Page 2 of Favored By the Stars

High Lord Echo stepped forward, his youthful face grave. "At first light," he said. "Time is of the essence. The longer we wait, the stronger the Void Dragon Empress grows."

Rys nodded in agreement, his rheumy eyes distant, as if seeing beyond the garden walls. "The balance shifts with each passing moment," he murmured. "You must be prepared for what lies ahead."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his words, but I squared my shoulders and met his gaze. "What do we need to do?"

The old scholar's eyes focused on me, a glimmer of approval in their depths. "First, you must understand the nature of your bond," he said, gesturing to Thorn and me. "It is more than mere affection or duty. The goddess has tied your fates together for a reason."

Kaelyn snorted softly. "Great. A crash course in celestial romance. Just what we need before traipsing into certain danger."

I shot her a look but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Her sarcasm was oddly comforting in the face of such weighty revelations.

High Lord Echo ignored the tracker's comment, his gaze intense as he addressed us. "Tonight, you will rest. And I do mean rest." He paused and gave us both a meaningful glance. "Let the light of the moon, her light, guide you as you sleep and strengthen your bond."

Thorn nodded solemnly, but I could feel his unease through our connection. This was all so far beyond what either of us had ever imagined.

"And tomorrow?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

"Tomorrow," Kaelyn said, her tone softening slightly, "we venture into the heart of the Whispering Woods. Pack light, but pack smart. Once we're in, there's no turning back."

"Pack?" I glanced at Thorn. "They took everything when we arrived and then placed us in the, uh, previous High Lord's care."

"All will be provided for you," Echo said as though he'd been expecting all of this.

As the gravity of our task settled over us, I felt Thorn's hand squeeze mine, his warmth a steady anchor as he led us from the room. Whatever lay ahead, whatever trials we would face, we would face them together; that much I was sure of.

The moon hung low and heavy in the sky as Thorn and I made our way back to our chambers. The weight of our impending journey pressed down on us, filling the silence between us with unspoken worries and fears. As we reached the door, Thorn paused, his hand resting on the ornate handle. It was only for a moment, but it was enough to let me know that something was on his mind.

A few moments later, he led me to the edge of the bed and knelt in front of me. "Senara," he breathed, his voice rough with emotion. "Are you sure about this? We could... we could find another way."

I turned to face him, taking in the concern etched across his features. In that moment, he looked so vulnerable, so unlike the stoic warrior I knew. I reached out, cupping his face in my hands.

"Thorn," I whispered, "I'm terrified. But this isn't just about us anymore. It's not even just about the fae anymore. It's about everyone: the fae, the elves, even the humans who don't know what's coming. We have to try."

He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. When he opened them again, there was a fierce determination burning within. "Then we do this together," he said, his voice stronger now. "No matter what comes."

He glanced at the window, and I followed his gaze. The moonlight that was streaming in seemed to intensify, bathing everything in an ethereal glow. I felt a sudden surge of energy, as if the goddess herself was reaching out to us.

"Thorn," I gasped, watching as my skin slowly began to shimmer with a faint silvery light. "Do you feel that?"

He nodded, his own skin taking on a golden hue. "It's like... like the sun and moon are singing to each other," he murmured in awe.

Drawn by some instinct we didn't fully understand, we moved towards each other. As our hands intertwined, a burst of energy pulsed between us, filling the room with a dazzling display of silver and gold light.

Visions flashed before my eyes: ancient forests, shimmering pools, and creatures that I didn't even have the words to describe. Then I saw Thorn and myself, standing side by side against a darkness so profound it threatened to swallow the world. Through it all, there was a thread of hope, delicate but unbreakable.

As the visions faded, I found myself wrapped in Thorn's arms, both of us panting. The room had returned to normal, but something had changed. Our bond felt stronger, more alive than ever before.

"Did you see...?" I began, looking up at him.

"Everything," he finished, his voice filled with wonder and a touch of fear. "Senara, I think...I think we just got a glimpse of what we're truly up against."

I nodded, my mind still reeling from the experience. "And what we're fighting for," I added softly.

We readied ourselves for sleep and settled onto the bed, neither of us quite ready to rest despite the late hour. There was so much to process, so much to prepare for.

Thorn's arms encircled me as we lay on the bed, his warmth a comforting presence against the chill of uncertainty. The visions we had shared still danced behind my eyelids, fragments of a future both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

"What do you think it all means?" I whispered into the quiet darkness.

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