*Zara*
“Thank you so much for all of your help,” I said to my tribe, feeling my heart practically glowing with warmth but also as heavy as stone.
Sad eyes fixed on as my ancestral tribe approached, placing hands on my shoulders and wishing well. They’d co to accept the fact that my family and I would need to depart from Celestial Valley.
Though this was my initial ho, I knew my place was now in Drogomor Pack.
“You can’t stay?” soone asked, to which I shook my head.
The heartbroken tone they used touched my heart, but I knew my place was not there. We needed to go ho.
“No,” I said softly. “We defeated Malphas,” I said, wrinkling my nose at the mory of that horrible demon. “After surviving prolonged captivity in Embervale, it’s ti for us to go ho.”
“You know you’ll always be welco here if you change your mind,” another tribe mber said. I nodded, feeling my heart grow warm at that. “You and your family.”
I turned to fix my eyes on Noah, who was gently holding little Briella in his arms. He gave a radiant smile and dipped his head. “Thank you,” he said sincerely.
A bright smile crossed my face at that assurance. Caleb wandered over to join us, reaffirming that he was coming back with us to Drogomor.
Niva, however, gazed at with a sad smile, and I knew where she was staying behind.
My heart lurched with the realization that I’d need to say goodbye to her. I was ready to go ho, but leaving her behind would be very hard.
“You did well, kid,” Niva said in a joking tone, knowing full well I was all grown up. She opened her arms, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I sniffled.
I embraced her, whispering, “Thank you so much for all you’ve done for , Niva. I’m going to miss you so much.”
“I will miss you too. You’ll have in your heart. It’s a huge one, so I know the mories of will fit there. Plus, no one says you can’t visit.”
“That’s right. I’m sure there will be a chance for to do so in the future.”
“I can’t wait. But don’t worry about that for now. You’ll be an amazing Luna of Drogomor. I know it. I helped ntor you, after all, so you’ll have to do sothing right.”
I chuckled and gave her a final squeeze, sniffling and pulling away. anwhile, Noah and Caleb began to set up our departure with the others so I could have ti for my remaining goodbyes.
The farewell to Niva was difficult, and so was my goodbye to the elders.
Although I wanted to stay a bit longer to lengthen the goodbyes, I knew Drogomor needed both Noah and .
They all had tears in their eyes as they regarded . One person approached and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Our spirits will remain eternally connected across dinsions, Zara. This I know.”
Another ca around next to them and smiled at . She dipped her head in agreent and said, “Your destiny awaits back with your brave mate and your child. Our hearts are heavy, but we know this is right.”
“Thank you so much,” I whispered, leaning in to give each of them a warm hug. Light practically radiated from as I said my goodbyes. The thought of leaving my ancestral ho was hard but not impossible.
They were right. I knew in my soul that my destiny was back with Noah and Briella in Drogomor. We were going to run the pack with warm hearts and strong minds.
In my final goodbyes to the elders, I said, “I promise to visit when harmony allows. If that’s possible.” My stomach twisted nervously sowhat at the thought of truly never seeing them again.
One of them chuckled and dipped their head. “Your worry is warranted, but yes, you will be able when the ti is right. That I know. We will eagerly await your visit.”
I smiled, especially at the word “visit,” given no one had false expectations that I’d return to stay there. Goodbyes were difficult, but I was relieved to know it wouldn’t be forever.
I t up with Noah, Caleb, Briella, and everyone else joining us back ho again, steeling my nerves. I looked toward Noah with a nervous gleam in my eye.
“I’m ready to return and face whatever chaos awaits us at ho from our unexplained absence.” I winced, knowing the rumor mill would be flying in all directions with who knew what.
Noah gave a somber nod, eting my gaze and giving a reassuring smile. “We’ll face everything together, beautiful. We have each other. Whatever chaos that is, we can handle it.”
“We’ve handled a lot already, so yes, you’re very right, love.”
“A lot is an understatent.” Noah chuckled. I couldn’t help but grin and roll my eyes. That lightened the mood just a little, but I knew the mirth wouldn’t last very long.
With our final goodbyes now given, it was ti to step through the misty portal gateway.
Imdiately, my senses were bombarded with tropical humidity as we stepped onto a beach. I let out a breath, the blinding sun blazing down on us and causing to heat up imdiately.
