A trickle of water tickled my ears as I entered the room, leaving the tunnel behind me. Staring down at my arms, a reflection of blue light coming down from the ceiling of the cave shimmered across my skin. Laying my back against the wall for support, I sank to the ground, feeling unexpected heat rising from the stones beneath me. Sitting against the wall with my knees raised, I hunched over and let the tears fall.
Sobs racked through me as the desolation rose. I couldn’t believe it. I refused to accept it. I just wanted to wake up from this bad dream, to escape the nightmare of a situation I found myself in. I didn’t know how long I sat there. The warm ground beneath me did nothing to stop the arctic dagger that had plunged into my chest, my veins running cold as my heart shattered.
I didn’t want to choose. I shouldn’t have to choose. Kateya and I both deserved to go home; neither of us asked to be wrapped up in this mess. And my sister, she had her whole life laid out for her still.
Hell, so did I. A life which seemed so far away right now. Friends who I hadn’t thought about in weeks. My parents, who had to be worried sick for us. The tears continued, staining my cheeks, my body shaking as I let out my frustrations, my fears, and the overwhelming sorrow found in my heart.
At some point, the tears began to dry, my heart numbed as I sat motionless on the floor, time wasting away aimlessly. A warm hand on my shoulder startled me. I gazed up and met the icy blue eyes I’d grown so familiar with.
“Come with me.” Sébastien stretched out his arm. I hesitated, staring at his extended hand in silence, before slowly reaching out, allowing him to pull me from my numbed state.
I let Sébastien pull me up and lead me through a maze of tunnels, the dimmed, blue light continuing to flicker across my skin. My mind was blank, void of feeling. He stopped short in a foggy room where a warm mist rested heavily on my skin. I nearly crashed into his unmoving form.
“Where are we?” I asked him as I looked around the space in surprise. It was an enclosed circular cave with various grooves and crevasses formed throughout the ground and walls. The ceiling was covered with the same deep blue luminescence as the other rooms I had entered, casting deep shadows and blue tones through the cave. A large willow tree grew out of the stone under the mountain, its branches stretching high as it filled the space. The hanging branches were an iridescent color shimmering on the water below as they swayed slightly. The willow sat beside a deep pool, steam wafting up from the silver-colored water.
“The Reflection Pool,” he answered softly. “Or at least that’s what we called it when we first found it.”
“I find it hard to imagine four boys finding this and giving it such a romantic name like the Reflection Pool.” A hint of a smile crossed my lips for the briefest of seconds.
“Yes, well, unfortunately, we let Kairon be in charge of naming this cave,” Sébastien replied.
I walked over to the edge of the pool, my hand trailing along the smooth bark of the willow tree on the edge. The iridescent branches seemed to be reaching out toward me as I lowered myself down. I dipped my toes into the water, causing ripples. Leaning back against the tree, I lowered my legs into the water and enjoyed the warm heat surrounding my ankles, then my calves.
“Why did you bring me here?” I asked as Sébastien lowered himself beside me, his shoulder gently brushing against mine as he settled in.
“My father brought me to the Barree Rise when I was fifteen.” His eyes misted as he remembered. “My mother had fallen ill after barely surviving a Seefer attack while she visited a neighboring village. My younger sister was mauled to death by a Seefer in the attack. She was only five years old.” He paused for a moment, and I stopped breathing as I waited for him to continue. “My father was determined to do everything in his power to save my mother and bring my sister back. He couldn’t accept the fate dealt to them.” He shook his head.
“Including ancient magic?” I prompted.
“Yes.” He sighed. “My father bartered with the Elder for quite some time. But I knew.” His tone held remorse, sorrow as he spoke.
“I knew the moment we left the Palais that I wouldn’t see my mother again.” He looked down at his hands and then at me. “I watched my father plead for any magic or power that would help my mother survive and bring my sister back. He was driven to the brink of insanity from the grief. And the Elder, well, he offered the only thing he could. He cast a strand of ancient magic on my father, one to ease the grief he felt. Not just the grief, but the blame and guilt he carried after the attack.”
I looked into Sébastien’s eyes as he spoke. I understood that far-off look on his face. “I sat right here while my father spoke to the Elder. I sat here wondering how my father could have allowed my mother to go to the neighboring village that day. I resented him for allowing her to take my sister with her. He was the king, after all. He should have been more concerned for her safety.” His voice rose in frustration. “He had to have known that the Seefers were a threat when he gave my mother permission to go.”
