Chapter 33 Gale
"I'll teach you," I say promptly, dragging him to dance.
I look at him with a smile, and Conrad stares back nervously.
"The great and powerful King Conrad is nervous?" I ask jokingly.
I see some people stop dancing to watch us. Now there are few dancers, and Conrad looks around, seeming insecure.
The music changed to an old rhythm, marked by drums and clapping, and everyone made room, waiting for the king to lead the dance.
The result was a clumsy step, almost tripping over his own cloak.
I put my hand to my mouth to hide my smile, but I couldn't contain my laughter when Conrad spun the wrong way and almost bumped into a pillar.
"You're fighting against the music," I whisper, approaching.
Conrad frowned, embarrassed.
"I face armies, but this... this is humiliating."
I position his hands correctly.
"Just feel the rhythm. One, two... now spin with me."
I guide the movement lightly, spinning under his arm. Gradually, Conrad's body began to follow the beat, more confident with each step.
When he finally got the whole sequence right, the hall erupted in applause.
Conrad leaned his forehead against mine, breathless and laughing.
"If I ever lose the throne, I'll say it's your fault."
"And I'll dance on it," Maya replied, eliciting laughter from everyone around.
A strong wind suddenly hits me. Around me, I see a large whirlwind of air growing, engulfing me completely. I feel my clothes cling to my skin, heavy. The air swirled around me, like a living circle.
Conrad, the garden, the guests, and the music dissolved like smoke. I could only hear the sound of the wind. Then images began to appear, black blurs began to take shape.
Several unknown symbols appeared before me, and some I recognized. They were in the book. Then I saw a long forest in flames, with large plumes of ash smoke. It was very familiar to me.
There were mountains covered in ice. Soon I saw several shadows, in the shape of people, running from the fire. Then I saw the shadows turn to ash, people completely charred. I closed my mouth, shocked by the scene.
Soon a path opened up through the burning forest. The path reflected pure gold, and on the ground were several shapes. The same ones that were in the book of hybrids. The living path seemed to continue beyond those ruins.
I understood immediately that I should look for the people who should be on that road. I had to find the hybrids. Then the wind showed me my next steps:
1\. The Sunken Archive – a forgotten place beneath the castle, where the erased names of the first hybrids are kept. There I will discover the truth about the extermination of these people.
2\. The Broken Packs – peoples who live on the fringes of the kingdom, who are neither wolves nor humans, and who await someone capable of seeing them as a people.
3\. The Shattered Link – fragments of an ancient pact that, when reunited, can restore the hybrids' right to exist under the moon.
Then everything disappeared. The wind and the entire message. I was breathless, trying to understand what had happened.
"Are you alright, my love?" Conrad touches my arm.
I startle, startled by the sudden touch. I look around and see that some people are looking at me curiously. I look around and see that everyone is normal. Didn't they see anything?
"Love?" Conrad approaches me again.
I look at him attentively, and his face shows the same confusion as everyone else's. I take a deep breath, trying to control myself. I force a smile and hug him.
"I'm sorry, I just got distracted." I try to lie, but Conrad still watches me carefully. "I think it's just tiredness, we've been here for two days." I use my best excuse.
"We can rest a bit." Conrad says, and I nod.
We greet a few people, and I blame it on tiredness. Everyone seems to believe my lie, so I start walking towards our house. Conrad was right behind me, and the soldiers who always surrounded us were close behind.
Conrad held me by the waist and guided me back to the house. We went inside and wished all the employees a good party, then went up to our room. I started taking off my jewelry, which now seemed too heavy.
I feel Conrad approaching and soon he's helping me take off the jewelry. His silence bothers me; I know he's trying to read me.
"It was just tiredness," I repeat, trying to escape the situation.
"I know it wasn't just that," Conrad says, turning me to face him. "You weren't tired. Something happened. Why did you suddenly get nervous?" he asks in a low voice.
I still hadn't dared to look him in the eyes.
"I just need silence."
"Maya," Conrad touches my arms gently.
"You were so excited and then you left your own party," Conrad says, and I know he's looking at me intently.
I finally look at him. His gaze was just full of concern. And I couldn't lie to my partner anymore, or I would end up bleeding inside.
"Do you trust me?" I ask.
"More than I trust the moon itself," Conrad replies without hesitation.
"Then trust even in what I can't explain. Because if I try to put it into words now... I might destroy everything."
Conrad brought our faces closer.
"I don't need to understand everything. I just need to know if you're in danger."
I shake my head, almost imperceptibly.
"No... not yet."
Conrad sighs in frustration.
"Yet?" He repeats the word, nervously running a hand through his hair. "You're hiding something too big to carry alone."
"I know," I whisper. "But if I let it all out now... there won't be a party left for anyone."
I move away from Conrad and go into the bathroom, taking off my clothes and getting under the shower. As the water falls on my body, I remember the symbols. The bodies and my "missions." Everything becoming a cluster of uncertainties and fears.
Then I feel Conrad's warm body behind mine and soon enveloping me in it. His arms held me tightly, making me sigh with relief.
"Keep this secret for tonight. But remember: from the moment the Moon chose you, you will never have to face anything alone again."