Page 185 of The Lands Defying
He nods. “I don’t think they know we are in Eridian, but it won’t be long until they do.”
And my home is at risk again. “What do we do?”
“We recover and heal, then we get a wolf out and go eat our enemies.”
I huff out a laugh. “It is not that easy.”
“I know,” he says, running a finger across my lips. “But anything worth having was never easy.”
Fifty Four
Rhea
After putting more protection crystals around Eridian, we helped tend to the wounded. Darius told me about the attack on the keep and about those we lost.
My heart is heavy with that, especially Ellian. Edward and I blessed him when I told him. The omega didn’t deserve that fate.
Darius thinks he was trying to escape with his kitchen staff…and that breaks my heart even more.
We don’t know the number of the dead with most under the rubble of what used to be Vokheim now, and I can tell Darius is not only furious about his home being destroyed, but I think he’s also grieving a place that had been his for so long. Along with his men.
He told me he had been there since he became Alpha of the Elites at eighteen. That’s a long time to become attached to a place, though he hasn’t outright said it.
The attack has put things into perspective. We don’t have time, and this is why we are here.
“Will it work this time?” I ask Darius as he stands before me. Snowflakes drop around him, and in his hair, giving him a softer look rather than the harsh male of the Alpha of the Elites.
Just like he said, he was immune to the rogures poison after being bitten, and it must be because of Drax, because Darius tells me he’s fine too, just tired.
We are all tired.
We are a little ways into the forest, just past the lilk trees. Darius wanted us to come out this way to where it is silent, where no one can disturb us.
“It has to work, little wolf, we are running out of time,” he reminds me. “We don’t know when we will be attacked, and we have to start fighting back.”
And if I don’t fully connect with Runa, I will be a liability, I’ll be of no help to anyone.
I have to save my family from the Highers’s wrath, I have to keep them safe, along with all the innocents dragged into this.
“Okay,” I nod, and straighten my spine. “Do it.” Darius smiles and places a hand on my chest.
Pride fills his eyes. “Good girl.”
I close my eyes, breathing in the cold winter air around us as Darius pours his magic into me. I welcome it now, I let him in instantly.
So different from the first time we did this.
I realize I trust him now.
My chest heats, and then I peel my eyes open and look around the dark space. Small, glowing balls float around us, some scattering further back.
When I look into the pure darkness, I swallow roughly. Darius doesn’t miss my unease, aware of my reactions more than ever.
“What is it?” he asks. He stands in front of me, just like he was before we came here. With his hand still on my chest, he rubs there gently, as if he can make it all better.
“It just reminds me of what happened after I fell,” I tell him honestly. I remember the darkness, the thought of not being able to breathe, invisible hands dragging me down.
His eyes darken, a tick in his jaw. “You are not there now, you’re with me.” He runs his hands up and down my arms. “Safe.”
