Page 188 of The Lands Defying
Snowflakes fall lightly around us, coating the trees and plant life. The winter wind blows and I pull the hood of Rhea’s cloak over her head, wanting to keep her warm as her eyes flicker beneath her closed eyelids.
Maybe I should start a fire to keep her warm, I don’t know how long we will be here.
Just when I begin to move to go gather firewood nearby, I sense it.
The change.
I freeze, my body thrumming with anticipation as my eyes roam over her. Then I feel it gradually getting stronger, the air around us filling with it and I straighten to my full height.
“Rhea?” I ask, but she doesn’t acknowledge me.
Drax moves within, ears perked as he comes to my eyes. Is this it? Is she finally coming out?
When I feel another strong surge, I step back to give her space, my eyes locked on Rhea when suddenly, she twitches.
Just the slightest bit in her finger first, then another, then her entire hand.
My breathing picks up, my own hands flexing to grab her, hold her and make sure everything is alright.
“I got you Rhea, let her come,” I say gently. I don’t even know if she can hear me. “I’m here.” Calling my power, I move a tendril forward and wrap it around her middle finger, loosely, solidifying my words to her.
A whimper comes from her lips, and I take a step forward before halting myself.
I cannot interfere with this.
“You can do it, little wolf, relax as much as possible, it will hurt less.”
The change hurts when you first receive your wolf, and it’s only after a few times of doing so that your muscles become used to the way they stretch, the way your body molds and moves.
She hasn’t done it since she was fourteen.
A small cry comes from her next, and I grit my teeth. If I go to her, I could disrupt this, I could make Runa retreat and then she will have to go through this all over again.
Her face crumples, and I want to take it away. All the discomfort, all the pain.
“I’ll take care of you,” I tell them both, because now her eyes are open and on me, and it’s Runa looking from within. Those black flecks float in her eyes as she stares. “I won’t hurt you.” Ishake my head. “Never again,” I growl to her, to myself. “I vow it so just…come out and ease Rhea’s pain.”
I take another step back and squeeze Rhea’s finger with my magic. She looks down, lifting her hand and following the strand back to me. Where we are connected.
My eyes show my truth, my honesty to them both.
My vow.
I raise my arm and pull the sleeve up, showing the bite mark. “We made a blood vow, if my words aren’t enough, this should be.” It glows a subtle violet as I reveal the mark to her, hating that it is even needed.
She closes her eyes, and then a sudden shimmer overcomes her, a scream following on parted lips as she hunches over.
One moment, she’s there.
The next, she’s wolf.
A breath escapes me as I watch the wolf shake out her fur, standing on wobbly legs as she sneezes. My chest warms at finally seeing her, and then pride fills in my chest for them both, for actually shifting.
“Laeliah,” I tell her softly. “Just like your keeper.” Her head snaps to me at the sound of my voice, and her whole body freezes.
She’s large, not as big as Drax, but still larger than any other wolf. Her coat shines silver, the snowflakes disappearing as soon as they land on her. Her eyes are a striking blue, so full of life and innocence that emotions rise within me, overwhelming as it reminds me of Rhea when she sees something for the first time.
I swallow roughly at how strong my reaction is.
