Page 6 of Heatbound Hearts

As we set off, I can't help but point out the sights along the way. The bioluminescent plants glow brighter tonight, their colors shifting in mesmerizing patterns. "See those flowers?" I gesture to a cluster of iridescent blooms. "They only open on the solstice. Their nectar is said to grant visions of possible futures."

Naia's eyes widen. "Really? That's incredible."

I chuckle. "Well, that or a wicked hangover. Depends on how much you drink."

As we walk, I explain more about the celebration. "In the city, you'll see noctari from all walks of life. The caste system loosens a bit on nights like this. Everyone's too busy enjoying themselves to worry about status."

"Caste system?" Kairos asks, his brow furrowing.

I nod, realizing how much they don't know. "Based on magical aptitude and wing size, mostly. But tonight, none of that matters. You'll see high-caste mages dancing with craftsmen, warriors sharing drinks with scholars. It's... liberating."

We crest a small hill, and the city comes into view. Even from here, I can see the streets are already alive with celebration. Magical lights float through the air, and the sound of music drifts on the breeze.

"There it is," I say, unable to keep the pride from my voice. "Terraluna, jewel of Terramyst's coast. Ready to experience a real Nythorran solstice?"

As I'm about to lead Kairos and Naia into Terraluna, something shifts in the air. My wings twitch, responding to a change so subtle most wouldn't notice. But I'm not most people. Years of hunting and guarding have honed my senses to a razor's edge.

I freeze, my body tensing as I scan the coastline. The festive sounds from the city fade into background noise as I focus on our immediate surroundings. There's a disturbance, something that doesn't belong.

My wings spread slightly, an instinctive response to potential danger. I shift my stance, placing myself between my new companions and whatever threat might be approaching.

"Hold up," I whisper, my voice low and urgent. "Something's not right."

Kairos and Naia instantly go still, picking up on the tension in my voice. I'm impressed by their quick response – they may be strangers to our world, but they clearly understand danger.

"What is it?" Kairos murmurs, his silver eyes darting around.

I shake my head slightly. "Not sure yet. Stay close."

Without waiting for a response, I take off down the coast, my feet barely touching the sand as I move. My wings give me extra speed and balance as I navigate the uneven terrain. Behind me,I hear Kairos and Naia struggling to keep up, but I can't slow down. Whatever I've sensed, it's moving fast.

The shoreline blurs as I race along it, my eyes scanning for any sign of the disturbance. The bioluminescent plants cast an eerie glow over everything, making shadows dance and shift. It's disorienting, but I push through it, relying on instinct more than sight.

And whatever it is, it's practically screaming at me, begging me to come forth. I've never felt such a tug, though I want to blame it on the solstice. It must be with the kind of magic that is flooding toward me.

All I can think is I have to get there.

4

BRONWYN

Ijolt awake, heart pounding, muscles tensed for a fight. The cacophony of sounds assaults my ears—raucous laughter, unfamiliar music, the clinking of glasses. My eyes dart around, trying to make sense of the kaleidoscope of colors and movement surrounding me.

"What the fuck?" I mutter, scrambling to my feet. My hand instinctively reaches for the knife at my hip, but it's gone. Panic rises in my throat.

Bodies press in from all sides, alien faces peering at me with curiosity and concern. I back away, hands raised defensively. "Stay back!" I snarl, my voice hoarse and trembling.

The air is thick with unfamiliar scents—sweet spices, roasted meats, and something... else? I can't place it, but it makes my skin tingle.

Everywhere I look, there's movement. People—no, not people, creatures—dance and twirl in elaborate costumes. Lights float in the air without any visible source. A group of what look like blue-skinned bat people soar overhead, their wings casting fleeting shadows.

My breath comes in short gasps. This can't be real. I must be hallucinating, or maybe I hit my head when I fell. But the sand beneath my feet feels solid, and the winter chill biting at my exposed skin is all too real.

The sky above is painted in purples and blues and pinks, looking like twilight thought it was just the middle of the night. And I struggle to reconcile all the changes that I am experiencing.

My mind reels. Just moments ago, I was running for my life from bloodthirsty orcs. Now I'm in the middle of some fantastical party? It doesn't make sense.

I scan the area for exits, but the streets twist and turn in ways that defy logic. Buildings stretch impossibly tall, their architecture unlike anything I've ever seen. In the distance, I spot what looks like a mountain floating in mid-air.

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