He looked directly at me. “I had so much anger and hatred toward my father over their deaths. And as we left to head home, my hatred grew. I just couldn’t understand how he could dare move on. Dare to escape the pain. The sorrow. The constant guilt—with magic. By the time we made it back to the Palais, my mother had passed on. And my father simply carried on as if nothing had changed. As if their deaths didn’t matter in the least.”
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, surprised at his confession.
“On my next journey here, I asked the Elder why he took away my father’s pain,” Sébastien admitted as he sat up tall, looking into the Reflection Pond. “The Elder responded it was because a strong ruler must lead with confidence and control. That a guilt-ridden ruler, one with emotions and sorrow. One who felt pain and admitted it, wouldn’t be able to rule the land and remain in control.”
“Your father’s pain wasn’t removed for his benefit, was it?”
He shook his head and laughed darkly. “No. No, it wasn’t. I learned then that any choice, decision, or answer given on this damn mountain is for a bigger story, a future intent and never for personal gain.” We sat in silence as he finished sharing, reflecting on the past. On what we had each gone through to get to this moment.
“I’m going to lose my sister,” I whispered through the tears as I stared at the ripples in the water.
“I know,” Sébastien replied slowly. “I’m sorry.”
“This was never supposed to happen. I was supposed to get the pendant back and wish us back home, away from all of this,” I admitted, gesturing to the cave surrounding. “There wasn’t supposed to be a choice. It wasn’t supposed to be one or the other going home.”
“There’s always a choice, princesse.” Sébastien’s voice flowed over me as I struggled to breathe through the pain rising inside. My feet swirled through the warm water before I spoke.
“I’m going to send her home.” My voice wavered as I said it aloud for the first time. Tears fell, dropping into the pool below me, swallowed up by the silver liquid. “At least then I know she will be safe, back with our parents, her friends. She can have a normal life. The life she always wanted, even if I’m not there.” I sighed.
“I don’t want her to know the truth yet. It’s selfish, I know. But I want the last few days with my sister not to be filled with sadness. If she knows, she will try to change my mind. But there’s no changing destiny, right?” I forced a chuckle. “A wise man once told me you can only embrace it.”
I stood up and walked away from Sébastien, making my way toward the other side of the pool. I stopped by the ledge, pulling my shirt off and shimmying out of my leather pants, letting them fall to the floor as I stepped down the ledge. My eyes held Sébastien’s as I let the warm water surround my skin. “Now, if you don’t mind. I’m going to lie here for a while and try to forget.”
“I think you misheard me, princesse,” Sébastien said with a slight growl, his eyes flashing into slits, as his wolvyn side rose to the surface, tracking my every movement as my exposed figure waded deeper into the pool. “I said we called this the reflection pool. Not the forgetting pool.”
“Well, right now,” I said, as I lowered myself fully into the silver-touched water, “I need to forget. Because the alternative is remembering. And right now, I don’t want to remember. I don’t want to remember that when we make it back, I have to say goodbye to my sister forever. That I will have to stay here forever. That I will never see my family again. So, Your Highness, I plan to forget for a few moments,” I said as I sank under the water. I felt warmth surround me like a hug as the water wrapped around me, bubbles drifting up as I slowly sank lower, the air escaping my lungs, before giving a kick and drifting up. I broke through the surface as I flipped and floated on my back, half submerged.
The water rippled unceremoniously over my exposed flesh, causing me to push up to avoid sinking under, treading water slightly as I refocused my gaze, locking onto the dark form wading toward me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I snapped as my body floated further away, heat flushing my chest from Sébastien’s daunting presence. Black mist snaked up his naked torso, hugging his inked chest before expanding across the surface of the pool. Tendrils reached out, teasing my neck, causing shivers to course across my slick skin. His muscles rippled as the water collided with him, coating his skin while he approached. I watched as his eyes flashed between slits, his wolvyn side on the hunt. His abs contracted, shadows highlighting the deep lines of muscles as he struggled to keep his wolvyn form under control.
“If I recall correctly, you said you planned to just forget for a few moments, did you not?” His husky voice glided over to me, his movements still advancing.
