Page 74 of Whisper Woods

Maman reaches out to pat my father’s leg, when his passionate rant devolves into an angry cough.

“I understand, Bapa. I am not any more fond of Heylor than you are. But things are complicated. Our people are angry. They are scared. They do not understand.” A smile ghosts over my lips when I remember what Seff said about Tathys and the prophecy. “It is one thing to know the prophecy was coming, it is another for them to accept it is coming to pass. Gods, Bapa, many beings believed that the secondary prophecy, reunifying with the world, was just another legend in the books of the Orun. For centuries it has been spoken of as some nebulous concept, a thing for future generations to have to contend with,if at all. That the moment is imminent and entirely upon us feels surreal. They are in denial of the truth and questioning why, if itisto be so, it is happening to them.”

Bapa only grunts, his dark brows pulling into a frown and he lies back with a dismissive wave of his hand.

His scales—a brilliant teal—cover one hand and arm, as well as his neck and, I assume, other areas of his body hidden by his clothes. The change is permanent now, his body unable to complete the process either way. He is more tired today than the last time I saw him, and it’s a hard fact I struggle to acknowledge with everything else currently in chaos in my world.

“What was that?” Maman asks, nudging my arm with her elbow. I raise an eyebrow at her; it’s the sort of look that most find intimidating. But my Maman raised me when I was a hellion of a toddler racing off to play with dragon babies, so nothing scares her anymore. She snorts and wrinkles her nose. “That little smile. You’ve met someone haven’t you?”

I blush in the way of a youth embarrassed by their parents, which is even more shameful considering I am very muchnota youth any longer. “Yes, Maman. I have. I think… IknowI have met my mate.”

It’s enough of a statement to have my father prop his eyes open again, even though he winces when my mother gasps with joy. Her happiness brings a barrage of butterflies and bees to swarm around us, while sprites titter in the gardens. It’s a rather picturesque scene and I have a rather sharp pang of regret that I did not bring Seff with me.

“Tell us all about him.” Maman rearranges her dirt smudged gossamer skirts and settles in comfortably next to me. As much as I’m impatient to get home to him, I find myself unable to resist telling my parents about him.

“He’s a wolf shifter, from the Whisper Woods. We met several years ago on my travels and then kept running into each other over the years. It seemed like a fateful chance each time. We never dreamed anything could come of our connection. He was unable to come to Tathys and I could never leave it. But now… now there is a chance for us.” I take a deep breath and look up at the swaying branches of the willow. “He’s like no being I have ever met. He loves fiercely. He makes me laugh. Seff—his name is Seff—being with him, it is like the other half of my spirit I didn’t know I was missing.”

“Well, why didn’t you bring him today?” Bapa blusters, sitting up to give my mother a happy, loving look. I know one of his great fears is that he would pass before I am mated.

“I wasn’t sure that was wise. Your message didn’t have a reason for your request and I did not want to bring Seff here if it were an inconvenience.” I have to tread carefully, not willing to upset my father when he’s in such a positive mood today. But Maman’s face twists in confusion.

“My darling,” she begins hesitantly, “we’re happy you are here, but we did not send a message. Your visit is a surprise to us.”

I blink at her, and then my father, who is not listening, but instead muttering to himself about inconveniences.

“What do you mean you? I had a message requesting that I pay you a visit as soon as I was able?” A cold tremor grips my spine, the pit of dread that I buried this morning blossoming painfully.

Maman shakes her head, the flowers in her hair sagging as her happiness fades. “I sent no message, Rafe. I swear it upon the Gods and my flowers.”

Brydon.

I know, without even the smallest shadow of a doubt that Brydon is responsible for the falsified missive. There is no one in Tathys with the skills to create a fake as flawlessly as him.

My stomach clenches painfully, panic splintering my thoughts into a thousand directions, each more disastrous than the last.

What purpose does Brydon have for sending me away? Was it for his own malevolent intentions or is he in some unknown danger that he has not felt able to trust me with? Have I not supported him? Been there for him and aided him through it all? Why would he feel the need to deceive me in a manner such as this?

My instincts were correct this morning, and I was a fool to question them, but right now is not the time for self-recrimination.

Because I left the man that I love, with the being, who it appearshas betrayed me.

Swallowing the squall of emotions threatening to take away my reasoning, I stand abruptly. “Maman, Bapa, I—I must go. Now. I will message when I can. But keep safe.Please.”

I don’t hear their goodbyes, I’m already gone, tearing through the trees desperate to save Seff, and even Brydon, from whatever has begun.

Seff

Two Years Ago

“Fuck, I needed this.”I groan, nuzzling further into Rafe’s arms, pretending I mean the mind-blowing orgasms we just shared and not literally this.

It’s something I rarely get to do with a lover. It always feels a little awkward, like I’m forcing my neediness on them. But Rafe just tucks his arms tighter around me, letting me hug the arm across my chest extra tight. He even kisses my head, too. It should feel patronising or something, but it’s not. And it makes my heart do a funny skip beat thing I know he can feel.

“Bad day, my kushinavya?” His voice rumbles against my cheek, the strange endearment making my stomach go all warm and fuzzy.

I don’t want to bring my shit into this warm fluffy afterglow bubble we have going on, but it’s like he has a compulsion on me. I can’t help but share every single part of me—even when I know I shouldn’t.

“Just… I saw my ex today. At the local tavern. Nothing bad happened, he just kind of ignores me now. But this orc was hitting on him. I don’t think he even knew what was happening. He’s always been oblivious to that shit. It was just weird to see, threw me off is all.”

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