Page 27 of His to Claim
"She stood by my side and protected me when the Valkryans attacked the village. She saved me and I owe her my life. Goodbye sweet Kallena," Emma says as tears flow down both her cheeks.
Her grief makes my heart ache. I wrap my arms around her once again. This time she holds me close and kisses my neck softly. I feel her lips brush against my skin causing goose bumps to rise.
"I know, my human," I comfort her. "But we need to leave before nightfall if we want to get there safely."
After saying goodbye to Kallena, we walk toward the portal. Tarek leads the way as he knows how to get around Valkrya. We are in the Old City, surrounded by ruins of what were once majestic buildings.
The city was destroyed by invaders many years ago. Many of the structures remain intact though others lie broken and shattered. Trees grow over most areas making them difficult to see clearly. There is also debris littering the ground which blocks our path and makes walking treacherous.
As we travel deeper within the old city, it becomes darker until the suns disappear behind the horizon completely. All we can see is the glow of the moon shining above us. The air is cold and damp, so much that even Emma shivers.
When we reach the portal, Tarek places his hand on the stone wall surrounding it. A crack forms and begins to spread outward rapidly. In less than five seconds, a hole opens wide enough for two people to pass through.
"Come! Only two can go through," Tarek says.
"I guess this is where we part," I tell him. I am grateful for taking care of Emma and for saving me. "Thank you, my friend," I smile.
"Thanks, big guy," Emma shouts as she hugs Tarek.
"Take care you two," he tells us.
I take hold of Emma's hands and step inside the opening. As soon as our bodies touch the coolness of the tunnel, we begin to float upward. The sensation is incredible and sends chills down my spine.
A minute later, we emerge into the open space of a cave. Light shines down from high overhead illuminating everything in sight. When I glance back at the exit, the portal closes shut.
* * *
There arethree tunnels leading off from the cavernous area. One looks like a giant spider web while another resembles a dark corridor stretching far beyond any eye could ever hope to see.
"What the fuck? This is not Bellaria," I growl.
My voice echoes throughout the vast cave. I don't hear anyone respond, only silence filling the void.
Emma squeezes my arm gently. Her grip tightens as fear grips her features.
"It seems we have been transported to a new place," she whispers.
"So it seems my human," I say.
"Dhakar, where are we?" Emma asks.
"We must keep moving forward," I reply.
Walking slowly, we continue deeper into the caves. After several minutes of traveling along one passage, it branches off in two separate directions.
One branch continues straight ahead while the other curves sharply downward.
"Which way do we choose?" Emma questions.
Her question reminds me that I should be asking her that same thing instead of assuming we will follow the correct path. It doesn't matter either way. If we end up dead or enslaved, then there is no point.
"Let's head right."
"Okay!" Emma replies.
She takes my hand and we turn towards the curving tunnel. We walk together, holding each other close, trying to stay calm and steady. My heart races faster with every footfall, wondering what lies ahead.
After a short distance, we come across a small stream flowing along beside us. The water is clear and sparkling clean, reflecting the light from above.