“Alone,” I retorted. “I planned to forget on my own.” My back hit the warm stone, stopping my continual retreat as the slippery surface blocked me from putting any more distance between our bodies.
“Well, princesse,” he said with a slight growl, halting inches from my body, his breath warming my skin. “Your first mistake was not specifying that prior to removing every article of clothing in front of me.”
I scoffed as he spoke, even as a slight heat began to build, betraying me. My body begged to be touched. To be his.
“And your first mistake was thinking you were invited to join me,” I snapped and slowly drew my leg back slightly as his advance halted inches from my form. I waited, my gaze flickering up to his, watching for his next move. My breath slowed as mist began swirling around us, dancing across my shoulders as it closed us in. Sébastien towered over me, his eyes flashing as he stared down at me, desire written across his features.
“I don’t recall needing permission to join,” he retorted with a smirk as he leaned in, whispering into my ear. “After all, this is my land.” His fingers snaked down my neck as he finished speaking, a slight chill remaining behind as his fingers lowered beneath the surface of the water.
My mind began to fog, the mist surrounding us like a cool embrace against the onslaught of heat roaring within me as Sébastien’s fingers traced lower. I knew I shouldn’t let him continue if we wanted to have a solid chance to break the forming bond. Only I struggled to find the words to stop him as his fingers traced circles across my thighs. Opening my mouth, I began to protest half-heartedly, only to be interrupted by Sébastien as his lips covered mine, trapping my words. The kiss was consuming and demanding, taking from me what I willingly gave while driving me to want more. To want more of him.
A moan fell from my lips as his tongue pushed into a deeper exploration, his fingers reaching my center, stroking circles to match the claiming pressure on my lips. He broke the kiss with a grin, my body missing the heat as he put the slightest amount of distance between us, his fingers slowing down, barely relieving the ache between my thighs.
“Don’t think about protesting again, princesse. You want to forget what you’ve learned today. Fine.” Sébastien growled. “You want to pretend this is all a bad nightmare. Go right ahead. But let me guarantee you this,” he whispered against my lips, tilting my chin up to meet his narrowed gaze. “When I’m finished with you, there will be no forgetting me. Not in the past. The present. Or the future. I will forever be a part of you… of your memories.” His fingers slid over my skin before tracing back down beneath the water's surface.
“How can you be so sure of that?” I half muttered in response, his fingers pausing at my question, and he pulled back, creating space between our bodies.
“How?” He said, as he slowly looked at me, his fingers tracing up my thighs, drawing steady circles as his gaze captured mine; entrancing me. “Because once you have a taste of the big, bad wolf there’s no going back.”
His fingers, rough against the softness of my thighs, distracted my thoughts as he pulled my body off the wall, and my legs wrapped around his trimmed waist, clinging to him. At his mercy, I let him guide me through the water, my mind hazy as tendrils of black mist surrounded us, a darkened chill that kissed my skin as his heated touch lit a flame within.
“I’ll linger in the back of your mind.” He nibbled against my neck. “A constant presence, just as you have been in mine, since the very first moment we crossed paths.”
Fingers traced up my center then, circling as he thrust a finger into me, my body tightening in response. The pressure began to build as tendrils of black mist danced above the water's surface, tracing across my bare skin. My fingernails dug into the cords of muscle in his back, my hips moving to match each thrust of his hand as water sloshed around us, coating our skin.
“Fuck.” I moaned into his shoulder as he pushed me flat against the stone wall, shifting my weight. His fingers began to move in a steady motion, the slight tracing across my center causing me to arch into his solid form.
“Breathtaking,” he muttered as his black mist swirled across my exposed breasts, sending heated chills through me as they heightened every sensation in my body. “You are stunningly… murderously… breathtaking like this.”
My nails left half moons across his inked skin as the water sloshed around us while his fingers picked up tempo. My walls tightened as his firm build pinned me against him. “Sébastien,” I cried out as my teeth bit into his shoulder, marking him. Laying a claim to him.
“Oh fuck—” I cried out right before he withdrew his fingers. A whimpered groan of frustration left my pouted lips as I stared at him.
“Why’d you stop?” I questioned, my mind fogged, my breath unsteady as I met the storm of uncertainty ragging within his eyes.
