Journey to the Capital

All too abruptly; our time at Fencliff comes to a close. And I feel the tears prick my eyes as Purdy and Thea hug me as tightly as they dare. These last few days have provided the rest and recuperation everyone has sorely needed. And now that we have Renys and his warriors fighting alongside us I can feel the morale lifted in the camp.

Purdy is on the verge of bawling and I’m at a loss of what to say to make it better. I promise both Ayris and I will see her soon once this is all over; even though I know I have no right to make such a promise, but she kisses my cheek anyway in thanks, wiping a tear on her sleeve. I go to pull away when she pulls me in tightly and I feel her breath tickle the shell of my ear.

“Come back to us soon,*daughter*”

I turn to see her smiling face, tears glistening in the candlelight. Shock and emotion evident on my face.

“I love you as one of my own, Laurel. Come back to us soon, hmm?”

I’m unable to control the rogue tears that spill onto my cheeks. I had never felt like I belonged anywhere until Ayris and Purdy welcomed me into their family home, yet I would have happily gone back home on that fateful night I’d been transported by the orb. But now I could never imagine being anywhere else but right here.

“Gods above, Purdy. I have left you alone for two minutes with my fated and you have already made her cry!”

Ayris strides to my side with all the effortless grace of a lycan warrior; whilst Purdy unceremoniously slaps him playfully on the back of the arm.

“Oh, you insufferable brute!” She admonishes, brushing a tear from her own cheek.

“You know I adore her”.

Ayris’ mouth curls at one side as he tries (and fails) to suppress a grin.

“As do I” He places a kiss on the top of my head, the action making my belly swoop.

“And you know I would never let any harm come to her. You have my word”.

Purdy nods, seemingly pleased.

As we say our goodbyes to the rest of the party whom have chosen to remain at Fencliff, I feel my chest tighten. I will be sad to leave our little haven in the mountain. And I worry for what comes next…

“You’re thinking. Loudly. I can feel it, velatha”.

Ayris turns his attention to me as he fixes the last of the bags to Bess’ saddle.

“Am I not allowed to think?” I tease, coming in for a cuddle as his arm envelops me at his side.

“I have long since learned that my *‘allowing’* you to do things or not has little consequence upon whether you choose to do them, my love”.

I can’t help but laugh at his seemingly blasé tone. To think this was the same rigid, uptight and grumpy beast I’d first met back at the military camp…

“You wouldn’t have me any other way”.

“True” he nods. “Now will you *allow* your mate to lift you onto the saddle?”

Ayris doesn’t wait for a reply before he lifts me effortlessly and places me gently on Bess’ back, forcing a very *ungraceful* ‘oof’ from my mouth.

“Purdy’s right” I start, adjusting myself in the saddle. “You really are a brute” I tease playfully.

“True”. Ayris agrees, climbing effortlessly upon Bess’ back with minimal effort.

“But you wouldn’t have me any other way”.

The cold nips around my face and hands as we begin our journey toward the capital. The chill has barely registered before Ayris is placing his large, warm hands over my own to keep them warm. I sink contentedly into his taught frame, the ambient heat radiating through the fur cloak Purdy had insisted I wear.

“Kel, have someone fetch me a blanket”.

“No, I’m fine, honestly”.

But the words are barely out of my mouth before a young shifter is handing Ayris a fur pelt from the pack at his saddle.

“You really didn’t need to-“

Ayris grunts, unconvinced at my protests. I’m not certain whether it’s the trickle of unease I feel seep through the bond or the way his body has remained ever so slightly tense since we left Fencliff that has my tummy tightening.

“You’re on edge” I speak low enough that I hope the shifter ears nearby aren’t able to hear me.

Ayris grunts again.

“Everything I value most in the entire world is right here on this horse” He replies. “And I am leading them both into danger. It goes again every primal instinct in my body, my love

My insides are snarling at me to turn around and hide you somewhere until all this is over”.

