12
1074 Words
"Besides, we are your mates," Parin said with a note of finality in his voice. "There are always four, and four alone.”
“Not anymore.” I sighed. “Believe me, I don’t like this any more than you do.”
Erroh took my hand. "I’ll support whatever you decide, but my vote is to throw him in the dungeon."
I pushed at his shoulder. "That’s obviously not an option.”
Slade met my eyes, his face filled with fatherly disapproval. "He's a villain, Sora. A criminal."
“Yes, but he seems to be telling the truth,” Auric said. “And I don’t see the other Gods stepping in to stop the Death Goddess in this matter.”
“This is going to be a disaster,” Carth muttered.
“Agreed,” Zain said. “But we’re with you Sora, whatever you decide.”
I turned away, my head spinning. Whatever I decided wouldn’t just affect me, but my other mates too—and possibly the entire world. We were meant to be guardians, protectors, mediators…could a champion of Death serve those roles too?
“I need to think on this some more,” I said with a sigh. “I’ll make a decision tomorrow.”
Mom nodded. “Only you know the dreams and what they mean. If this is what you must do, so be it. If not, we will stand beside you against the Death Goddess."
I gave her a weak smile. “Thanks. I have a feeling I’ll need your help either way.”
Mom would support me no matter my decision, and could help me figure out how to navigate being mated to such a man. But my four fathers were another story. They were likely to band together and try to force Varek to leave the city. Or arrest him.
Or kill him.
I went back to my room alone and then paced back and forth as I went over what happened. It was too early to sleep, and my mind was too restless for that anyway. I had to figure out what to do about Varek or the anxiety would eat me up inside.
I couldn’t refuse him. Somehow I knew that deep in my core. Not only because unleashing the dead upon the world was a horrible idea that would sacrifice many lives, but because when I looked at Varek I felt…something. The same connection I had with my other mates, even though I’d never met him before. I didn’t want to feel it, but I did.
He was one of my mates and I had to accept that, no matter how much I disliked it.
But accepting it wouldn’t make things easier. My other mates I had feelings for, and I knew they cared for me. I could envision sharing many years with them by my side, and knew that love would grow between us. Varek, on the other hand, I could only feel apprehension about. We had no love for each other. Could I ever grow to love the champion of Death? Would he care for me in return?
Pacing back and forth in my bedroom would do nothing to answer these questions. It was time to take action. I hadn’t really gotten a chance to speak with Varek because I’d been surrounded by my mates, my parents, and an entire audience of guards and palace staff. I needed to talk to him alone. Tomorrow I planned to go to the Air Temple, and I didn’t want to put that off unless I had to. Which meant facing Varek tonight.
I changed from my evening dress into my fighting leathers, strapped on all of my throwing knives, and put my wild curls up in a high bun, out of my way. Then I donned my black cloak and pulled the hood over my head, before grabbing my sword.
Once I was ready, I opened the large window by my desk and climbed onto the tree, then slipped down into the darkness. Reven had taught me everything about stealth, and I used those skills now to easily maneuver around the patrolling guards and head outside the palace grounds. I was allowed to leave the palace by myself whenever I wanted, since who would dare attack me? But in this matter, I wished to be discreet. I didn’t want anyone to ask me questions or try to stop me. Or worse, get my fathers or my mates. They’d all want to send someone with me for protection, and I needed to do this on my own.
Our palace resided inside the great city of Soulspire, located at the center of the four Realms—one each for Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Soulspire was neutral and not part of any one of them, ruled completely by the Dragons and the Silver Guard. The palace loomed over the city with its shining arches and tall tower in the center, where my parents lived. They told me that in their day the palace had been dark, run-down, and imposing, but now it gleamed like a beacon of peace and stability that all residents of Soulspire could look upon.
I made my way through the dark streets under the faint moonlight, past taverns and cafes bustling with people. Drunken couples stumbled by me, but no one gave me a second glance as I searched for the place Varek had mentioned. I passed a bar filled entirely with elementals, and nearly collided with a water elemental as it came out of the place. Luckily I moved away from its giant watery body in time before I got soaked. It mumbled that I should be more careful in the elemental language, probably assuming I wouldn’t understand. Few humans did, but I’d learned it from Auric as a child.
Finally I turned onto a dimly lit street and saw an image of a wolf on a tavern sign. As I got closer, I made out the name Lone Wolf Pub above the door. The windows were darkened so I couldn’t see anything inside. No music drifted from the black door. No one stumbled out drunk and laughing. Was the place empty? Or closed?
I wiped my damp palms on my trousers, then felt annoyed at myself. I was the daughter of Dragons. Varek was my mate. I had no reason to be nervous.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
- Writer