“Neither of us has any interest in strengthening this bond. And if you keep that up any longer, princesse. I won’t be able to control myself,” he replied through gritted teeth, his breath slightly ragged, as he withdrew, the chilled air gaping between us.
“And that’s a bad thing?” I questioned in frustration, a silent plea in my voice for him to finish what he started.
“I don’t need you to develop feelings and trigger another phase,” Sébastien stated simply, as if that resolved my burning need.
“Develop feelings?” I half screamed, shocked he was going there. “Do you truly think I will develop feelings?”
“Doesn’t matter. I won’t risk it. Have a good night.” He turned his back toward me and exited the pool.
I closed my eyes, wondering what on Vanaiyer just happened between us. Taking a deep breath, I began willing away the thoughts and fears darting across my mind. I pushed away thoughts of never seeing my parents again. Of never seeing Aerilyn or our apartment. Of never going back to my job. Of having to say goodbye to my sister. Of the bond with Sébastien. I just floated. My mind was blank as I stared at the blue-speckled ceiling, wisps of the willow tree dancing as I floated by. Round and round I floated, letting the water drown my thoughts and emotions. I tried to embrace the peace by shutting the realm away for a few moments.
When I raised my head up to swim over to the ledge, I realized I was all alone, a smile forming across my face, grateful that Sébastien trusted me enough to leave me to myself. Pushing myself up the ledge, I climbed out of the pool. Silver droplets fell from my body as I threw my shirt back on.
I walked back toward the trunk of the willow tree and laid down, the stone warm on my back as I stared up at the iridescent branches hanging above me. They swayed slightly, lulling me to sleep with their peaceful dance, at ease in the land they grew in.
* * *
A noise woke me the next morning, as I stirred, my body protesting the stone underneath that I had used as a bed. I sat up, glancing around as I awoke, the memories from yesterday rushing back in a torrent as my mind came alive. I groaned slightly as I pushed off the ground, padding over to retrieve my pants and slip them on.
I left the cave, following the noise through the tunnels in search of the others. I began to wonder if I would ever find them when voices to the left of the tunnel split notified me of the direction. The early morning laughter mixed with the subtle clanking of dishes grew as I turned into the room, the faces of three shirtless men greeting me.
“You’re awake. Finally,” a cheery Dravyn said.
“Wondered where you ran off to yesterday,” Kode said by way of greeting. Sébastien nodded his head in a good morning to me as I approached.
“Breakfast?” I inquired, looking between the three. “Did you leave me any food?” I leaned against the carved-out counter, swiping a slice of orange from the plate as I looked between the three as they laughed. “Well, mission accomplished, we have met with the Elder. So, are we leaving soon?”
“We have a few other things to discuss while we’re here. We’ll leave later this afternoon,” Sébastien responded.
I nodded at his response as I took another slice of fruit, before turning on my heels and heading back in the direction I came from. I wandered the tunnels, attempting to retrace my steps from yesterday, back to the study I had been in.
“Looking for something?” A raspy voice carried through the dimmed tunnels ahead of me.
“Actually, I was hoping you might have some more information on my pendant.” I approached the Elder. His eyes watched me as though trying to see into my soul.
“Ah. Unfortunately, I do not have much on that,” he replied with a sigh.
“I thought you were there when it was created? Shouldn’t that give you some sort of special insight into it?”
“My dear, it doesn’t work like that. All magic paves its own course. No one knows how the powers in the artifact will work. Will they blend together? Will they war against each other? Will only one be dominant? We do not know these things,” he said, resuming his walk through the tunnels, and I followed him.
“There’s nothing you can give me? I’m just supposed to blindly accept whatever is inside of this pendant?” I asked in frustration, gesturing to the pendant resting around my neck.
“I wish I could be of more assistance, my dear,” he answered as the flick of a knob opened the door in front of us, leading into the same room I had been searching for. “I do, however, have something else you may borrow which may be of assistance to you.”
I followed him inside the study, the door closing behind me with a thud as I padded in and watched him rummage through the clutter of books around his desk.
“Ah, here it is,” he said proudly as he picked up a worn, crimson-colored book with black edges and handed it to me.
“A History of Vanaiyer Sacred Bonds?” I read the title out. “How will this help me?”
