The purple wall shimmered, and a loudcracksounded in the air.
Xander shifted, widening his legs and rolling back his shoulders as he prepared to fight.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Daegal push Ryllae behind him, drawing his sword as Maiela moved beside her wife. For his part, Kethryllian simply tilted his head. He did not seem at all concerned.
The moment stretched on as the violet light poured from Kysha’s chest. The shimmering, opaque wall brightened until a fissure appeared in the middle of it. Small at first, it quickly expanded to cover the entire barrier.
Kysha dropped her hands, drawing in a deep breath. White light flashed, blinding me. Beside me, Xander swore colorfully.
When my vision returned, I blinked several times, but the scene in front of me did not change. A massive bridge made of pearly white stone so bright it hurt my eyes ran over the river. It shimmered in the sunlight, and even though the lava raged beneath it, not a single part of the expansive structure was singed or showed any sign of being affected by the flames.
But that wasn’t the most shocking part.
No, the reason Xander continued to swear, drawing on his extensive vocabulary, was the Spirit standing on the other side of the bridge. Unlike the Spirits of the Woods and the Waters, this one had no true form. Not really.
Where Myhhena’s corporeal form consisted of leaves and twigs, giving her the appearance of being at least partially formed, this new Spirit’s entire body was made of the brightest swirling flames. Much like the boiling lava, the Spirit burned red and yellow and orange, somehow taking just enough shape to know that the being before us was a female. She tilted her head, her eyes blazing embers.
“Is everyone seeing this?” Ryllae’s voice trembled, and she raised a shaky finger, pointing across the bridge. “Or am I—”
“It’s real, Dark One,” Daegal reassured her in a deep voice. “I see it, too.”
Kethryllian’s front legs dipped, and he bowed before the Spirit made of molten fire. I followed suit, and the rustling of fabric told me my companions quickly did the same.
“Greetings, weary travelers,” the being said in a powerful, eternal, and majestic voice. “I am called Inferna, Spirit of the Flames, and Safe Keeper of the Resting Place of the Ancient Ones. I see you travel in good company.”
At that, the Guardian of the Appointed Ones lifted his head. He stepped forward toward the radiant river, stopping only once his hooves touched the white stone bridge.
“It has been many centuries since our last encounter,” Kethryllian replied, his voice reverent. “I am pleased to see you remain in good health.”
The Spirit laughed, the flames of her body rippling in the air. “I am… here,” she said. “Good health is debatable. As you know, the situation is dire. I would be remiss to say I was in good health knowing the state of our land.”
“Of course,” the Guardian said delicately. “My apologies.”
“Let us think nothing of it,” the Spirit replied. She raised her hands and sparks flit around them as she hovered over the stone bridge. “Who have you brought with you?”
Kethryllian moved, coming beside me once more. His antlers nudged my hip.Stand, he whispered in my mind.
I obeyed, thankful that my body was strong and did not tremble in spite of the fear coursing through my veins. It was one thing to be mated to a dragon shifter who breathed fire, another to be in the presence of a Spirit made entirely of flames.
Warmth and reassurance came down the bond. Xander’s hand grazed the back of my thigh, his message clear.
He was here if I needed him.
Take off your hood,Kethryllian said.
I slid it off, dipping my head respectfully toward the Spirit of the Flames.
“Greetings, Inferna.” My voice was soft, but strong. This wasn’t the first Spirit I’d met, and though I was scared, I wouldn’t let her know it. “My name is Aileana of the House of Corellon. I am the daughter of Uhna and granddaughter of Niona, and I am the Protectress of the Woods, the Keeper of the Earth, and the High Lady of Life.”
I kept my gaze trained on the bubbling lava, watching as it hissed and sizzled, while Inferna’s eyes swept over me.
“Interesting,” the Spirit of the Flames mused. “You’re an Earth Elf.”
I nodded.