I remain silent for a moment or two, unsure of what to say. He’s always been protective, but I hadn’t realised just how badly this would affect him. Particularly now that I’ve come into my own abilities and have proven I can take care of myself. A prick of guilt gnaws at my tummy.

“Do not feel guilty, my velatha. I know you are more than capable. But when all comes to all, I am still a lycan at heart. I cannot help but be protective of you”.

I smile, twisting to place a kiss on his jaw. The dark scruff that lines his face prickles my lips, but I can’t seem to care about it.

“Is this a bad time, commander?” The unfamiliar voice catches me offguard and I find myself blushing; as though I’d been caught doing something inappropriate.

“No, no” I squeak, realising that the owner of the voice is Prince Renys. “Not at all”.

“Renys looks between Ayris and myself, as though seeking Ayris’ permission.

Ayris says nothing for a beat or two, before uttering

“You heard the lady”.

Renys smirks, catching my eye once more before continuing. However, I find myself at a complete loss at what he and Ayris are discussing because my attention is transfixed upon the beast he’s riding.

Renys and his men aren’t riding horses, instead they’re riding large scaled animals; with elongated necks and large orange eyes. They’re four-legged, but have large, clawed hooves that look deadly. Their faces remind me of something akin to a lizard mixed with a bird.

“Lexara, my lady”. Renys says, gesturing at his animal. “Have you never seen such beasts before?”.

I shake my head, my eyes still wide as I take in its appearance. It’s almost like a miniature dragon.

“They are the preferred method of travel beyond the Gloom, but they are stubborn and take a great deal of training. Incredibly loyal to the ones they trust…”

The creature snuffles in response, almost proud at the praise Renys bestows upon it as he pets it’s neck affectionately.

“Does… Does it have a name?”

“She” He replies, as the lexara huffs. “Her name is Quella”

I remain transfixed as Quella’s large, sunset-coloured eye wheels round to find me. As though she’s sizing me up, ensuring I’m not a threat to her master. She blinks and huffs, whether approvingly or disapprovingly I can’t quite work out.

The scales around her head and neck appear shiny as they catch the moonlight, I can definitely pick out elements of emerald green and navy blue, but the low light makes it difficult to tell what her true colour is. I’m excited to see what Quella actually looks like in the day-time.

“Could I..?”

“Touch her? Yes, she seems to like you. I think you should be safe enough”

“Safe *enough*?” Ayris growls, blocking my body from Renys and Quella.

Renys chuckles. “I assure you, no harm will come to your mate, commander. You have my word”.

Ayris nods, releasing me from his grip and I lean forward and gently brush my fingertips along Quella’s scaly neck. They’re deceptively smooth and pleasant to the touch; and she feels so very warm beneath my hand. She gives off something akin to a gravelly purr, seemingly enjoying the action.

“You are true Velythian, then?” Renys questions, though his tone implies he already knows the answer.

“*True* Velythian?” I ask. “I barely know anything about the Velythians, let alone *true8 velythians” I laugh, bitterly. I still don’t really understand how I could be velythian, or even know much about them.

Renys opens his mouth to speak, but is interrupted by Kel’s approach.

“A, we need you and Laurel up front”.

“Trouble?” Renys enquires, but Kel simply scoffs and trots off without bothering to reply. I feel embarrassed at his rudeness; and mutter something about Kel still healing from his injury, before Ayris and I both make our excuses and trot off toward the front of the procession.

We find Kel up ahead, alongside half a dozen other men. Their horses are still, as they look beyond the precipice ahead of us. As I follow their line of sight I see a fast flowing river below us; and then movement beyond the treeline. My heart stops as I realise what I’m looking at.

“Mantis” I whisper.

Kel grunts in agreement.

“Just two, but-“

“The scouting party spotted nothing” Ayris finishes Kel’s train of thought. His brow furrowing in concentration. I can already feel his mind working overtime to think of a new strategy to keep us from harm.

“Either they were wrong, or…”

“Or we’ve been found” I finish.