“The book in your hands is one of the oldest archives, documenting the process of bonding, mates, and fated bonds in our realm. It may be of use to you considering your unique circumstance as a mortal forming a bond with a wolvyn,” he replied with a slight gesture to the lingering inked ring floating on the surface of my wrist. A sharp knock drew my attention, and I looked up from the book.
“Off you go.” He showed me to the door. “It appears my services are once again needed.”
The door opened to reveal Sébastien standing on the other side, a tight expression on his face. His glance strayed from me, to the Elder, then back again. “You agreed on no bargains. I will hold you to that,” Sébastien growled. His words directed to the Elder as his gaze held mine. Pushing past Sébastien, I muttered thanks for the book, wandering off to begin reading.
I settled down beside the willow, the calming ripples of the pool relaxing me as I stared at the book held between my hands, wondering if I truly wanted to know what lay inside. I opened the pages, my eyes scanning over the text as I immersed myself.
“Find anything interesting?” Dravyn prompted as he approached me from the entrance of the cave.
“You’d be surprised,” I responded. “I’ve never been told any of this information on bonding before, or mates. It doesn’t exist back home. I’m honestly shocked by the amount of information that has just disappeared after The Fall.”
“Bonds are sacred, especially wolvyn bonds. They form a unique connection, like no others. It’s no wonder the Nordak sought to wipe out all those with powers and bonds.”
“Why are wolvyn bonds more unique than the others? I haven’t read that far, I guess.” I laid my head against the smooth bark of the tree, looking up at Dravyn.
“Ah.” He lowered himself to the ground, lounging in front of me. “In wolvyn bonds, a special connection is formed following the final phase of the bond. One that allows communication with the other.”
“You’re not serious, are you?” I asked, giving him a pointed look. “I can already communicate with Sébastien, granted it doesn’t often go well.” My thoughts drifted back to last night, as he had sat with me sharing about his childhood. “I’m not seeing how that’s so special.”
“Would you just let me finish without interrupting?” he teased with a laugh and gave his best pouty face. “Just once, for me.”
“Fine, fine. Do go on,” I mocked as I tossed a small willow branch that was laying by my feet in Dravyn’s direction.
“As I was saying, the communication is internal. When two wolvyn bond, the bond blends with the heartlines connecting them and they can share thoughts with each other.”
Intrigued, I questioned, “How is that different from the pack bond?”
“So much to learn,” he replied with a tsk. “The pack bond is one all wolvyn share, a united call. Let’s say. If Sébastien were to make a call, all wolvyn would feel it and respond. The bond the two of you have, if it progresses, would allow you to communicate thoughts to each other without speaking.”
“Fuck no.” I sat up, staring at Dravyn as he laughed. “I don’t need him to have the ability to hear my thoughts.”
“Give it time; it grows on you. Look at Emalyee and I.”
“What about you two?”
“Well, I have been gone for nearly two weeks. Yet I can still tell her that I’m safe; I can pass on messages that need to be relayed in a quick manner.”
“That’s how you called for help so quickly, isn’t it? When we were in the village. You were able to tell Emalyee to get Kode and Ry, weren’t you?”
“And she’s learning,” Dravyn teased. Approaching footsteps drew our attention as Kode popped his head through the door.
“We’re heading out, and we got lucky he’s in a good mood. He said he would stop the tunnels from shifting.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
Both of them stared at me in silent shock before Kode spoke up. “Please tell me you realized the tunnels were shifting as we traveled through them.”
“Is this the reaction you expect from someone who knows something?” I replied sarcastically. “What do you mean, the tunnels move?”
“It’s a magical, abandoned mountain range. We nearly froze to death. We were chased by whispering spirits of lost souls. And yet, the fact that the tunnels shift shocks you?” Kode bantered.
I glared at Kode slightly before muttering, “Well, yes. I didn’t expect that, okay.”
* * *
We stood at the entrance to the cave that I had tumbled into yesterday. Sébastien finished his conversation with the Elder off to the side as Kode and Dravyn began climbing back up the slope.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, my dear.” The Elder walked up to me as Sébastien headed to the base of the slope. “You will do well to remember that all power comes with a balance, especially when it comes to yours. A unique position to be in, use that position well.”
I nodded and took in his appearance one last time as I thanked him for the answers he had given me before walking over to Sébastien, climbing up the slope, and back into the tunnels.