Chapter 96 Chapter 96

Chapter 96 Chapter 96
Mirelle’s POV
The dryads were finally here. Took them long enough. We needed out of here fast; it was no longer safe.
I followed Fiona to where the dryads were. When we got to the middle of the hideout, the dryads were surrounded by curious faes.
‘The dryads are only seen once in a while. That's why they are drawing so much attention,’ Fiona said beside me.
‘Oh…’ I said and tried to move closer, although I had seen one of them recently when Corlin asked for its help.
Then I heard Corlin's voice.
‘Alright everyone, give our guests some breathing space.’
I turned to where his voice came from. He walked to where we were, and the crowd made a path for him. I was able to catch a glimpse of the dryads before Corlin blocked them from my view. They were six in number, with bark-like skin and leaves for hair.
‘Can you hear what they are saying to Corlin?’
Fiona shook her head.
‘No, I can't. The dryads choose whom they want to understand their speech.’
‘How are they really going to get us out of here?’ I had been really curious about that.
‘The dryads are connected to the trees, the trees to the earth. Through the earth, every tree is connected, and they know where the enemy is and isn't. They helped us with this hideout, they can get us out of here discreetly and help us find a new one.’
‘Wow, that's huge.’
‘Yeah, it is,’ she replied.
Corlin side-stepped, and the dryads walked out of the circle created by the curious faes towards Corlin's office.
‘Sister... follow me. Fiona, get Eragon and the rest. It's time.’
Fiona walked away to do as instructed, and I didn't move. I couldn't get over the fact that he had just called me sister. That was unexpected. Never thought he would call me his sister.
‘You coming?’ he said, pausing to face me.
‘Sure,’ I said like I had won the lottery and followed him in.
A few minutes later, we were all packed into Corlin's office with the crew and the dryads.
‘The trees have whispered a path to us.’
I raised my eyebrows, surprised because I could suddenly hear the dryads speak. I guessed they felt it was a discussion all of us needed to hear and take part in.
‘But... it's close to the caves of the Saberthi,’ one of the dryads said.
Most of the faes in the room took a sharp intake of breath.
‘What's the Saberthi?’ I asked curiously.
‘The Saberthi are soul suckers. They eat the souls of fae and men alike,’ Corlin answered.
‘Fuck, and that's the only place we can go to?’
Corlin looked down, his hands on his waist, then shook his head.
‘I should have known. The fear of this forest made it possible for us to settle here. I should have known that anywhere deemed unsafe for fae would be our only option for safety.’
‘I'm sorry, my prince. But the Seelie are everywhere. They have contaminated this land with their filth,’ another dryad spat furiously.
‘Can't we get rid of them instead of becoming their meal?’
‘Princess, they are difficult to get rid of. Three faes to one Saberthi might do damage, but it does not guarantee victory,’ Eragon said.
‘Are we stuck here then? We can't stay here.’ I said
‘Perhaps, you might appease them during your stay?’ a dryad spoke
We all looked up, hopeful. I sat straighter.
‘How?’ Corlin said, voicing what was on everyone's mind.
‘A piece of the princess's soul.’
My eyes widened, and everyone's face turned towards me.
‘Why her?’ Corlin asked, his face turning into a frown.
‘She has a soul tie to her mate. A piece of her soul will appease them greatly. To the Saberthi, consuming a soul with a soul tie is the rarest thing ever and a special delicacy for them. They would do anything for a piece.’
‘Okay... ummm, I hope that will not affect me and Drake.’
‘You are at an advantage. Giving a piece of your soul will not affect you much because that piece is not fully yours. It includes a piece of your mate's soul as well,’ the dryad said.
‘What are the effects?’
‘You will lose the memory of someone dear to your heart. It might be anyone, but not your mate.’
I stood up from my seat and paced the tiny space left in the office. Did I want to lose the time I spent with people I loved? The memories I have of them? But our survival depended on it.
Then I thought of an idea.
‘Is there a way to preserve my memories?’
‘Yes, there is a way, I can…’ Fiona said.
‘Although there is a way to preserve your memories, the connection you have with whomever you forget will be lost forever. When you view those memories again, it will seem like staring at pictures with no emotions.’ the dryad interrupted
‘That's okay. My friends will remind me of who they were to me. Will the same thing happen to Drake?’
‘Yes.’
I stopped pacing and stared directly at them.
‘No... I cannot make that decision for him... I can't.’
‘I know this is difficult, sister, unless you can find a way to ask for his consent. But right now your mate is on the other side of the veil, and we are running out of time.’
I had no choice, did I?
I could see all of them waiting for my answer. I looked up and hoped in my heart that Drake would forgive me for this. I hoped he would understand—I hoped he would understand that I had no choice.
‘Fine, I would do it,’ I said with a loud audible breath.
‘I promise you, sister, your sacrifice will never be forgotten,’ Corlin said as he walked up to me and squeezed my shoulders. ‘Thank you.’
This might possibly cost me and Drake. But people's lives depended on it, the Unseelie Court's survival depended on it. I had to do it.
I simply nodded and sat down gently.
‘Thank you, Princess,’ Eragon said.
‘We will go ahead with the earlier plan. Get everyone ready; we leave tonight,’ Corlin said.
Everyone stood with a mission in mind, leaving the office within seconds, and I trailed behind them.