Relief flooded through as I realized nothing had gone wrong on our way back ho. Everyone was with us. I t Noah’s gaze with a wide smile.
We were on the island resort paradise we’d been on when we initially left for my original realm. It didn’t take long for us to be found either.
“Zara! Noah! Briella, Caleb, and everyone else, here you are! You’re back!” ca the excited voice of Eva when she rushed up to us, her eyes shining with glee.
I nodded, giving a huge smile. “We are,” I confird. “It is wonderful to be back after so long. We... we’ve been through a lot.” My voice broke there, and I shuddered. I felt Noah place a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“But we got through it,” I finished, letting out a breath. Sympathy rushed through Eva’s eyes as she nodded, letting out a light sigh.
“I am so happy to see you back safely,” she said in a genuine tone. She leaned over to give a strong hug, one which I returned. We stood there for a mont before pulling away.
Her eyes twinkled as she turned to another woman who had been with her. The woman kept her chin held high and shoulders back, holding a stance of determination while also wearing a light smile.
I got the impression that she was a very fierce woman, sothing that I could appreciate. I returned her smile when her eyes fell upon .
“This is my daughter and apprentice, Lumina. Lumina, this is Zara and Noah Black, the two people I have told you so much about,” Eva said.
“Pleasure to et you,” Lumina said. “You two have been through so much. It is admirable to see you return safely.”
“We couldn’t have done so without each other’s support,” Noah said. “I’m so happy to be here for my mate and family.” Briella giggled in his arms, causing my heart to warm. I nodded in agreent.
Eva’s bright smile faded at that, and she let out a sigh. “Unfortunately, your troubles are not over yet, you two.”
My happiness of returning slowly faded as the ominous tone of her words hung in the air. We’d been gone for a long ti. It would have been foolish to think there wouldn’t be trouble awaiting us.
I gulped, feeling unease settle into my stomach as it did several backflips. Noah’s eyes flashed warily as he shared my sentint wholeheartedly.
“What has happened while we’ve been gone?” he asked, raising a brow.
Eva said in a serious tone, “Over the past few months–”
I interrupted with a gasp. “Months? As in not a year?”
She tilted her head, a light frown on her face and a spark of bewildernt in her eyes. Slowly, she nodded. “Yes. Is that unexpected?”
I nodded, muttering, “During our ti away from here, a year had passed. Ti must work differently between the two realms.”
Noah let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad it hasn’t been that long, but still, even just a few months can throw things into disarray.”
“Indeed, which is exactly what happened,” Eva sighed. Her eyes grew distant as she returned to the issue at hand. “There is a lot of dark unrest here in our holand. Unfortunately, in the form of rumors.”
“Rumors?” I asked breathlessly, wincing as she nodded in confirmation.
“Yes. At the mont, many people believe you all to be wanted fugitives tied to the vanished inquisitor, Damascus. Enemy forces are hunting you right now.”
My heart sank. That didn’t bode well. We jumped from one frying pan into another, so to speak, but hopefully not right into the fire.
Dealing with a demon had been close enough, so maybe this problem would be less dire. I doubted it and let that false hope fade from my mind.
Although I knew Noah and I could get through it, the idea that danger still followed us no matter where we went caused to close my eyes, reach up, and rub my temples.
Eva placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. She said softly, “You are not alone. I’m here to help you. If you take my advice, that is. You must disguise yourselves so that you do not attract attention on any open roads.”
I looked over to Noah, who gave a grim nod. It was the best thing to do for now, even if we wanted to go back to Drogomor without delay.
“Alright,” I said softly. “Thank you so much for your help.”
Eva smiled. “Lumina will be your protection as you’re spirited away on a cargo ship in preparation as we speak. If you got through whatever happened in that other realm, I know you can resolve this too.”
I nodded and said in a determined tone, “I hope so.”
“As much as I want to get back ho right this second, I know we need to play things safe,” Nah said. “At this point, we’ve learned to do so quite well.” He cuddled Briella close to his chest, reminding of what was at stake.
I smiled, reaching out to the gurgling child who giggled at my gentle touch. I moved a strand of hair away from her face and gazed into her brilliant eyes.
“We’ll make sure you’re safe, sweetheart,” I whispered to my daughter, leaning down to give her a gentle kiss on her forehead. My heart surged at the sound of her soft, happy giggles.
As long as we were together, we would be alright.
We had to be.
Reviews
All reviews (0)